The Word from St. Andrews

Can these stones live again?

Dear St. Andrews Family, What if the thing protecting us is also the thing keeping people out? This Sunday we’ll wrestle with a haunting question from Nehemiah: “Can these stones live again?” We’ll move from broken walls in Jerusalem, to Peter’s shattered assumptions in Acts 10, to Paul’s declaration in Ephesians that Jesus has torn down the dividing wall of hostility. What kind of church are we rebuilding? A fortress… or a home? We’ll talk honestly about decline, change, belonging, hospitality, and the walls we build without even realizing it. And we’ll ask what it might look like for outsiders to become family again. If you get a chance before, read Nehemiah 4:2, Acts 10, and Ephesians 2:11–22. Pastor Jace

Gas Station Sushi, Getting Arrested, and Moms Advice: Guidance for Teens and Everyone Else Pt. 2

Dear St. Andrews Family, Make sure you climb something that no one else will climb. Eat something that could realistically kill you. (I’m thinking gas station sushi) Give advice on things you know nothing about. Yep, it’s another week of advice from Pastor Jace. I may even include some advice that your mom would appreciate—it is Mother’s Day after all. The advice I give today is meant to lead you (all of us) in wisdom. It’s meant to remind you what should be priorities in your life—gentleness, humility, servanthood and love. It’s simple. It’s practical. And it's still about Jesus. Pastor Jace

Skinny Dipping, Mohawks, and the fear of the Lord

Go skinny-dipping often. Don’t wear a helmet. Get a tattoo before you are 18. And that is only the beginning of my advice for teens this week. That’s right, a whole sermon where I talk to teens. And after those first three words of advice, I know you parents will want your teens to hear the rest. 😉 Now, I think sermons should be proclamation about Jesus and I will certainly do that, but this is a very different sermon for me. More of a fatherly coming of age talk. I hope. But let’s be honest here, no teen is actually reading this note. So, let me assure the rest of you. Every piece of advice I have for teens is totally applicable to you too. I hope all of us take home these ideas and put them to practice. There are a lot of different passages we will look at this week but maybe spend some time playing in Proverbs 1-8 and Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 to jump start your longing. Pastor Jace

When Anxiety Talks Louder than Jesus

Dear St. Andrews Family, This Sunday’ I've entitled the sermon “When Anxiety Talks Louder than Jesus.” Because let's be honest, we often listen to our fears more than we listen to Jesus. I hope to help you think about what keeps you up at night and what has you “double-souled.” Then I want you to hear the gentle, steady voice of our Father who feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, and calls us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” As you prepare for worship, would you take some time this week to slowly read Matthew 6:25–34, ask the Spirit to show you where anxiety is telling the story of your life, and come ready to entrust those fears to the care of your risen King?  Pastor Jace

The Rival god: how two masters divides your soul

Dear St. Andrews Family, Rival gods don’t announce themselves—they quietly take over. We’re diving into Matthew 6:19–24 and exposing how what we treasure slowly becomes what masters us. Jesus isn’t just talking about money—He’s going after our hearts, our vision, and our devotion. Before you listen, read the text and ask yourself: What is shaping me more than I realize? I am looking forward to worshipping with you as we pursue a deeper, freer, more whole life in Jesus together. Pastor Jace