The Weekly Newsletter

Archived issue

The St. Andrew Weekly — August 12, 2026, 2026-08-12

This Week

Faith trusts in God’s promises Trust is something difficult to earn and easy to lose. We live in a world built on trust, but so often it’s hard to trust anyone because we’ve been let down time and time again. Not so with our God! He is not only worthy of our worship and praise, but also our trust that he has everything under control and will build us up to deal with whatever comes up in life. In fact, faith trusts in God’s promises. Why? Because he never lets us down in Christ our Savior. Join us for worship at 7 PM on Thursday or 8 or 10:30 AM on Sunday.

Highlights

Events and ministry news needing immediate attention

Call meeting August 13 We will be calling for a Pastor for Outreach on Thursday, August 13, at 5:45 PM. Western Wisconsin District President Mike Jensen will provide a list of candidates who are eligible to receive a call and whom he believes may be a good fit for St. Andrew, based on his knowledge of our ministry. After open discussion, the voters will select a candidate to extend the call.

The green chairs Last call to own some very practical St. Andrew nostalgia. We have only found homes for about half of our former sanctuary chairs. That means there are still some for you to take home. If you would like to claim a chair or several chairs, contact Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad.

A Place of Peace

Updates related to the ministry expansion and building project

Construction update Did you know there will be two main entrances into the new building? When you first drive into the parking lot, the north entrance has a staircase leading into the building. There is also a handicap ramp from the north parking lot. If you drive around to the south side of the building, there is a second main entrance with no stairs and parking spots right next to it. Both entrances will be open during worship services, and both entrances have a doorbell system for use during the school day.

A Place of Peace giving We are now right on the brink of occupying and utilizing the new spaces, thanks to God’s work through so many contributors who allowed us to exceed our campaign goal. However, the goal still included a chunk of debt, so if you’re new to this and would like to contribute, giving can be set up like other offerings using “A Place of Peace” as the “Fund” or memo line, or check “Ministry Expansion” on your St. Andrew offering envelope. Contact Financial Administrator Ron Kerr with further questions.

Worship

Resources and opportunities for you to worship

Worship transition This weekend, August 13 & 16, will be our final weekend worshiping in the gym. Following the 10:30 AM service, we will take down the gym and put things away. Many hands make light work!

August 20 & 23 will be our first weekend worshiping in the new sanctuary. That weekend you will be able to enter through the new main entrances and head into the new sanctuary using either set of doors. Praise God for this very exciting milestone! Dedication of the new building will be the weekend of September 27 with a celebration following the 10:30 AM service.

Milestones Milo Seth Fenske, son of Seth and Delaney, was born and reborn through Holy Baptism in late June. His public baptism affirmation service was last weekend. Welcome to the St. Andrew family, Milo!

Andrew Fritz, longtime St. Andrew member, was installed as vicar at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles Michigan on August 2. This is his one-year internship, part of his Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary education en route to the full-time pastoral ministry. God bless his work and training!

Worship check-in If you worship on-site, please fill out the Connection Card attached to your worship folder. Online worshipers, please continue to check in here.

Weekend worship songs Preview some of the songs we will use for worship on Sunday. Obviously ours won’t sound exactly like this, but listening to the links provided will certainly help you be more comfortable participating in the service. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” by Branches Band “I Believe” by Phil Wickham “Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways” by Koine “Still, My Soul, Be Still” by Keith Getty, Stuart Townend

Nurture

Ways to be connected to Jesus throughout the week in your personal life and with others

Growth Group sign-ups Fall Growth Groups begin after Labor Day. Join a group to help your faith and to help others with their faith. Joining a Growth Group is also a terrific way to make new friends. For more information on St. Andrew Growth Groups, go here. Sign-up begins on Sunday!

Grow in Grace Dr. Michael Berg, a Bible teacher at Wisconsin Lutheran College, will be here on Sunday to lead Grow in Grace. He will present on apologetics. Join us for his presentation on August 16 and a follow-up on August 23, both at 9:30 AM. Childcare is available.

College students St. Andrew has a team of volunteers that stays in contact with our college students. If you are a college student (or the parent of one), please get your college mailing address to us. Send it to Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad, or write it on your Connection Card at church. A third option is to grab a college address card in the atrium.

GriefShare Are you grieving a loss? Do you need support as you grieve? At GriefShare you’ll receive valuable guidance and tips, leading you to relief, comfort, and peace of mind. All of this is guided by God’s Word and the love of Christ. If you would like more information about GriefShare at St. Andrew, contact Minister for Nurture Mark Kjenstad or GriefShare leader Ron Kerr.

Impact podcast After Elijah went to heaven, Elisha went to work, with God’s backing, which came in unique ways. Our guest this week is Pastor Nate Wordell from Wisconsin Lutheran College. You can listen to Impact here or by searching for “Kjenstad Impact” wherever you listen to podcasts.

PowerHour PowerHour will return in September. Are you interested in serving in this child-parent ministry? You can help create a theme-based art project, put together a toy station, read to the children, or help with sing-alongs. Contact Shelly Schmoller for details.

Service & Outreach

Opportunities for you to live your faith and love for Jesus by sharing Jesus with others

A perfect time to join a serving team As we begin worshiping in the new building, it is a perfect time to start serving. There are lots of opportunities in many established and some new roles. Want to make coffee and serve donuts? The Nourishment Team is for you. Want to greet and connect with people or help people worship comfortably? The Impressions Team is just for that. Want to lean into the tech a little bit, or a lot? The Production Team has a place for you. And the list goes on. Take a look in the atrium and sign up for a role right away!

Care box assembly party | August 23 at 9:15 Women of St. Andrew are invited to a miscarriage and infant loss awareness event and service project. There will be refreshments, a presentation by Rachel Greiner from Christian Life Resources, and an opportunity to serve by helping assemble care boxes for those who have experienced miscarriage or infant loss. Please confirm your attendance here.

Monthly Mission Partner Our August partner is our local assistance fund. This is one way we help those in physical need. We show the love of Christ by helping not out of obligation, but out of thanksgiving for Christ’s love. St. Andrew has helped community members with groceries, gas, utilities, car repairs, children’s Christmas gifts, and more. If you are or know someone in need, please let us know how we can help.

WELS Connection Every month, our church body releases a video to highlight a ministry or initiative within our fellowship. Last month’s video promotes the annual Leadership Conference, a recent addition that occurs in Chicago in January. It is not only for called workers or church staff; anyone can attend.

Westside Christian School

A ministry of St. Andrew, preparing students for academic success and lives of Christian service founded on God’s Word

School starts soon Tuesday, August 25, is the first day of school at Westside. We are excited to get into the new classrooms and get the rest of the school settled. Your continued prayers for our teachers and staff are always appreciated.

New teacher welcome boxes Our three new teachers (Miss Malia Faessler, Mr. Raul Ramos, and Miss Hannah Zabel) have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year, and we’re excited to welcome them to our school family.

For the next several Thursdays and Sundays, card boxes for each teacher will be available in the atrium. We invite you to help us give them a warm welcome by sharing a note of encouragement, a welcome card, or a gift card to help them get off to a great start. Your kindness and support will be a wonderful blessing as they begin this new chapter.

Open school positions Westside Christian School has several part-time paid positions that need to be filled for the 2026-27 school year. If you know of someone that might be interested, please pass this information along.

School lunch server | 11 AM – 1 PM, Monday – Friday

Preschool classroom assistant | full day, Monday and Tuesday

Study hall supervisor | 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Extended care facilitator | 3:15 – 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday (two openings)

For more information regarding the school lunch server and classroom aide positions, please contact Westside Christian School Administrative Assistant Dana Miller or Principal Daniel Plath. For more information on the preschool classroom assistant or the study hall and extended care facilitator positions, contact Early Childhood Director Raul Ramos or Principal Daniel Plath.

Fall coaching opportunities Do you want to make an impact on the lives of student athletes? Be a coach! Westside Christian School has two opportunities for you to coach this upcoming fall sports season.

One cross country head coach

One soccer assistant coach that can attend practices

If you are interested, contact Athletic Director Jack Murphy. Thank you!

Serving This Week

Guest Preacher Pastor John Boggs Luther Preparatory School

Musicians Lead musician: Kevin Meske Vocalist: Ashley Renstrom Guitar: Terry Jacobs, Jon Povich, Dan Wasmer Euphonium: Darren Powers Trumpet: Ian Eberle Drums: Brandon Brickner

Greeters Thursday: Dick and Vicky Bernards 8:00 AM: LoToya Murray, Mia Murray 10:30 AM: Robert and Beth Ramos, Michelle Teteak

Ushers Thursday: Phil Otto 8:00 AM: Jeff Grim, Brad Hougaard 10:30 AM: Dominic Fanello, Dennis Schlender, Pete Zimpelman

Lay Readers 8:00 AM: Jack Murphy 10:30 AM: Colin Shaffer

Communion Assistants Thursday: Dick Bernards 8:00 AM: Brian Fritz, Jack Murphy 10:30 AM: Jackson Hunter, Tyler Simmons

Communion Care Thursday: 8:00 AM: Chris Hougaard 10:30 AM: Rachel Martalock

Audio Thursday: Naomi Laabs 8:00 AM: Todd Kleman 10:30 AM: Ben Kleman

Slide Tech Thursday: Kaitlyn Mullin 8:00 AM: Connor Dix 10:30 AM: Hallie Lundgren

Livestream Video Thad Molling

Hospitality Thursday: Amanda Taticek 8:00 AM: Heidi Wolf 10:30 AM: Kim Volberg

Connection Card Assembly Chase and Kayla Rogers

Offering Caretakers Brian Maron, Dan Roekle

The St. Andrew Weekly — August 12, 2026

August 12, 2026

Past issues

• The Weekly — September 26, 2026September 26, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — September 16, 2026September 16, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — September 9, 2026September 9, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — September 2, 2026September 2, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — August 26, 2026August 26, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — August 19, 2026August 19, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — August 5, 2026August 5, 2026
• The St. Andrew Weekly — July 29, 2026July 29, 2026