by Andrew Beard | Oct 31, 2025 | Words from Pastor Andrew
When I was a kid, I remember putting on a pair of khaki pants and a green button-up, looking in the mirror, and thinking, I look like Jack Colton from Romancing the Stone.
Now, if you don’t remember that 1984 Rom-Com adventure classic with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner… that’s okay. You’ll be just fine.
I loved that movie, and others like it, Indiana Jones and The Goonies. Over the years, that love for adventure films has carried through to National Treasure, Uncharted, and Fountain of Youth.
There’s just something about the idea that ordinary people can get swept up into something extraordinary. One minute they’re doing normal life; the next, they’re exploring ancient mysteries, uncovering hidden truths. Don’t we all want to be swept up in something exciting? And by “swept up in something exciting,” of course I mean watching other people be swept up while we’re comfortably at home.
by Andrew Beard | Oct 22, 2025 | The Tower
Explore this Tower to celebrate baptisms and dedications, engage in scripture, get excited about youth group, gear up for Christmas, learn about Affiliation membership, find out how you can participate in our Advent Guide and find out more about outreach partners!
by Andrew Beard | Jul 15, 2025 | Words from Pastor Andrew
When May hits, Sarah and I find ourselves absolutely wiped out. Life, work, church, a dog… I feel like I’m forgetting something… oh yeah, raising our kids. It’s like running a marathon where every step is good, every step matters, but every step also drains you. You’re further down the road, but something’s been poured out. Even elite ultra-runners eventually hit a wall where they just can’t keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Then summer hits.
The first few days of summer feel like stepping into a completely different world. We’re no longer waking up before sunrise, no longer sprinting from school to after-school activities to homework to that never-ending evening routine. No more late night cramming in extra work, replying to emails, prepping for Bible study, and collapsing into bed just so we can do it all again the next day. Suddenly, those days are gone.
For a few brief moments, summer feels like slower mornings, no strict schedule, no hustle.
But then… late July arrives.
by Andrew Beard | Apr 10, 2025 | Easter, Words from Pastor Andrew
Sometime over the past year or so, I’ve spoken about a bird ending up in The Chapel and me desperately trying to capture said bird and release it back into the “wild.”
Also, over the past year or so, I’ve talked about my pizza oven and making a foolish error where I singed some of my eyebrows and eyelashes.
I’m not sure what my deep theological point was in either of those stories… but I’m sure they were meaningful. Likely life-changing.
You won’t believe it…
Last week I was using my pizza oven to roast some carrots. I was flambéing them to get a nice finishing char with a delightful caramelized sauce. And lo and behold, flames shot out of the oven—and I singed my eyebrows and eyelashes again.
I didn’t want to let Sarah know… because I figured she would determine I’m not “responsible enough to play with fire…” So I did the mature thing and didn’t tell her.
Turns out, the fire also singed the hair on my head. I know. My luscious locks.
She immediately noticed.
Then, just this past week—a bird wandered into The Chapel, and I had to catch and release it. Two days in a row.
I don’t know if this bird is trying to draw closer to God, or wants to see the beauty of the space, or if he’s just foolish—but he keeps wandering in, getting caught, and being carried back out.
I’ve now done this three times. Twice this week alone.
And every time—I still get this wild rush trying to catch the bird.
My heart races. I get unusually hot and sweaty. The adrenaline pumps.
I feel like Steve Irwin or Dog the Bounty Hunter…
But instead of crocodiles or criminals on the run… it’s a tiny bird.
by Andrew Beard | Apr 4, 2025 | Easter, Words from Pastor Andrew
Last night at dinner, we had a very serious theological conversation.
Should any food ever touch the palm of your hand?
Weird question, I know—but watch a little kid eat, and you’ll see every food group being palmed like it’s a basketball. Personally, I find that gross…but I’m also not a child, and I’m a recovering germaphobe, so maybe that’s just me.
Adults, on the other hand, tend to keep their food at the fingertips—unless it’s popcorn, nuts, or candy. Those get a pass. Otherwise, palm-to-food contact? No thank you.
Sarah and I made our case. It was clear, logical, and morally superior (obviously). No palm-to-food contact—except for small snacks. Case closed. I even triumphantly challenged the table:
“Name one food that should touch the palm of your hand.”
Keating didn’t miss a beat. “Banana,” he said.
Banana?!
