NEWSLETTER

February -- 2010

Saint Andrews Christian Church of Carrollton

An Update from the Board of Directors of SACC!

The new Board held its inaugural meeting January 17, 2010.  The Board consists of the following representatives of the congregation:

The agenda for the inaugural meeting included adoption of Board Guiding Principles and Strategic Goals.

The Board decided on the following guiding principles:

• Work in teams. 
• Take ownership / be accountable for leadership of your committee.
• Utilize transparent communication with our congregation.
• Challenge status quo
• Be prayerful in all deliberations

Strategic goals adopted for 2010 are as follows:

• Reinforce our financial standing.  Key Architects:  The Stewardship Committee.

• Expand our community reach.  Key Architects:  The Elders (Evangelism Committee)

• Retain and develop our members.  Key Architects:  The Membership Committee

We also anticipate exciting programs from our other committees. 

Our next Board meeting is scheduled for March 21. While we spent some time recognizing our church’s strengths, we are a passionate group about making our church even better!

Sign Up to Serve on a Committee in 2010

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

Saint Andrews Christian Church—Carrollton, Texas

[ ]  Christian Education-- Velvet Scholz, leader…recruit teachers;  youth

          ministry;  small groups for adults;  Vacation Bible

          School;  child safety practices

[ ]  Evangelism-Elders; contact Pastor…inviting others to worship; 

          public relations;  web site work

[ ]  Membership--Anne Smithson / Velvet Scholz…church dinners;  fellowship events;

          receptions;  membership records

[ ]  Outreach--Russell Daniel, leader…service in the community;  CROP Walk;

          food pantry;  support of local and global causes

[ ]  Property--John McCasland, leader…management of church facilities;

          energy;  building maintenance;  projects;  making

          SACC a welcoming place

[ ]  Stewardship--George Tiegs. leader…manage church finances;  education

          about Christian stewardship;  annual drive

[ ]  Worship --Louellen Stephenson. leader....plan seasonal services;  assist staff with

          weekly service;  involve members in worship

[ ]  New way of sharing my gifts (new idea):

          ____________________________________

Name: 

Phone:

Email: 

February’s Bible Bee                                           

 Test your knowledge.  How many can you answer?  Researching the Good Book is allowed.  Answers found below.

1. How many children had Mary had before she gave birth to Jesus?
2. True or false.  There were only three wise men.
3. How did Joseph know that Herod was set to kill Jesus?
4. When Jesus was twelve in the Temple, to whom did he say, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
5. True or false.  John the Baptist wore clothes made of sheepskin.
6. Which of Jesus’ disciples was Peter’s brother?
7. Who is the only disciple whose martyrdom was recorded in the Bible?
8. When Jesus fed 5,000 people, how many loaves of bread and how many fish did the disciples have to start with?
9. After the 5,000 had eaten, how many baskets of leftovers remained?
10. When Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, what question had Jesus just asked his disciple?

Answers to this month’s quiz:

• None.  Mary was a virgin.
• False.  We were not told how many wise men there were.
• The Lord warned him in a dream.
• Mary
• False.  His clothes were made of camel’s hair (John 3:4)
• Andrew
• James, the brother of John; he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa
• Five loaves of bread, two fish
• Twelve full baskets
• “Who do you say I am?”

Music Ministry Notes

God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him…

We love because he first loved us.

I John 4: 16, 19

It’s February! The happy month that we celebrate love and friendship! Many legends exist about the man for whom that certain mid-February day is named. St. Valentine was a priest who either continued to perform marriage ceremonies after they were outlawed for Roman soldiers,  or attempted to help early Christians out of cruel conditions of Roman prisons. Either way, historians believe that around 270 A.D. Valentine gave his life for his heroic ideal of love.

So, in a way, this month gives us two reminders of God’s incredible love towards us. The legend of St. Valentine is the fun and romantic version, remembered on February 14. More importantly, though, Lent begins on February 17 and is the time of the year when we begin to focus on the gift of God’s great love, symbolized by the Cross.

The Chancel Choir and Bell Choir will both be preparing for the Lenten and Easter season. Come on out and join us! Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings: 7pm for Bell Choir and 7:30pm for the Chancel Choir.

Enjoy what February brings you!

Best wishes,

Lisa

Words of Appreciation

         Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society

         January 19, 2010

         Dear Members of SACC,

         This year, the Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society will celebrate thirty-one years of service to the Dallas Community.  During that time, thousands of persons with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers and other family members have been helped in facing the challenges of this disease.  DAPS is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping Parkinsonians and their families live a more fulfilling life. 

         Because your church has generously shared facilities and friendship, there have been many victories.  The enclosed check is one simple way to evidence our gratitude to you.  We are honored to have you as partners in a most worthwhile cause.

         Sincerely,

         Ann Staton, Executive Director -- DAPS

         Dallas North Camp—Gideons International

         January 20, 2010

         St. Andrews Christian Church

         The Dallas North Camp of Gideons International wishes to “Thank You” for allowing us to present the Gideon Report on January 17.  As I said in the report, “…St. Andrews is very friendly, and I enjoy coming to the church.” 

         I appreciate the support that you give to the Gideons as we are trying to “spread the Good Word of Jesus.”

         God bless you and all the families of St. Andrews.

         Thank you,

         Bob Wilhite – Church Presenter

    Monthly Events

        Elders Meeting

         The Elders have moved their meetings to the second Monday night through May.  The next meeting is February 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. 

         Men’s Fellowship

         The Men’s Fellowship has a new meeting date – the fourth Sunday morning each month.  Serving begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. 

         Fellowship, good conversation, inspirational books, and a review of mission projects follow the breakfast. 

         Jim Wilson, Bob Edwards, and Gary Stephenson are leaders and cooks for the group, and they do a great job!

         Please come!  Bring your son(s)!  Bring a friend.  The next meeting is February 28. 

         Senior Fellowship

         February 20 is the date for the next meeting of Senior Fellowship.  Please bring a dish to share at the pot luck supper.  Cindy Whitten, Program Coordinator, is lining up special presentations for each month.  Dinner starts at 6:00 p.m.

           Workday – February 6

         John McCasland is calling for helpers for Saturday morning, February 6.  There are several jobs to share as we prepare the church facilities for Lent and Easter. 

         If you would like to have a job assignment in advance, please contact Pastor Randy.  Thank you!

           All Church Luncheon – Sunday, February 14

It’s fun to stay for lunch with friends!  We are thankful to have a great fellowship hall to use as a congregation and to share with the community.  (Remember the days of setting up tables in the Peanut Gallery?)

         Bring food to the fellowship hall before worship.  The Membership Department has planned a special Valentine’s Day theme for the event.

WORSHIP IN THE LIFE OF SAINT ANDREWS

Ash Wednesday Service – February 17

         Lent is coming toward us in a hurry this year!  February 17 is Ash Wednesday.   SACC will join with friends at Nor’Kirk Presbyterian for the annual service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

(Is this the 12th year of worshiping together?!)  Choirs will share a combined anthem.  Pastor Randy is developing a sermon based on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Creation and Fall / Temptation.”  Pastor Bill is building the liturgy using the ancient Shofar.  What is the Shofar?  Come and see on Ash Wednesday!!

NEWS ARTICLE FROM WORSHIP COMMITTEE

               According to Webster’s Dictionary, a volunteer is someone who “enters into or offers himself for a service of his own free will.”  We have many volunteers at St. Andrews.  A prime example is the Leadership Schedule that is forwarded to our members on a monthly basis.  Just by way of example, it takes on the average 16 or more members to put on any given Sunday worship service.  That’s a lot of people.  That’s a lot of volunteering but that’s a lot of different ways to serve in the church.  If you are interested in being more active on this schedule, please contact Louellen Stephenson (972.306.1395) for a brief description of ways to serve.  Definitely there are spots open for communion preparers, greeters, scripture readers, worship and communion leaders, servers for communion, delivering the children’s message and helpers in extended session.  Where would you like to serve?

LEADERSHIP SCHEDULE – FEBRUARY 2010

Message to Greeters:  Please invite all visitors to sign the guest book located on the small table

to the left of the main Sanctuary doors.

 REQUEST AND APPRECIATION:  No schedule is perfect.  If you need to secure a replacement, please do so.  Then email nancy.daniel@e-sacc.org or phone the Church Office (972.492.7531) to tell us the change.  Thanks.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Dave Ramsey Programs Coming Soon!! 

Proverbs 21:5

"The plan of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty."  Texas has not been hit by the economic downturn as bad as other areas in the country, but there are still people looking for work and trying to make the best of their financial situation. Some people that were laid off in 2008 have depleted their savings and their retirement funds. Dave Ramsey will be holding his Total Money Makeover Live on March 13th at The Potters House. Ramsey’s live events are educational, inspiring, and entertaining.The key to winning with money is having a game plan that is simple enough to live by, but smart enough to actually work! Through his radio and television shows, classes and books, Dave has helped millions of people learn the right steps to take control of their money and beat debt.Now his best motivation and advice is packed into one afternoon!

You will learn how to:

• Create a game plan to get out of debt
• Make a plan for your money --that works!
• Save money like never before
• Invest with confidence
• Plus more!

St. Andrews has the promo code “SACC” registered with Ramsey’s group giving a discount on passes to the event. The promo code will discount the general passes to $25 each when you sign up online. If you want to contact Patrick Morales, he will get promo priced tickets for anyone who would rather not sign up online.

This event can help many people. Pass along the promo code to anyone who could benefit from the event and the discount pass.

Boring Financial Seminar: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=jxbA7CozYdM 
Link:
http://www.daveramsey.com/ live/city/city/Dallas/date/ 20100313/

Spiritual Ministries Institute

Spirituality for a Busy World

2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Feeling Satisfied

Rev. Brian Hardesty-Crouch

Do you ever feel like what you 'do' is never enough?  Moreover, our culture says
 that what we 'have' is never enough! 
Come and pray for true satisfaction, found in the source of our good and giving God.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Cloaks We Cling To

 Ms. Donnie Hawley

Palm Sunday seems to be misnamed.  The branches are quite secondary to the cloaks (Luke 19:35-36).  Beginning our prayerful reflection on the high drama of Holy Week, this presentation will help us focus on the cloak we can offer to Jesus this season.

                                                                                           Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Walking Wet In A Parched World

Rev. Dr. David Batchelder

What does it mean to live a sacramental spirituality in a thirsty world? Baptismal identity is both gift and call where deepened faith and heightened risk go hand in hand.
Both belong to a graced mode of being.

Details and Registration on back.  

Spiritual Ministries Institute:

spirmininst@yahoo.com    214-934-3217

www.SpiritualMinistriesInstitute.org

Group Rates are available for groups of 5 or more starting at $40.  Contact us for details.

All Programs offered
at two locations and two times

10:00 am – noon

       at Midway Hills Christian Church,

      11001 Midway Road, Dallas, TX

7:00-9:00 pm (repeated)

at Prince of Peace Catholic Church

5100 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093

Our Presenters:

REV. BRIAN HARDESTY-CROUCH— President of Holy Moments. www.holymoments.org and member of faculty for HeartPaths DFW, a program in the art of spiritual leadership and spiritual direction.  Creator and faciliator of the Loving God series, a program for spirituality for congregational leaders at Christ UMC, Plano, TX, Brian is an ordained Methodist elder and spiritual director.

MS. DONNIE HAWLEY—Degreed teacher with 25 years experience as Director of Faith Formation at her church, a position from which she is now retired.  She currently serves as a spiritual director and remains active in a variety of spiritual and formational ministries.

REV. DR. DAVID BATCHELDER—Pastor of West Plano Presbyterian Church frequently sought for his expertise in liturgy and worship. A member of the North American Academy of Liturgy and Convener of the Christian Initiation Study Group, he has published numerous articles on worship and related subjects. His newest work is a book, All Through the Day, All Through the Year: Family Prayers and Celebrations, Augsburg Press.