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.

What Do You Wish That I May Do For You?

October 17, 2021

In today’s Gospel reading, James and John ask Jesus for positions of power and privilege. Their request is selfish, but very human. They’ve made many sacrifices along the road to discipleship, and now seem to be asking, “What do I get in return?” In his response, Jesus reveals that power is not to be used for intimidation or oppression, but for service to others. Through his life, death and resurrection, he sets the example for how we should serve each other.

See Mark 10:35-45.

Doesn’t Jesus Just Want Us To Be Happy?

October 10, 2021

If only we could draw a straight line connecting our deeds and beliefs with our earthly success and happiness in this life. But like Job in today’s reading, we have no guarantee that obeying God’s commands will lead to earthly or material prosperity. Grief and lament are real, but they are not forever. Whatever we experience in this life will be redeemed as something far greater than we can imagine when we enter God’s kingdom. God is with us through it all.

See Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15

What God Has Joined Together, Let No One Separate

October 3, 2021

The Pharisees in today’s Gospel reading try to trap Jesus with a question about divorce laws. But he responds by reminding them of the original purpose of marriage. Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker acknowledges that marriage is hard work, but it’s a worldly reflection of God’s love. We can be encouraged that God cares about our earthly relationships and is present in them, in good times and bad.

See Mark 10:2-16.

Seeking God Between the Lines in the Story of Esther

September 26, 2021

Seminarian Brandon Nonnemaker notes that the story of Esther includes many compelling elements: a striking heroine, a ruthless villain, murder and revenge. But where was God in the story? Not once is God mentioned, nor prayer. God existed in the tensions between choices that Esther faced, and God’s guidance gave her the courage to save her people. Each of us, like Esther, is given unique gifts we can use, in big and little ways, to respond to God’s calling in our lives.

See Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22.

I Can’t Do It All, and I Don’t Have To

September 19, 2021

We struggle as we compare ourselves to the ideals of our society. To have perfect bodies, be perfect parents, or pursue the most successful careers, to name a few. But there is no perfect person except the one sent to save the world. Once we accept that we can’t be a savior for ourselves and everyone around us, only then can we turn, in humility, to our Lord, who calls us to lives of faith, not perfection.

See Proverbs 31:10-31.

God Is Not Quite Done With Our Hearts Yet

September 12, 2021

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Why is the tongue so powerful? Because it reveals what’s in our hearts. We are both sinners and saints, torn between our desires to tear others down and to love them as part of God’s creation. But as Rev. Rachel Rickenbaker notes, the good news is that God continues to work on our hearts, renewing and restoring us. We see this working in the moments we hold our tongues, or choose kinder words.

See James 3:1-12 and Mark 8:27-38.

Your Faith = Your Expectations

September 5, 2021

We may be confused by Jesus’s initial refusal to cast out a demon at the begging of a woman from Tyre. But he was revealing the woman’s heart to his disciples who stood watching, and when she persisted, showing her faith, Jesus fulfilled her request. Life often fails to deliver on our expectations, but we can trust Jesus, as the woman did, to keep his promises.

See Mark 7:24-37.

On Second Thought, Don’t Listen to Your Heart

August 29, 2021

The Pharisees emphasized compliance with the Jewish purity laws. The way Jesus presents the law to us is as a mirror, where we look and see that we cannot live up to it perfectly. Our hearts lead us astray by focusing on our own desires. But by his life, death and resurrection, Jesus has opened a way to new life and salvation despite our imperfections.

See Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

Lord, To Whom Can We Go?

August 22, 2021

The disciples had plenty of alternatives to following Jesus. They could have returned to their previous lives, which were more predictable than life with Jesus. But Peter’s response to Jesus speaks of a way forward. Not an easy path, but one that leads to hope and new life.

See John 6:56-59.

The Only Food That Truly Sustains Us

August 15, 2021

The Jews struggled to understand Jesus’s message in today’s Gospel: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” He speaks in both spiritual and physical terms. Spiritually, we can be satisfied and comforted when filled with God’s presence. Physically, when we receive the Eucharist, we join all the saints in becoming what we eat, Christ’s Body.

See John 6:51-58.

God Makes Beauty Out of Messiness

August 8, 2021

The story of King David’s son, Absalom’s death, is a difficult one, and the details surrounding it are even messier. What we discover, however, is that what David could not do in taking his son’s place, Jesus did on the cross for us all. God has a way of making beauty out of messes.

See 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33.

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.

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.