Associate Pastor's Column | | |
This past month has been a busy one at St. Andrew as fall began and ministry teams implemented their new vision for the programming and initiatives for a new year. It has been an interesting time for me, because I have not been physically present, so I streamed the worship services, read about the progress of ministries I had helped planned, and saw new ones take shape. I love being in the middle of all things at St. Andrew, but the change in how I engaged as an active participant to being a receiver of the work of the ministries has helped me gain a new perspective.
The past six weeks, I have received the gifts of your ministry as a community of lay leaders and staff members in new ways, as I was first in the hospital for several days and then at home in my new hotel room. You gave me the gifts of grace, space to heal, prayers to uphold me, cards to surprise and nurture me, texts to make me laugh, and love to surround me. Staff members preached and taught for me when I couldn’t serve as scheduled with good humor and excellence. Lay leaders lead significant ministry initiatives nurturing each student and contributing to the faith formation of the students and each leader’s faith formation. Gifts of meal cards appeared, and my stack of cards got taller and taller. I especially appreciated your gifts of prayers and love, which surrounded me throughout the whole experience. I didn’t ask for these gifts, but they came as free gifts from the congregation of St. Andrew.
I have relied upon Psalm 131 throughout the years, and it closes with these words, ”O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and for evermore. “ I have a difficult time not being in the thick of things, offering too many opinions, over functioning in the role that I feel called to as associate pastor, and being among community through learning and serving. This psalm reminds me that God fills us and fulfills us each day, and our hope is in God rather than in our own personal efforts. Thank you for helping remind me of these timeless truths through your actions of love, care, and nurture. I gratefully received your ministry given that was a product of the many hands that joyfully, intentionally, and knowledgeably served. I am grateful for you and your ministry.
Grace and peace,
Lisa
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October 18, 2026
“Woven Together through Giving: Woven by Christ”
John 15: 1-15
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October 25, 2026
Fall Festival of Faith
"Bold Enough to Fail--for a Future Our Eyes Don't Yet See"
with Ted Foote
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November 1, 2026
All Saints Day
Celebration of the Lord's Supper
“Living with the Vision”
Acts 11: 1-18
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November 8, 2026
Dedication of Pledges
“Woven Together through Giving:
Woven for Service "
Luke 10:25-37
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Save the Date!
Fall Festival of Faith - October 24-25, 2026
The Rev. Ted Foote will lead our annual Fall Festival of Faith October 24-25 this year. We’ll gather in Fellowship Hall Saturday evening at 5:30pm to enjoy a meal catered by Babe’s. The meal will be followed by Ted’s reflections on “Being Disciples of Jesus in Trying Times.” A light breakfast Sunday morning will be served in Fellowship Hall and Ted will preach on “Bold Enough to Fail – For a Future Our Eyes Don’t See Yet” that morning during worship.
What’s for dinner Saturday evening? Your choice of chicken fried steak, fried chicken or chicken tenders, plus sides and dessert.
Help us with the headcount and register for the meal using the link below.
Thanks!
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Getting Ready for Fall Festival of Faith
October 21 @ 6:30pm, Room 206-208
| Richard Culp will lead a study of Ted Foote’s book latest book, “Being Presbyterian in a Dysevangelical America” next Wednesday at 6:30pm. Copies of the book are available in the narthex ($17.00), and we hope to see you there. | | |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday, October 18
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Nursery
9:00am-Noon
Room 102
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Westminster Youth Ensemble
9:00am
Children's Choir Room
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Christian Education Parent Meeting
Room 207/209, 9:00am
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Sunday School for K-5th Grades
Meet in the Media Room, 9:30am
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Middle School and High School
The Den, 9:30am
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Coffee and Covenant
Karen Jones and Alison McStravick
Library, 9:30am
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Pastors' Class
Richard Culp, Lisa Patterson, Chrissy Stevens, and Darhyl Ramsey
Room 206/208, 9:30am
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Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary, 10:00am
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Super Wednesday
Sunday, October 21
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Dinner at 5:30pm
Menu: Chicken Spaghetti, Roasted Vegetables, rolls and salad
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Nursery for infants & preschoolers,
Room 102, 5:30pm-7:30pm
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Noel Choir, grades K-2nd, Children’s Choir Room,
Kirsten Trachsel, 6:00pm
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Covenant Choir, grades 3rd-5th, Children’s Choir Room,
Kirsten Trachsel, 6:20pm
| | Recreation, grades K-2nd, Malicia Curran, 6:20pm | | |
Activities for Youth
Middle School and High School
Rec Center and The Den @ 6:00pm-7:30pm
High School Only
The Den @ 7:30pm-8:30pm
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Ranch Dressing: The History of Western Wear
Jean Greenlaw, University of North Texas
The history of western wear is filled with fascinating stories. Want to know how John B. Stetson came to create “The Boss of the Plains”? Levi Strauss came to create the iconic 501 jeans. And H.J. Justin created the western boot. Come dressed in your own western wear and learn of its history. Jean Greenlaw, PhD, is a Regents Professor Emeritus in the UNT College of Education. She has been a reviewer for decades and is the book review columnist for the Denton Record-Chronicle.
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The Wave
Room 205
Terah Hatter, Wade Hatter,
Chrissy Stevens
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Super Wednesday
Women’s Group
Pondering Presbyterian Podcasts
Library
Amy Cole and Amy Fair
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Getting Ready for Fall Festival of Faith
October 21 @ 6:30pm, Room 206-208
Richard Culp
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Not So Spooky Storytime
at The Children's Place at St. Andrew
Sunday, October 18
Join us on Sunday, October 18, from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Dress up in your costumes and bring your whole family for lots of not-so-spooky fun!
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Save the Date and Date Change!
Advent Women’s Book Study
Wednesdays at Noon
October 29, November 4, 11, and 18.
Book discussion on Kate Bowler’s new book, Joyful Anyway.
Book cost is $17.
Questions? Contact Lisa Patterson at lisa@standrewdenton.com
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Save the Date!
Lunch and Learn: Session Visioning
Sunday, November 1
Following worship in Fellowship Hall
Details to follow!
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Prime Time
Friday, November 6
Prime Time is an opportunity for adults over 50 to meet in an informal setting for fellowship and to meet others in the church. Next month we will meet at the Stacks Pancake House on Friday, November 6 at noon. It is located at 1020 Dallas Drive. Please join us and invite others. Kindly reply to Bob Halbach by October 30.
bobandbetsyhalbach@hotmail.com
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After Worship Fellowship
After worship in the narthex there is food and conversation. Volunteers bring the food each week. Would you like to contribute? We would love to have you! Contact Lisa Dorr (DORRLL@yahoo.com) to be added to the signup genius reminders. It really helps to know how much food is being donated each week. Thank you!
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2026 Stock the Diaper Depot
St. Andrew Diaper Drive
September Update
All through September and October, St. Andrew will be participating in a Diaper Drive for Interfaith Denton. Larger Children’s sizes 4, 5, 6, and 7, plus pullups sizes 3T/4T and 4T/5T are needed. Baby wipes and 12 diaper bags are also on their wish list. In 2025, Interfaith Denton helped over 300 households with over $7400 in diapers and wipes.
Diaper Fact #1: SNAP and WIC do not cover the cost of diapers.
Diaper Fact #2: Families can receive diapers once a month and wipes up to 6 times a year.
Diaper Fact #3: 1 in 2 U.S. families struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their children clean, healthy, and dry.
Donations can be placed in the basket marked Diaper Drive in the narthex, through Realm using the Give page and choosing Diaper Drive from the drop-down menu, making a donation in church using the pew envelopes and writing “Diaper Drive” on the envelope, and by ordering online using the QR code in the Shield next week. Thank you to all that help our local children have a safe and healthy life.
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Give the Gift of a Ride
Imagine getting to a job interview, a doctor’s appointment, or the grocery store without a car. For many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness, a bicycle is how they get there.
For years, St. Andrew has given bicycles at the Our Daily Bread Annual Christmas Party. This year, the diaconate hopes to give 10-12 new bikes, and we need your help. (We've already received 4)
Three ways to give:
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Donate a bike: New men’s or women’s 26” or 27” bicycles. Call Marc Brown at (940) 597-4991 to arrange pickup.
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Give online: Visit standrewdenton.com/give and choose “Our Daily Bread Bicycles” from the drop-down menu.
- Give by envelope: Write “ODB Bicycles” on a pew envelope.
One bike gives someone a way to reach work, appointments, and a fresh start. Thank you for helping us get 8 neighbors rolling this Christmas.
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Emergency Relief Fund - September Report
In September, the Mission Committee received and approved no Emergency Relief Fund applications. The total number of approved Emergency Relief Fund applications for 2026 is 14. One Emergency Relief Fund contribution was graciously received in August and September. For an Emergency Relief Fund application information, visit the St. Andrew website, standrewdenton.com, under the Members section.
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Give-a-Meal-a-Month
$3.00 Feeds One Person in Need for a Day
St. Andrew donated $346 to the Give-a-Meal-a-Month program in September which fed about 115 people for a day. Because of our donation, the Denton Community Food Center will be able to provide fresh, nutritious choices to numerous local families facing hunger insecurity. Donations can be made by mail or online. Please write Give-a-Meal on your envelope or check when giving by mail. To give online, visit standrewdenton.com/give and be sure to choose Give-a-Meal from the fund options to the right of your monetary donation. Thank you!
| | Feel free to contact church staff via email, text, or phone. | |
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
300 W Oak St | Denton, TX 76201
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