Organizations

CHURCH COUNCIL

St. Andrew’s Church Council
Ellen Ottstadt – President / Outreach
Emily Small – Vice President / Resource
David Hamm – Treasurer / Resource
Greg Ehlke – Secretary / Life

Howie Walter
Zeek Ruzicka, Resource Chair
Gary Grossman
Donna Ruppert
Dorothy Forcina, Life Chair
Donna Kellet
Keith Hopkins
Will Jakubik
Evelyn Cecil
Laura Susi

Life Commission plans for the continued life of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. The Commission oversees the various groups and people that make the church a living place.

St. Andrew’s Sunday school, for children ages three years old through grade 7, is lead by a dedicated volunteer staff. It runs weekly from September through June. The church nursery, staffed with one adult and a youth volunteer, is open every Sunday for the 10 AM service. Confirmation class is taught by Pastor Johnsen.

The music program at St. Andrew’s features both instrumental and choral music under the direction of organist and music director, Margy Tillistrand. Choir practices are held Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.

Youth Choir is also open to new members! All children ages 5 through Confirmation class are welcome to join. Rehearsals are held after worship on the last two Sundays of every month and the Youth Choir sings on the first Sunday of each month during the Family Worship Service. The children have a lot of fun "making a joyful noise unto the Lord" and they learn a lot about teamwork and music too.

Service Group meets the first Tuesday of each month to create kits for Lutheran World Relief, design craft items for sale, or to distribute Christmas gifts to those in need. Another way to serve is by assisting with the actual service. Free training is provided for members of the altar guild, communion assistants, ushers, counters, readers and acolytes.

Life Commission sponsors and/or supports many other workshops, groups and worship activities throughout the year such as craft days; an annual Christmas pageant; family picnics with games; a local Boy Scout troop; several Girl Scout troops; Bible study; a men’s club; and youth and family retreats. Each summer St. Andrew’s also joins with two local churches to sponsor Vacation Bible School.

These organizations function because of the efforts of many volunteers. The Life Commission meets monthly, and all are welcome to attend.

RESOURCE COMMISSION

The St. Andrew’s Resource Commission is charged with the responsibility of caring for the physical and non-physical assets of the church including the sanctuary and main building, chapel house, parsonage and church grounds as well as the annual budget. The Commission investigates new development projects, activities, and ideas for possible future implementation and creates an annual fundraising plan to generate the funds necessary to meet these non-grant related needs. The Commission then forms and supervises the necessary sub-committees required to successfully carry out the fundraising events and activities that are part of the annual fundraising plan.

Resource is also responsible for involving church members in creative ways to aid in these activities. The Commission evaluates its work annually and reports back to the Council and church president. 

OUTREACH COMMISSION

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. -- Hebrews 13:1-2

The St. Andrew's Outreach Commission works to promote programs that minister to the needs of those in the wider community. Members of Outreach work with local churches, service organizations and missionaries to bring about the goods and services they require to support their ministries. Our work providing meals to the homeless and much needed food for our local food pantries; sending supplies to our missionary school and missionaries in Tanzania; and gathering together with our local churches in worship provides us with a satisfying fulfillment of our spiritual growth while affecting positive change in our communities—local and global. As our outreach program continues to grow in size and scope, we look forward to expanding not only our deeds of service, but our common spiritual growth as well.