Welcome to St. Andrew's by the Sea United Methodist Church

Spiritual Formation

During this Lenten season, the St. Andrew’s community will focus on Prayer as we recall the Passion of our Christ. We hope the following opportunities serve to deepen your relationship with God and others, and ultimately create a ripple effect in our families, community, and world.

Lenten Prayer Series

Beginning Wednesday evening, Feb. 24^th at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary, a community “prayer hour” led by our SABTS staff will be offered. Each week, this hour will focus on the specific themes noted below. Participants will be able to lift up specific concerns especially related to these themes, and will be given time to pray individually, in small groups, and in the larger community - just as Jesus did. Please calendar these dates now, and attend all or as many sessions as possible.

Wed., Feb. 24^th - Theme: Forgiveness as Prayer

Wed., March 3^rd - Theme: Service/Compassion as Prayer

Wed., March 10^th - Theme: Faithfulness/Commitment as Prayer

Wed., March 17^th - Theme: Heartbreak/Right Suffering as Prayer

Wed., March 24^th - Theme: Movement as Prayer

Wed., March 31^st - Theme: Surrender as Prayer

Lenten Prayer Partners

Those attending the Feb. 17^th Ash Wednesday service have an opportunity to participate in “Prayer Partners.” For those unable to attend the Ash Wednesday service, this opportunity will also be offered at both worship services on Sunday, Feb. 21^st.

What is a “prayer partner”?

A “prayer partner” is someone who wishes to pray for and be prayed for each day during Lent. If you wish to be prayed for, you commit to pray for someone else. You won’t know the identity of the person praying for you – only the identity of the person you pray for.

How do you “partner up”?

A short “Prayer Partner” form will be provided at the services. If you wish to participate, simply fill out the form, giving your name and listing any prayer concerns. Forms will be collected and placed in a basket and then, during the service, those who have elected to participate will be given an opportunity to take a form from the basket, revealing the name and prayer requests of their prayer partner.

During the next six weeks, prayer partners will pray for each other daily. If you’d like to reveal your identity to your prayer partner, this can be accomplished via any method you choose on Easter Sunday.

Being a “prayer partner” is a voluntary opportunity that will enrich your life and someone else’s. What a wonderful “Resurrection Gift” to give and receive throughout this Lenten season!

Meets Sunday mornings at 8:45am in the RIO Center (next door to the church)

Join The Seekers Adult Sunday School Class on December 7th as we begin our Winter study. This quarter the authors shine the spotlight on individuals – some of them rather obscure – who model commitment to God’s will. They invite us into lives and circumstances of people who chose commitment over convenience, action over apathy, and risk over reward. Their lives and choices inspire our own as we continue to live out of the commitment God has made to us and we have made to God. We meet in the RIO Senior Center Sundays from 08:45 to 10:00am, so you can still fellowship with friends on the patio before the 10:30 am worship service. Come check us out! Contact Ann Small for more information or to get a book.

Ever wonder what your unique contribution to this world is? Curious about what God may be calling you to do next? Can’t quite balance your preferences with your talents? Explore these questions and more via the upcoming “Spiritual Gifts” seminar scheduled on Tuesday evenings, May 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th, at 7 pm in Rm. SS1. Deb Donoghue and Sally Lee Howd will be facilitating.

Contact Ann Small at 369-5893 or at spiritform@sabts.org to enroll. Child care will be available upon request!

Meets Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at Carrow's off the Pico exit of the I-5

This group for men and women meets weekly for breakfast and Bible Study with Rev. Roy Behnke. Please join us as we study the Gospels.

Pastor Paula Ferris will be leading a discussion of Randy Frazee’s God-centered book, “Making Room for Life: Trading Chaotic Lifestyles for Connected Relationships” on four consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning January 21st at 7 pm in the SABTS Library. This discussion will coincide with Pastor Paula’s sermon series on the same topic beginning mid-January. Ann Small, Director of Spiritual Formation, will lead a similar 4 week discussion on Sundays in the library after 9 am worship beginning January 18th. So – explore the kind of life God wants for you! Contact Ann Small to enroll now! The book with discussion questions can be purchased on-line at Amazon.com or at your local bookstore.

CORE Christian Beliefs
Please contact Ann Small for scheduling information

What makes a Christian uniquely a Christian? This seminar defines and explores the unique beliefs (and behaviors) of believers, and grounds new and committed disciples on the Christian pathway. Our Associate Pastor, Rev. Lucy Stafford-Lewis, leads this offering.

CORE Principles of a Fully Committed Christian

Please contact Ann Small for scheduling information

Is this church community for real? Explore the non-negotiable values of St. Andrews-by-the Sea UMC! Led by Rev. Dr. Paula Ferris, this offering provides interactive discussion about what motivates a fully committed believer at St. Andrews.

Mom to Mom is our caring ministry designed to help mothers of little ones from ages 0-5. Through creative expressions, topical discussions, and delicious snacks, moms grow to love and support each other. And the best part is, childcare is provided! For more information contact Emily Bredthauer.

The Crew is our newest fellowship group for men. This great new opportunity will include outings and activities, studies of important issues, and fellowship and support. While we won't be checking ID's this group's target audience are post high school men through those with young children.

Parents of children through first grade are invited to have supper together at 6:30pm. Then the children will go to their own program while the adults enjoy fellowship and hearing speakers on topics of family, marriage, and parenting. Contact Emily Bredthauer for more information or to RSVP.

The Supper Club is a great way to get to know other people in the church. Members of the Club are grouped into small groups of 8 and rotate hosting a monthly dinner. For more information or to sign up, contact the church office.

Covenant Groups are a gathering of 6 to 8 people who wish to deepen their faith, grow spiritually, and who are willing to be accountable to one another along that journey. Each group writes its own covenant to cover the areas of essential discipleship:
   - acts of compassion
   - acts of worship
   - acts of justice
   - acts of devotion
with specific activities and suggestions listed for each area of discipleship.

Once the Covenant has been agreed upon, the group will meet regularly for
one hour, with the Leadership rotating among members. The agenda is simply to open with prayer, and in turn, allow each person to share where they have succeeded, struggled or grown in each of those areas, and where they have noticed the prompting of the Holy Spirit during the week. The meeting closes with prayers, and should be careful to be true to the time commitment.

Any one, of any age may join or begin a Covenant Group. The meeting times are entirely up to the group. Any one interested may contact Ann Small for more information, or to see if another group is starting up, as we hope to have new groups starting up all the time!

Weekly Meditation Group

Every Monday from 6-7 p.m. at St. Clement's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church's library, (202 Avenida Aragon in San Clemente) This group is part of The World Community for Christian Meditators which holds weekly meetings all over the world. There is no obligation to come every week and if you are new to meditation, there is a very simple method that will be shared with you. It is a simple, silent internal prayer guided by God's command in the book of Isaiah and in the words of the Psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God." If you have any questions, please contact Robert Puff.

Spritual Formation Ministries