Recordings

On this page you’ll find our recently recorded services and sermons, along with occasional special productions featuring the many talents of our St. Andrew’s congregation.

To see our full collection of video recordings, visit our YouTube channel.

We Cannot and Need Not Hide From God

August 1, 2021

None of us is perfect, and when we sin, it’s natural that we try to hide our actions. But as King David learned in today’s reading, we cannot hide from God. Fortunately, we don’t have to, because God’s forgiveness and mercy has no limits. And through Jesus we know that our salvation doesn’t depend on our works.

See 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a.

Trust in a Kingdom Beyond Our Imagination

July 25, 2021

Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker notes that the disciples, like us, were doubtful before the two miracles in today’s Gospel: Jesus feeding the crowds with a few loaves and fish, and walking on water. And like the disciples, we struggle to imagine that Jesus is God, or to envision the kingdom of God, an eternal place without suffering, fear or death.

See John 6:1-21.

God’s Acceptance We Cannot Earn, Nor Ever Lose

July 18, 2021

In today’s reading, King David seeks to build a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps in hope of solidifying God’s support and acceptance. Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker reminds us that although human history is full of exclusive behaviors, God’s welcome and acceptance of us never fails.

See 2 Samuel 7:1-14a.

It’s Okay and It’s Christian to Depend on Each Other

July 4, 2021

Political independence, which we celebrate today, is a good thing for a nation. But it’s okay — even encouraged — for Christians to depend on others. In today’s Gospel, Jesus sent his disciples to travel with nothing more than a walking stick, giving and receiving in relationship with the communities they visited.

See Mark 6:1-13.

When the Answer Is Not, “I’m Fine, Thanks”

June 27, 2021

Jesus is on his way to an urgent healing visit to the dying daughter of Jairus when he is interrupted by a long-ailing woman who touches his cloak. Rather than hurrying onward to the life-or-death matter, Jesus stops to hear the “whole truth” from the woman. As Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski notes, both the girl and the woman needed the love and grace of God, and Jesus’s response shows us that there’s more than enough to go around.

See Mark 5:21-43.

God’s Miraculous Work In Us and Among Us

June 20, 2021

Our guest preacher, the Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker, expands on today’s Gospel story, in which Jesus rebuked the wind and storm: “Peace. Be Still.” Jesus performed miracles out of his divine mercy, love and compassion. God gives us peace that the world cannot give. We, in turn, can build each other up, and give each other peace as we await the day we see God’s kingdom fully present.

See Mark 4:35-41.

The Story Still Unfolds

June 6, 2021

In our first indoor worship since March 2020, Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski notes that this week’s reading of Psalm 138 serves as a good model for our church as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. We feel our “new orientation” — life on the other side of a great ordeal. We sing praise and thank God. But we don’t forget what we’ve been through.

See Psalm 138.

God is here … because you are here

May 30, 2021

As we celebrate Trinity Sunday and prepare for next week’s return to in-person indoor worship, Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski reveals that the difficult concept of the Holy Trinity can best be understood as “God in relationship.” Each of us exists only to the extent that we exist in relationship with each other, and with God. And if relationship, community and connection define the God who forms and shapes us, then God is present wherever we gather in prayer — whether it’s a physical space or a virtual service.

“Like Walking Into a Hug”

May 16, 2021

In her final sermon as seminarian at St. Andrew’s, Annie Jung shares her experiences of joining the parish during a pandemic, and finding it as welcoming as “walking into a hug.” Each of us is a lay minister with many talents, she notes. And we can benefit from discernment — watching, waiting and listening for the Holy Spirit to nudge us toward the best way to share those gifts with each other and with the world.

See Acts 1:15-17, 21-26.

Newcomers Welcome!

May 9, 2021

When new members are allowed to join a group, we might expect the “original” members to resent this. But in today’s reading, Peter found that the early Christians, who were Jews, were open to the idea that the gift of the Holy Spirit was also extended to the Gentiles. Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski shares the story of a Lutheran pastor in Denver who was surprised to witness the same thing in her congregation, “A House for All Sinners and Saints.”

See Acts 10:44-48.

What Is To Prevent Us?

May 2, 2021

Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski reminds us that God’s love is limitless, yet people still insist on setting boundaries when it comes to sharing full participation in the good news of Jesus. The eunuch in today’s reading asked Phillip, “What is to prevent me from being baptized?” Phillip proceeded to baptize him. We, too, are called to be inclusive as stewards of God’s limitless love.

See Acts 8:26-40.

Easter Sunday: A Joy Worth Slowing Down For

April 4, 2021

The Easter morning story from Mark’s Gospel is different from the other versions of this story. Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski notes that the women who discovered the empty tomb “said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Like us, they needed time to allow a slow kind of joy to transform their grief. God’s work continues to unfurl in our world, and we will joyfully witness it, but we need to patiently tend to it, like a seedling.

See Mark 16:1-8.

Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem

— C.V. Stanford

Sung by the combined choirs of:

The Falls Church, Episcopal
St. Andrew’s, Arlington
St. Andrew’s, Burke
St. Mary’s, Arlington, and
The Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park, CA

Jay Wilcox, conductor

Aaron Goen, organist

A Year in the Life of St. Andrew’s: 2020

Jan. 31, 2021

Presented at the St. Andrew’s Parish Annual Meeting, this video looks back on the challenges and celebrations of our parish during a difficult year. Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license # M-400520. All rights reserved.

Christmas Greetings from St. Andrew’s

Dec. 25, 2020

Families from St. Andrew’s share their holiday greetings virtually in a heartwarming montage of photos and videos.

Christmas Day Service

Dec. 25, 2020

Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski leads the St. Andrew’s community in “prayers in pajamas” — a short service of prayers, carols, and readings as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Eve Service

Dec. 24, 2020

Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski leads the St. Andrew’s community in worship. This service features the telling of the Christmas story with the help of our younger members, and it is accompanied by special music and a sermon.

Silent Night

Dec. 24, 2020

Families from St. Andrew’s lend their voices to a virtual ensemble performance of “Silent Night.”

Speaking in Tongues: The Pentecost

May 31, 2020

In this reading of Acts 2: 1-21, members of St. Andrew’s contribute their talents in terms of foreign languages and artwork.

“Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether”

May 31, 2020

A combined choral presentation featuring the choirs of Holy Cross in Dunn Loring, VA; St. Andrew’s in Arlington, VA; and St. Andrew’s in Burke, VA.