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FEBRUARY 2013
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NOTES FROM PASTOR SANDAGER
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Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
It's an exciting time to be a part of St. Martin's. We have voted to extend a call to Carolyn Albert Donovan as Assistant Pastor for children, youth, and family ministries. We had a great annual meeting and we are now in the process of dreaming about God's desire for St. Martin's in the years to come. The zip code groups will be talking about several questions and issues regarding St. Martin's as we look down the road to the future. Questions like: "What do we do well? What can we do better? What can we do that we are not currently doing? What are we currently doing that could be discontinued?" All of these questions and more will be addressed in the next few weeks and months as we develop a comprehensive plan moving into the future. The good news is that every one of us will have input into the process. The more involved we are as a congregation the more exciting the process will be. I can't think of a better time of year than Lent to be doing this self-examination of our ministries. The traditions of Lent include self examination, fasting, and preparing for the celebration of Easter and new life. We begin on Ash Wednesday with the confession of sin and the imposition of ashes reminding us of who we are, "dust and to dust we shall return." Those are sobering words but words that remind us of God having the last word, a resounding no to death. Join us for our Lenten dinners at 5:30 each Wednesday in Lent followed by Lenten Vespers at 6:30 and my class at 7pm. So let us spend Lent together examining ourselves and our ministry, and looking forward with new vision to our ministry in the years to come. Through our baptisms into Christ, God has called us into the body of Christ, the church. God also calls each of us to be a part of the new vision that God sets before us through the Holy Spirit.
In Christ's name,
Pastor Pete
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 Feb. Benevolence: Meals on Wheels
The mission focus for February is Meals on Wheels and More. Through this organization, 7,000 volunteers reach out to 5,000 elderly, sick, or disabled people with daily meals, rides to doctors and grocery stores, and other assistance. Over 967,000 meals were distributed last year.
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Feb 1-3: Conspirare:The Sacred Spirit of Russia
The great Russian choral tradition, with its lush sound and heartfelt expression, has informed and inspired Conspirare's own music-making. Hear tradition come alive with 43 voices in these illuminating a cappella performances of vibrant works by the great Romantic composers. Click here for tickets of performances at St. Martin's.
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Feb: Small Groups
Please pick up your small group directory in the church office. All groups are based upon zip codes. Visioning is starting in the Small Groups and you don't want to miss it! If you'd like your Small Group directory e-mailed to you, contact info@saintmartins.org
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Feb 3: Souper Bowl Sunday
St. Martin's Confirmation Class will be collecting your spare change in bowls on Feb. 3 to donate to the Annual Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. All proceeds go to hunger ministries in our area.
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Feb 3 & 10: Sunday School "Emergent Church"
Pastor Pete will continue his Sunday School class on "Emergent Church" through Feb. 10.
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Nursery Group at St. Martin's
St. Martin's MYC group invites parents to our informal playgroup for childen ages birth to Pre-K. The group meets for fellowship and fun on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to noon in the Nursery. Please bring a snack or a lunch to enjoy with your children. All are welcome and invite a guest to come with you.
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 Feb. 6 & 20: MYC at St. Martin's
MYC is a vibrant source of mutual encouragement among women of all ages and stages at St. Martin's -- including mothers of young children. Join us on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Parlor. Dinner is provided, and babies & toddlers are welcome! |
 Feb. 6: Confirmation Night
Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 pm is Confirmation Night for all Middle School Students. |
Feb. 6: Gen Y Social Night
Are you part of Generation Y born after 1981 and wondering what your fellow Millennials are up to? Join our Gen Y Social night on Feb. 6 for Game Night at Faith Benitez' house starting at 8 pm. For directions and more info about the group contact whitney.myers@gmail.com
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 Feb. 8-10: Women's Retreat
St. Martin's Women and friends will enjoy the Annual Retreat topic "Energize" at Camp Chrysalis from Feb. 8-10. For more information, contact Albertina Law at albertina.law@gmail.com
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Feb. 12: Saintly Seniors
Everyone is invited to hear "Just about Marbridge" by James Stacey on Feb. 12 at noon in the Parlor. Marbridge is a non-profit organization where adults with intellectual disabilities learn, experience, and achieve a whole new life. RSVP with JoAnn at 442-8184 or Nell at 243-0437
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Feb 13: ASH WEDNESDAY
Imposition of Ashes on the first day of Lent will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 12:00 and 6:30 pm. Join us for a Lenten Meal at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
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Feb 16: New Life Children's Center
Celebrate 14 years of "Making a Difference" for the residents of New Life Children's Center. Proceeds benefit a safe haven for severely abused and neglected girls ages 11-17. The event is Saturday, February 16 at the Scholz Garden and Saengerrunde Hall beginning at 5 pm.
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 Feb. 17: Women of the Church Heritage Meeting "Faith Walk"
Sharolyn Browning, member and seminary student, will present her "Faith Walk" during the 9:45 am Sunday School hour on Feb. 17 in the Fellowship Hall. All are encouraged to attend.
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Feb. 17: Foundations Class "Samuel"
Join the Foundations Sunday School class starting Feb. 17 in the Chapel @ 9:45 am as they study "Samuel 1 & 2".
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 Feb. 17: Austin Marathon
Give yourself a few extra minutes to get to church on Sunday, Feb. 17 as the runners in the Austin Half Marathon run by St. Martin's on 15th Street. Please help us cheer them on their journey!
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 Feb. 20-Mar. 20: Lenten Vespers
Join us every Wednesday during Lent for a 5:30 dinner in the Fellowship Hall followed by our Lenten Vespers at 6:30 pm in the Nave and Pastor's Pete's class at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
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Cross WallBoth of our Cross Walls are filled! We are collecting more of your personal crosses through March 17. Please make sure you have a hangar and your name on the back of the cross. The Third Cross Wall will be completed and presented by Holy Week.
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CROP WalkCROP Walk is a Church World Service in in which walkers seek pledges to contribute to local hunger agencies and efforts world wide. Contact Kent Mickelson 512-630-4672 to be a walker or pledge a donation with a walker from St. Martin's. The 2013 CROP Walk is Sunday, March 3rd at Camp Mabry.
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Feb. 24: Balcones Community OrchestraThe Balcones Community Orchestra is in its fifteenth season of bringing high-quality chamber orchestra music to the Austin region. The all-volunteer group draws its repertoire from the masterworks for small orchestra, and presents free concerts in venues that approximate the conditions under which these works were first performed and heard. Concert begins at 4pm on Sunday, Feb. 24 at St. Martin's.
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Feb. 24: Adult Ed: "First Light"
Join Pastor Pete on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am in the Fellowship starting Feb. 24 for "First Light". Everything you wanted to know about Jesus, but forgot to ask.
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Feb. 24: Youth Silent Auction & Lunch
Help the Youth with their Annual Fundraiser on Feb. 24.
Silent Auction, Bingo, & Food provided. Buy your tickets each Sunday in the lobby.
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 Mar 1: Preschool Open Enrollment
St. Martin's Lutheran Preschool will hold open enrollment starting March 1st. 2013-2014 registration forms are available in the School Office. Contact Linda Easterwood if you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour - leasterwood@saintmartins.org
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 Mar 1: Ensemble VIII Concert
Ensemble VIII, under the direction of conductor Dr. James Morrow, will present The Passion of Seven--North German Masterworks for Holy Week on Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring works by Lutheran composers Bach, Buxtehude and Schütz, the concert will include three transcendent works that will transport listeners to a realm of great devotion and profound spirituality. Prices range from $10 for students to $45 for special priority seating. Click here for tickets.
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Mar 2: Installation Service
Pastor Carolyn Albert Donovan, our newly ordained Assistant Pastor for Children, Youth, & Family will be installed on Saturday, March 2 at 5:00 pm. Reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall.
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Mar 3: Concordia Choirs of Moorhead, MN
Hear one of the nation's finest college choirs perform Sunday, March 3 at 3:30 pm. Tickets available online at ConcordiaTickets.com, or call 800-838-3006 or at the door. René Clausen conducts the 76-voice a cappella choir in several spirituals and hymns plus some new dramatic Clausen arrangements.
Visit www.TheConcordiaChoir.org today for complete concert information!
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 Mar 9: Valparaiso University Chorale
The Chorale will perform a variety of sacred and secular music, featuring Frank Ticheli's ethereal "There Will Be Rest," Daniel Gawthrop's robust "Sing a Mighty Song," and classical works from Schütz and Bach on Saturday, March 9 at 7pm. Tickets at the door.
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 Mar 16: Youth in Mission Conference
All adults who work with youth as volunteers or as a staff person are invited to the conference. A workshop titled "Short Term Mission", will be facilitated by our friends from Global Mission of The ELCA. Registration is free and lunch will be provided! Saturday, March 16, 9 am - 4 pm. Space is limited so register soon to youthinmission@lstc.edu. For more information go to www.lstc.edu/yim
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 Mar. 24: Palm Sunday
We begin on the mall as we follow Jesus' path to the cross.
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 Mar. 28: Maundy Thursday
Service at 7 pm. Join us as Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper with his disciples.
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 Mar 29: Good Friday
Noon - Good Friday Liturgy
7:00 pm - Stations of the Cross
We commemorate Jesus' Passion and death on the cross for our salvation. |
 Mar 31: EASTER DAY
Join us as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection and triumph over death.
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