St Andrew's Messages

As we gather to dedicate our new space, we look back to the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem and how well King Solomon maintained the mission. Our comfort is not in our own success, but in that of Solomon's descendant whose mission was to sacrifice himself for us. We give all glory to God for all his blessings. All rights reserved. Music used by permission under CCLI #1600166, OneLicense #A-7...

"You shall have no other gods." That's the First Commandment. The Bible emphatically denies the existence of any god but the Lord, so the commandment is about our hearts and what we treat as God. Like King Jehu (2 Kings 10), we show some signs of commitment, but they coexist with moments of idolatry. Only the true God can save us from our ambivalence.

The account of Old Testament King Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and a vineyard owner named Naboth is an account of greed, ego, and selfishness. It shows the utter sinfulness of mankind and how "me-centric" all of us can be. That's why it's not all about us. That's also why it always has been and always will be all about Jesus—our Savior and our Lord. To his name be worship and praise.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Few would sharply disagree with this well-known proverb, but what do we do about it? We learn from King Jeroboam (1 Kings 12), from ourselves, and from our Savior.

Two simple questions. What influences you? What should influence you? Rehoboam did not give those questions much thought. Today we can learn from his negative example in 1 Kings 12. All rights reserved. Music used by permission under CCLI #1600166, OneLicense #A-709447, and Worshipflow.com. Pre-service music all rights reserved by Koine (koinemusic.com) & Michael Schroeder.   

Do you find it difficult to identify areas in your spiritual life that require attention and change? Sometimes it's easier to pick out personal flaws in others. Over the next couple months, we'll use the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah as a reality check for our own personal spiritual journeys. This weekend we begin with King David, who was unable to check his blind spot. If we're honest, w...

Trust is something difficult to earn and easy to lose. We live in a world built on trust, but so often it's hard to trust anyone because we've been let down time and time again. Not so with our God! He is not only worthy of our worship and praise, but also our trust that he has everything under control and will build us up to deal with whatever comes up in life. In fact, faith trusts in God's prom...

In Matthew 22, Jesus tells a parable about a wedding banquet. Some are found to be unworthy and cast out. What makes us worthy or unworthy of a wedding? What are the standards for taking an earthly spouse compared to an eternal one?  

The prison padre grimly tells the death row convict, "Son, I'd suggest you get right with God." What did he mean? Many think he's telling the man to be more moral, obey God's Word better, or be more religious. What do you think he means? Jesus told two parables in Matthew 21 to help you know what it means to "get right with God." And it's not what many think. We're glad you're here to gather with...

Have you ever been disappointed upon further examination or after opening a container to reveal the actual contents? That's what happened to Jesus on the Tuesday of Holy Week, but why such an extreme reaction as cursing a fig tree? Let's join his disciples to learn from him.  

Have you ever looked at what's going on in the world or in your life and wondered, "God, what are you doing?" The crowds asked that question when Jesus cleansed the temple. This weekend in worship, we'll see that even when we don't understand God's plans, he is always working for our good and his glory!

Americans love to celebrate. Look no further than this past weekend, as our nation celebrated its 250th birthday with parades, fireworks displays, and more. This weekend in worship, we celebrate as well. Not a championship or a birthday, but rather Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. While we celebrate our mighty King, we also marvel at his humility--knowing that the One who rode into Jerusa...

Many of us have had moments of defiance where we persisted after being encouraged or instructed to be quiet, settle down, or keep our thoughts and opinions to ourselves. Two blind men did this in Matthew 20:29-34. See what resistance they faced and admire their persistence, but then marvel at our Savior's persistence in coming to save us.   

What do you want? Jesus asked this question in a specific context in Matthew 20, but it's one of many questions we can reflect on as we examine some interesting conversations Jesus had with his disciples. 

Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus would go into "teaching mode"—using simple, everyday stories to teach important lessons about eternity and life. He does just that in Matthew 20. In "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard," we learn that everything we have and are is built on the grace of God. That includes the forgiveness of our every sin. That includes the reality of our salvation in...

Earlier in Matthew 19, we heard how Jesus upheld little children as an example. God's people continue to grow in faith and rely on their Father in heaven. Now we see Jesus further question human's dependency. Specifically, where can we turn to accomplish the impossible? 

Jesus has a succinct message in Matthew 19:13-15, saying the kingdom of heaven belongs to "such as these": children who were being brought to him. What did he mean by that? Was it just their age or something else? Let's learn together from the Master Teacher. 

Worship continues this weekend in the gymnasium. Besides the change of worship location, many things remain the same, including parking, service times, worship flow, etc. We will keep you updated on any significant changes.  This week, we are back in the book of Matthew. Whatever stage of life you are in, Jesus has a lot to teach you!  

Worship continues this weekend in the gymnasium. Besides that change, many things will remain the same, including parking, service times, worship flow, etc. We will keep you updated of any significant changes.   Read 1 Corinthians 12, a beautiful chapter on the unity of ministry. Wherever we are, and whatever gifts we have been given, we serve the world.  

We say goodbye to our beloved sanctuary after 25 years of use, but we continue a mission that transcends buildings: Serve the world. Today we let the account of Nehemiah walk us through what serving the world means as we gather one last time in what will soon be "the old sanctuary."  

St. Andrew Lutheran Church is a blessing to all who gather to hear our God's gracious Word, sing his praises, and worship his most holy name. In fact, the members of this congregation are family- united in purpose, ministry, and praise of the One who calls us his own.  As family, we need to continue loving each other as together we move into an exciting church future. Acts 2 helps us learn how to...

We can call our house of worship a place of peace because of the God we worship there. In Deuteronomy 6, Ancient Israel was called to a committed love for God and his Word. Three thousand five hundred years later, the saints of St. Andrew are called to the same commitment: love God and be faithful to his Word, hungering for it and discipling with it.   

In the latter part of Matthew 18, Jesus teaches about those who sin against you. It turns out even the church contains sinners! Jesus' instructions are not intuitive, so let's gather to hear them and praise the one who gave them.

As various GOAT debates rage on and sharp disputes about what constitutes greatness continue, have we forgotten what greatness is to God? In Matthew 18, Jesus reminds us. Let's align our definitions with his and strive for that. 

Easter joy continues as Christ is STILL risen. He is risen, indeed! With that joy comes a freedom we have as God's people to daily, continually praise his holy name. As we conclude our look at Matthew 17, it's teaching time, then, as the Master Teacher helps us learn a lesson about both serving him and others with the Easter gospel we hold so dear.