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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...
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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...
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7/6 - Freedom to Lead, Teach, and Serve

 Dear St. Andrew’s Family, Next Sunday, I have the honor of preaching as we gather during this July 4th holiday weekend. While our civic celebrations often focus on independence, our worship invites us to reflect on a deeper, enduring kind of freedom—the freedom we receive in Christ. The sermon is titled: “Freedom to Lead, Freedom to Teach, Freedom to Serve.” In today’s world, freedom is often seen as personal choice or independence. But Scripture offers a countercultural view: Christian freedom is not for self-indulgence, but for self-giving. It leads us into deeper connection, greater humility, and wider service. Guiding Scriptures Four key passages will frame our worship: Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” Freedom in Christ is not about comfort or status—it’s about mutual love and service. 1 Peter 4:10 “Like good stewar...
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6/29 - Comings, Goings, and New Beginnings

This will be a tough weekend across many churches. For us at St. Andrew's, it will be Pastor Sherri and Pastor David’s final service with us and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on how the musical and spiritual threads of the service are beautifully woven together. This weeks Bluey episode is "Camping"  It is an episode that teaches us of unexpected friendship, temporary goodbyes, and long-term impact that reminds us how people can come into our lives for a season — and leave us changed forever. That’s Pastor Sherri and Pastor David for us. They’ve camped with us — sometimes in the rain and mud of ministry, sometimes under starry skies — and now they’re heading to the next stop on their journey. Our message theme, “God Will Take Care of Us All,” grounded in Psalm 121:8 (“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore”),  assures us that while these changes bring tears and tenderness, we are not without care or guidance. God goes with them. God...
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6/22 - Silence Is Not an Option: Singing Justice, Singing Christ

This upcoming Sunday, we will have the special opportunity to hear from the Hemenway's as they bring the Word during worship. Their message carries the powerful and timely theme:   “Silence Is Not an Option,”   grounded in the words of Jesus from Matthew 25:35–36: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” This passage is not a gentle suggestion—it is a holy mandate. It calls us to see Christ not in stained-glass images, but in the hungry, the sick, the lonely, and the stranger. And as those called to lead through music, this is a powerful reminder:  our singing is not just expression—it is response. Here’s how our music helps shape the message this week: Opening Hymn –  “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind” A return from Pentecost, this hymn is no lullaby. It’s a prayer to be ...
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