Ministries

Weekly Devotions

St. Andrew's is focused on providing opportunities for all to experience the love and grace of Jesus. We offer a variety of ministries that allow everyone to grow closer to God.

"Serve one another humbly in love." (Galatians 5:13)

"Be devoted to one another in love; honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10)

"Look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4

Each Wednesday, a devotion is posted here, sent via email to our email list and also posted on our Facebook page. If you would like to be part of our email list please contact the church office. In addition, check out past Devotions on our Facebook page. 

I often receive feedback that the devotions are rich in content and are complex. Reading devotions whether short and concise or longer and complicated should never be read once quickly. All types of devotions should be read multiple times using contemplation, reflection and pausing. In those spaces of contemplation and reflection we experience the Holy Spirit interacting with us. Sometimes, individuals will reach out and provide their thoughts and reflections on their devotion. My intent has always been to create a dialogue. So read these in the way that best works for you to experience the Holy Spirit and create a dialogue with others in our community.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

la lucha

(Stay in the Struggle)

Philippians 3:12-14

As a political refugee in 1950, Ada María Isasi-Díaz joined the Ursuline Sisters and at 24 was a missionary in Lima Peru. She deeply experienced and learned about the daily challenges of being poor and how choices are made with little resources. She fully embraced her mother’s mantra of la lucha which is translated as stay in the struggle. Ada’s time in Peru taught her about the meaning of justice work and the power of having voice. You can read more about her below.

How is being a Christian a struggle? Where are you challenged in your daily life to choose the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control instead of choosing the world’s temptations of selfishness?

Starbucks has this amazing refresher drink called Mango Dragonfruit Refresher. Made with water instead of lemonade, it is the most delicious drink I have ever drank. At this point multiple times a week I am purchasing one and I have even gone as far as buying the ingredients to make them at home. There is a lack of self-control and I am tempted by this world to buy them to make me feel refreshed and energized. It is a challenge for me and it may seem inconsequential but yet self-control is not being practiced. Can you relate? What is that one small thing of the world you choose instead of choosing God?

Now one may argue that choosing a drink has nothing to do with choosing God. Maybe. But if my choosing that drink effects how much money I have to tithe and offer, I am choosing the world and not God. Ada María Isasi-Díaz spent her lifetime researching, writing, teaching and learning about how the small every day decisions are decisions to follow God or this world. The poor she worked with had to make choices to eat lunch or take the bus to work. Following God in vital life decisions can be the most challenging ever. 

In your every day life decisions are you choosing God and living out the fruit of the spirit or are you choosing the world and being satisfied quickly?  

Dear God, I struggle so much with living the fruits of the spirit. It is so easy to choose the world. Help me by filing me with strength and courage to stay in the struggle of choosing You in the small every day decisions. Amen.

(Image from: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202504/mujerista-theologian-ada-maria-isaasi-diaz-a-voice-for-liberation/)

Sources

 

by Rev Dave Piltz