PASTOR NOTES
Sunday, JANUARY 18, 2026
Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings
Ephesians 1:1–14
In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds the church of the beautiful truth at the heart of our faith: we are saved by grace and richly blessed in Christ with all kinds of spiritual blessings. Paul speaks to believers who lived in a busy, diverse, and often challenging world, much like our own. He assures them that before they ever earned, achieved, or proved anything, God chose them in love. Through Jesus Christ, we have been adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and given a new identity as God’s beloved children. These blessings are not temporary or fragile; they are eternal gifts rooted in God’s grace.
Paul also encourages us not only to receive these blessings but to live from them. We are invited to walk faithfully in the calling we have received grounded in forgiveness, guided by God’s Word, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit who seals us and guarantees our inheritance. Nothing can take these blessings away from us. As a church family, may we treasure this grace in our hearts, grow deeper in our understanding, and give thanks for the love God has poured out upon us in Christ. May this assurance shape how we live, love, and serve one another each day.
Grace and peace to you all.
~Pastor Norma
Who Are We:
The direction we believe God has given us to grow into being a multi-cultural congregation. A one-mile radius around our building includes 4% Asian, 19% African-American, 42% White, and 32% Hispanic or Latino neighbors. We best represent God's Kingdom and God's love when we are together. This is substantive work. We're getting better at approximating God's goal, but we're not there yet. We need to learn from people like you. We believe in the vision that Jesus gave us when he fed the 5,000, a vision in which we'll all be fed and healed at Jesus' feet together. We hope that we can partner with you in his work.
PASTOR NOTES
Sunday, JANUARY 18, 2026
Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings
Ephesians 1:1–14
In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds the church of the beautiful truth at the heart of our faith: we are saved by grace and richly blessed in Christ with all kinds of spiritual blessings. Paul speaks to believers who lived in a busy, diverse, and often challenging world, much like our own. He assures them that before they ever earned, achieved, or proved anything, God chose them in love. Through Jesus Christ, we have been adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and given a new identity as God’s beloved children. These blessings are not temporary or fragile; they are eternal gifts rooted in God’s grace.
Paul also encourages us not only to receive these blessings but to live from them. We are invited to walk faithfully in the calling we have received grounded in forgiveness, guided by God’s Word, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit who seals us and guarantees our inheritance. Nothing can take these blessings away from us. As a church family, may we treasure this grace in our hearts, grow deeper in our understanding, and give thanks for the love God has poured out upon us in Christ. May this assurance shape how we live, love, and serve one another each day.
Grace and peace to you all.
~Pastor Norma
Who Are We:
The direction we believe God has given us to grow into being a multi-cultural congregation. A one-mile radius around our building includes 4% Asian, 19% African-American, 42% White, and 32% Hispanic or Latino neighbors. We best represent God's Kingdom and God's love when we are together. This is substantive work. We're getting better at approximating God's goal, but we're not there yet. We need to learn from people like you. We believe in the vision that Jesus gave us when he fed the 5,000, a vision in which we'll all be fed and healed at Jesus' feet together. We hope that we can partner with you in his work.
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St. Andrew's UMC
1901 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC Office: 704-553-1327, ext. 100 -- Fax: 704-553-1329 - map Office Hours: Monday - Thursday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday - Church Office is Closed. Email: [email protected] For the latest sermon via YouTube,
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