Ever since Carole King released Tapestry, one of the top ten selling albums of all time, we've sung, "I feel the earth move under my feet." She was describing a romantic interest, but there are other ways we feel the earth move under our feet. What things are shaking your world today? The early church felt the earth move under their feet because of Jesus. Then they went out and shook their world. We’re glad you’re here today to acknowledge the real reasons our world is shaken, to find hope in the way Christ shakes us, and to find power to go out and shake the world because of it.

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 4:23-31 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

A Lenten devotion by Pastor Jon Bilitz.

What do you do when someone criticizes your faith? How do you handle the snide or disparaging comment when someone finds out that you are one of those “Christians”? What do you say, and how do you handle it without feeling guilty or ashamed? How do you confront a friend that thinks they are religious but are holding onto false teachings, or worse, their own version of salvation? It may not happen daily, but when it does it can be challenging. Today we learn from Jesus how to handle such situations, as Peter and John face their first confrontation with boldness and confidence in Acts 4:1-22.

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 4:1-22 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

A Lenten devotion by Pastor Randy Hunter

Transfiguration. Today we recall a day in Jesus’ life when he was with his disciples, Peter, James and John, on a mountain and, according to Matthew’s record, "he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.” Two giants of the Old Testament also appeared there, Moses, the giver of the law and Elijah, the great prophet. Imagine the boost this gave to the apostles who would soon see Jesus betrayed, beaten, and crucified. You wonder how many times during those days they recalled, “But on the mountain…”  Let this event do the same for you. This week marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a time to rehearse and remember Jesus’ suffering and death for the world, for you. Until we make it to the empty grave of Easter, recall as they did, “But on the mountain…”

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 3:11-26 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Waiting for a miracle? Does that describe you? If it hasn't, or doesn't, it will. In the section of Acts we’re encountering today, the author Dr. Luke records Peter and John meeting a man who had been praying for a miracle for decades. Then healing came. Let that man's suffering and healing open your eyes to a biblical view of your suffering and healing. 

We hope you can join us next Thursday or Sunday for the conclusion of this story. In Acts 3:11-26, Dr. Luke records Peter’s explanation what happened to the man. Let Peter's explanation open your eyes to how God uses miracles—then and today.

What do Spirit-filled people do? Early in Dr. Luke's record of the seedling Christian church he recorded the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit. But then what? What happens next? Spirit-filled flapping of arms and fainting from being overcome by the presence of God? No. Here's how "spiritual" people became when the Holy Spirit filled them: they hung out together. There's more, of course, but people who are filled with the Spirit look for reasons and find ways to be together…like you…like right now…together.

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 2:42-47 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

It is sometimes called the sermon that launched the Christian Church. Jesus launched his church, but we get an amazing picture of how God uses his children. In the moments following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter stands boldly and preaches of Jesus and the forgiveness given by Jesus. What takes Peter from a terrified, timid fisherman to a bold proclaimer of the faith? It is the same gospel God has placed in your heart! Today, learn from Peter's first sermon how to proclaim Jesus and the means by which God gives his grace. 

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 2:14-41 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Burning but not burning out: There's a fine line between the two, isn't there? You pour yourself into your job, sport, or some hobby so fully because it fills you. You get energy from it. But if you're not filled, the time comes when you burn out. In Acts 2, Jesus keeps a promise to fill his church with energy, the Spirit. He's still doing that for you. The Spirit's work of filling you with purpose, grace, and gifts is the difference between burning out and burning for a lifetime. We’re glad you’re here because the Spirit promises to do that work through the Good News of Jesus. Let him light you up and keep you burning. 

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 2:1-13 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

What do you do while you're waiting? Delete old messages? YouTube? Tap your fingers? Nobody likes waiting, but we all do it. And some do it better than others. (Did you really honk the horn while waiting in the car . . . in the garage? Really?) Last week we began our worship series on the Book of Acts. Jesus inspires us with his commission to go and be his witnesses. But then he says, “Wait.” Today, learn what earlier followers of Jesus did when they waited. We’re all waiting for something. What separates us is what we do while we’re waiting. 

To receive 250-word devotions on Acts 1:12-26 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Every book of the Bible is about Jesus. Although some Bibles title the fifth book of the New Testament "The Acts of the Apostles," it's still about Jesus. Today we begin our study of that book, Acts. We're not going to study it as just scholars, but we're going to study it also as soldiers. Scholars and soldiers tend to be the ones who study history the most. Scholars tend to look at what people used to do; soldiers tend to look for what remains to be done. One is for information, the other is for mission. We will study the Book of Acts for both. Pick up your copy of the Acts Study Booklet before worship today. It's a way for us to consider a recent translation, the English Heritage Version, and a place for us to write notes, questions, prayers, etc. Like the grace of God, it's yours to keep. Also like the grace of God, it's free because someone else paid for it. If you’re a guest, this booklet is our gift to you, too.

We've rounded the corner on the shortest day of the year. Our days are finally getting longer; we have a bit more light each and every day. Jesus' arrival announced the good news of God's grace wasn't just for those of Jewish descent, but for all people. Today we learn from the Magi of what it is to stand in awe of Christ, the Light to the gentiles.

To receive 250-word devotions on Matthew 2 this week, Monday – Friday,

go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

On the last day of the year, countless memories flood our minds—some we treasure and some we repress; some memories we’re glad to hold on to and others we’re glad to get rid of. Through all, we remember and hold to Christ. His unchanging grace and presence has sustained us in the past and will define our future. He is the Lord of history and he is the Lord of our future. He is the One we worship tonight.