Sermon Background Studies

Each week, Scott Engle writes a four-page background study to accompany the sermons preached in the weekend worship services at St. Andrew.  These studies provide some background and explanation of the scripture passage for that week, suggested daily bible readings for the week, room for notes, and a set of questions to guide reflection and discussion.  These studies are printed as part of the bulletin each week and are used by several of St. Andrew's adult classes and many of the small groups as weekly curricula.

You can SEARCH this page for studies on particular books or passages by using the "find" feature of Internet Explorer. Just click on "Edit" on the tool bar at the top of this page and then on "find." Enter the book name (such as "Matthew"), click find, and it will lead you from study to study based upon a passage from Matthew's Gospel. Because all the series titles and study titles are listed here as well, you can use those as search words also, e.g., "fear," "joy," "David," and "blessings" will all lead you to background studies.

There are two ways to get them early:

1. The studies will be posted here as they are written and will be available at least a week before the sermon is preached.

2. The studies are also available by e-mail.  If you would like to receive the studies by e-mail, as they are written, just send an e-mail to the following address: sa_studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  This is an e-mail group we set up to distribute the studies.

Click here to listen to Scott's Sunday morning sermons

To download a copy of the background study, simply click on the link.

November 23, 2008: "Remembering Whom to Thank," Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Luke 17:11-19

November 16, 2008: "Worship Matters," Psalm 100; John 4:19-26

November 9, 2008: "Church Matters," Ezekiel 34:11-16; Acts 2:41-47

November 2, 2008: "Love Matters," Mark 12:28-34, 38-44

Can You Hear Me Now? -- a series on Jesus' parables

October 26, 2008: "Doing All You Can While You Can," Luke 16:19-31

October 19, 2008: "Knowing What You Have While You've Got It," Matthew 21:33-46

October 12, 2008: "The Father of Grace," Luke 15:11-32

October 5, 2008: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," Luke 14:15-24

September 28, 2008: "The Challenge of Forgiveness," Matthew 18:21-35

September 21, 2008: "Telling the Wheat from the Weeds," Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

September 14, 2008: "Are You Good Soil?," Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

September 7, 2008: "Can You Hear Me Now?," Luke 10:25-27

August 31, 2008: "Thirsting for God?," Psalm 34:1-8, 17-19; Psalm 63:1-8

August 24, 2008: "How Are They To Hear?," Romans 10:5-17; Isaiah 52:7-10

August 17, 2008: "Guess Who?," Genesis 45:1-15, 50:15-21

August 10, 2008: "Can You Say Sibling Rivalry," Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

August 3, 2008: "Magnificent Defeat or Crippling Victory?," Genesis 32:22-31

July 27, 2008: "Jacob Loves Rachel," Genesis 29:15-28

July 20, 2008: "Jacob's Ladder," Genesis 28:10-19

July 13, 2008: "What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?," Genesis 19-34

July 6, 2008: "What Does the Lord Require of a Nation?," Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 17-21

Great Comebacks . . . a seven-week series

June 29, 2008: "The Greatest Comeback," Matthew 27:45-54; 28:1-10

June 22, 2008: "A Pyrrhic Comeback?," 2 Samuel 18:24-33

June 15, 2008: "The Agony of Victory," 1 Kings 19:1-19

June 8, 2008: "A Whale of a Comeback," Jonah 1:1-3; 11-17, 2:10-3:5

June 1, 2008: "From Zero to Hero(?)," Judges 16:4-6, 15-22, 28-31

May 25, 2008: "From Famine to Feast," Ruth 1:1-5; 4:13-17

May 18, 2008: "Where Did That Come From?," Luke 22:54-62; Acts 2:22-24, 29-20; 32-33, 36-42

May 11, 2008, Pentecost Sunday, "The Spirit of Pentecost," Acts 2:1-21

United. Unlimited . . .  a six-week series on church unity and mission

May 4, 2008: "Just Do It?," Philippians 4:10-14; Colossians 3:15-17

April 27, 2008: "What's Next?," Nehemiah 2:11-20

April 20, 2008: "My Part," 1 Corinthians 12:4-26

April 13, 2008: "Do What?," John 15:12-17; Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16

April 6, 2008: "Who Says?," John 17:13-24

March 30, 2008: "So What?," 1 Corinthians 15:12-21, 50-58

Easter: March 23, 2008, "Raised with Christ," Mark 16:1-8; Colossians 3:1-14

Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008: "At Long Last," Psalm 118:1-2,19-21; Mark 11:1-11

Crosstraining: a ten-week series on seven holy habits

March 9, 2008: "David: Stricken to the Heart," Hebrews 11:32-34; 1 Samuel 24:1-7

March 2, 2008: "Abraham: Trusting Him Who Saves Us," Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19; Romans 4: 1-5

February 24, 2008: "Hearing, Trusting, and Acting," Hebrews 11:29-31; Joshua 2:1-14

February 17, 2008: "I Will Show You My Faith," Mark 10:42-45; James 2:14-26

February 10, 2008: "More Will Be Given," Matthew 25:14-30

February 3, 2008: "Good News to the Poor," Luke 4:16-21; Acts 6:1-7

January 27, 2008: "Need To Pray Always," Psalm 34:1-8; Luke 18:1-14

January 20, 2008: "A Lamp To My Feet," Psalm 119:97-105

January 13, 2008: "Make a Joyful Noise," Psalm 95:1-7; Romans 12:1-2

January 6, 2008: "'Come and see'," John 1:43-51; Matthew 5:13-16

December 30, 2007: "Fulfilled?," Matthew 2:13-23

Let Earth Receive Her King: an Advent series on favorite Christmas carols

December 24, 2007: "Silent Night, Holy Night," Luke 2:1-20

December 23, 2007: "O Little Town of Bethlehem," Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6

December 16, 2007: "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," Luke 2:8-14; Romans 1:1-6, 14-17

December 9, 2007: "Joy to the World," Psalm 98:4-9; Romans 15:7-13

December 2, 2007: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," Isaiah 7:10-16; 40:1-2;  61:1-4

November 25, 2007: "Shepherd & King," Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20

November 18, 2007: "Thankful to God for People of Grace," Romans 1:8-15; Colossians 3:12-16

November 11, 2007: "People of the Book," 2 Chronicles 34:29-33; 2 Timothy 3:10-17

A Matter of the Heart: a four-week series

November 4, 2007: "Joy is a Matter of the Heart," 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

October 28, 2007: "Tithing is a Matter of the Heart," Deut. 14:28-29; Malachi 3:6-12; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

October 21, 2007: "Mission is a Matter of the Heart," Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:6-8; Matthew 25:34-40

October 14, 2007: "Giving is a Matter of the Heart," 1 Chronicles 29:1-9; Matthew 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

God's Vision: a five-week series on the book of Revelation

October 7, 2007: "God's Vision -- and our own," Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-7

September 30, 2007: "The Lamb and the Bride," Revelation 19:4-10

September 23, 2007: "In God We Trust?," Revelation 6:1-11

September 16, 2007: "The Lion and the Lamb," Revelation 5

September 9, 2007: "The Sword of Truth," Revelation 1:9-16; 2:1-7

Lead Like Jesus: a four-part series

September 2, 2007: "Lead with a Servant's Habits," Matthew 26:36-41; Psalm 46:1-5, 10-11

August 26, 2007: "Lead with a Servant's Head," John 13:12-15; Habakkuk 2:1-4

August 19, 2007: "Lead with a Servant's Hands," Matthew 4:19-22; 9:35-38; John 17:1-4

August 12, 2007: "Lead with a Servant's Heart," Matthew 20:25-28; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Deal or No Deal: a five-part series

August 5, 2007: "A Surprise," Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17

July 29, 2007: "A Winning Deal?," Philippians 2:1-11

July 22, 2007: "No Deal," Psalm 137:1-4; Luke 18:18-30

July 15, 2007: "God's Deal," 2 Kings 7:3-9

July 8, 2007: "I'll Take You There," Mark 2:1-12

July 1, 2007: "Freedom From & Freedom For," 2 Chronicles 7:12-14; Galatians 5:13-18

Identity Theft: a four-part series

June 17, 2007: "Are We What We Do?," James 4:13-17; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 2:9-10

June 10, 2007: "Lies We Tell Ourselves," Exodus 4:10-17; Galatians 3:25 - 4:7

June 3, 2007: "The World's Lies," Acts 17:22-28a; Exodus 19:1-6

May 27, 2007 -- "Identity Theft," John 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Finding Hope on Purpose: a six-part series

May 20, 2007 -- "Working With All Our Heart," Genesis 2:1-3,15; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Colossians 3:23-24

May 13, 2007 -- "His Body, His Temple," 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 15:20-23, 51-53

May 6, 2007 -- "Loving From Our Center," Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 12:9-18

April 29, 2007 -- "How to Make a Difference," Numbers 13:17-20, 25-33; 14:1-11; 24

April 22, 2007 -- "Lukewarm about God?," Jeremiah 29:10-14; Revelation 3:14-22

April 15, 2007 -- "Living the Vision," Proverbs 29:18; Nehemiah 2:11-18

WORSHIP: a seven part Lenten series on the Gospel of John

April 8, 2007, Easter Weekend -- "Post-Easter Plans," John 20:11-18, 26-31

April 1, 2007 -- "Incidents of Praise," John 12:12-26

March 25, 2007 -- "Honoring the Father," John 10:7-18, 27-30

March 18, 2007 -- "Sanctifying," John 8:1-11

March 11, 2007 -- "Repenting and Restoring," John 5:1-18, 39-40

March 4, 2007 -- "Only the Lonely," John 4:7-24

February 25, 2007 -- "Word became Flesh," John 1:1-14

February 18, 2007 -- "What Should I Pray For?," Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:26-28

February 11, 2007 -- "Do My Prayers Really Make a Difference," Genesis 18:22-26, 32-33; James 5:13-15

February 4, 2007 -- "A Life Worthy of the Gospel," Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 1:27

The Life You've Always Wanted: a four week series

January 28, 2007 -- "Take it, and Eat," Matthew 6:25,33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 10:8-9

January 21, 2007 -- "Dance to the Music," Nehemiah 8:9-12; John 15:9-11; Philippians 4:4-5

January 14, 2007 -- "Training v. Trying," Philippians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

January 7, 2007 -- "Becoming Myself," Luke 19:1-10

December 31, 2006 -- "Walking in the Light," 1 John 1:5-2:6

December 24, 2006 -- "The Divine Reversal," Luke 2:1-20

December 17, 2006 -- "Waiting Well," Malachi 3:1-4; John 1:6-8, 19-28

December 10, 2006 -- "What Are We Waiting For?," 2 Peter 3:8-15a (The Message)

December 3, 2006 -- "Bigger Than Christmas," Isaiah 40:1-11

November 26, 2006 -- "There's the Rub," Psalm 23; John 10:7-15

November 19, 2006 -- "Thanks Today for God's Tomorrow," 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7

November 12, 2006 -- "Born Again?," John 3:1-10, 16

Your Part, Your Peace: a four week series

November 5, 2006 -- "A Harvest of Joy," Psalm 126

October 29, 2006 -- "Seek Peace and Pursuit it," 1 Peter 3:8-12; 4:7-11

October 22, 2006 -- "Our Part? Loving in Truth and Action," 1 John 3:11,18-24

October 15, 2006 -- "First to the Lord," 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 7, 12, 24

October 8, 2006 -- "Betting on the Future," Jeremiah 32:6-15

Taking a Second Look: a four week series

October 1, 2006 -- "A Vision of Children," Jeremiah 1:4-12

September 24, 2006 -- "A Vision of Marriage," Isaiah 6:1-8; John 13:34-35

September 17, 2006 -- "Abiding Discipleship," Psalm 121; John 15:1-5

September 10, 2006 -- "Living Bold," Esther 4:9-16

September 3, 2006 -- "When the Church Was Young," Psalm 119:41-48; 1 Timothy 3:14-16

August 27, 2006 -- "Messengers of the Church," Romans 10:14-15; 2 Corinthians 8:16-23

August 20, 2006 -- "This Is Your Life," Psalm 113:5-9; Mark 10:46-52

August 13, 2006 -- "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place," 2 Chronicles 6:1-11

August 6, 2006 -- "God's Time," 1 Corinthians 11:17-28

July 30, 2006 -- "Against All Odds," 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

July 23, 2006 -- "Love Story," Hosea 1:1-9

July 16, 2006 -- "Word Matters," Psalm 150

July 9, 2006 -- "More Than Meets the Eye," Luke 13:10-21

July 2, 2006 -- "Why Nations Fall," 2 Kings 24:1-7; 2 Chronicles 7:12-14

June 25, 2006 -- "Odd Enough?," 2 Kings 2:1-10

June 18, 2006 -- "Life and Power," 1 Kings 17:8-16; 18:36-40

June 11, 2006 -- "Christ, Cosmos, and Clothing," Colossians 1:15-20, 3:1-4, 12-14

June 4, 2006 -- "Promise, Evidence, and Guarantee," Acts 2:1-17

May 28, 2006, -- "A Friend in Deed," 2 Samuel 1:1-16

May 21, 2006 -- "A Memorable Commencement," Proverbs 24:23-34

Extreme Makeover, Life Edition -- A four-week series that continues our Thru the Bible project

May 14, 2006 -- "Always There, Always Loving," Proverbs 21:30-31; Ruth 4:13-17

May 7, 2006 -- "Extreme Transformation," Romans 1:8-17

April 30, 2006 -- "In Spite of Ourselves," Judges 2:6-19

April 23, 2006 -- "The Teacher Who Transforms," Matthew 7:13-27

Easter, April 16, 2006 -- "God's Future Now," Psalm 57:8-11; Luke 24:1-12

Palm Sunday, April 9, 2006 -- "YHWH Returns to Zion," Psalm 50:1-6; John 12:12-15

April 2, 2006 -- "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," Deuteronomy 15:1-11

March 26, 2006 -- "The Heart of the Law," Deuteronomy 6:1-9

March 19, 2006 -- "Do Our Beliefs Really Matter?," Galatians 1:1-10

March 12, 2006 -- "Decisions, Decisions," Numbers 14:1-10a

March 5, 2006 -- "Drawing Nearer to God," Hebrews 8

February 26, 2006 -- "Shadows," Leviticus 1:1-9

February 19, 2006 -- "A Promise Kept," Acts 11:4-18

Winning At All Costs -- a six-week series -- This also begins the year-long Thru the Bible series

February 12, 2006 -- "Winning at Money," Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-27

February 5, 2006 -- "Winning at School," Proverbs 1:1-7

January 29, 2006 -- "Winning at Work," Exodus 3:1-14

January 22, 2006 -- "Winning at Family," Genesis 50:15-26

January 15, 2006 -- "Winning at Marriage and Relationships," Genesis 24:57-67

January 8, 2006 -- "Winning at Life," Psalm 1:1-3; Genesis 15:1-6

January 1, 2006 -- "My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation," Luke 2:21-40

December 25, 2005 -- "An Exact Imprint," Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4

December 24, 2005 -- "The Gift of Presence," Luke 2:1-20

Where Does Jesus Begin With You? -- a four week Advent series

December 18, 2005 -- "In the Darkness," John 1:1-14

December 11, 2005 -- "In the Office," Luke 1:5-25

December 4, 2005 -- "In the Church," Matthew 1:1-2, 16-24

November 27, 2005 -- "In the Wilderness," Mark 1:1-13

November 20, 2005 -- "The Gift of Sight," Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23

A Passion for Giving -- a four week series

November 13, 2005 -- "How Big Is Your God?," Proverbs 9:10-12; Matthew 14:28-33

November 6, 2005 -- "A Passion for Giving," 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

October 30, 2005 -- "Building FOR the Kingdom," Genesis 28:16-22; Isaiah 58:6-9a

October 23, 2005 -- "The Lord of the Gift," Matthew 25:14-30

Getting Out of the Boat -- a four-week series

October 16, 2005 -- "Facing the Storm," Genesis 37:15-24, 28; 50:19-21

October 9, 2005 -- "You've Got a Call," Jeremiah 1:4-8

October 2, 2005 -- "Expand Your Zone," 2 Kings 5:8-14

September 25, 2005 -- "Get Out of the Boat!," Matthew 14:22-33

A Passionate Life -- a six-week series

September 18, 2005 -- "A Passionate Church," 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10; Romans 12:9-18

September 11, 2005 -- "Choosing to Learn," Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 6:25-27, 33; 7:18, 24

September 4, 2005 -- "A Kairos Moment," Mark 1:14-18; Acts 16:13-15

August 28, 2005 -- "How's Your OUT?," Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 10:1-6

August 21, 2005 -- "Up, In, and Out," Micah 6:6,8; Luke 6:12-20

August 14, 2005 -- "A Passionate Life," Luke 24:30-35; Acts 18:24-28

One Question for God -- a four-week series

August 7, 2005 -- "Forgiven and Forgiving," Psalm 103:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

July 31, 2005 -- "God's Will and (or?) Our Own," Acts 17:24-28; Luke 10:21-22; Mark 12:28-30

July 24, 2005 -- "Finding Heaven," Luke 23:39-42; Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5

July 17, 2005 -- "Bad Things and a Good God," Job 4:1-2, 7-8; 38:1-4; 40:1-2; Isaiah 53:3-4

Back to the Old Testament Stories-- a five-week series

July 10, 2005 -- "Thus Says the Lord," Amos 1:1-2, 4:13, 8:1-3

July 3, 2005 -- "Out of Hiding," 2 Samuel 9:1-13

June 26, 2005 -- "Moses' Mid-life Crisis," Exodus 2:11-22

June 19, 2005 -- "When Winning is a Tragedy," Judges 11:1-6, 30-35

June 12, 2005 -- "The Great Tragedy," Genesis 3:1-13

June 5, 2004 -- "There is Always Time for Mercy," Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

May 29, 2005 -- "Pass the Salt," Matthew 5:1-2, 13-16

May 22, 2005 -- "The Cost of Loyalty," Matthew 10:34-39

May 15, 2005 -- "You Are ready? Really?," Luke 9:51-62

The Good Life -- a six-week series

May 8, 2005 -- "Abundance and the Marks of Discipleship," Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 3:14-21

May 1, 2005 -- "Shortcuts That Aren't!," Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-4; 21:1-3

April 24, 2005 -- "Detours and Exit Ramps," 1 Timothy 6:2b-11

April 17, 2005 -- "Packing for the Trip," Exodus 16:9-15; Luke 10:1-9

April 10, 2005 -- "The Right Map," John 14:1-7; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

April 3, 2005 -- "The Good Life," Matthew 6:25-33; John 10:7-10

Fear Factor: What do you fear? -- a six-part Lenten series on overcoming our fears

Easter, March 27, 2005 -- "Fear Overcome!," Matthew 28:1-10

March 20, 2005 -- "Overcoming the Fear of Death," John 12:12-15; Mark 14:32-36

March 13, 2005 -- "Overcoming Creating the Fear of Success," 1 Kings 19:1-3a; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

March 6, 2005 -- "Overcoming the Fear of Failure," Mark 14:66-72; Acts 2:14-17

February 27, 2005 -- "Overcoming the Fear of Letting Go," Isaiah 41:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

February 20, 2005 -- "Overcoming the Fear of Change," John 3:1-5, 19:38-39; Luke 18:18-23

February 13, 2005 -- "Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown," Numbers 13:30 - 14:4; Luke 8:22-25

Loving for Life -- a five-part series on love, marriage, and sex

February 6, 2005 -- "Where Do We Turn in the Tough Times," Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Colossians 3:12-14

January 30, 2005 - "God's Plan for Sexual Intimacy," Genesis 2:24-25; 1 Corinthians 7:1-4

January 23, 2005 -- "Habits of a Healthy Marriage," Ephesians 5:21-33

January 16, 2005 -- "The Marriage of Disciples," Genesis 2:18, 24-25; Hosea 2:16-20; Hebrews 13:1-5

January 9, 2005 -- "More Than a Many-Splendored Thing," 1 Cor 13:4-7, 11-13; 1 John 3:16-17; 4:7-11

January 2, 2005 -- "Should I Stay or Should I Go?," Matthew 2:1-12

December 26, 2004 -- "The Purpose Driven Life," Matthew 27:45-56

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2004 -- "THE Christmas Carol," Luke 2:1-20

What Will You Bring to the Stable? -- a four-part series for Advent

December 19, 2004 -- "Bringing Our Selves to the Stable," Psalm 96:1-6, 11-13; Romans 1:1-7

December 12, 2004 -- "Bringing Our Hurts to the Stable," Isaiah 35:1-2,5-6; Matthew 11:2-11

December 5, 2004 -- "Bringing Our Sins to the Stable," Matthew 3:1-12

November 28, 2004 -- "Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing," Isaiah 2:2-5

November 21, 2004 -- "Christ the King," Jeremiah 23:5-6, Colossians 1:11-20

November 14, 2004 -- "Creation and New Creation," Genesis 1:1-5; Isaiah 65:17-19,23-25b

November 7, 2004 -- "Take Courage, Work, and Stand Firm," Haggai 2:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2,13-17

Growing for Christ -- a four-part series

October 31, 2004 -- "Growing for the Joy of Fellowship," Acts 2:42-47; 1 John 1:1-4

October 24, 2004 -- "Growing for Christ," Ephesians 4;1-6,11-16

October 17, 2004 -- "Growing for Others," Luke 20:45 - 21:4

October 10, 2004 -- "Growing for Ministry," 1 Samuel 3:1-11,19

Our Return from Exile -- a four-part series

October 3, 2004 -- "Staying Home," Romans 8:31,38-39;12:9-18

September 26, 2004 -- "Coming Home," Luke 15:11-32

September 19, 2004 -- "The Promise that is Our Hope," Psalm 137:1-6; Psalm 149:1-4

September 12, 2004 -- "The Truth of Exile," Lamentations 1:1-2; Psalm 22:1-2

September 5, 2004 -- "The Cost of Discipleship," Luke 14:25-33

An Inviting Congregation -- a four-part series

August 29, 2004 -- "Summons," Matthew 5:14-16, 28:16-20

August 22, 2004 -- "Challenge," Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Matthew 5:6,7,21-22,43-45;7:12

August 15, 2004 -- "Welcome," Luke 15:1-7; Matthew 18:1-5

August 8, 2004 -- "Invitation," Mark 1:9-15; Matthew 11:28-30

August 1, 2004 -- "A New Wardrobe," Colossians 3:1-14

July 25, 2004 -- "Persistent Prayer," Luke 11:1-13

July 18, 2004 -- "The Main Course," Luke 10:38-42

Kids' Stories All Grown Up -- a six-part series

July 11, 2004 -- "The Blessed Mother, " Luke 1:26-31; John 19:25b-27; Acts 1:12-14

July 4, 2004 -- "True Strength," Judges 16:23-31

June 27, 2004 -- "Running from the One We Can't Escape," Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-5, 4:1-4

June 20, 2004 -- "The Miracle of Sharing," Matthew 14:13-21

June 13, 2004 -- "Second Chances," Genesis 6:5-8; 9:8-17

June 6, 2004 -- "Choices and Consequences," Genesis 3:1-13

May 30, 2004 -- Pentecost Sunday -- "Life in the Spirit," Acts 2:1-17

Friendship and Faithfulness -- a six-part series

May 23, 2004 -- "Friends in Conflict: Paul and Barnabas," Acts 9:26-20; Acts 15:36-41

May 16, 2004 -- "Mentoring Friends: Elijah and Elisha," 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:9-14

May 9, 2004 -- "Friends in Marriage and Ministry: Priscilla and Aquila," Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Acts 18:1-4; Romans 16:1-5b

May 2, 2004 -- "Soul Mates: David and Jonathan," 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 19:1-7

April 25, 2004 -- "Friends in Faith: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego," Daniel 3:19-28

April 18, 2004 -- "Unlikely Friends: Ruth and Naomi," Proverbs 17:17; Ruth 1:1-5, 15-18

April 11, 2004 -- Easter Sunday -- "He is not here, but has risen." Luke 24:1-12

Building the Kingdom -- a six-part series on God's kingdom and our responsibilities in it

April 4, 2004 -- "Opening the Kingdom," 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Matthew 21:1-11

Some additional teaching materials related to the April 4 study

March 28, 2004, -- "Building with Prayer," Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thess. 5:14-18; 1 Cor. 3:5-9

Some additional teaching materials related to the March 28 study

March 21, 2004 -- "Building for Possibilities," Jeremiah 29:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Some additional teaching materials related to the March 21 study

March 14, 2004 -- "Building with Purpose," Exodus 19:1-6; 1 Peter 2:9-10

Some additional teaching materials related to the March 14 study

March 7, 2004 -- "Building a People," Genesis 12:1-3; Mark 4:26-32

Some additional teaching & study materials related to the March 7 study

February 29, 2004 -- "Building the Kingdom," Matthew 9:35-38; 13:44-46; 25:34-36,40

Some additional teaching & study materials related to the February 29 study

A Life of Prayer -- a six-part series on prayer

February 22, 2004 -- "Building a Life of Prayer," Luke 18:1-8; James 5:13-16

February 15, 2004 -- "The Basic Ingredients of Prayer," Matthew 6:5-18

February 8, 2004 -- "Stories of Prayer," 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Acts 9:36-43

February 1, 2004 -- "Does God Answer Our Prayers?," Matthew 7:7-11; 17:14-20

January 25, 2004 -- "What is prayer," Jonah 2:1-3, 7-10; Isaiah 58:6-9

January 18, 2004 -- "An Invitation to Prayer," Psalm 34:4-8; Psalm 63:1-8

January 11, 2004 -- "The Problem with the Bible," Psalm 139:1-7; Hebrew 4:12-13

January 4, 2004 -- "Living Large," Psalm 119:105-106; Romans 8:35-39

December 28, 2003 -- "Growing Up Fast," Luke 2:41-52

December 24, 2003 -- "One Last Sign," Luke 2:1-20

The Signs of Christmas -- a four-part Advent series

December 21, 2003 -- "Touching and Being Touched," Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-9, 14

December 14, 2003 -- "Hearing Joy," Luke 1:39-56

December 7, 2003 -- "Following the Scent," Leviticus 2:1-2; Luke 1:5-17

November 30, 2003 -- "Looking Ahead," Isaiah 7:14, 9:2-7

November 23, 2003 -- "A Spirit of Thanksgiving," Psalm 105:1-6; Mark 8:6-7; Matthew 11:25, 26:26-28; John 11:41-41

November 16, 2003 -- "Prayers of and for Gratitude," Psalm 100; Colossians 1:9-12

Sharing Our Blessings -- a four-part series for our fall campaign

November 9, 2003 -- "The Blessings that are St. Andrew," 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

November 2, 2003 -- "Using Our Blessings Well," Luke 18:18-27 & 19:1-10

October 26, 2003 -- "Remembering God in the Midst of Our Blessings," Deuteronomy 8:11-18

October 19, 2003 -- "The Joyful Responsibility of Our Blessings," Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Luke 16: 1-2

Finding Joy -- a five-part series

October 12, 2003 -- "What is God like?," Philippians 2:5-11

October 5, 2003 -- "Humble Ambition," Psalm 51:10-17; Philippians 2:1-5

September 28, 2003 -- "The Joy of Contentment," Psalm 23; Philippians 4:10-14

September 21, 2003 -- "Raising Our Eyes and Our Voices," Psalm 150; Philippians 4:8-9

September 14, 2003 -- "Finding Joy," Psalm 85:8-13; Philippians 4:4-7

September 7, 2002 -- "We are United Methodists,"  Ephesians 2:19-22 (on the consecration of our new sanctuary)

The Sermon on the Mount -- a five-part series

August 31, 2003 -- "Trust and Obey,"  Matthew 7:13-14, 24-29

August 24, 2003 -- "The Prayer of Jesus," Matthew 6:5-13

August 17, 2003 -- "Loving when it is 'Impossible" to Love," Leviticus 19:18; Deut 23:3-6; Matt 5:43-48

August 10, 2003 -- "The Beatitudes," Matthew 5:3-16

August 3, 2003 -- "Training for the 'Impossible'," Matthew 4:23-5:5; 17:14-21

Download the text of Scott's August 3 sermon (with Mabie Mobley's story)

July 27, 2003 -- "Grounded in Love," Ephesians 3:14-21

July 20, 2003 -- "Practicing Sabbath," Deuteronomy 5:12,15; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The Symbols in the St. Andrew Rose Window -- a nine-part series

July 13, 2003 [The Lamb of God] -- "The Lamb of God," Exodus 12:5-8; Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29

July 6, 2003 [Crown] -- "The One True King," Luke 2:8-11; John 20:26-31

June 29, 2003 [butterfly] -- "New Creation," Isaiah 43:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

June 22, 2003 [crown of thorns] -- "A Crown of Thorns," Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 27:27-31

June 15, 2003 [fleur-de-lis] -- "Our Relational God," Mark 1:9-11; Mark 12:28-31

June 8, 2003 [dove] -- "God's Empowering Presence," Ezekiel 36:26-28; Acts 2:1-4

June 1, 2003 [Chi Rho] -- "The Beginning and the End," Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-4,14; Revelation 21:1-6

May 25, 2003 [loaves and fish] -- "Multiplication!," John 6:4-14

May 18, 2003 [the Bible] -- "A Light to Our Path,"  Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

May 11, 2003 -- "A New Sanctuary . . . A Sure Foundation," Matthew 16:13-18

May 4, 2003 -- "Arriving at a Crossroads," Joshua 1:9; Ephesians 2:19-22

April 27, 2003 -- "More than a Welcome," Matthew 10:40-42

April 20, 2003 -- Easter Sunday -- "Why Are You Weeping?," John 20:1-18

April 13, 2003 -- "The Return of the King," Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:1-11

April 6, 2003 -- "The New Covenant," Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:15-20

March 30, 2003 -- "Love Casts Out Fear," 1 John 4:13-21

March 23, 2003 -- "Living in God's House," Exodus 20:1-17

March 16, 2003 -- "Secure in the Storm," Psalm 107:28-32; Luke 8:22-25

March 9, 2003 -- "Show Me the Way," Psalm 25:1-10

A three-part series on parables

March 2, 2003 -- "Just Do It!," Matthew 25:14-30

February 23, 2003 -- "The Homecoming," Luke 15:11-32

February 16, 2003 -- "It's Harvest Time!," Matthew 13:1-9

February 9, 2003 -- "Praising the God Who Saves," Psalm 103:1-5

A four-part series, Making Better Choices

February 2, 2003 -- "Making Better Choices in Tough Times," Mark 5:24b-34

January 26, 2003 -- "Living in the Real World," Genesis 1:26-27; Luke 6:32-36

January 19, 2003 -- "The Second Tablet Project," Exodus 34:1-5; Matthew 22:34-40

January 12, 2003 -- "Choices . . . Choices . . . Choices," Joshua 24:14-15; 2 Samuel 11:2-5

January 5, 2003 -- "A Clear and Present Danger,"  Matthew 2:1-12

December 29, 2002 -- "The Joy of Adoption," Galatians 4:1-7

December 24, 2002 -- "Seeing the Familiar," Luke 2:1-20

December 22, 2002 -- "Ordinary People and an Ordinary Name," Luke 1:26-38

December 15, 2002 -- "A New Day Dawning," Isaiah 61:1-4

December 8, 2002 -- "Plunging into Christmas," Mark 1:1-8

December 1, 2002 -- "From Faith to Peace,"  Romans 5:1-5

The Vision of St. Andrew (from August and September, 2002)

How to use the series

August 11, 2002 -- "The Invitation," Mark 1:14-20

August 18, 2002 -- "Our Relationship with Jesus Christ," Jeremiah 31:31-34

August 25, 2002 -- "Our Relationship with Others," 1 Peter 2:9-10

September 1, 2002 -- "Growing . . . through Worshiping," John 4:19-26

September 8, 2002 -- "Growing . . . through Learning," Matthew 28:19-20

September 15, 2002 -- "Growing . . . through Loving," 1 John 4:16b-21

September 22, 2002 -- "Growing . . . through Serving," Mark 10:42-45

September 29, 2002 -- "Inviting," Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8

Trustees of God's House (from the stewardship campaign, fall 2002)

October 20, 2002 -- "Trustees of God's House," Hebrews 3:1-6

October 27, 2002 -- "God Loves a Cheerful Receiver," Luke 18:15-17

November 3, 2002 -- "Not Common Sense, but God Sense," James 1:5, 3:13-18

November 10, 2002 -- "Little House . . . Big House," Matthew 7:24-29