Upcoming Worship Se

Upcoming worship services

Jan 14, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 21, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Jan 28, 10:00, Morning Prayer

Feb 4, 10:00, Holy Communion, Father Hillin
Feb 11, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 18, 10:00, Morning Prayer
Feb 25, 10:00, Morning Prayer


THIS is a link to the church calendar of the Episcopal Church. It has links to further information about the people who are commemorated on any particular day.



Sunday, August 31, 2008

August 31, Father Nissen's message

The Gospel reading for today is Matthew 16: 21 - 28.

There are things in life we think we need, such as that white Mustang, a flat panel TV, a certain game, a certain concert we want to attend. These are all wonderful to have, but they will not bring us real life and fulfillment.

Jesus talks about the conclusion of his life of service, including his death and then his resurrection. Jesus very strongly says we MUST grow beyond things to change in our lives to SERVICE. We will find resurrection in our lives if we grow beyond things to listen more to our children, coworkers, and friends, if we spend more time with our church, families, and community..

Jesus calls us always to look outward in our lives, families, and parish families. A good way to look outward as a church family is to develop a mission statement that articulates what St. Andrew's Church is and what we want it to become.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

August 17, Father Nissen's message

Today's Gospel reading is Matthew 15, verses 21 through 28:

Jesus then withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And a Canaanite woman from those parts came to met him crying, 'Son of David! have pit on me; my daughter is tormented by a devil.' But he said not a word in reply. His disciples came and urged him: ' Send her away! See how she comes shouting after us.' Jesus replied, 'I was sent to the house of Israel, and to them alone.' But the woman came and fell at his feet and cried, 'Help me, sir.' Jesus replied 'It is not right to take the children's bread and thrown it to the dogs.' 'True, sir,' she answered, 'and yet the dogs eat the scraps that fall from their master's table.' hearing this Jesus replied, 'What faith you have! Let it be as you wish!' And from that moment her daughter was restored to health.


This is the story of Jesus talking to a woman who was a foreigner. In those days people lived segregated lives, and because of Jewish ceremonial laws about purity a traditional Jewish man would not talk to this foreign woman.

Yet Jesus engaged her in a God-centered debate. He daughter was sick, but she had faith that Jesus was able to heal her daughter.

This teaching reminds of two things. First, we must always remember that walls between people can and must be taken down. Second, when these walls are taken down, healing can happen.

This focus can begin to happen in our lives as we talk and share in church services and especially outside of the services.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Father Nissen's sermon, August 3

The Gospel reading for the day is Matthew 14: 13 - 21:

When he heard what had happened Jesus withdrew privately by boat to a remote place; but large numbers of people heard of it, and came after him on foot from the towns. When he came ashore and saw a large crowd, his heart went out to them, and he healed those who were sick. As evening drew on, the disciples came up to him and said, 'This is a remote place and day has gone; send the people off to the villages to buy themselves food.' Jesus answered, 'There is no need for them to go; give them something to eat yourselves.' 'All we have here', they said, 'is five loaves and two fish.' 'Bring them to me,' he replied. So he told the people to sit down on the grass; then, taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied; and twelve baskets were filled with what was left over. Some five thousand men shared in this meal, not counting women and children.

A long time ago God put us in the Garden of Eden. We had plenty of food, and it was a beautiful place.

The parable of the feeding of the 5,000 brings us back to the Garden of Eden, where God gave Adam and Eve an abundance of everything. We are reminded that since we left the Garden of Eden selfishness entered the planet.

May we be abundantly kind to ourselves and others, getting rid of sinful attitudes.
  • Choose to love rather than hate.
  • Choose to laugh rather than cry.
  • Choose to create rather than destroy.
  • Choose to heal rather than wound.
  • Choose to pray rather than curse.
  • Choose to live rather than die.
This way we are going to have plenty from God's abundance and the love and help from others.