Faith in Daily Life

Pastor Kristen shares how her daughter Anna was welcomed with deep love by a Palestinian family during her service year in Bethlehem, and how that hospitality reshaped all their lives—from caring for her daily to risking checkpoints to return her belongings during COVID. Their later reunion showed how love can bridge cultures, distance, and hardship, reminding us that Lent invites us to notice the...

Last week at Ash Wednesday, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Shawna Berg reminded us that “love always" begins again. As a community, we named what’s heavy, received ashes and blessing, and were sent with the hope that in a world of chaos and routine, God’s renewing love always begins again. Starting tomorrow (Feb. 24, 2026), we'll continue our discussion of "Love in a Divided...

Guest Preacher Joe Davis reminded us that although we’re all different, we belong to one body in Christ. Using Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 12, he emphasized that when one person suffers, the whole community feels it—and healing happens when we honor and care for every member, especially those who are hurting or overlooked. His message invited us to see each other’s worth, celebrate our differe...

Pastor Kristin reminded us that real leadership looks nothing like power or status—it looks like kneeling. Using Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, she showed how love requires stepping into discomfort, not away from it. She challenged us to choose service over self‑interest and pointed to our community’s recent acts of generosity as proof that we can bring heaven to earth when we lead with humili...

You are not required to change who you are to become a leader. God embraces who we are and uses us just as we are. The conversations between the Samaritan woman and Jesus show us that God embraces our unique gifts and life experiences to bring God’s good news to the world.

Jesus teaches that real leadership is humility and service, not status. We’re called to stay curious, admit we might be wrong, and lead with love—because people recognize Christ in us by how we treat others, not by winning arguments.

Pastor Peter’s sermon addressed the grief and heaviness present in the community and affirmed that God is still at work. Drawing on Jesus’ call to be salt and light, he encouraged the congregation to preserve love, practice compassion locally, and live out hope by caring for one another.

In a world full of noise, Pastor Kristen challenged us with one question:  Who are you following?  Through the story of Ruth and Naomi, she reminded us that real strength looks like radical hospitality, everyday love, and choosing Jesus’ way—even when it’s hard.

Pastor Matthew reminded us that God’s call often comes quietly, like Samuel hearing his name in the night. In a world chasing power, true leadership starts with listening and serving. We’re all invited to lean in, pay attention, and live as people who are “just kids with a calling.”

The reading from Matthew tells how the Holy Family escaped to Egypt for safety, finding hospitality. In his sermon, Pastor Peter discusses Epiphany as a reminder that God’s love extends beyond Bethlehem to unexpected places and people. He shares stories of his own experiences of hospitality in Egypt that demonstrate how God’s grace transcends borders and reshapes history. We are encouraged to seek...

This podcast episode consists only of Lessons from our annual Christmas service, Lessons & Carols. Visit our website, standrewlu.org/worship-archive, for the full service. Yesterday’s service was a joyful celebration of the Christmas season with scripture, carols, and reflection woven together in a Lessons and Carols format. We heard readings, sang beloved hymns like “Lo, How a Rose E’er Bloom...

What an unforgettable Christmas tradition! Our midafternoon services were filled with stunning music, featuring the Canticle Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and a professional string quartet, all led by Larry Bach. And the highlight? St. Andrew’s own ‘3 Tenors’; Josh Eidem, Alan Bach, and Tim Graf; bringing the house down while Pastor Peter preached about love, community, and the power of Christ connect...

This week’s message from Luke 1:46-55 reminded us that Mary’s Magnificat is more than a song of praise—it is a declaration of hope and resistance in a weary world. Pastor Peter shared that joy does not wait for perfect circumstances; it shows up in the middle of hardship as a gift from God. Like Mary and Elizabeth, we are called to pause, notice God’s faithfulness, and rejoice even when life feels...

This past Sunday, Pastor Matthew reflected on how Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds each said 'yes' to God when it would have been easier to say 'no'. He shared how his own busy week led him to say no to his kids again and again, until he finally made space to say yes and build the vanities they’d been hoping for. He reminded the congregation that the restlessness we feel can be a si...

This week, we looked at what it means to stand on the edge of God’s promises as we consider the promised land—or the possibility of wandering for 40 years. We learned from the story of God’s people that His promises are not just goals; they give us the strength to persevere. God promises to support us, helping us to be strong in all situations.

Shawna Berg, our Children, Youth, and Family Director, spoke about "Doubting Thomas" during her sermon on Sunday. Was Thomas truly doubting, or was he seeking a real encounter with the resurrected Jesus? This made her think of Ken Grosch, a warm man whose funeral she attended earlier this month. Ken, often with his daughter Gretta, used faith and humor to brighten people's lives. Whe...

Pastor Peter spoke of Mary Magdalene today, recounting how she was the first to witness the resurrected Jesus. However, many people doubted her when she shared that her Lord had returned. Pastor Peter shared this woman’s story, along with other touching tales, to remind us that witnessing God can occur in unexpected and surprising ways. How can we follow these women's examples and cultivate em...

What is forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? How does God's message encourage us to forgive others? These questions were the focus of Pastor Kristin's message this morning. She invited us to consider how we would like God to transform our lives so that we can live in peace and love with others.

This Sunday, Pastor Matthew talked about how God calls each and every one into action, reminding us that we are called to act with courage and love so we can change the future for the better.

Pastor Peter emphasizes that God calls us to share love in every part of the world. Who is one person you can show genuine kindness and compassion to today and throughout the week? In what ways can you make ordinary moments impactful, fostering positive change in the world?

It’s Camp Sunday! The Spirit in the Pines staff members were joyfully celebrated and commissioned for the 2025 season, and Pastor Kristin delivered an inspiring sermon about becoming untangled, reminding us to release anger, resentment, and pride so we can fully embrace God’s message of grace.

This Sunday, Pastor Peter highlighted the Easter season as a time for becoming, engaging with what God is doing around us. This helps the world see the goodness, love, and grace Christ wants us to experience and share.

May the fourth be with you, and also with you! Resident Star-Wars Fan Pastor Matthew Fleming celebrated Star-Wars Day with a thought-provoking sermon about dreams, callings, and purpose.

On Maundy Thursday, we are reminded of the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ provided bread and wine in remembrance of him and his unwavering love. Maundy Thursday is also celebrated for First Communion.

Hosanna! Holy Week is upon us, and Pastor Kristin began the Easter celebrations with palm branches in hand. Before that, Shawna Berg and Arlene Flancher (dressed as a donkey named Jackie) delivered a children's message that shared the story of Palm Sunday. After the kids exited the chancel, Pastor Kristin preached about how the narrow path can be difficult, but it leads us to great things. She...