​Grace and peace, beloveds!  AND!! Merry Christmas (yes, still!)
Some of you may have begun to put away the decorations, packed up the memories of each ornament, and taken the tree to the curb (or, attic?)...and that's ok. But slow down. We often forget that Christmas is a season, not just one day. Our secular world would have us think that Christmas begins in October, when the first signs of Grinch blow-ups and candy canes appear, but liturgically, Christmas is 12 days long. Remember Advent? The preparation for the Birth of our Lord and Savior? Remember, we lit one candle a week? I know, it flew by.
We're so busy preparing for Christmas that we've forgotten to slow down and ready the cradle of our hearts for the holy baby. So...do yourself a favor. If you haven't already taken down all that reminds you of the celebration, please feel free to sit. Sit in silence and remember why we celebrate in the first place. Light a candle. Read Luke 1-2:52. Read about Zechariah and Elizabeth, the miracle of John the Baptist (Jbap), and how he prepared for the coming of Christ... read about Mary and Joseph (scandal!) and how God came to us in a way that we could understand, love for love's sake. And do you know that God did that just for YOU? I know! Craziness...but God loves YOU that much. It's true.
And guess what (as if you didn't already know), I love you, too, and I'm so grateful for all y'all.

So, I write to say thank you for the ways you have blessed my family and me, and continue to bless us. 
Thank you for the Christmas Eve "bonus". Thank you for the gifts you sneakily put on my desk. Thank you for the cards and texts. Thank you for showing up to worship. Thank you for loving and caring for each other and for our community. Thank you for going along with my crazy ideas and for saying yes when we see a need, even though we all have a gazillion other things to do. Thank you for being the most hospitable, welcoming, beautiful congregation (I hear it ALL the time from visitors!).  And thank you for allowing me to serve as your Pastor. Y'all truly make my heart sing with joy, and I thank God daily for all y'all. 


What's in store for 2026? 
Once a month on a Sunday, we'll have Faith and Friends for our elementary-aged Littles/Middles. Thanks to Crystal Logan, who said let's make it happen, we'll meet after worship (or afternoon, tbd) and explore a Bible story, have a snack, and begin to develop our faith. I'm so excited!

A Grazing Grace will continue to meet on the first Wednesday of every month @ 1130. This culinary adventure group is comprised of whoever can make it, as we foster relationships by sharing stories and ideas about how we can be church together. 

The " There Might Be Wine" ladies' book club has really taken off, and there's always room for more on the 4th Monday night of the month. Want to talk about a good read and hormones? Come and join us! 

The Property Brothers (all 4 or 5~) are a dedicated bunch of gentlemen (?)! who meet on the 3rd Saturday to take care of St. Andrew's facility. Like to putter? Like to organize and smash things? Here's the group for you... And they could really use some help. Thanks, Jimmy, Bill, Justin, Tim, and Dave. 

OASIS! (it's not just a band!)- Kris and Jacob have been leading this ministry for over a year! Who are my early risers? The 4th Monday morning of each month, this crew serves a hot breakfast to those facing homelessness/food insecurity. I hear Melanie makes a mean egg!

Bible study?! YES! Edith has been leading for years! Wednesday evenings at SA and Thursday mornings on Zoom.

 Want more?
How about a pop-up choir? A men's ensemble? A men's book club where hormones are not mentioned (ok, maybe no book, either...) How about a monthly potluck lunch or cookies and coffee? Do you like to organize? (I really need someone for this! I'll even pitch in a label gun!) Like to garden? How about office tasks?  Know about an organization that needs help? What's your passion? 

I can't do it all...and neither can just a handful of volunteers, as that leads to burnout. So, if you're not involved, we can find a way to get you plugged in. There's so much work to do, y'all, and so much need. Pray about it... because everything begins there.

 Don't forget, 4 January is Epiphany/Star Word Sunday. I'm looking forward to how God will surprise us, and I cannot wait to see where the Spirit will lead us in 2026.

All the love and blessings, dear ones. Again...from the bottom of my heart, Thank YOU!

Pastor Suzanne

Question: Do I have to give something up for Lent?
Short answer: No, but you can. Another alternative, add something!
​
Take time every morning to read scripture. Here’s two great apps to use is Daily Lectio and Pray as You Go.

 Begin your day in prayer. Instead of listening to the radio in the car, pray…or pray at stop lights. Simply tell God what’s on your heart, it’s an ongoing conversation. Don’t forget to listen for God’s reply.

 Read, instead of watching TV. Join us on Thursday evenings at St. Andrew for soup and our book study.

Help your community. Sign up to serve at Oasis, start a diaper drive, collect hygiene products for women’s’ shelters, or pet food for Ruff Road Rescue. Sign up to walk with us for the Coldest Night of the Year (24 Feb) and donate to Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless. 

Reconnect with someone who’s been on your heart. Send cards to folks in the congregation. Reach out to an old mentor and thank them. Send a random text to a friend telling them you appreciate them.  Learn to say I love you.

Spend some time in service to St Andrew. Help organize the fellowship hall, clean the pews, help Nell in the office, spruce up the lawn and flower beds, plant some bulbs.
Make time for your family. Weekly game/movie nights. Put your phone away at dinnertime and talk about your highs and lows for the day.

These are a few ideas, but really all you need to do is look at your life and see the places that are lacking your presence. Whatever you decide to give up or take on, keep Christ at the center of all you do.

Blessings for a Holy Lent. 
I love ALL Y’all!+
Pr. Suzanne
 

My computer keeps reminding me that it's full...time to purge...too much stuff, too little space. Such is the life when one writes for a living. I found this gem while sorting through my files and I thought I'd share it with y'all. This is the last paper I ever wrote for seminary. My elevator speech and my why. Enjoy.

Suzanne Stierwalt
TPM 601 Capstone
VTS S’15
   
Baptism is the foundation of our Christian vocation. It is in the baptismal waters that we are washed clean, saved from sin and the devil and granted eternal life with Christ. Through baptism we share in Christ’s life, death and resurrection and we become part of something larger than ourselves. We are integrated into a community of believers as we are adopted into God’s family. Luther argued that “God’s promise in baptism should swallow up your whole life, body and soul, and give it forth again at the last day, clad in the robe of glory and immortality” (Luther’s Works Volume 36:69). Through this baptismal call, my vocation as a disciple becomes foundational to my relationships with my family, friends and all social settings in which I am a part.  
 The Lutheran church helped me to understand Christian vocation when I affirmed my baptism at the age of 28. I made a conscious decision to actively participate in the body of Christ. Hearing the Word and being mentored helped to shape my faith. Many people played a part in this formation, affirming my sense of call with each new church. Because we receive new eyes to see and new ears to hear at baptism, I am now able to understand that God has been talking to me through this community of believers. It is the church that affirms my vocation as wife and mother by embodying the expression of God’s unconditional love through Jesus Christ. The church models Christ’s love for neighbor, which affirms my vocation as friend and colleague. In the liturgy of Affirmation of Baptism, we are asked if we intend to “follow the example of Jesus striving for justice and peace in all the earth.” I can boldly proclaim, “I will, with God’s help” because I have seen this modeled in the church, which has gone out beyond its four walls into the community. All that I do is grounded in my love for Christ and in my baptismal vows. It is my greatest desire that following the vows that were made at my baptism, that empowered by the Holy Spirit, I will follow the great commission; to baptize others and to make disciples of all nations, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Constitution of the ELCA states “the Church is a people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world” (4.01).  In order for the Kingdom of God here on earth to continue, the Church must make it its mission to follow the Great Commission stated in Matthew 28:16-20. We are to worship God and point to Jesus, proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord to all corners of the earth so that all may hear. We are to go and make disciples of all the nations and baptize all in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are to teach the nations all that Jesus has commanded. This is the mission of the Church and we must take this mission into the world. We must bear witness to the truth, that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that there is one true Lord who lived and died and was resurrected for the sake of the world, and it is through Jesus that we are saved by grace through faith. 
Through right and faithful teaching, members of the Church are baptized, hear the Word of God and then are nourished by the body and blood of Jesus Christ. From font to table, we are fed so that we can go forth to proclaim the good news and care for all of God’s creation.
 
 
I am a daughter of a retired Marine Corp Sgt. Major, sister of a retired Navy sailor, wife of a Naval officer, mother to two beautiful girls and two four legged babies, a seminarian and a church leader....however, first and foremost, I am a child of God, a baptized Catholic Christian, a practicing ELCA Lutheran and a self-identified Luthopalian. Why am I telling you all of this? Because how we identify ourselves matters.  If we do not self-identify, the world will do this for us. Through the waters of my baptism, I walk wet in the world and I am reminded of how much I am loved by God. Daily, I am transformed and forgiven. By God’s grace, I am saved through faith and this doesn’t go away, ever! I am simultaneously saint and sinner and God loves me...no matter what.
 
 
Why is all that I do grounded in my baptism? Through my baptism, I was initiated into the body of Christ, and, in the Lutheran tradition, I am adopted into the priesthood of all believers, which in turn gives me a responsibility to a vocation in Christ.  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1Pet 2:9
 From the ELCA Constitution, 7.11: “This church affirms the universal priesthood of all its baptized members...this church commits itself to the equipping and supporting of all its members for their ministries in the world and in this church. It is within this context of ministry that this church calls some of its baptized members for specific ministries in this church.”
Paul says “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another” (Romans 12:4). Gods calls each of us into this priesthood through our baptism, and we are set apart according to our varied gifts of the Spirit. We all have a different function, and we are less if any are missing as we all work for the benefit of the body. In the Gospels, all Christians are mandated to be a witness, to “go and tell,” for the Church is preserved only by hearing and retelling of God’s Word. The body of Christ’s mission is to proclaim the good news of God’s love and forgiveness shown to us through Christ, and to give glory to God. We are all part of the whole, and we are connected in ways that we cannot realize: but the goal is that the body continues in a healthy way. Without these varieties of ministry, we would not be a Church.
At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, I have served as“resident seminarian” for over two years. I co-led the Confirmation program for the past two years, I preach regularly and I offer Spiritual Direction to a few of the parishioners. I am seen by the congregants as one who has a sense of authority, and frankly, it is a bit terrifying. I do not have all of the answers. However, I endeavor to approach my theological education with an open heart, striving to soak up all of the knowledge afforded to me by Virginia Theological Seminary, the Lutheran church and our ecumenical partners in Common Call, the Episcopal Church.
It is a pleasure to work along side of this wonderfully welcoming congregation. They have a love for outreach and they have taught me a great deal about compassionate giving. Each Winter for one week, the parishioners of Holy Trinity open their hearts and church doors to those in our community who are homeless. Together in ministry, we serve hot meals, offer a warm place to stay and engage in fellowship with those who are turned away by overflowing shelters. A lot of hard work and planning goes into this venture, but we serve with grateful hearts as it is indeed a pleasure to do so.
I am a daughter of a retired Marine Corp Sgt. Major, sister of a retired Navy sailor, wife of a Naval officer, mother to two beautiful girls and two four legged babies, a seminarian and a church leader....however, first and foremost, I am a child of God, a baptized Catholic Christian, a practicing ELCA Lutheran and a self-identified Luthopalian. Why am I telling you all of this? Because how we identify ourselves matters.  If we do not self-identify, the world will do this for us. Through the waters of my baptism, I walk wet in the world and I am reminded of how much I am loved by God. Daily, I am transformed and forgiven. By God’s grace, I am saved through faith and this doesn’t go away, ever! I am simultaneously saint and sinner and God loves me...no matter what.
 
Though my seminary experience, I have learned what true community looks like.  My fondest memory of this comes from day one, August 8, 2012. I remember entering Aspinwall, wide-eyed, a grin on my face and thinking wow...I’m really here. There were over 60 of us on that day, journeying into the unknown; each bringing with us something to share, experiences of past lives. A teacher, an opera singer, a bartender and several others all coming from different parts of the world; we came together that first day not knowing what to expect. What we did know is what we already had in common and why we were here in the first place; our mutual love for Jesus. Together, we muddled through class, chapel, lunch.  We drown together in summer Greek and Hebrew, overwhelmed by the intensity of seminary altogether. We drowned in the sorrow of losses; things, people, places we had left behind. We drowned in the piles of books we had to read, the many papers we had to write and the many functions we were to attend; and it was out of this drowning, this dying to the familiar that we were reborn into a community. Just like baptism, in the waters that were way over our head, we emerged to a new way of life; a new normal. We, the VTS class of 2015 have been raised into a new life with Christ, bonded together with each other by the shared experience of seminary. We learned to really listen to each other, care for each other, love each other and share that love with the communities we served. Together, we learned to embody the Word as we inwardly digested the Old and the New Testament and learned how to effectively preach. Together, we learned to serve others in our global missions courses, our liturgics classes, through our field education and service learning projects. Together, we learned to teach others through our Christian education classes, systematics and church history. Together, we learned to love others right where they are through our classes on addictions, ecumenism and spiritual direction.  
Like an immersion trip, one cannot begin to process all that has happened until the trip is over.  I cannot even fathom how much I’ve learned over the past three years and what is even more unbelievable is how quickly the time went by. What I do know is that the relationships that I have built with colleagues and friends from both VTS and LTSG are relationships that I will have for the rest of my life. I know that there are faculty members that I can count on and friends that can call to help me navigate what will be the new “new” normal of full-time ministry and for that I am eternally grateful.
 
 
 
I am a daughter of a retired Marine Corp Sgt. Major, sister of a retired Navy sailor, wife of a Naval officer, mother to two beautiful girls and two four legged babies, a seminarian and a church leader....however, first and foremost, I am a child of God, a baptized Catholic Christian, a practicing ELCA Lutheran and a self-identified Luthopalian. Why am I telling you all of this? Because how we identify ourselves matters.  If we do not self-identify, the world will do this for us. Through the waters of my baptism, I walk wet in the world and I am reminded of how much I am loved by God. Daily, I am transformed and forgiven. By God’s grace, I am saved through faith and this doesn’t go away, ever! I am simultaneously saint and sinner and God loves me...no matter what.
 
 
I know that I am a beloved child of God.  I know that God has called me to be an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in this, I find great joy. My heart is full every Sunday morning, every day as I serve and share the love of Christ. This vocation, this calling is my passion. As I leave the bubble that is seminary, I am giddy with great anticipation as I go forth into the world, stepping out in bold confidence that this is what I am made for.
 

Hey, y'all. Thanks for taking the time to read the updated post. We're back!! Finally...after two years, literally...we're back, fully. Gathering, singing, coffee hour-ing...worshiping, communing, listening, praying, and bringing the Gospel of Jesus into the world that God so loves. 

So much has happened in the past two years, so much has changed. People have changed and questioned, the notion of Church has changed and been questioned. Priorities have changed. But...God....has not. 

Thanks to Covid-19 what "church" looks like is different. We are a hybrid community and always will be. We have an entire community that gathers online weekly for worship that support each other in prayer and through online comments as they gather WITH all of us who are able to gather onsite @ 4811 High St. W. There are people that I will never meet in person, but they (you) are part of this community...and they (you) are valued, and loved.

Weekly, we pray this: God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest, and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we, and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wherever...and However...just as we (you) are, beloved. God's love knows NO bounds and is available to all. Lavish, unrelentless, full-to-the-brim-and- overflowing LOVE! 

I love you...you matter. And I'm thankful for you, dear one. +
​Pr. Suzanne

Pastor’s Report                    St. Andrew Lutheran Church                                                           
Grace and peace be with you from God, our Holy Parent, and from Jesus Christ, Our Savior, and Lord.

No one, not one could have predicted what the year 2020 would bring. The year began well. We installed new council members, had a clear vision of where God was leading us as a congregation. We had The Rev. John Wertz, Assistant to the Bishop of the Va Synod lead us in our council retreat. We were on fire for the Lord and were in the process of dreaming up new plans for evangelism and new ways in which to serve our community when March 15 hit…and suddenly, the entire world was out of commission, and life as we knew it had changed.

Out of an abundance of caution, care, and love for our members, and guidance from the Synod, St. Andrew decided not to meet in person for worship. Instead, we all adapted to online worship, via Facebook Live, now, affectionately known as St. Andrew, LIVE! from the She Shed.

During this time apart, yet together in heart, we have gained the recognition of several new folks who have been faithful in joining us in worship. God left the building and went out into the world through social media. Evangelism was happening at rapid speed as members told their neighbors, friends, and loved ones about our online worship. Was this not supposed to be happening all along? For the first time, the passage from Exodus 40: 34-38 made perfect sense…

” Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Throughout all their journeys,  whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

God cannot be contained in a building. Since the beginning of time, God has searched us, sought us out, and walked among us. God makes God’s presence known not through a place, but through God’s beloved creation. God “tabernacles” in, with, and around us. We, more than ever before are the Church in the world, sharing the love of Jesus Christ, one “share” at a time.

Yes, Covid-19 has been horrific. It has claimed the lives of many and reaped economic disaster upon us, but with God, we have become more faithful at serving and loving our neighbors. Our church family has grown and generosity has increased, and for this, I am thankful.

I have no idea what is in store for 2021, but what I do know is this: God is with us, through all the fire and clouds of our days. Whether we worship in our beautiful, dilapidated building at 4811 High Street West, or whether we gather together, apart, the Spirit is at work comforting us and surrounding us with the love of Jesus Christ. This too shall pass and THIS Body of Christ will remain unbroken.

God loves all y’all, and so do I.
​
Blessings as we walk faithfully into the unknown.
 
The Reverend Suzanne M. Stierwalt, Pastor
 

​Beloved friends and family of St. Andrew Lutheran,

As the uncertainty continues to swirl around us, so does the Holy Spirit. Our world is literally changing minute by minute but God, who is faithful continues to be ever-present, offering peace and hope to all who seek grace offered through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Simply mentioning the name of Jesus is a balm to my soul…and then I take a breath and remember, thank God, that I am not God, I am not in control…I only need to follow where I am being led. And so dear ones, I offer that to you as well. To breathe out any anxiety you may be feeling and breathe in the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. God is bigger than any problem we will ever face and with God, in this wonderful community of faith, there is nothing that we cannot conquer, Amen?

At this time, we will continue to be Church together on Facebook, Live each Sunday morning at 10 am. Nell will email a bulletin to each household so that we can follow along as we normally would. And…..something new: Thursday evenings at 7 pm, I will offer online (again on Facebook) Family story and prayer time. I will read a children's book and then will take prayer requests. If you’d like to send those to me ahead of time, please email me at [email protected] and I will add them to my personal intentions as well. I pray that there will be some good that comes out of this…and this will be revealed to us down the road, as God takes our hardships and turns them around…what I can already see is this. We are a community of Christians who care deeply for each other and the world. I have heard from several of you that you have reached out to your neighbors offering to run errands, you have sent cards, made phone calls and texts and checked in on our older members and those who are isolated. Friends…WE are the church, not the building at 4811 High Street W. WE are the church in the world, called to love and care for the most vulnerable. WE are the church together, the very Body of Christ called to show up in ways that may seem uncomfortable, like worshipping online. But friends, we do it together because I cannot imagine doing “this” without y’all and I am so thankful for your faithful witness to the Gospel. Please, continue doing what you are doing as we lift each other up, pray for each other, for our community, and for the world.
One more thing…please continue to support God’s mission here at St. Andrew with your monetary gifts. Even though we are not meeting at the building, we still have staff to pay, people to feed, a food pantry to maintain… We still want to give to the wider church as it supports ministries far beyond our reach…clean water, health care, safe houses, adoptions, and foster care. Yes…we ARE a part of that; YOU are a part of the big picture of taking care of all of God’s children and we do that through giving back the gifts that God has already given to us, by sharing from our hearts to mend hearts. Give now even more than before. WE are the church together.
Please join me in prayer:
Most gracious God, You hear the cries of our hearts and you know us so well. You understand loneliness, grief, and despair; but You also understand hope as YOU are the God of hope. God, you are here and we are here, together in this place. Whatever we may be feeling, it’s okay. Life may be changing, but You, God, are not. You are faithful to your promises, promises that you are always with us, promises of life in abundance, promises of love…unfathomable love despite all that we have done to turn you away. You love us…no matter what. Help us to find hope in your Son, who died for us, who rose for us, who lives in us. Strengthen us to be a beacon of light so that others, too, may know of your boundless love. Protect all of your children with your mighty hand, God. May we have the courage to tell our stories and live out the Gospel message of loving our neighbor. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, together….Amen and Amen.+
Dear ones, God loves all y’all, and so do I.

Pastor Suzanne

We're not fancy. Just friendly folks who will greet you at the door with a warm smile and a cup of coffee. Some of us wear dress pants, ties, and skirts...some of us wear jeans and t-shirts. It doesn't matter what you wear as God looks at our hearts, not our clothes. 
We follow the RCL (Revised Common Lectionary) for our scripture reading. The music may change weekly, but the order of service will remain the same. We sing (at least we make a joyful noise!), we pray, we listen, we greet each other, we gather with the saints at the Lord's Table, we sing some more, and then we go out to serve others and share the good news.
CHILDREN: are always welcome! We have a nursery AND a "prayground", a space just for kids right up front so that they can see all that is going on. 
Come and see.