We seek God's healing love and share that love with all
by growing in relationship with God, each other, and our neighbors.
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Follow Andrew to Follow Jesus
A message from Fr. John Spicer, Rector
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Tomorrow, I hope you’ll join us for an annual favorite—St. Andrew’s Sunday. We’ll cap our stewardship season by celebrating our patron saint, this disciple and apostle whose example we strive to follow. (A liturgical note: We’ll use incense at the 10:15 a.m. service, but not at 8:00.) Throughout his story, we see Andrew going deeper in his relationship with God and then letting that love flow through him to others.
According to John’s Gospel, Andrew first followed John the Baptist. When the shaggy prophet identified Jesus as the one who’d come to take away the sin of the world, Andrew immediately turned and followed Jesus as the Messiah, as well as becoming the first to share the Good News by asking his brother, Simon Peter, to come along with him.
According to the other Gospels, Andrew was among a group of commercial fishermen on the Sea of Galilee whom Jesus gave a new calling: “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” (Mark 1:17). From there, we see Andrew welcoming not just his Jewish compatriots but outsiders, too: When some “Greeks” came wanting to meet Jesus, Andrew showed them the way (John 12:20-22). He also stepped up to serve people in need. Faced with 5,000 hungry people, Andrew identified the available resources, a boy with five loaves and two fish; and when Jesus gave thanks for the small amount Andrew had found, God’s abundance blessed the crowd with even more than they could eat (John 6:1-14).
Then, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, one tradition says Andrew journeyed to Ethiopia; another says he brought the good news to Russia; another says he preached primarily in Greece, where his witness cost him his life on an X-shaped cross. Centuries later, a Celtic saint is said to have taken Andrew’s remains from their resting place in Greece to Scotland, to the site we now know as St. Andrews, which became a center for guiding people to go deeper in their faith and share the Good News.
This Sunday, we’ll follow in the footsteps of our patron saint and offer ourselves as disciples of Jesus just as he did (although I’m pretty sure Andrew never marched to a bagpipe himself). It’s the same dynamic we’ve been highlighting throughout this season of stewardship—how our giving and receiving let God’s blessings flow, both to us and through us. As an outward and visible sign of that, we’ll bless the pledges we’ve made for 2026, our intentions to connect with God through the spiritual practices of prayer, worship, learning, fellowship, service, and giving. If you haven’t turned in your pledge, just complete the online form or put your pledge card in the offering plate this Sunday morning.
So, wear your red or tartan (and your kilt, if you dare), and celebrate how Andrew sets the model for us: giving ourselves as Jesus’ followers, receiving peace and purpose we’d never have expected, and letting God’s blessings flow through us.
| | | | Call our toll-free number 800-808-1625 to listen to worship on your phone! | | Advent invites us to pause, breathe, and catch our second wind as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. In this season of renewal, St. Andrew’s offers many ways to reconnect—with God, with one another, and with the hope that meets us in community. From contemplative worship and Taizé prayer to learning opportunities, service, and seasonal gatherings, we welcome you to journey with us through this sacred time. | | |
• Haiti Advent Card Sales — November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 21 • Jewell Room
Support mission work through meaningful holiday giving.
• Advent Study Series —November 30, December 7, 14, 21 • 9:15am • Undercroft
Bite-sized formation to deepen your journey.
• Advent Taizé — Dec. 2 & 16 • 6pm • Nave
Contemplative music and candlelight to steady your spirit.
• Trailside Thursdays: Grief During the Holidays — Dec. 4, 11, 18 • 6–7:15pm • HJ’s
A compassionate space for those carrying sorrow into the season.
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• Silent Retreat — Dec. 6 • 9am–3pm • Jewell Room
A quiet day of rest, prayer, and renewal.
• Parish Christmas Party — Dec. 14 •
3pm • Jewell Room
A joyful gathering for our parish family.
• Christmas on Wornall Road — Dec. 14 • 5pm • Nave
Join our neighborhood celebration of the season.
• Winter Free Store – January 17 • 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. • St. James Church
Volunteer to help us continue our 25+ year legacy of giving.
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Experience Advent with New Eyes
You’re invited to participate in a four-part discussion during – and about – Advent. Join us to see this holy season with new eyes!
Together, and guided by Amy-Jill Levine’s book, Light of the World, we’ll make some interesting Advent connections: inter-generational connections, past-present-future connections, mundane and holy, Hebrew Bible people and Advent people, the Bethlehem “manger” and the Last Super. We’ll reminisce, find humor and sorrow, learn more about the “supporting cast,” and clear up some misunderstandings.
We’ll meet between the two Sunday services, November 30 to December 21, from 9:15 to 10:00. The (short, four-chapter) book will be provided to participants. If you’d like to join in or have questions, contact Susan Paynter.
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Trailside Thursday: Living with Grief During the Holidays
While all avenues of media portray the holidays with scenes of happy families and unending joy, for some of us, things are just different because of losing someone we love. Whether this loss is recent or in the distant past, please know that all your feelings are valid.
The “Living with Grief during the Holidays” series will meet at HJs for three Thursday nights, beginning in December.
Dates: December 4th, 11th, & 18th, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
This series will be led by Chaplain Janette Platter, Spiritual Care Director at Bishop Spencer’s Place.
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Haiti Advent Cards on Sale
“Joyeux Noël” Christmas Cards will be for sale in the Jewell Room November 23rd through December 21st. Each card represents a gift to help pay the salaries for the teachers at our partner school, St. Augustin in Maniche, Haiti. The school has grown to 440 students this year. So, your support is more needed than ever. Please, come talk to us at the Palm Tree!
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Winter Free Store: How to Help
We continue the 25+ year legacy of Winter Free Store on January 17th at St. James Church. We invite you to join us in spreading hope, offering warmth, nourishment, and dignity to our neighbors during a challenging time of year.
Consider being a part of this outreach by:
Contributing financially to support the purchase of new winter clothing, hygiene items, and gas gift cards for our guests.
Serving as a volunteer to set up, serve a meal, shop with a family and more.
Praying for those who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity in our community.
Together, we receive as much as we give as we continue to bless our community and share God’s love. For more information please reach out to Melissa Rock or Janet Kelley.
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Stewardship Season: Let Blessings Flow
Today we give thanks for a meaningful season of reflection on what it means to both give and receive God’s love. As Fr. John shared, spiritual growth begins with opening ourselves to receive—and the more we receive, the more we’re empowered to give. Our life together at St. Andrew’s helps us grow in both: through prayer, worship, learning, fellowship, service, and generosity.
As we look toward 2026, we invite every household to offer a pledge. Any level of commitment is an important step in saying “yes” to God’s blessings flowing through your life.
Make your pledge by contacting the office or visiting standrewkc.org/stewardship-pledge-form.
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Christmas Poinsettia Tributes
Celebrate someone special this Christmas with a $25 donation toward poinsettias that will adorn the church during the Christmas season. Their name will be featured in our Christmas Eve bulletin.
Click here to complete the poinsettia and flower donation form, then make your contribution online at standrewkc.org/give or by check to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
To ensure inclusion in the bulletin, please submit all names and tributes by Saturday, December 14. For questions, contact Ellen Junger.
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United Thank Offering
Don’t forget to count your blessings - in a UTO Blue Box!
The United Thank Offering (UTO) began in 1889 through the efforts of Episcopal women who wanted to express gratitude through daily prayer and giving. What started as a few coins dropped into small “Blue Boxes” has grown into a worldwide ministry that supports grants meeting human needs across the globe.
Each time you add a coin to your Blue Box, you’re offering a tangible thank-you to God for the blessings in your life. Boxes are available in the narthex—take one home, place it somewhere visible, and make giving thanks a daily habit. Then bring your filled or partially filled Blue Box to church on Sunday, November 23, as we celebrate United Thank Offering Sunday together.
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Ride Ministry at St. Andrew’s
Thanks to a generous estate gift from parishioner Tina Norton, we’re excited to launch a new Ride Ministry to help parishioners get to worship, church events, and even medical appointments. In partnership with Lyft, rides will be available at no cost to you.
To request a ride, simply email rides@standrewkc.org (or call the church office if email is a challenge) with your name, phone number, pickup location, destination, and times. You can also complete an online form here.
Mtr. Rita Kendagor and Brittany Conge will coordinate your ride and ensure you’re connected with a driver.
| | Can't make it to church this Sunday? Remember that St. Andrew's broadcasts each worship service to our website, our YouTube Channel, and our Facebook page. You can also catch the sermon the following day on our social media channels. Check out our Linktree for your preferred way to connect with worship: http://linktr.ee/standrewskc. | | | |
Jesus With You . . . at Home
If you're worshipping at home, you can pick up consecrated wafers to use during our celebrations of Holy Eucharist. They're available in a basket in the narthex, or from the office, anytime the church is open. If getting out is a challenge, we'll be happy to deliver wafers to you. Just contact Mary Sanders (by email or at 816-523-602, ext. 110) about arranging delivery.
If you need help connecting to St. Andrew’s Online to participate in worship opportunities, but your computer is giving you trouble, just contact Deacon Adam James or 816-352-2742 for assistance.
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Hearing-Assist Devices
You may have noticed a stand of headphones as you come in from the porte-cochere on Sundays. These are hearing-assist devices that amplify the sound system during worship. If you would like to use one, just pick it up as you come in!
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Good Book Club
Join the Good Book Club as we explore the Book of Isaiah. This foundational collection of prophetic writings from before, during, and after the Jews’ exile in Babylon will take us through Advent, Christmastide, and the season after Epiphany, ending just before Lent. To sign up for the daily emails or texts, email Fr. John Spicer (frjohn@standrewkc.org).
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FRIENDSHIP CIRCLES COULD OPEN 3 NEW CIRCLES
“What our moms most need is a friend to share sorrows and victories with”, insisted Sr. Berta!
Each Circle, an Operation Breakthrough Mom or Dad and her/his children together with 2 or more middle class mentors, is
formed to build a friendship bridging societal barriers. Expert support comes from Operation Breakthrough’s social worker and from existing Circles. The
mentors are not bankers, or counselors, or life guides. To every currently active mentor their discovery is, “It is I who has received the greatest blessing!"
We’re ready to form three new Circles—just one man and two women are needed to get them started. Please contact either Karen Lundgren, 913 269-1412, or Dorothy Curry, 816 365-4583 for any clarification.
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ Galatians 6:2
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Gordon Parks INSPIRE
Join us in bringing creativity to life at Gordon Parks School as the students are preparing for the 2026 INSPIRE event! This year’s theme is “UNMASKED” , a celebration of storytelling and self-expression through art. The students lead the creativity process - their ideas, vision and skills. Volunteers (no art skills needed) are needed to help support, encourage and engage the students as they create their masterpieces. One can help with a 4 hour shift (or more!) from December 9th through January 22nd. If you are interested in signing up or have questions please contact Karen Lundgren (kjlundgren0593@gmail.com)
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Trinity Guild Meeting & Luncheon
The Trinity Guild of St. Andrew’s invites all women of the parish to join us for our December 4th meeting and luncheon in the Jewell Room. Our speaker will be parishioner Howard Martin, who will share his experiences with the Missouri Rep and his authorship of “The Little White Boat”. Please RSVP to Jean Kiene.
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Friday Christian History Class
The Friday-morning Christian History class is taking up Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation by Elaine Pagels. This five-week study will explore Revelation’s historical context and the many ways it has been interpreted and used throughout Christian history. Together, we’ll look at how this powerful and often-misunderstood book has inspired hope, sparked debate, and shaped theology for centuries.
Fridays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Church Library or via Zoom here.
Please purchase your own copy of the book. Questions? Contact Mtr. Jean Long.
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Sunday Morning Artist Series
Join us for St. Andrew’s Sunday Morning Artist Series, featuring some of Kansas City’s finest musicians. At select 10:15 a.m. services, guest artists will offer the prelude and join the Parish Choir as soloists for the morning anthem. Upcoming performers include John Eadie (cello), SunHo Kim (violin), Benjamin Banci (horn), and Elena Lence Talley (clarinet). Learn more at standrewkc.org/music.
| | Children, Youth & Young Adult Ministry | | Contact Veronica Wiebold for questions about children, youth, or young adult ministries. | | |
Sunday School
Our classrooms are located in the Children’s Wing. Signs in the church entryway will help you find your way to each room. Each room is identified by a brightly colored door—look for the matching heart color to help guide you:
- ❤️ Nursery (Infant–3 years) – Christa McLaughlin
- 💛 Yellow Room (3yrs -Pre-K) – Sally Cox
- 💚 Green Room (Kindergarten–1st Grade) – Sarah Thompson
- 💙 Blue Room (2nd–4th Grade) – Veronica Wiebold
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Youth Group Sundays at HJ's
- Middle School Youth Group (5th-8th grade): 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- High School Youth Group (9th - 12th grade) 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
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We're currently refreshing our approach to 20s & 30s programming!
Sunday calendar offerings will pause while we explore new formats to better serve our young adult community. Stay tuned for fellowship opportunities and social gatherings later this fall!
| | Adult Christian Formation | | |
Living with Grief During the Holidays
Thursdays, 6 to 7:15 p.m., HJ’s
Café 9:15
Sunday morning, 9:15-10 a.m.
Christian Journey
Sunday, 8:45-10 a.m.
Men's Lectionary Group
Thursday, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
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History of the Book of Revelation
Fridays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Library
Sacred Spaces
Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m.
Tai Chi for Beginners
Monday, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Good Book Club
Daily
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You can mail your gifts to the church, give online, or text STANDREWKC to 73256.
Send a Venmo gift to @StAndrews-EpiscopalChurch. Be sure to notate your intention for the gift.
| | St. Andrew's is here for you. | | |
Please remember that St. Andrew's is here for you. If you are in need or you are aware of another parishioner in need of assistance, please email Mtr. Rita Kendagor, assistant rector. You can also submit a request online or call the church office at 816-523-1602.
Send us your prayer requests through a form, our Facebook page,
or by texting PRAYER to 816-312-5152.
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Bill and Sally
CC
Elizabeth
Katie
Kaden
Penny
Maggie R.
Larry S.
Kathleen S.
Tom
Carol
Gretchen
Andrew
Dennis
Amanda
Stefani
Steve
Frances
Tim
Carolyn H.
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Bret
Robbie
Jack
Rozzie
Cindy
Thomas
Shana
Ernestine
Adrienne
Alexis
Sandy
Susie
Brian
Haley
Kent & Nora
Donna
Tucker
Matthew
Don
Linny
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Moses
Reed
Marion
Abby
Peter
Gail
David P.
Jamie P.
Taylor M.
Mason & family
Jim
Grant
Carrie
Jerold & Isaac
Laura (Lolly)
Frank
Peggy
DeVette
| | If you wish to add or remove a name, please notify Erin Lemanski no later than Sunday at noon for the Prayer List to be updated each week. Names will be listed for six months, unless otherwise stated. Thank you! | | |
Worship is in person and livestreamed each Sunday. Daily prayer is available in the Pray at 8 Facebook group at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Friday at 12 p.m. – Noon Eucharist – Watch here
Sunday at 8 a.m. – Rite I Holy Eucharist – Watch here
For those who find spiritual comfort and strength in the rich Elizabethan language of centuries-old worship, our early-morning service of prayer, Scripture, a sermon, a musical solo, and time-honored hymns, is the perfect way to start your Sabbath.
Sunday at 10:15 a.m. – Rite II Holy Eucharist – Watch here
Worship the Lord in the beauty of Scripture, a sermon, and prayers for ourselves and our world. Glorious hymns, organ, and choral music intertwine with the spoken parts of our celebration. We offer online Children’s Chapel via Zoom before 10 a.m.; and in-person Sunday school during the 10 a.m. service.
Daily at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m – Pray at 8
Join us in the Pray at 8 Facebook group. In just 10 to 15 minutes, you can stop, breathe, and find God’s refreshment to support you through your day or carry you on to bed. It’s a beautiful way to remember that God is our constant helper and strength.
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Bulletin & Messenger Deadline
The publication deadline for the Saturday Messenger and Sunday bulletin is on Sunday at noon one week before publication.
Material received after Sunday at noon will be added to the next week's publications.
Please submit material to Erin Lemanski (erin@standrewkc.org)
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