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 stays with us. Always.

Here’s how the music helps tell this story:

• Handbell Prelude: “March of Praise” lifts us into joyful gratitude for the journey we've walked with both pastors — a processional of memory, celebration, and hope.
• “Over My Head” as our sung vocal liturgy connects us to the Spirit — it’s in the music, in the laughter, in the goodbyes, and in the love that won’t let go.
• “This Is a Day of New Beginning” opens the service with a reminder that every goodbye is also a beginning — for them and for us.
• “Tranquil Chiming” from the bells offers us a sacred pause — a deep breath amid the emotion, as we hold space for the Holy in the silence and shimmer.
• “We Are the Church” becomes our declaration: even as people move on, the Church remains — vibrant, connected, Spirit-led, and full of life.
• “All Good Gifts” from Godspell is our choir’s offering — gratitude wrapped in melody. The perfect anthem for these two shepherds who have poured out their gifts among us.
• “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” gives voice to our longing, hope, and love — a benediction in four-part harmony.
• And finally, “Siyahamba” leads us out with purpose — we are marching in the light of God. Still moving. Still singing. Still trusting; as we head to Fiesta! 

Let our voices be a blessing, and our presence a gift this Sunday.