A Disciple Grows

     I enjoy being alone.  Don’t misunderstand; it’s not that I don’t like people.  I was called to a work that is about people, and I don’t resent that for a moment.  Though as an introvert, my energy level can drain away if I am always with others.  You probably have heard me speak of my love for the outdoors.  I find mountains, streams, rocks, and trees to be good companions from time to time.  They help revitalize my soul when I have grown weary and tired.  But I couldn’t live alone apart from human contact.  It doesn’t take long and I want to see my wife and children, spend time with friends and family, or just interact with the people of God and/or our community.  I’ve been wired that way.  As God put it, “It’s not good that man should live alone.”  

There are many and various reasons God hard-wired us to be with others:

When I’m alone I forget how selfish, prideful, self-centered, etc I am and can become.  Being around people reminds me that life is not just about me. 

People help me learn.  It always amazes me how a good question or comment from the youngest of children to the most mature of adults can help me see the things of God and life in a new light.  Wisdom, the biblical kind, the kind I want, doesn’t come from solitude, but by learning how to live life with God and others.

People can encourage me and share the grace and mercy of God with me.  Indeed, the “keys” of the church are just that, the gift of one human proclaiming the forgiveness of God to another, as if from God Himself. 

I am often inspired and challenged by others to excel all the more in my marriage, parenting, work, attitude, and all areas of life.  So much color is added to life by others and I’d hate to live in the dreariness and “grayness” of a world without others. 

Countless good things can come about by being together, all of which can and have been twisted by our sin (this is an understatement).  Nevertheless, God still works through the sinful people He has redeemed and made saints to bring comfort, grace, healing, and redemption to others.  Thus He speaks through the author of Hebrews, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (10:24-25).”

We desire that the disciples of Christ who call St. Andrews home, are disciples that love, bless, grow, trust and go.  We want to encourage and equip our disciples to grow into these characteristics by developing habits that transform us into disciples.  Right now we are encouraging working on the habit of “spending one hour each week growing in Christ with others” so that we can become disciples that grow. 

We have made some changes recently in our Sunday worship and discipleship schedule in order to make connections with others easier within our church, especially for those who are new to St. Andrews.  I’m sure it has been a challenge to adapt.  We’ve asked everyone to block Sunday morning off as a time for worship and a time to further connect with God and one another at St. Andrews through word and prayer.  The purpose is to equip, inspire, and encourage each other to become disciples that live out the hope found in Christ as we connect to a community and world in need of the Gospel. 

Pastor Dan

Prayers for Our City

These prayers were read on Sunday, August 9th and were aimed at addressing the violence that is a part of our community.

Written and read by Holly Andersen


Sung

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit;

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Good and Saving God,

Thank you for the gift of prayer, that we can come before you with open hearts and praise you and place our requests at the foot of the cross.

Today we pray for our city, wrought with violence toward stranger and neighbor, overwhelmed by hatred made manifest in destructive acts and division among people and by deadly apathy.  Our children see death and are taught to kill; gangs pass on a legacy of hatred and fear.  Overwhelmed with broken hearts and hardened by destroyed lives we feel helpless because change is not possible through human strength.

But we are a people of hope.

Though overwhelmed we have not been abandoned; pressed but not crushed; in despair but living on a joy that comes through the life we have in your death and resurrection.  And so today we are bold to pray for:

- those living in constant hopelessness and despair
- those torn apart by gang activity in their neighborhoods, lives, and families
- for the families of the two people who were shot and killed this past week that they find courage in darkness and forgiveness in the midst of sadness
- for those who do not know your grace and forgiveness, the power of restoration, and the deep healing you are bringing to our city
- for your children, that we would find the courage and humility to see the people of our city through your eyes and seek it's restoration through our lives

May your everlasting presence be our strength, and prayer be our first action against all that surrounds us.

We are a people of hope.

Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done.

Are we weak and heavy laden

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He'll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Prayer Vigil Prayer III

Look with mercy, gracious God, upon people everywhere who live with injustice, terror, disease and death as their constant companions.  Rouse us from complacency and help us to eliminate cruelty wherever it is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer Vigil Prayer II

Let us pray for those in chains and who daily give their lives for their faith.

God our Father, glorious in giving and restoring life, do not hide your face from your people overcome with loneliness and fear; turn our mourning into dancing an raise us up with your Son, that we may rejoice in your presence Forever.  Amen.

Prayer Vigil Prayers

As we move through the end of this week and prepare for this coming Sunday we'll be posting some of the prayers used at this past Wednesday's Prayer Vigil for persecuted Christians around the world.  

Let us pray for those in chains and who daily give their lives for their faith.

Gracious God, your Son called on you to forgive his enemies while he was suffering shame and death.  Lead our enemies and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Written and read by Rachelle Moreno on Sunday, May 3, 2015

Please bow your heads and pray with me.
Heavenly Father, first and foremost, we give you thanks for just how you love us unconditionally. We thank you for your forgiveness when we disobey you and don't keep your commandments. We thank you for the Holy Spirit that guides each of us daily.

Lord, we lift up prayers for those nearest to us, that we may be encouragers and extend love and grace to them even when that may be difficult to do.

We pray for those who point us in the right direction in our lives, those such as our teachers, our pastors, those who serve our community and those who share the gospel around the world and our veterans who serve to protect us and keep us safe.

We pray for our rulers, those who govern our country. With your blessing America will continue to be a beacon of light and a bastion of hope for our world. Impart into our nations leaders the unquenchable thirst for virtue you bestowed upon our founding fathers.

Most importantly, Father....We pray for those lost sheep in the world, your children. Those who are in broken relationships,those battling addiction, the homeless, the hungry, and those who have just lost Hope as they have not heard of the good news yet.  Use us and the gifts and talents you have blessed us with so that we may be ready when opportunities arise to share the gospel to those in need, especially our children, that they may know your ways and honor you.

We pray for the sick and hurting.

Finally Lord we pray today for the mission work that goes on at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, a church in our Lutheran District, in Fremont, CA.  They serve among a variety of people and language groups through their schools(s), and international mission ministry to a variety of people and language groups around them.  We pray for Pastor David Wilson who ministers to the Chinese community and assists in raising their mission focus to Fremont and around the world.  Lord, be with our brothers and sisters in that congregation as they seek to share your hope, grace, and salvation.

Father all these prayers and petitions we humbly ask in your precious name and all Gods people said.....AMEN!!!!!

Written and read by Linda Vincent and read on Sunday, April 19, 2015.

Good morning Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this beautiful day and the opportunity to worship and serve you.  You have blessed us abundantly and we appreciate the splendor of this earth.  Help us to open our hearts and minds as we study and hear your word.

Be with our congregation.  Bless the pastor and staff as they minister to us and the people of our community.  Help us all to be disciples in reaching out to others.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for the new program against child trafficking - that these children will be released into loving homes.  Protect them from the predators that have robbed them of their childhood.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for those who are suffering from illness, especially Melanie Branstad and those we name in our hearts to you now.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for those who have lost ones.  Comfort and heal them.  We pray for those who suffer from addiction and mental health that they can meet the challenges that they face.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Be with those who are abused and in pain.  Help them to feel your loving arms around them.  Give them the courage and strength to seek counseling and safety.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We thank you for the opportunity to pray and talk with you without the fear of persecution.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Be with the leaders of our country in the decisions they make.  Bless the men and women who serve in our military.  Protect them and keep them safe.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Lord we ask that you will be with our doctors and nurses as they treat the sick and the dying.  Give them the wisdom and the knowledge to heal them and comfort them.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray especially for the family of Chad and Brady Moreno from our congregation who joined you in heaven 15 years ago.  I remember my sister Karen on her birthday today as she celebrates in heaven with you.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Into your hands gracious Lord we commend all for whom we pray trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

Amen.