St. Andrew's United Methodist Church - Musical Musings

 As we step further into the season of Advent, I’ve been sitting with our scripture for this week: Luke 1:26–45 . It’s the beautiful story of Mary receiving life-changing news—and immediately being connected to someone who understands her. God sends her to Elizabeth, who welcomes her with joy, affirms her calling, and reminds her that she is not alone. One of my favorite parts of this passage is that before Mary sings her famous Magnificat, she is held in community. Before she proclaims her faith, she is blessed. God does not call her into isolation but into relationship. It’s a reminder that God often works through the gift of others to strengthen and encourage us. This theme runs through our worship this week. Our Opening Hymn, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” echoes our longing and expectation—just as Mary waited and wondered what God was doing in her life. Our choir anthem, “Advent Song” by Paul Zach, captures a quiet, heartfelt longing for God to come close and mak...

 As we enter Thanksgiving week, our scripture and music shape a meaningful arc that guides us toward a deeper spirit of gratitude. Deuteronomy 16 calls God’s people to celebrate with joy and to do so in a way that includes the entire community. Thanksgiving, according to this passage, is not simply a personal emotion but a shared practice woven into justice, generosity, and remembrance. It reminds us that we give thanks not only for what God has done, but also by creating spaces where everyone can rejoice together. We begin worship with Come, Now Is the Time to Worship , a musical invitation that mirrors the scriptural call. It does not ask us to come perfectly prepared; it simply welcomes us into the presence of God with open hearts. From there, As the Deer shifts the tone toward longing and reflection. The hymn captures the deep desire for God that lies at the core of true thanksgiving, reminding us that our gratitude flows first from recognizing our need for God and God’s fait...

 The story of Jonah is one of the most human stories in all of Scripture. It is the story of running away, being swallowed by fear, finding grace in the depths, and being called again to follow God’s leading. By the time we reach Jonah chapter 3, Jonah has already lived through a storm and a sea creature, both of which became classrooms for his faith. Now, after being given a second chance, Jonah finally goes where God calls him. What follows is a powerful picture of repentance, mercy, and transformation—not only for Jonah, but for an entire city. This week’s worship service traces that same spiritual journey. We begin with the hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory,” a bold and prayerful opening that asks for courage to face “the warring madness” and challenges of our day. It’s a fitting way to begin, because like Jonah, we are often called into places where courage and wisdom are essential. This hymn gives us a collective voice to ask God for strength to live faithfully, even when...

Blessings St. Andrew's Family This Sunday, we step into one of the most sacred moments of the church year — All Saints Sunday . It’s the day when heaven and earth seem to draw close, and we remember that our worship is part of something much larger — the great communion of saints, past and present, who live in the light of God’s eternal love. Our worship moves like a river — flowing from remembrance into hope, from grief into joy. We’ll begin by singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” a hymn that reminds us of the eternal promise that God’s people will one day gather together again. During this hymn, you’ll hear a beautiful clarinet countermelody of “Deep River,” a soulful echo of longing and peace. Together, these two melodies, one from the river of life and one from the river of freedom — invite us to listen for the deeper current of God’s grace that carries us all home. The message, “When We All Get to Heaven,” calls us to look ahead with joy — to see heaven not only as our...

Greetings St. Andrew's Family This Sunday at St. Andrew’s, our worship centers on one of the most challenging and hopeful of Jesus’ Beatitudes — “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Pastor Norma’s message, “Called to Be Peacemakers: Living as Children of God,” invites us to explore what it means to be shaped by peace rather than by the noise and division that surround us. Our worship will weave this theme together through Word, Drama, and Song. The choir opens with “Blest Are They,” a hymn that echoes the entire journey of the Beatitudes — reminding us that God’s blessings often come disguised in struggle, loss, and longing. Then, through Kenn Bullock’s adaptation of Music Tom's powerful drama, “The Path of Blessing,” we’ll witness one man’s journey through those same words of Jesus. Step by step, he moves from brokenness toward surrender — discovering that peace isn’t the absence of pain, but the presence of grace.  The drama culminates in the tender strains of “I Surrender A...

This Sunday we continue our journey through The Beatitudes with Week 5 , focusing on two of Jesus’ most beautiful promises: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” — Matthew 5:7–8 Mercy is grace in motion. It’s compassion that steps in, forgiveness that restores, and love that acts. When Jesus blesses the merciful, He calls us to mirror God’s own heart — one that is gentle, forgiving, and endlessly welcoming. Our opening hymn, “There Is a Wideness in God’s Mercy,” reminds us that God’s compassion has no limits. It’s broader than any failure, deeper than any hurt, and wider than any boundary we set. Our centering hymn, “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian,” turns that mercy inward, becoming a personal prayer for transformation. As we sing it, we ask God to make our hearts more loving, more faithful, and more merciful — not only in worship but in how we treat one another every day. Purity of heart isn’t about ...