Vicar Andrew Berdahl
To my Siblings in Christ,
Grace, peace and mercy be unto you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to begin serving as the Vicar of the West Cumberland Parish. I am looking forward to meeting you all, hearing your stories, and our journey in faith together. I would like to take the time to tell you a bit about where I come from, who I am, and what is important to me.
I was born in Allentown, PA and attended Muhlenberg College. I grew up Lutheran and had started to think about ministry in high school but did not consider it seriously until my senior year of college. I feel called to ministry because I have felt God’s overwhelming love in my life and want to share that with others. I am passionate about including and accepting all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, social class, political party or any thing else that could divide us from each other in our shared baptismal identity. I felt included by my home congregation from a young age and as though the adult members treated me with dignity and respect. I have experienced God’s love through my siblings in Christ, my family, and even many strangers. This is what has led me to seek ordained ministry as my calling.
I also felt the call to serve my country which led me to join the Army National Guard in 2016. Our service members, veterans, and their families sacrifice so much for our country and I feel passionate about supporting them as a chaplain.
I also feel called to marriage. In 2017, I met my wife, Taylor. She is a joyful, fun, kind-hearted, and thoughtful Texan who I married in December of 2019. Taylor serves a three-point parish in the Bendersville area. It is a joy to share ministry and life with her.
In my free time, I enjoy working out, the outdoors, following baseball, finding a good book, and watching a funny movie. I am also very passionate about food ministry and hope to join both congregations in their efforts to feed the hungry. Additionally, I have always found food and breaking bread to be a great way of connecting. Both feeding those without food and spending the time to enjoy a meal were important to Christ, and I try to keep these things important in my life.
I am looking forward to our shared ministry, breaking bread together, and experiencing Christ’s love with you. I will be praying with and for you as we start this chapter together and know that you will do the same.
Yours in Christ,
Vicar Andrew
Grace, peace and mercy be unto you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to begin serving as the Vicar of the West Cumberland Parish. I am looking forward to meeting you all, hearing your stories, and our journey in faith together. I would like to take the time to tell you a bit about where I come from, who I am, and what is important to me.
I was born in Allentown, PA and attended Muhlenberg College. I grew up Lutheran and had started to think about ministry in high school but did not consider it seriously until my senior year of college. I feel called to ministry because I have felt God’s overwhelming love in my life and want to share that with others. I am passionate about including and accepting all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, social class, political party or any thing else that could divide us from each other in our shared baptismal identity. I felt included by my home congregation from a young age and as though the adult members treated me with dignity and respect. I have experienced God’s love through my siblings in Christ, my family, and even many strangers. This is what has led me to seek ordained ministry as my calling.
I also felt the call to serve my country which led me to join the Army National Guard in 2016. Our service members, veterans, and their families sacrifice so much for our country and I feel passionate about supporting them as a chaplain.
I also feel called to marriage. In 2017, I met my wife, Taylor. She is a joyful, fun, kind-hearted, and thoughtful Texan who I married in December of 2019. Taylor serves a three-point parish in the Bendersville area. It is a joy to share ministry and life with her.
In my free time, I enjoy working out, the outdoors, following baseball, finding a good book, and watching a funny movie. I am also very passionate about food ministry and hope to join both congregations in their efforts to feed the hungry. Additionally, I have always found food and breaking bread to be a great way of connecting. Both feeding those without food and spending the time to enjoy a meal were important to Christ, and I try to keep these things important in my life.
I am looking forward to our shared ministry, breaking bread together, and experiencing Christ’s love with you. I will be praying with and for you as we start this chapter together and know that you will do the same.
Yours in Christ,
Vicar Andrew
West Cumberland Parish scheduled opportunities:
Centerville worship: Sundays, 8:30 AM, with Holy Communion & Children’s Sermon
St. Matthew worship: Sundays, 10:00 AM, with Alternate Holy Communion & Children’s Sermon
Sunday schools at both venues
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM, St. Matthew Fellowship Hall
Lunch Bunch: third Tuesday of month, noon, Centerville
Prayer Shawl & Cap Ministry: last Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM, Centerville
We also have numerous social and benefit concerts and dinners,
and service opportunities into the communities.
The West Cumberland Parish—People of God, partnering with God’s redemptive mission in the world ╬
Centerville ELCA—Christ First, Faith Always …
St. Matthew ELCA—Reflecting Christ’s Love and Mercy …
Centerville worship: Sundays, 8:30 AM, with Holy Communion & Children’s Sermon
St. Matthew worship: Sundays, 10:00 AM, with Alternate Holy Communion & Children’s Sermon
Sunday schools at both venues
Bible Study: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM, St. Matthew Fellowship Hall
Lunch Bunch: third Tuesday of month, noon, Centerville
Prayer Shawl & Cap Ministry: last Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM, Centerville
We also have numerous social and benefit concerts and dinners,
and service opportunities into the communities.
The West Cumberland Parish—People of God, partnering with God’s redemptive mission in the world ╬
Centerville ELCA—Christ First, Faith Always …
St. Matthew ELCA—Reflecting Christ’s Love and Mercy …