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January 24th, 2025

This Week

A Note from Mother Lisa


Dear St. Andrew's,


Boy, the Episcopal Church managed to make some headlines this week! I implore you to disregard what you've read on social media, heard on the news, or read in the headlines. Instead, with an open heart and mind, please watch Bishop Budde's entire sermon as just that- a full sermon. In the context of a church service. Given by a woman of the cloth from her pulpit, as the cathedral is the seat of the Bishop (the Cathedra).


Then, and only then, discuss it! Confront it. Argue with it. Was it faithful? Was it scriptural? Did it fit the context in which it was given? Did it fit into the tradition of the prophets? Does it fit into the tradition of the Episcopal Church? It is right and good to critically analyze what our leaders tell us! And we should never follow them blindly. But, I beg of you to not ignore or deprioritize your faith for your politics. As Christians, our faith informs our politics, not the other way around. And we are called to bring the Kingdom of Heaven into this world, not ignore the Kingdom of Heaven for a convenient time.


In a world where a cup of coffee is political, we can’t avoid politics in church. Jesus is political, but he is not partisan. What Jesus said 2,000 years ago was just as jarring and disturbing and political as it is now. And the true Judeo-Christian message is not popular. Most prophets were killed or exiled. All of the disciples were put to death, except John who was exiled. Jesus was killed by the religious and governmental authorities of his time. Jesus knew what was coming, not just for the disciples but for Christians even today, as he prayed in John chapter 17, "I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world... Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."


CS Lewis knew the truth about Christianity: "I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” No matter what your beliefs or how good of a Christian you are, Christianity is meant to challenge you, to make you uncomfortable, to make you question how you live out your call in this world. I sincerely hope I have preached a sermon that has caused you to think, has caused you to contemplate how you live your life, has caused you to squirm just a bit in your pew. Because then I have done my job as your spiritual leader.


I will continue to preach the word of God every Sunday, as found in our Holy Scriptures, as informed by our tradition, and as interpreted by reason. I will never tell you how you must live out your faith in this world, especially not whom to vote for, but I beg you to follow Jesus above all others. And let your faith in him, informed by scripture, tradition, and reason, dictate how you live, and move, and have your being in this world. These leaders, this political climate, this world is temporary. God is King- yesterday, today, and tomorrow.


Finally, please hear me when I say I love each and every one of you. Just as you are. And I hope to continue to challenge you to grow in your faith and walk with you on your journey with God each and every day. All will continue to be welcome at St. Andrew's every Sunday, and I am happy to discuss any theological or spiritual dilemmas you encounter in this world. It is an honor to be your sheep dog as we follow the Great Shepherd together.


God's Peace,

Mtr. Lisa+

This Week

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Join us this Sunday, online and in-person, at 10:30 a.m. as we worship and seek Jesus together.


Our virtual service is online every Sunday. Watch at St. Andrew's Jax YouTube page. You can find the bulletin on the YouTube page or linked below.


Want to share one of Mtr. Lisa or Dcn. Mike's sermons? All of our sermons are available online! Check them out here now, and subscribe to 'Sunday Sermons at St. Andrew's" on your favorite podcast app!

Bulletin
Lectionary
Those Who Serve

Ladies' Night Out


Join the ladies of the church at LongHorn Steakhouse (9276 Arlington Expy) at 6 p.m. on on Tuesday, January 28th for good food and fellowship. 


Contact Rose Reynolds or the church office to RSVP. Visitors are welcome.

Save A Stamp:

Pick Up Your Mail This Sunday and Update Your Giving!


If you made any sort of gift to the church this past year, pick up your year-end Giving Statement in front of the church this Sunday and save the church a stamp.


Also, if you have scheduled giving through Realm or your financial institution, make sure to update it to your new pledged amount so you stay on track for 2025.

Christian Formation This Week

Adults: Join us in Classroom 1 at 9 a.m. this Sunday as we discuss the Gospels.

This week: Youth ages 10-16

Join us this Sunday from 12-1 in the Parish Hall. Pizza provided.

Office Hours



The Church Office is open 9:30am until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday.

Mtr. Lisa is off on Mondays and staff meeting is 9:30am-10:30am on Tuesdays.


Ongoing

Need a New Year's Resolution?

How about a Daily Prayer Practice!


Would you like to grow closer to God each and every morning or evening? Are you needing some help praying by yourself? Never could quite figure out the Daily Office on your own?

 

Mtr. Lisa has teamed up with Fr. Wiley Ammons of Jacksonville's Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and Forward Movement to offer "A Morning at the Office," and "An Evening at Prayer," podcasts to help people pray the BCP morning and evening offices daily. Now there's even a Compline option!

 

Subscribe on your favorite podcasting app, or click the links above to listen online Get your daily download and spend 15 minutes a day in prayer, in community, with God. 

Blessed Chalk for your Home


If you forgot to get your blessed chalk last week, there is still some in the Narthex! Grab a piece of blessed chalk, an Epiphany blessing for your home, and bless your house in 2025.

Around the Diocese

Summer Camp 2025


Join Camp Weed this summer for a variety of activities to help promote camper's spiritual, physical, and mental growth. Some of these activities include kayaking, archery, wall climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, and so much more. 


Campers are divided into large groups, small groups, and cabin groups throughout the day to give them opportunities to get to know others, themselves, and God a little bit better. 


Summer Camp 2025 Dates:

June 8-13: Senior Session- Rising 10th-12th grade

June 15-20: Junior Session- Rising 8th-9th grade

June 22-27: Middler Session 1- 6th-7th grade grade

June 29-July 2: Mini Camp- Ages 7-9

July 6-11: Middler Session 2- Rising 6th-7th grade

July 13-18: Kid Camp 1- Rising 3rd-5th grade

July 20-25: Kid Camp 2- Rising 3rd-5th grade

July 27-August 1: Final Session- Rising 6th-9th grade


Also, don't forget that our St. Andrew's Foundation loves to send kids to camp! Feel free to submit this form to Kathleen for a scholarship.

More Info
Prayer List
Please Remember in your Prayers:

Vivienne & Dean C., Bitsie R.,

 Bonnie B., Victoria P., Sam C.,

Mason M., Buzz C., Mark M.,

 Harrison S., Bruce R., Rick E.,

 Kay M., Sura F., Joyce C., Donna & Bob B., Noelle D., Amy B., Mal J., Susan G.,

Joan O., Julian F.,

Eden & Nick G., Stormy O., Catherine T., Claude B.

 Kelly Pulsifer 1/28

Sharon Van Hoek 1/29

Laura Petris 1/30

          

Jeremy & Kristin Worley 1/30  

Request Prayer
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Want to Share an Event?

If you would like to highlight your event or program in our newsletter, all submissions are due the Wednesday before publication at 5:00pm. Please email submissions to Kathleen.

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