Posts

8/24 - Serving God

 This Sunday is special for more than one reason. Not only are we in Week Three of our series Knowing, Loving, and Serving God , focusing on Serving God , but we also celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks, Briefcases, and Lunchboxes . Don’t forget to bring yours to worship to be blessed! On the surface, these items are ordinary—things we carry to school, work, or daily life. But in worship, we see them as symbols of calling —reminders of the places where God sends us to serve, to learn, and to be a light to others. Serving God isn’t only about what happens in the sanctuary; it’s about how our faith overflows into the world around us . In Philippians 2:5–15, Paul gives us one of the clearest pictures of service in all of Scripture: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” This isn’t a gentle suggestion—it’s a radical invitation to live with the humility, selflessness, and servant-heartedness of Christ himself. Jesus served not from a place of control or prest...

8/ 17 - Loving God

 Greetings Church Family This week, our worship series continues with the theme “Loving God.” That might sound like something we do naturally in worship—but 1 John reminds us that loving God is never just a matter of words, emotions, or even music. It begins with receiving God’s love and allowing it to overflow into love for others. Our hymn selections this week form a kind of musical sermon. If someone only heard the hymns on Sunday—without the Scripture reading or message—they would still hear the gospel truth of God’s love: where it comes from, what it does in us, and where it sends us. “We Sing of Your Glory / Tuya Es la Gloria” This bilingual hymn reminds us that God’s love is for the whole world—not just one language, one culture, or one people. By singing in both English and Spanish, we embody the truth that love crosses every barrier. In worship, this says to our congregation: “You are welcome here. God’s love is for you.” Just as 1 John 4 says God sent His Son into the...

8/10 - Knowing God

This week we launch a new three-part sermon series: Knowing, Loving, and Serving God. These are not just ideas — they’re the heartbeat of our faith journey. We begin with Knowing God , a foundational truth that shapes everything else. Our scripture comes from John 5:1–16 , where Jesus encounters a man who has waited 38 years beside the pool of Bethesda. What stands out in this story is Jesus’ deep awareness. He sees the man, knows his condition, and reaches out with a question that cuts to the heart: “Do you want to be made well?” In this moment, knowing God becomes more than belief — it’s about being known, being seen, and being invited into transformation. This theme flows through the music we’ll share in worship: We Sing of Your Glory / Tuya es la Gloria (Verse 1) We begin with a new bilingual hymn — short, joyful, and powerful. Singing in both English and Spanish reflects the richness and inclusivity of God’s glory. It’s a reminder that God's story is told across every ...

8/3 - This Holy Mystery: Singing Our Way to the Table

 This Sunday, we come to the Lord’s Table. And not just any table— the table of remembrance, of unity, of mystery. In Luke 22:13–20, Jesus sits with his disciples, takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and says, “This is my body, given for you.” He takes the cup and tells them to remember him every time they drink. This act of Communion is more than a ritual—it’s an invitation into a holy mystery . Christ gives himself fully. And in doing so, he transforms not only bread and wine—but us. Each time we come to the table, we’re reminded that we are part of something far greater than ourselves: the body of Christ, broken and blessed, gathered and sent. This Sunday’s hymns help guide us into and through that mystery. They prepare our hearts, echo our prayers, and remind us of who we are and who we are becoming. O Sing to the Lord / Cantad al Señor We begin with celebration! This lively, bilingual hymn invites us to lift our voices in joyful praise— “O sing to the Lord a new song!”...

7/27 - Walking in Faith, Singing with Hope

  He Who is Faithful Will Not Forsake You As we prepare for this Sunday’s worship, I invite you to pause and reflect on the theme Pastor Norma will preach: “He Who is Faithful Will Not Forsake You,” grounded in Psalm 37:3–8, 23–29 . This Psalm is full of reassurance. It reminds us that when we trust in the Lord, commit our way to Him, and walk humbly, we are not alone . Even when we stumble, God’s hand is steady beneath us. He is faithful, He is near, and He never forsakes His people. Our hymn selections this Sunday are woven beautifully into that message, offering a musical expression of God’s presence, care, and call to live faithfully: “O Sing to the Lord (Cantad al Señor)” opens our service once again with joy and energy. Its call to praise—across cultures and languages—reminds us that God's faithfulness is worth celebrating over and over. It sets our tone with gratitude and delight as we enter into worship together. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” serves as a theological a...

7/20 - Singing One Gospel, Many Voices

  Musical Musings: Singing One Gospel, Many Voices  This Sunday, we continue to explore the power of music to reflect who we are as a congregation — and who God is calling us to become. The scripture from Jude 1:17–25 invites us to stay grounded in the unchanging truth of the gospel. In a world of shifting voices and quick fixes, Jude offers a clear exhortation: Remember the message you received. Build up your faith. Stay in God's love. It’s a timely reminder that salvation isn't something we reinvent — it's something we respond to, again and again, with awe, gratitude, and faithfulness. That theme comes alive in our worship music this week. We will begin with the first verse of “O Sing to the Lord / Cantad al Señor” — sung in both English and Spanish. This hymn will be our opening song for several weeks as we lean intentionally into our identity as a blended Anglo and Hispanic congregation . By singing together in both languages, we are doing more than offering transl...

7/13 - Light, Transformation, and a New Beginning

  Light, Transformation, and a New Beginning This Sunday marks a sacred milestone in our life together as we welcome  Pastor Norma  to the pulpit for her first Sunday of worship leadership at St. Andrew’s. She’ll be preaching on  2 Samuel 21:15–17 , a short but deeply resonant passage in which King David, exhausted in battle, is saved by Abishai—a companion who quite literally steps in to carry the weight when David no longer can. It’s a story about vulnerability, community, and light—how God often shines through the faithful presence of others. Pastor Norma’s theme of  light and transformation  flows throughout our worship. Our musical journey this week is intentionally curated to reflect both continuity and newness: We begin with  “Holy, Holy, Holy”  sung in  both English and Spanish  (v.1 English, v.1 Spanish, v.4 English, v.4 Spanish), symbolizing the universality of God’s holiness and our unity across language and culture. We follow...