We are the Church, together

​Beloved friends and family of St. Andrew Lutheran,

As the uncertainty continues to swirl around us, so does the Holy Spirit. Our world is literally changing minute by minute but God, who is faithful continues to be ever-present, offering peace and hope to all who seek grace offered through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Simply mentioning the name of Jesus is a balm to my soul…and then I take a breath and remember, thank God, that I am not God, I am not in control…I only need to follow where I am being led. And so dear ones, I offer that to you as well. To breathe out any anxiety you may be feeling and breathe in the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding. God is bigger than any problem we will ever face and with God, in this wonderful community of faith, there is nothing that we cannot conquer, Amen?

At this time, we will continue to be Church together on Facebook, Live each Sunday morning at 10 am. Nell will email a bulletin to each household so that we can follow along as we normally would. And…..something new: Thursday evenings at 7 pm, I will offer online (again on Facebook) Family story and prayer time. I will read a children's book and then will take prayer requests. If you’d like to send those to me ahead of time, please email me at [email protected] and I will add them to my personal intentions as well. I pray that there will be some good that comes out of this…and this will be revealed to us down the road, as God takes our hardships and turns them around…what I can already see is this. We are a community of Christians who care deeply for each other and the world. I have heard from several of you that you have reached out to your neighbors offering to run errands, you have sent cards, made phone calls and texts and checked in on our older members and those who are isolated. Friends…WE are the church, not the building at 4811 High Street W. WE are the church in the world, called to love and care for the most vulnerable. WE are the church together, the very Body of Christ called to show up in ways that may seem uncomfortable, like worshipping online. But friends, we do it together because I cannot imagine doing “this” without y’all and I am so thankful for your faithful witness to the Gospel. Please, continue doing what you are doing as we lift each other up, pray for each other, for our community, and for the world.
One more thing…please continue to support God’s mission here at St. Andrew with your monetary gifts. Even though we are not meeting at the building, we still have staff to pay, people to feed, a food pantry to maintain… We still want to give to the wider church as it supports ministries far beyond our reach…clean water, health care, safe houses, adoptions, and foster care. Yes…we ARE a part of that; YOU are a part of the big picture of taking care of all of God’s children and we do that through giving back the gifts that God has already given to us, by sharing from our hearts to mend hearts. Give now even more than before. WE are the church together.
Please join me in prayer:
Most gracious God, You hear the cries of our hearts and you know us so well. You understand loneliness, grief, and despair; but You also understand hope as YOU are the God of hope. God, you are here and we are here, together in this place. Whatever we may be feeling, it’s okay. Life may be changing, but You, God, are not. You are faithful to your promises, promises that you are always with us, promises of life in abundance, promises of love…unfathomable love despite all that we have done to turn you away. You love us…no matter what. Help us to find hope in your Son, who died for us, who rose for us, who lives in us. Strengthen us to be a beacon of light so that others, too, may know of your boundless love. Protect all of your children with your mighty hand, God. May we have the courage to tell our stories and live out the Gospel message of loving our neighbor. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, together….Amen and Amen.+
Dear ones, God loves all y’all, and so do I.

Pastor Suzanne