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, June 17, 2026

Hi St. Andrew’s UMC Community….

The middle of June is the time of all things bugs! Flies, moths, ants and other insects (and sometimes creatures) seek coolness and enter the home. Today we consider stillness regardless of what bug or insect is near!

Don’t Panic

Psalm 46:10(a)

Be Still And Know That I am God!

Don’t panic. Easier said than done when a spider is near you and you have entomophobia or acarophobia. Just writing the words make me shiver. Don’t panic. Easier said than done when there are too many bills and the paycheck won’t cover them all. Don’t panic. Easier said than done when the test results seem inconclusive and the possibilities are not good. Can you relate to any of these situations?

The Hebrew word for still is rāp̄â, which translates to sink, to drop, to let go, to relax. So, the psalmist is reminding the reader that no matter what is happening in their life or this world, they need to stop and literally sink down or drop down and let go of their worries and concerns and know God Is! Easier said than done, right? Can you do what the psalmist suggests? Can you just let go of your worries, concerns, hurts, and angers? The psalmist makes it sound so easy and yet it seems the hardest to do!

However, when I just stop and be still, still not in no movement, but still in sinking down and letting go of my worries and concerns and focus on God being God, things seem lighter. Have you experienced this?

I don’t suffer from migraines but sometimes I can get headaches that last a day or two and are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity and an overall feeling of malaise. The more I fight to go on with my day, the harder it is. But when I can, I just be still. Stillness, that has a foundation that things will be OK, and the headache seems to lessen. I wonder if that is why the Psalmist wrote this Psalm?

Where in your life today do you need to be still and know that God is God?

Dear God, thank You for being You and for always calling me to stillness in You. Help me to be still and let go of what I don’t need to carry, knowing You will. Thank You for taking on my worries so I can be lighter. Amen.

 

(Image: The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, 1633, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston. Image from: https://jesuschrist.pictures/blog/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god-psalm-46-in-art/)

 

 

 

by Rev Dave Piltz