Space and Prayer, An Essay
NASA has shut down the shuttle program. The astronauts cleared out the junk and leftover experiments from the space station. Today there’s a lot of stuff up in space. But that wasn’t always the case. Back during the early days of the Soviet space stations, the Russian cosmonauts were the first people to spend a long time in space. The first people in space spent their free time looking out at our planet earth. They were astonished at how much detail they could see. They could follow large schools of fish by the change in the color of the waters. They could see the Great Wall of China. They could track the advance of spring as fields turned green or golden. Most of all, they were astonished by all the colors. They needed new words to describe the many shades they observed so they asked for books of paint samples. They needed help from outside so they could describe what they saw.
Now I’m rarely at a loss for words, but of course at some point everybody finds themselves in a circumstance where your tongue is tied and you don’t know what to say. One important area of our lives where words don’t matter is prayer. The Bible assures us that we don’t need to worry about finding the right words to pray. Romans 8:28 says: We do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Our Creator made this world colourful beyond our imaginings, and with a diversity that we may never fully explore. As our Father, God also knows what we need before we ask for it. So go ahead and pray…use words if necessary.
Contact Us
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Phone: (250) 546-6334
3020 Wright Street
Armstrong BC, V0E 1B1
We Live in Community as Christ's Body
Upcoming Events
Volunteer Schedule
Sunday Scripture Readers: IF YOU WISH TO BE ADDED TO, OR REMOVED FROM THE LIST
PLEASE CONTACT DOUG VINCENT
Greeters: To volunteer contact Fenny Reink
Sunday Coffee: To volunteer contact Sharon McMillan
Cleaning Schedule: To volunteer contact Keith Worden
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
St. Andrew’s, as a member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, is under the care and oversight of the Presbytery of Kamloops, and Synod of British Columbia and the General Assembly. The Presbyterian Church in Canada believes in the Bible and has adopted a number of historic documents as subordinate standards, they include creeds, confessions and other official documents that have been created over the centuries to interpret scripture.
Click here for an article and study guide about our approach to Scripture, and theology:
http://www.presbyterianrecord.ca/2009/06/01/how-to-read-the-holy-bible/
Who's Authority?
January 29, 2012
Sermon “Who’s Authority?”
Scriptures: Mark 1:21-28, Ephesians 3:14-22;
January and February are the season of Epiphany. At this time of the year we work through the stories in the Bible about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. We started with the Baptism of Jesus, when Jesus, along with all the people of Jerusalem came to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. That’s also the day we learned that our prayers for Chloe’s own baptism would be answered. Then we spent two weeks talking about the first disciples that Jesus called. We talked about Philip who was certain about Jesus right from the beginning. We met Nathanael who was hesitant at first, but was quickly won over as soon as Jesus awed him by reading the thoughts of his heart.
Last week we talked about the day Jesus recruited his first quartet. Four disciples got hooked on Jesus with the catchy phrase “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” The two sets of brothers (Simon-Peter, & Andrew, James, and his brother John), follow Jesus into the city of Capernaum. On the Sabbath day they go to the synagogue. On a Holy day, the holy one of God goes to a holy place. We can presume that most of the town has also gathered there, it’s what people then did on Sabbath days, just as we continue to do today.
Each Sabbath in Capernaum, there are people who read to them from the appointed texts. Mark calls these people the scribes. The scribes received all their training and instruction by copying out the scripture texts and the commentaries from other Rabbis. It was a common custom that whenever there is a guest in town, the leaders of the synagogue would ask the guest to read and give a teaching. That’s what happened on the day Jesus was that. As a guest among them he was invited to read.
Jesus, however, did more than just read to them the familiar passages that they had been listening to for all of the lives. On this particular day the things Jesus said evoked a strong reaction from the people of Capernaum. Mark records their impressions in colorful words:
“They were astounded!
They were amazed!
They kept on asking questions about Jesus to one another.
At once Jesus became famous throughout Galilee.”
Somehow, Jesus was different from what they were used to. His teaching style rang with a different tone from the style of the scribes of Capernaum. Jesus spoke, and the things he said came to pass. When Jesus teaches, the reaction to his authoritative words ripples through the crowd, and plays itself out in two very different ways.
At first, the listeners are caught up in the moment of it all, sitting in their pews saying Wow! But suddenly someone disrupts the hour with a shout “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” And everybody is kind of shaken out of their amazement. Up until now, they had kept their astounding amazement to themselves, but this upstart man addressed Jesus directly. “Have you come to destroy us?”
What a question to ask a visiting speaker. Imagine if we treated our guests like that:
“Curtis Zimmerman, Have you come to destroy us?”
So one the one side you have people in the audience that day responding to Jesus teachings with astonishment and buzzing with questions: “What is this?”
On the other hand a demon possessed man asks: “Have you come to destroy us?” Two very different responses to their first encounter with Jesus. Have you come to destroy us? is definitely a negative question. It’s a question that shows a fear of change. The unclean spirit’s other statement: “I know who you are” diminishes and blocks out the amazing wonder of being in the presence of Jesus.
We don’t know the name of the man who asked these questions. He is only referred to as a man with an unclean spirit. The words of this man are astounding because the fine Jewish people of Capernaum would never deliberately speak like this. They would never declare someone’s name like this: “Jesus of Nazareth”, because to name is to have power over. Just like the derogatory power described by the words: “I know who you are.” That’s exactly what the demon possessed man is attempting to do. He is attempting to exert his own authority over Jesus. I know who Jesus is, and I am going to show him he can’t pull the wool over my eyes.
New teachings, new authority, might be destructive, and destroying. These questions, and this attempt to define and control Jesus makes Jesus angry. Jesus rebukes the demon for his words. Those aren’t the study questions that Jesus wants the women and men of the synagogue in Capernaum to be considering. The demon’s questions also reveal an underlying sense of fear. Have you come to destroy us? is like saying: We already have all the answers in our books, we know who is in charge of us. They are the heads of our synagogues and our temples. They are powerful men who live somewhere else, decide everything for us and we obey them.
The demon bullies, labels and categorizes Jesus. “What have you to do with us Jesus of Nazareth?” We’re fine exactly the way we are, and we know exactly who you are, and you’re not the boss of me.
[slide]
Jesus wants us to know that the demon’s way is not the right response to the Good News. Jesus doesn’t speak to the man, but he speaks directly to the demon that is within him:
“Be silent, come out of him.”
You are asking the wrong questions.
Unclean spirits have no power over the Holy One of God.
In response to Jesus’ stern, authoritative command, the man has a grand-mal seizure. He convulses and screams, and then he is calm. No longer unclean, Jesus restores the man and he is made clean.
There’s something you don’t see every day. It’s a dramatic and visual act. Naturally the people in the synagogue take up a new buzz amongst themselves: “He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. Then they kept on asking one another “what is this? A new teaching—with authority!” They talk about it, and they go home and tell their neighbours and cousins, and “At once Jesus fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” They all went home and changed their Facebook status line, they blogged about it and they texted their friends and the word got around like wildfire. Jesus fame spread throughout Galilee.
[slide] Can we still astounded by the authority of Jesus? This first audience was listening to Jesus from the safety of their own synagogue. They weren’t baptized, they hadn’t accepted the holy spirit to come into their hearts and transform them, they didn’t have 2 thousand years of Christian heritage and tradition to shore up their faith. We have all of that:
We have been baptized, and we know that we are children of God and part of God’s family.
We know the immeasurable greatness of God’s power. We have received healing we’ve seen miracles, we have experienced the wideness of God’s mercy.
We know all that, but sometimes a little demon comes out and asks Jesus: “What have you to do with us?” or “Have you come to destroy us?”
On a beautiful day like this, we could be skiing on Silver Star Mountain, we could be sunning on a beach in Mexico, we could be working to make more money so we can pay off our Christmas credit card debts.
“Jesus, what have you to do with us?”
This short story of the astonishment and amazement over Jesus is an important guide for us. Being astonished about Jesus is especially important whenever we find ourselves getting bogged down by all the things that pressure us. The pressures of our modern life are demons that prowl around the shadows of our mind. They plant seeds of doubt. Jesus, I’m fine without you. I prefer to be just one of the crowd, plain and simple. I’d rather not be astounded today, thank you very much.
[slide] Ephesians 3:14-22
Paul prayed for the early church to not lose their astounded astonishment of Christ and the love of God that Christ came to show us. He prayed: that we would be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
When we have given Jesus authority in our life, and in our world, we will become strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not only have authority over a small backwater synagogue in ancient Capernaum. Jesus has authority over the whole cosmos, to all generations forever and ever.
Jesus rebuked the demon’s questions. “Be silent”, with that kind of talk. And when we stop letting the unclean spirits ask those reducing, labeling questions, our souls will be restored too. Jesus wants us to come around to a different kind of question. Our scriptures remind us of the authority of Jesus, a symbol of God’s powerful presence in the world. The humble heart helps us more than the proud mind. The inquisitors in the crowd were closer to the truth. They were asking different questions: “What is this new teaching?” “What just happened here?” “What did I just see?”
Instead of labeling, categorizing and boxing up Jesus in a package, the right response is: “I want to know more about this. [slide] As Paul prayed “that we may have the power to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth.
The right response to the authority of Christ is to spread the word, to spread his fame with our friends and neighbours, right now.
That kind of response keeps the authority of Jesus in place, “dwelling in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love. The fearless baptism we witnessed today is the right response to Jesus. “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Allelu, alleluia Praise ye the Lord.
Paul prayed that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. This is the good news. This is how Jesus wants to have authority in our lives. If we say “Oh Jesus, I know all about you!” he will rebuke us. Jesus wants us to come into the kingdom, and not build protective walls around ourselves.
[slide]
It’s pretty easy to find someone who claims that they know all the answers. We are pelted with answers to our problems: All we have to do, they claim is find the right cut-backs, the right tax formula, the right security measures, the right mixture of anti-oxidants and free radicals and we will have everything under control. Someone else is in charge of finding that formula, and we follow like sheep.
Friends, Jesus taught as one having authority to show us that our humble hearts can help us more than proud minds. So go ahead, be amazed, be astounded. Come out to Jesus wide-eyed with wonder and ask him your questions. “What is this new thing?”
Place your hope in God alone. Ask your questions, and learn to love the questions. Let Jesus restore your soul with his amazing love. Jesus never comes to destroy, but to build up. Let’s be amazed and spread his fame throughout our world. Amen.
We respond with thanksgiving
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Dear God,
We so much want to be in control. We want to be the master of our own destiny. We want to know the future, to make the future, to be the centre of our own lives. Today we have heard the voice of Jesus and recognize his authority, and power which is made complete in weakness. Today as we have professed our faith to you through the sacrament of baptism, we also place our trust in you. We trust that you will bring us to the place you would have us to go. We trust that through you the deepest desires of our heart will be fulfilled. Lord, open our hands to receive your gift of love.
Let your light scatter the darkness, and shine within your people here. Let us not only be a light of the world—inspire us to take that light into the dark places. Enter into our lives and change us according to your will that we might witness in all times and all seasons to your power and love. Blessed Creator, we are yours.
January 22, 2012
Scriptures Ephesians 2:1-10 Mark 1:14-20
Hymn Lord, you have come to the lakeshore
Sermon: Cross the threshold
Have you ever heard the expression "we have burned our boats"? It comes from the battle strategy of ancient Greece. Ancient Greek warriors were both feared and respected by their enemies. In battle, the Greeks established a well-deserved reputation for their unsurpassed bravery and unshakable commitment to victory. The key to their overwhelming success on the battlefield had far more to do with how the Greek commanders motivated the warriors than it did with issues of tactics or training. The Greeks were master motivators who understood how to use a "dramatic demonstration" to infuse a spirit of commitment into the heart of every warrior.
Once the warriors had been offloaded from their boats onto their enemy's shore, the Greek commanders would shout out their first order, "burn the boats!" The sight of burning boats removed any notion of retreat from their hearts and any thoughts of surrender from their heads. Imagine the tremendous psychological impact on the soldiers as they watched their boats being set to the torch. As the boats turned to ash and slipped quietly out of sight into the water, each man understood there was no turning back and the only way home was through victory.
We just sang about leaving our boats on the shoreline behind us, but I want us to be clear that this image is not the same as when the Greek warriors burned their boats to motivate them to victory. When Jesus approached the disciples that day, it may seem as though he was one man asking other men to come away on an extended vacation. And indeed the gospel of Luke reinforces this when Jesus says in chapter 14: "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33.
But how can this be? Wouldn't a theology like this make all of us a great burden on society? What does it really mean to leave your boat behind anyway?
This passage in Mark of Jesus and the 4 disciples is a style of writing called the "call genre." It follows a certain formula and we can be excused if we are tempted to understand that the response of the disciples is the main focus of the story. But when we do that, we forget that the gospel was written not as a guide for our behavior but it was written to tell us about salvation through Christ.
I want to tell you that it is okay that none of us have left everything to follow Jesus. it's okay that we did not destitute ourselves, throw ourselves upon the burden of society in our attempt to be disciples of Christ. The point of this story is not to tell us to be exactly like Simon and Andrew who left their nets and livelihood behind on the sand, or James and John who left their Dad holding the rudder and managing the fleet. The focus of this story is about how the power of God gave these four men the faith to walk away from what they knew. The power of God gave them the courage and energy to transform their entire lives. They turned away from a focus on the economic inputs and outputs of fish and through Christ they turned towards a focus of spreading the good news that the time has been fulfilled.
When we hear about the conversion of people to faith, we need to remember that all conversions are always energized by God's mighty power. People come to faith in many different ways. Some of these ways are flashier than others, but ultimately there is no wrong way or right way to come to faith.
So this question of what it means to be a Christian disciple seems to have haunted us ever since this first invitation from Jesus to Simon, Andrew, James and John.
What we recognize today is that Christ uses a variety of ways to call us to be his disciples. It's like to explain what I mean with the metaphor of a house. Imagine that God has built a house with several rooms inside, and four different doors to enter.
The first door is affiliation. Christ calls us through our affiliation to the faith. We are disciples of Christ because our parents or our spouse showed us the way. And maybe the affiliation stretches back across the generations of our family and ethnic heritage. Maybe you are a Presbyterian Christian because your parents and grandparents were too. Maybe you are a protestant Christian because your family lived in protestant regions of Europe or Asia. Whatever the connection, God led you on your first steps to faith through the door of affiliation.
In the call story from last week in John chapter 1, Philip claimed Jesus as the Messiah because he was "the one about whom Moses in the law and the prophets had written." Philip was affiliated with Christ through his own context.
The second door into the household of faith is assent or learning. This pathway is the way of decision based upon things you have been taught, or studied. We sang about this pathway last week in the song I have decided to follow Jesus. Once again, on the surface it may seem that the initiative is with the individual. I have decided, I made a rational, logical decision. But, all belief is a gift of God. It is through the power and invitation of Christ that the seeker finds the door and assents to cross the threshold into faith.
The woman at the well met Jesus and began to ask him the theological question that burned in her heart. Jesus answered them to her satisfaction and she went on to spread the gospel and many believed because of her faith. But we recognize that Christ's initiative got her to the point of conversion.
The third door into the household of faith is mission. Through this door come the people who are drawn into their faith because they want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Perhaps it is as simple as wanting to sing in a choir, or wanting to be part of a community. Maybe it is something greater like wanting to help feed the poor, or teach literacy to people who cannot read. The story of Dorcas in Acts chapter 9 tells us of how she was always doing good, and helping the poor. Acts of charity cultivate compassion and draw us closer to Christ. Jesus said: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
The fourth door is transformation. This is the big epiphany moment, like Paul on the road to Damascus. Or Peter after he realized he had denied Christ three time. These apostles experienced the big vision of Christ that changed everything from that day forward. Paul stopped persecuting Christians and became the great evangelist of the faith. Peter became the rock on which the church was built. Some Christians like to call this door of transformation being born again. Transformation doesn't have to occur in a moment on a day. If you read the rest of the gospel of Mark later today, you'll find the disciples of Christ asking dense questions that reveal their ignorance of Christ's purpose and mission. Peter took years to mature into the faithful Christian that he was to become, requiring much teaching and dramatic visions.
Jesus calls us to follow him through the door of faith. Once inside we grow and over time we will explore all of these rooms. In the household of faith we learn about the good news of God's love and are nurtured in our faith. There are many biblical examples of this of course. The first Christians in the book of acts shared all that they had in common and helped the widows and orphans living among them.
The image of burning our boats and following Jesus is incorrect because of the implied judgement that it brings. That kind of instant and permanent transformation is only one way to follow Christ. We can be faithful Christian disciples even if we spend our lives struggling with our faith and seeking after the truth like the people in the room of assent and learning. We can be faithful Christian disciples through the mission of walking beside the poor and serving our neighbours, even if we do not attend regular Sunday worship. We can be true to God's call upon our hearts when we remain steeped in our traditions and uphold the values that have been passed on to us from our parents and grandparents, upholding the rituals and ceremonies that express love and devotion to God in word and actions.
Friends, the desire to become a disciple of Christ emanates from Christ himself. Jesus planted that desire as a seed in your heart, and Christ has set the doors before us and invites us to enter in. Hear Christ calling, come unto me. You do not need to have achieved anything, or have prepared anything. Christ will equip you with everything you need to become his disciple. All you need to do is say yes, and cross over the threshold into the household of faith. There is a place for you here. Amen.
Video link: http://vimeo.com/31934838
Our Work and Witness
About: How does St. Andrew’s Church meet its mission?
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)
Worship Life: Every Sunday the congregation of St. Andrew’s gathers to celebrate the life and witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, to glorify God and to proclaim the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Worship is a joyful time of music, prayer, Bible reading and education about scripture and mission. Worship uses the spiritual gifts and interests of the members and leaders who gather each week. St. Andrew’s follows the lectionary cycle of scripture readings and celebrations of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. All ages worship and learn together. Several times per year, worship includes the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the Sacrament of Baptism. Everyone is welcome to attend! St. Andrew’s also participates in leading worship at the Pioneer Square and Pleasant Valley Manor seniors care centres.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
Come into his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:1,2
Education: As Christians we are hungry to cultivate a personal and spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ. There are several educational opportunities throughout the year that assist us in this way.
- Let's Talk About It: a monthly discussion series offering Communications Tools for Christians in a variety of social settings. See the "What's Happening at St. Andrew's" page to find out the date and topic of the next event.
You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul,
and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and fix them as an emblem on your forehead.
Teach them to your children,
talking about them when you are at home and when you are away,
when you lie down and when you rise…
so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied… Deuteronomy 11:18, 19, 21.
Pastoral Care: St. Andrew’s is a place where strangers become family. Our minister is available for prayer and consultation around faith and life issues, and in pastoral emergencies such as illness, trauma, or bereavement. St. Andrew’s is a praying church. Our members are encouraged to befriend each other, care for each other and pray for each other. As we grow in Christian friendship and discipleship we show God’s love for all creation.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Psalm 23:4.
Fellowship: Several congregational dinners and events are held on special occasions throughout the year. Check the current events calendar for more information on our next event
- Men’s Breakfast, join the men of St. Andrew’s at 9:00 a.m. the first Sunday of the month for a hearty breakfast in the lower hall.
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,
they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,
praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.
And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:46, 47
Mission
St. Andrew’s church has a caring heart for the world. Our stewardship gifts to Presbyterians Sharing and Presbyterian World Service and Development help to make a difference to people across Canada and around the world by supporting missionary and development assistance. We also work locally and nationally to cultivate peace and justice. Our latest ventures include:
Refugees Need Our Support Now!
How Can We Help?
Every year, thousands of refugees are forced from their homes by human rights abuses, and flee because their lives are at risk. Most refugees will live for decades in camps as conflicts remain unresolved.
There is another way! Refugee sponsorship groups are committed people who work alongside refugees in order to support them as they integrate into life in Canada.
Learn more:
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has formed such a sponsorship group in conjunction with the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Presently, we are looking for partners in our Refugee Sponsorship Group to enable us to effectively carry out this mission. Contact us about Refugee Sponsorship and ways you, your congregation or service club can help.
www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd/refugee
Ubuntu Knitters
A knitting group to raise funds for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We meet every Tuesday Morning in the lower hall to knit together as we prepare craft items for sale, or on consignment. Join us, beginning at 10:00 am. Bring your knitting, or share the wool, needles and patterns that have been donated.
UBUNTU Knitters Craft Sale: November 8, 2008 raised over $1,200 towards the "Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign" of the Stephen Lewis Foundation
"My message to the whole world is that the world should get up to fight HIV/AIDS and to try to get medicine for the people who are infected so that the children they are trying to bring up, the children they are fighting for now, can have at least hope in life with the availability of the drugs. I want the whole world to see now [that] this epidemic is killing the young generation, leaving their children in the hands of the grandparents, who are weak, who are helpless. So I am appealing to the world if they can also look into the problem of the grandparents; if there's a way they can come in to help them look after these children and bring these children up. That is the message I have for the whole world. People should get up to fight against this disease so that the children they are struggling for may have hope in life." --Karmela, grandmother of 28 Mbuya Uganda.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me." - Matthew 25:35
What's Happening at St. Andrew's?
Guest Preacher: Rev. Betty Marsh, Feb 5 and 12
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, followed by "Ashes" Devotional worship. February 21, 6:00 pm
Inspiration Respiration Perspiration
A Women's Retreat for Refreshment and renewal
Febuary 24, 25 and 26, 2011.
Contact Rev. Wendy Adams to register 250 546 6334
Cost $100. Participation is limited.
February 26, 2011 Annual General Meeting, following worship. Worship is in the lower hall.
Who is St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church?
Since 1868, St. Andrew’s Church has been a place where exciting faith leads to exciting action. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we seek to love God, to know Christ and to make Him know through our love.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters,* if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)
Through the grace of God we keep an ear to the past, a heart for the present and an eye to the future.
As the body of Christ, we believe the church is directed through His teachings to share our faith by supporting, encouraging and educating each other as part of the Church family, reaching out into the community, proclaiming God’s love, glorifying God by living our Christian faith through prayer and example, being good stewards of the Church’s resources, both locally and globally.
Welcome to St. Andrew’s Church, in Armstrong British Columbia. This website is updated each week. You will find the most recent sermon under the link: "We Listen for God's Word." You will find out about activities and events that St. Andrew's hosts by clicking on "What's Happening at St. Andrew's". See the other links to learn more about our congregation and ways you can get involved. We are a community of faithful Christians who meet each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. to worship and praise God our Creator, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, in whom we live and move and have our being. Throughout the week, we gather together for study, fellowship and mission. We support and sustain each other through friendship, prayer and equipping one another other for ministry.
If you have never been part of a church before, consider this beautiful definition of what a church strives to become:
"A church wisely centered in the Word produces great contentment for the people.
The activities of the church keep them just busy enough to gain satisfaction,
but do not detract from their loved ones.
They enjoy their pastor because they do not expect her to be other than what she is.
Their spirits are nurtured greatly by quiet and solitude and room to be.
They care for one another without needing certain responses in return.
They share food and song, sorrow and joy, and become more and more free from fear.
And when they die they think: "it was good, is good and will be good." " (by William C. Martin)
As the Minister of St. Andrew’s, I personally invite you to join us for Sunday worship. Read through the pages of our website to learn more about our history, and our witness to God’s love and mercy through our work in the city and in the world. You are welcome here, and we look forward to meeting you and getting to know you better.
In Christ,
Rev. Wendy Adams
Minister of Word and Sacrament
