Author: standrews

The Myth of Christmas: When Hope Seems Lost Communion Sunday Pastor Mitch Coggin December 3, 2023 Advent 1B Just after this meditation we will sing, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” We will sing the line, “from our sins and fears release us, let us find our rest in thee.” These are challenging words, to consider… Continue reading The Myth of Christmas: When Hope seems lost

Seeing with the eyes of the Heart Christ the King Pastor Mitch Coggin November 26, 2023 Proper 29 Robert first came to our front door on a Saturday afternoon offering to mow our grass or trim our shrubs. The first couple of times he came, we told him we didn’t need anyone for such services.… Continue reading Seeing with the eyes of the heart

Counting our Days, not our Gifts 25th Sunday after Pentecost Pastor Mitch Coggin November 19, 2023 Proper 28A For the third week in a row in our Gospel reading, Jesus is getting closer and closer to his crucifixion. Every year at this time, I wonder why we focus on Jesus’ teaching before his death and… Continue reading Counting our days, not our gifts

Preparing to Wait 24th Sunday after Pentecost Pastor Mitch Coggin November 12, 2023 Proper 27A Sometimes you can’t prepare. In March 2020, one month before Easter, St. Andrew’s was closed. We were not prepared for COVID and we certainly were not prepared to have alternative ways to communicate and worship with the people that are… Continue reading Preparing to Wait

Tangible Hope 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Pastor Mitch Coggin November 5, 2023 Proper 26A In my 45 years of ministry, I have never taken this many weeks “off.” Trust me, it is not easy for me not to work. During this time, I haven’t been the religious leader, I haven’t prepared sermons or worship elements,… Continue reading Tangible Hope 

Sow What? 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Cathy Victor October 29, 2023 Proper He might not have been the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he managed to have a significant impact on this part of the world. Walter came from Edinburgh, Scotland, and had served in the army. Around 1850, he decided to become… Continue reading Sow What? 

Church and State: Whose Image is it? 21st Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Harold McNabb October 22, 2023 Proper The Herodians and disciples of the Pharisees tackle Jesus on the temple grounds, hoping to score a fatal blow. They ask what they think is an impossible question: Is it lawful for a Jew to pay Roman… Continue reading Church and State: Whose Image is it?

A Journey Without Luggage 19th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Wayne Stretch October 8, 2023 Proper My friend, Fernando, lived for more that 25 years as a refugee in central Africa. He was a teenager when civil war ravaged Angola, killing millions of Angolans including Fernando’s parents and siblings. Fernando was constantly on a run of… Continue reading A Journey without Luggage

Seeking Freedom in the Wilderness 18th Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Laura Kavanagh October 1, 2023 Proper “Is God among us or not?” Some of us have been wondering that recently. Is the idea of collaborating and potentially combining our resources the direction that God would have us go? Are our individual congregations struggling so that… Continue reading Seeking Freedom in the Wilderness

The Workers in the Vineyard 17th Sunday after Pentecost Dirk Ryneveld September 24, 2023 I don’t know about you, but when I first read this passage of scripture, my first thought was “that doesn’t seem fair.” What about you? Why wouldn’t those who have toiled all day in the hot sun from sun up to… Continue reading The Workers in the Vineyard