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

What if God isn’t good?

Dear St. Andrews Family, What if God isn’t good? That question sits behind more of our prayers than we like to admit. What do you do when you’ve knocked… and the door didn’t open? When you asked, and nothing came? This Sunday we wrestle honestly with Matthew 7:7–11—not with easy answers, but with real doubt, persistent prayer, and the surprising truth about who’s on the other side of the door. Before you listen, take a few minutes to read the passage. And maybe—just maybe—try knocking again. Pastor Jace

Everyone else is a Jerk

Everyone else is a jerk… Right? Let’s be honest—sometimes it feels like we’re surrounded by people who just don’t get it. Bad drivers, bad political choices, bad parenting, bad theology, overall bad decisions… it’s so easy to judge. But this Sunday, we’re stepping into Jesus’ words about judging people. And His words are pretty “in your face.” He talks about truth and mercy in a way that feels almost impossible? Come ready to wrestle, laugh a little, and be deeply challenged. And before you listen, take a few minutes to read Matthew 7:1–6. You might not see others the same way again. Pastor Jace

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