St. Paul & St. Andrew

06/07/2026

In her sermon this morning, Pastor Lea named what many of us have been feeling - that something in our common life has become deeply, deeply unwell. But rather than despair, she directed us to the hope and possibility that comes with the assurance that the place of our sickness is exactly where Jesus enters the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEOOZTj1YWY

Friends,We're carrying a lot right now. There is so much hurt in ...

06/07/2026

Join us at 11am online or in the sanctuary for worship with communion. Pastor Lea will be preaching "The Medicine of Mercy".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onhS0BY5opI

Here's a sneak peek from this week's pastoral letter.

Friends,

We're carrying a lot right now. There is so much hurt in our lives, in our communities, and in the world. This morning, we'll gather with a gospel story that invites us to look honestly at that reality and to consider what healing might require of us. We'll also hear the ancient invitation to return to the Lord. Returning to God is part of how we heal. We come back to the Source of life and love. We are renewed, and we are drawn toward wholeness. We need that.

We'll be joined by the wonderful Citrus Singers, whose music will help lead us in worship, and we'll share Holy Communion together. If you're carrying worry, grief, weariness, or simply the weight of these days, I hope you'll come and make some space for prayer, song, reflection, and connection.

As always, there is a place for you.

Toward wholeness together,
Lea

Friends,We're carrying a lot right now. There is so much hurt in ...

06/03/2026

Some truths transcend politics. 🕊️ When people resort to a hunger strike to demand basic humane treatment, they are making a profound declaration: ‘I am still human. My life has value.’ The book of Genesis settled the question of whether every person is worthy of dignity long ago. In her sermon this week, Pastor Andrea asked us: Are we willing to recognize the image of God in those detained and forgotten? 💔 UWSChurch

06/02/2026

Standing with our neighbors in Newark, NJ today, who are asking for accountability and action by their state government leaders on behalf of the people being detained at the Delaney Hall ICE facility. We will continue to keep you updated on ways you can put your faith into action on behalf of all those whose human, legal and first amendment rights are being violated. Every human is made in the image of God. Every human is deserving of dignity. Period.

Also, please follow and for on the ground updates 🙏🏻

06/01/2026

During worship yesterday we celebrated all of our graduating seniors and blessed them and their parents as they cross the threshold towards a new leg of their journey. Their presence has enriched our community and we can’t wait to see how they continue living into their gifts and curiosities and unique characteristics that make them who they are.

05/31/2026

In case you missed it…
This morning we recognized Peace with Justice Sunday and our graduating seniors. In her sermon, Pastor Andrea reminded us that the work of faith is learning to see with God's eyes, because that is where peace with justice begins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_9gBsQVMhI

Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our l...

05/31/2026

Join us this morning for worship at 11am in the sanctuary or online. Pastor Andrea will be preaching for Peace and Justice Sunday, and we’ll be celebrating our graduating seniors!

https://www.youtube.com/live/-LzU32D8N0o?si=7f0tes7UqFwqJZxt

Here’s a sneak peek from the pastoral letter:

Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness…So God created humans in God’s own image, in the divine image, God created them… – Genesis 1:26-27

Friends,

It is always a bit of a mystery and a miracle to me the ways the suggested texts of Revised Common Lectionary manage to speak to the specific moments or contexts in which they land on any given Sunday.

This morning, the lectionary points us to the beginning, to the creation narrative found in Genesis 1, where we are assured of our infinite and inviolable worth and value as humans, not because of what we do or produce or because of our holiness or perfection, but simply because of whose we are – God’s beloved children.

At a time when we can’t seem to escape the reality of constant assaults on human dignity in our current political, economic, and technological environments, how might we root into this assurance in ways that transform ourselves and the world?

Today, we recognize Peace with Justice Sunday in our United Methodist tradition. It is a Sunday that reminds us that the pursuit of peace requires faithful action.

As I sit writing this, people being held at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in New Jersey are in their 6th day of a hunger strike, demanding improved conditions, humane treatment and freedom. In a letter signed by more than 300 detainees, they have detailed egregious violations of their human and civil rights, not only legally and administratively, but through the physical violence of unsanitary living conditions, spoiled and infested food, and lack of sufficient medical care.

It is a moment that calls for faithful action.

Come Sunday, we’ll reflect together about what faithful action might look like in our own lives, and in the life of our community.

Peace and Love,
Andrea

P.S. This morning we will also recognize the graduating high school seniors of our community and enjoy some celebratory cake during coffee hour. Come be a part of the blessing we will offer them as they close this leg of their journey and look to the next!

Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness…So God created humans in God’s own image, in the divine image, God created them… –...

05/28/2026

Do all the good you can... and scatter all the seeds you can! 🌱 Guest preacher, longtime SPSA-er, and UMC missionary in Colombia, Hannah Reasoner, reminded us on Sunday that Jesus never saw anyone as a lost cause, and we shouldn’t either. You never know where you might find fertile soil.

You can watch the full sermon at the link in our bio.

05/27/2026

What a beautiful way to wrap up the program year! 🎉
Last Wednesday we celebrated our Homework Help tutoring program and our new Hablemos Inglés y Español conversation partners program with food, fun, and community.
Thank you to all our students, volunteers, families, and conversation partners for an amazing year — see you in September!

05/24/2026

In case you missed it…

This morning we welcomed Hannah Reasoner to the pulpit. Hannah grew up at St. Paul & St. Andrew and has been working as a missionary in Colombia since 2017. On this Pentecost Sunday, she reminded us to scatter all the seeds we can and allow the Holy Spirit to do its work!

https://youtu.be/6v2esy5PGmA?si=Cpop2z-kKUaYDXiv

“Among the disciples were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna; and many...