Text Box: “YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE?” David Allshouse In thinking about stewardship and our response to the question of how much we should give, I couldn’t help but think of this classic comedy skit from the late, great Jack Benny. In the radio skit from 1948, a mugger accosts Jack on the street. He is asked quite simply, “Your money, or your life?” Jack’s initial response is total silence. The radio audience, who know his reputation as a skinflint, are rolling on the floor because the silence indicates his obvious dilemma. The mugger asks the question again, this time more insistently “I said, your money or your life!” to which lovable Jack replies, “ I’m thinking it over!” This question and Jack’s reply is at the heart of our giving to the church. God asks each of us to prioritize what is more important, our money or the life that He so freely gives us. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:19-21 that you should not store up treasures on Earth. He only asks that you give back from the provision that He so graciously granted to you. How much should you give? Well, only you and God know the answer to that question. So you must ask yourself the question. What is more important, your money or your life? Text Box: Stewardship committee

September 2010

Volume 21 Number 8

Pastor's Column

Dear friends,

 

Those of you who have been faithfully attending worship know that I delivered some pointed sermons in August on a stewardship theme.  As an interim pastor one of my roles is to be a bit like a consultant who works with an organization to help it lead with its strengths and at the same time identify, shore-up, and rebuild areas of weakness.  Sooner or later money always creeps into the conversation – not just at St. Andrew, but in every church I have served.  Now, you need to know that I am no more comfortable talking about money at church than you are hearing about it.  And you also should know that when I raise the issue of money or of giving, I am not making a judgment on anyone or on the congregation in general.  After all, if I did make such judgments, I’d be judging myself as a pledging giver as well. 

 

The Bible itself doesn’t make or even hint at many judgments about wealth and money.  But scripture has a lot to say about people’s attitudes toward money.  Contrary to what many people assume, for instance, scripture doesn’t condemn money as the “root of all evil.”  The abomination is the love of money.  The rich men and women of the Bible are

bs00554_Text Box: Adult Education Dr. Susan Mahan The Adult Education Class will begin on Sunday September 12 at 9am. We will start our program with a continuation of the classes from last year on Religion in America with a look at a point of view called Postmodernism which is a large part of the foundation of the secularism and individualism in our society.  We will also be reading selections from a classic book by the Lutheran theologian H. Richard Niebuhr called Christ and Culture on the various positions that all the churches have taken on addressing the culture in which their congregations exist.  In October we will do a Bible study on Women in the Bible.  In the later fall we will also read a nonfiction bestseller called Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire about the most award-winning elementary school teacher in the USA, Rafe Eisquith.  We also have a DVD on him and his classroom.  It is a fascinating approach to teaching, learning and just plain organizing and motivating people.  We will then be studying the development of the Confessions of the Presbyterian Church over the centuries. Another topic area we have decided to study is the many resources for Aging that are available to us - things like the Aging in Place movement that is now all over the U.S. and medical and lifestyle approaches we have just learned about. The photocopied selections for the first class will be on the table in the office on September 5 to read before the class.  We are always interested in your ideas for topics or books to study throughout the year and can adjust our schedule as we go. Please feel free to contact Susan Mahan at 320-6422 or stmahan@yahoo.com or David Allshouse of the Enrichment Committee with ideas or concerns. Text Box: Adult Education class is held at 9am on Sunday mornings in Hubler Hall. Text Box: Newsletter

never held up as negative examples simply because of their wealth, and the poorer folk in the Bible are not praised simply because they have few material things.  Where there is direct or implied criticism or praise related to money, scripture roots its comments in the degree to which people claim wealth as their own or as God’s – placed in human hands to care for.

 

I’d like to tell you the stewardship sermons are over and done with for a while, but the sobering thing  is  that Jesus  talked  about this subject an awful lot himself, as even a quick look at the September Sunday Gospel lessons in the Common Lectionary will tell us.  This month Luke’s Gospel lessons cover the cost of discipleship, the poor woman’s lost coin, the unscrupulous manager of his master’s accounts receivable, and the afterlife fate of an insensitive rich man.  What I can promise is that I won’t nag you.  I won’t nag us.  I’ll try to open the door to the scriptures I choose to preach on in a way that shows forth the great potential our blessings make possible.  We can make good things better, and together I know we will.

 

Blessings and Peace,

John

 

 
SeptemberText Box: From the Deacons Sharon Allshouse Need a ride, need a meal, need to talk? The Board of Deacons can help during times of illness, grief or when the demands of daily life become too difficult. We will provide rides, meals, or a friendly face to share assistance and personal comfort. Please call Sharon Allshouse, deacon moderator, 688-7526, or the church office, 688-4211.

Reminder

Karen Schultz

 

A friendly reminder to save the toiletries from your vacation travels for the Rebele Family Homeless Shelter. Please place them in my "cubby" and I will make sure to get them to the Shelter. These items are truly appreciated. Thank you.
Text Box: Inside This Edition All regular monthly articles, plus: Adult Education September 12 Annual Picnic September 19 Your money or Your Life Make a Difference for a Veteran

Nurture

 

Annual St. Andrew

Church Picnic

 

 

The Six W’s?

WHO: You and any friends of all ages

WHAT: Annual church picnic

WHERE: Hubler Hall at St. Andrew

WHEN:  Sunday, September 19, following worship

WHY: To share a meal together and our mutual

love for each other

WHAT TO BRING: Please bring a side dish to

share and an attitude of FUN!

 

Hamburgers, hot dogs, condiments, and

beverages will be provided.  There will be fun

activities for the young at heart.

Hope to see you for Food, Fun and Fellowship

Immediately following worship, September 19!!

Enrichment

Bible Study

 

Jane Parks-McKay is willing to organize a midweek Bible Study if there is enough interest. Most likely held at the Church, she has researched a variety of studies and any final study could be decided by the group. If anyone is also interested in being a leader for this group, please let Jane know. 

 

If you are interested in attending or participating as a leader in a midweek Bible study, please get back to Jane by October 1st. Her email is janeparksmckay@sbcglobal.net; her voicemail is 475-0588. It could be that group members could also take turns being leaders to ease everyone's load.

Note Newsletter Deadline!

 

Articles for the August newsletter must be submitted by September 15

 

Preschool News

Kathy Gleaton

 

It is August and we are talking about school starting! This is the first time the preschool has opened before Labor Day! School will start Monday, August 30th and Tuesday August 31st. Beware, the church parking lot will be busy!

 

Our enrollment is full for the MWF class. TTH is growing each day. We have 14 enrolled and a wait list for when the little ones decide to use the potty!!

 

Thank you again for your recycle contributions. We are continuing the program and appreciate your participation. The children use lots of glue sticks.

 

Melanie, Luisa and I are looking forward to starting a new year.  Can you believe the school is over 40 years old! 

 

 

Save the Date for the Harvest Festival

The Preschool Harvest Festival will take place on October 17, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mickey Magic will perform at 3pm. All are invited!
Text Box: Your Opportunity To Make a Difference Al Cheney On Saturday, October 16, the Monterey Bay Detachment 711, Marine Corp League, is hosting a veterans transition luncheon at the VA in Menlo Park. In that the veterans can use all types of clothing, new or used, we ask that you search your closets for clothing that you can no longer use. Clothing must be clean. Sweatshirts are especially welcome, but all types are appreciated. In addition, used paperback books are a welcome item for those returning veterans that remain hospitalized at the VA in Palo Alto. Our detachment, along with your help, can make a difference by showing our respect and appreciation to our young returning vets. Please bring what you can to Kathy, in the church office, and I will personally deliver your gifts to our vets.