08/27/2026
Rev. Mark's Weekly Note:
Dear St. Andrew Family,
This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series called “The Art of One-Anothering: Loving the People Right in Front of You.”
The New Testament uses the phrase “one another” more than fifty times: love one another, welcome one another, forgive one another, bear with one another, encourage one another. Apparently, practicing the way of Jesus isn’t mostly a private spiritual project. It’s something meant to be lived together, amid the ordinary friction and grace of shared life.
But that’s so much harder than it sounds. It’s easy to love people in theory. It’s harder to love the coworker we don’t quite click with, the family member we can’t figure out, or the neighbor whose politics make us wince. What often makes it difficult is how tightly we are holding on: to our need to be right, our desire to be recognized, our assumptions about another person, or our expectation that they should change before we move toward them.
This Sunday’s message, “The Mind of Christ,” points to a simple invitation: loosen your grip.
In Philippians 2, Paul tells us that while Jesus embodied the very character of God, he did not understand likeness to God as some privileged status to be grasped or power to be used for his own advantage. Instead, he emptied himself, relinquishing status and privilege in order to participate fully in our life.
Paul then issues an astonishing invitation: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”
What might our relationships look like if that same mind of Christ were in us?
Perhaps we could loosen our grip on winning an argument long enough to understand what another person fears. We could release an old grievance long enough to make room for the possibility of forgiveness. We could loosen our grip on the spotlight and center someone who feels invisible. We could set aside our assumptions about another person and become curious about the story we haven’t heard.
Loosening our grip does not mean abandoning our convictions, ignoring our fundamental needs, or tolerating harm. I think it simply means becoming secure enough in the love of God that we no longer have to protect our place in every encounter. Our hands can open—to receive, to serve, and to reach toward the person right in front of us.
This is where the art of one-anothering begins.
I’ll be preaching this Sunday at 8, 9, and 10:45 am. I hope you’ll join us as we begin this timely new series.
As a complement to our Women’s Book Groups, I’ll be launching a Men’s Book Group beginning September 1 for men who enjoy compelling stories and meaningful conversation. The group will explore notable works of fiction, old and new, that wrestle with life’s deeper questions—faith and doubt, courage and failure, suffering and grace, purpose and hope. No literary expertise is required, just curiosity and a willingness to join the conversation. Our first book is Silence by Shusaku Endo—a haunting and unforgettable novel about faith under pressure, betrayal, compassion, and the silence of God. You can join the conversation even if you have not read or completed the book. The Men’s Book Group meets virtually on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30–7:45 pm. Email [email protected] to request a Zoom link to join the conversation.
I also hope you’ll join me this Friday evening for After, a free concert and live album recording inspired by my book, Life After God. Written by Justin Bullis and his brother Nate, these eight original songs explore what it means to loosen our grip on old certainties and make room for a faith that is still unfolding. The concert event begins at 7 pm, with recording starting promptly at 7:30. Early-access seating is available beginning at 6:50, and general seating begins at 7:10. Because the event will not be livestreamed, I’d especially love to have you with us in person. Stay afterward for popcorn, ice cream floats, conversation, and celebration at the After party.
Finally, a quick note about impersonation emails. Please be aware that scammers sometimes send emails or text messages pretending to be me and asking for money, gift cards, or other assistance. I will never send you a private email or message with such requests. Please look carefully at the sender’s full email address—not just the name displayed. A fraudulent message may come from an unfamiliar address or include a misspelled name, extra letters or numbers, or an address that does not come from the church’s .com domain. If you receive such a message, please do not reply, click any links, or fulfill the request. Given the high volume of these fraudulent messages, it is not necessary to alert me or the church office if you receive one. However, you can always contact the church office if you’re unsure.
Be well, be blessed, and abide in Christ’s love.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Mark
