Ministries
Youth
Leah Gordon is Children and Youth Minister, and she loves working with kids. Through the church's Christian Education Department, Leah coordinates Children's Classes and the Wednesday night program.
During the summer months, Leah coordinates a special children's program called "Wacky, Wonderful Wednesdays."
Members of Saint Andrews participate actively in the summer camp and conferences of the North Texas Area of the Christian Church. Our Pastor and volunteers from the congregation often work in one of the summer camps. Vacation Bible School - a summer event - draws a good crowd of kids and adults.
Music
Chancel Choir is a group of adult singers who enjoy learning new anthems, praise songs, and cantatas to share in worship. Singing lifts the human spirit and opens us to the presence of God in our lives, and the chancel choir provides a time and place to be lifted and inspired.
Bell Choir for adults meets early Wednesday evenings. The Schulmerich handbells add a bright sound to worship when this groups shares special selections. This is a teaching and ringing group which includes those who are beginning to learn and appreciate bells.
Chime Choir for kids provides a wonderful place for children to learn to ring. The children play chimes in worship on Sundays and rehearse each Wednesday night at the church.
SuperSingers is a children's music program that opens the church school hour each Sunday morning. Children present music they have learned in worship on Sundays.
Lisa Davis is the Minister of Music. Anne Smithson is the Director of Children's Music.
Christian Men's Fellowship
The men's fellowship group is called Disciples Men (formerly 'Christian Men's Fellowship'). Each month, the men meet for breakfast, a devotional lesson, and a review of outreach commitments. Meetings are held in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
In recent months, the group has been working the the SPAN program of Denton Country to provide additional support to senior citizens in the area. Each year, the men support the work of the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries in the valley of Texas.
CWF (Christian Women's Fellowship)
CWF is an active fellowship and service group in the life of Saint Andrews. Dinner meetings are held on fifth Tuesdays throughout the year to conduct business and study mission themes. CWF is a leadership group in the life of the local church and the denomination itself in the promotion and funding of missional causes.
Seniors
During the late afternoon or early evening of the third Saturday of the month, the Seniors meet for dinner or an outing in the community. The group includes young-at-heart members from fifty-five years of age and up.
Seniors have gone downtown on the DART rail for dinner and viewed a movie at IMAX theatre. Pot luck entrees, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream are preludes to fellowship at some gatherings.
Seniors take interest in programs related to the Christian faith and topics which help meet the needs of seniors in the church and in the community.
Missions
Members of Saint Andrews are encouraged to share time and skills helping others in Carrollton and around the world. Personal commitment and involvement are gifts of love invested with God's people.
Working at the Food Pantry at Christian Community Action in Lewisville every month is an ongoing commitment of the congregation.
The list below includes many of the causes and programs supported by the church.
- North Texas Area of the Christian Church - camp and conference program
- Christian Church in the Southwest-Regional, Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - Disciples Mission Fund
- Senior Program for Aging Needs (SPAN) of Denton County-SACC-CMF
- Christian Community Action Food Pantry
- Metrocrest Social Service Center
- Metrocrest CROP Walk (hunger relief program)
- Voice of Hope Ministries in west Dallas
- The Gideons International
- Church World Service - Tools of Hope and Blanket Program
- Exercise Group for Parkinson's Patients
SACIT
SACIT is an acronym for Saint Andrews Church Investment Training.
Topics of study include:
- determining financial returns
- how to build a portfolio
- investment management
- reviews of individual securities
- mutual funds
- estate planning
- planning for retirement
Mr. Jack Blankenship is the leader of the group, and he presents a lesson at each meeting. Members of SACIT make voluntary contributions to buy "units" of the club's holdings. Over the years, SACIT members have purchased shares of several companies.
Classes
Children
Sunday morning classes are organized to serve the large number of younger children in the congregation.
Preschool - Leah Gordon; K-2 - Carol Johnson; 3rd grade - Debbie Gondolf, Pam Wilson, Jim Wilson; 4th grade and up - Sandra Ninemire and Nancy Daniel.
Adults
Russ Daniel and Michael Gordon teach the Bible Study Class in the narthex (front entry area) of the church. The curriculum is called "The Present Word," and the sessions are based on the International Sunday School Lessons.
Bill Sawyer teaches the Adult Discussion Class using contemporary books about Christian heritage and devotion. Examples of books utilized by the class are Hal Brady's Keeping the Faith of Our Christian Heritage and James W. Moore's When You're a Christian, the Whole World Is from Missouri.
Melissa Rembecki teaches the Family Life Class. This class seeks to strengthen and support the work of parents and improve the quality of family life.
Recent books used in the class include Cloud and Townsend's Raising Great Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Parenting with Grace and Truth and John and Susan Yates' book What Really Matters At Home - Eight Crucial Elements for Building Character in Your Family.
Spiritual Life
Within the congregation, many persons are interested in small groups which focus on spiritual formation and spiritual development. Understanding more about the movement of God's spirit in one's life brings energy to our faith. Small groups provide a setting for Christians to share support and encouragement.
Reunion Groups are based on the principles of the Emmaus movement - a retreat program that emphasizes growth and personal responsibility in the walk with Christ. Visit www.dallasemmaus.org
Marriage Enrichment Groups (MEG) are sponsored by SACC members who are active in the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment. Please visit www.bettermarriages.org
The Companions in Christ program from Upper Room offers participants a transforming experience in spiritual formation. The series explores classic spiritual disciplines and invites participants to incorporate daily practices and patters that draw them closer to God.
Bible Study
Disciples are known as a "people of the Book." Life-long Bible study is central to growing in the faith. Studying the Bible brings believers in contact with people of faith in the Hebrew scriptures and in the books of the New Testament.
Church members are encouraged to be Bible readers. Classes and small groups at the church focus on both content and meaning. Knowing the stories and content of the Bible is the first step. Discovering biblical principles for Christian living is the next step. Students develop a love of scripture that lasts a lifetime.
Come and be a part of the Bible Study programs on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings at the church.