St. Andrew is a Safe Haven for all God’s Children

What does it mean to be a child of God in the world today?

 

The world can be a frightening place.  Terrorist attacks, hate crimes, domestic violence, and a proliferation of viciousness on our streets and highways seem to monopolize news reports daily.  Where can people turn to find peace, security, and love?  There is one who calls us His children and promises us wholeness in the midst of brokenness, peace in the midst of chaos, and love in the midst of hate.

 

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.  God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:7-10)

 

The world is really no different today than it has ever been.  There are frightening people, frightening times, and frightening things in the world.  However, being children of God means that all of these have no real power over us.  They do not need to shape our existence.  They do not need to determine the course of our lives.  Only one is truly in charge.  And he invites us to call him “Father.”  He loves us, and he has shown his love in his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is making all things new.

 

And so, we, children of God, may live in boldness sharing God’s love with all people.  God loves us, and we put that love in action reaching out to others.

 

St. Andrew Answers the Call

 

In the mid-2000s the Church Council took action to designate St. Andrew a safe haven for all God’s children.  Given the location of the congregation near the  Pittsburgh International Airport, major interstate highways, and in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, St. Andrew is a prime location for visitors and guests.  St. Andrew is intentional about being a community of faith welcoming to all people of faith regardless of their background, place of origin, or self-identification. 

 

All who enter into this community for one hour or as permanent participants and members are afforded the love and grace we ourselves have received from God.