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TOWER NOTES
Well Resumes Today!
A weekly publication of ST. ANDREW’S UMC  Volume XXV  Number 10  March 6, 2018
722 Robinhood Place  San Antonio, Texas 78209  (210) 824-2465  www.saumc.com  standrews@saumc.com

St. Andrew’s March Mission

for Church Under the Bridge

Small retractable umbrellas that easily

fit in backpacks are being collected all month.

Next New Member Class Sunday at St. Andrew’s UMC

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Sunday, April 8 March 11, 2018
If you are interested in becoming a member of St.
Andrew's, plan to join at either worship time on April 8th Traditional Worship, 9:30 a.m.
then stay for the orientation class following the 11 a.m. Contemporary Service, 11 a.m.
service. Childcare is available with reservations. Call the Luke 19:37-44
Church Office at 210-824-2465 to RSVP by Thursday,
April 4th to let us know which service you plan to attend. “Giving Up Enemies”
For Lent, various members were asked to provide a personal reflection of the sermon topics. Below is the next of the series.
Giving Up Enemies - submitted by Elizabeth Tichy
Luke 19:37-44
The colloquial concept of Lent is to “give up” something that provides pleasure during a period of time before Easter. Chocolate. Wine. Coffee. In fasting
from something we enjoy, we are denying ourselves. This action should remind us of Jesus sacrifice and His work on the cross. And while the idea of “giving
up” something of our choosing specifically during a period that we have named “Lent” is manmade, fasting is commanded by God. Fasting is an important
part of being a follower of Jesus. It is a spiritual discipline that God almighty has ordained and therefore blessed. When we fast, we benefit spiritually. Our
God is so gracious to bless us in this way! And less important, but lots of fun, is the anticipation of the reunion with whatever has been given up. Hence
chocolate for breakfast Easter morning!!
So, there are several facets to fasting: giving something up, anticipating getting it back, and actually getting it back. In other words, we know it’s
temporary. The thought lingers throughout Lent: “If Jesus suffered on the cross for HOURS and was separated from God for 3 days, and in that period of
time took on the sin of the entire WORLD, then what kind of self-absorbed, weak, worm of a human am I that I can’t set aside chocolate for 40 days?!” (and
some people don’t even count Sundays………)
In anticipation of Holy Week this year, I am asking myself, “What am I able to SACRIFICE, in the name of Jesus? What can I sacrifice to become a better
follower? What can I give up so that I am a more effective instrument God will use for His holy purpose?” When I sacrifice something, I don’t get it back. Can
I do it? Do I WANT to do it? What will “IT” be?
For me, this year, the “it” is enemies. I don’t need them, I don’t want them and they don’t honor God so I’m going to let them go. And in writing that
sentence, I realize the language I use is a cop out. Is it my “enemy” that’s not honoring God? Is that even my business? If I’m honest, it’s not the enemy
that’s the problem. It’s me.
Sure, I can say: “I will spend no time dwelling on enemies. I will not think about my enemies. Even better, I’m going to LOVE my enemies. Just like Jesus
says.” Mind over matter, right? All packaged, tied up in a pretty bow and put at the foot of the cross, thrown into the ocean, sent as far as the east is from
the west. Whatever figurative Biblical descriptor I want to use to prove to myself that I can let them go. God will take my enemy away if I ask. Really?? Is that
the answer? Is that how God has instructed me to deal with my enemies? And if so, why is it so hard to let them go?
The problem with this approach, no matter how far into the sand I stick my head, that enemy is still there. Whether in memory, or physical presence.
They happened. There is no worldly way to erase them. I’m stuck wanting to let them go but just not being able to. And do you know why? Because the
problem is not my enemy. The problem is my hate. It’s hate that I have to ask God to excise from my life, from my soul, from my reach. I want hate gone. I
want to never hate again. I want to give up hate. If that happens, the rest will follow.
Now I’ve tapped into all kinds of complex issues: love vs hate, forgiveness, etc. etc. etc. And while a discussion of all that is beyond the scope of this
rambling of thoughts, let’s quickly dispel a couple rumors. To love someone does not mean I have to like them. To forgive someone does not mean
reconciliation has to take place or a relationship has to resume. Forgiveness does not happen between me and the “offender.” Forgiveness is not contingent
upon the offender’s confession or their understanding of the wrong done. Forgiveness is between me and God. And what is hate? Hate is essentially wanting
bad things to happen to someone. Hate is focusing emotional energy, time and prayer on the desire for bad things to befall someone. That’s it in a nutshell.
Just like love is an action, so is hate. But the kicker: we were born to love. We were created to love. Hate is of the world, not of God. Just like it takes more
strength to flex your frown muscles than your smile muscles. It is easier to love than hate.
So, take it from me God. Take all the transgressors and transgressions aimed at me throughout my life and remove them from my heart. It is necessary
FOR me to GIVE them to you. I FORGIVE. I let go. Heal my enemies God. Fill them with your spirit. And as I let my enemies go, re-sanctify me for your good
purpose Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for emptying my heart of hate and allowing who I have defined as enemy to now simply be defined as your child. Forgive
me, God, for allowing myself to be used as less than a blessing to your world. Renew me God. Amen.
 Please pray for:
Here are March 8th-14th Celebration for Kim & Pate’s wedding!
Marguerite Surley
birthdays. Let us know if Eleanor Carnes The family of Judy Hagen
March Birthdays we missed any! John Graham Chilton Maverick Paula Graf Emily B.
8 – Sloanie Fagan Ashley Roper Murray Miller Joe Koker Lyn Selig
9 – Wilson Tarver Betty Cummings Meecia Little Faith Lytle Baby Iris
11 – Hannah Barker Lauren Pavelka Lindsay Cummings Mike Rogan Melanie
12 – Ben Azar Margaret Bass Lisa Whitlock Victor Manes Billy Bass
Madison Conn William Bragg Baby Emmy Patsy Scott Carrie Dyer
k
Xavier Holub Jennifer Bragg Myra Fischer Tina Smith
Jennie McLendon Jeff Campbell Elenor Phelps Jeff Hetrick
Amy Trevino Patricia Sammis Jessie Guerra Jerry Springer
13 – Josh Sehres Mona Fizzuoglio Willowdeen Rossner
14 – Bryan Boynton Bob Lovelace All military and their families.
David Ylitalo
Capital Campaign
“Open the Windows” Meetingsg in your Here is where we stand in our efforts with the capital
There are a few opportunities left to
prayers:
learn campaign. Thank you to those who have stepped out
about St. Andrew’s proposed capital in faith with their early financial commitments to the
improvements. All of the home meetings St. Andrew’s.
are 6-7 p.m. Call 210-824-2465 to RSVP: We ask that you continue to pray for our church and
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the role you can play in furthering its ministries and
 Mar. 7 - 246 Hillview Dr. (Blake’s) presence in the community.
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 Mar. 12 - 200 Wood Shadow (Benson’s)
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 Mar. 14 - 132 E. Oakview Place (Rohlfs’)

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Mar. 19 - 3 Osborn Hill (Schupbach’s) SAVE THE DATE!
Town Hall Meetings presenting the same VBS 2018 at St. Andrew's is scheduled
information will be held at St. Andrew’s on for Sunday, June 24 to Thursday, June
28th. More information to come!
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Sundays, March 18 & 25 from 12-1 p.m.

The mission of St. Andrew’s is to: Scan to Give

GLORIFY God through meaningful, Scan this QR code with your smart phone
engaging, and vibrant worship, and instantly connect to St. Andrew’s
intentionally seek to GROW in faith, and donation page.  It can be used for a one
GO into the world as the hands of God. time gift or to set up a regular giving plan.
To submit information for this newsletter, place items in the “Tower Notes” mailbox in the Church Office,
or email submissions to mbenson@saumc.com. Deadline for the week is noon on Mondays.

ST. ANDREW’S UMC

722 Robinhood Place
San Antonio, Texas 78209
(210) 824-2465
www.saumc.com
standrews@saumc.com