Ministries

Connection Care Ministry – Keeping in touch with St. Andrew Members

A group of volunteers, under the direction of Pastor Frank Lybrand, formed the Connection Care Team.  The purpose of this group is to reach out to and keep in touch with folks who may not be able to come to church or church activities regularly and want to stay connected to St Andrew.  The group pairs a team member with a person who wants to stay connected to the church.  Cards, phone calls and visits are all a part of this ministry.

If you would like to learn more about this ministry to reach out to folks in our church, please email us at careteamhhiumc@gmail.com.

If you know someone who may be feeling disconnected because they aren’t able to come to church, are having surgery, are unwell, or just need a little extra love and support right now, please let us know.  And if you are that someone, please email us or contact Pastor Frank. We want to stay in touch with you!

Foster Care Program

St. Andrew By-The-Sea is a proud and active supporter of Epworth Children’s Home and Foster Care program.

In the state of South Carolina, there are more than 4,000 children in foster care, with over 1,900 more homes needed to foster kids, according to the Epworth website. For more information about the Epworth Children’s Home Foster Care Program, please visit https://www.epworthchildrenshome.org/what/foster-care-program/.

Our Health Ministries committee brings programs designed to educate and improve the health and welfare of our congregation and community. We have blood drives, mental health presentations, CPR training, and more. Free blood pressure screenings are offered on the first Sunday of each month between services (September through May).

If you are interested in getting involved with this ministry, contact chairperson, Merryl Dietz, merryldietz@verizon.net.

Recent Health ministry highlights

Blood Drive Success and Upcoming Event
We began 2026 on a positive note by hosting a successful blood drive with One Blood’s Big Red Bus on January 18. Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who generously donated—your contributions made a significant impact. During this event, One Blood collected 23 units of blood, which has the potential to save up to 69 lives.

We are excited to announce that our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Please save the date and consider signing up to help give the gift of life.

Memory Matters Event Highlights
On January 22, our Health Ministry hosted a special event featuring guest chef Kim Baretta from Memory Matters. During this engaging session, Kim demonstrated how to prepare three flavorful soups, providing participants with a hands-on look at healthy cooking. While preparing the dishes, Kim discussed the advantages of following the Mediterranean and MIND Lifestyles, both of which support heart and brain health.

The event was well-attended, with 40 people joining to sample each of the soups and receive the recipes so they could recreate them at home.

AED/CPR Training
In mid-March, we sponsored a complimentary one-hour AED/CPR class, led by instructors from Hilton Head Fire Rescue. This session was especially recommended for ushers, security personnel, and volunteers working with youth and children, though it was open to the entire church family. Seven individuals participated, gaining valuable skills to help ensure the safety of our community.

Upcoming Brain Boosters Course
Looking ahead to October, we are pleased to announce that Debbie Anderson from Memory Matters will return to our Celebration Center to lead another Brain Boosters course. Thanks to a generous grant, this course will be offered completely free of charge. If you have not yet taken part in this engaging and informative program, we encourage you to register when the sign-up link is released in September. The 3-week course will take place on October 14, 21, and 28, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Coming up from our health partners

Music is vital to worship at St. Andrew, with opportunities for all styles and ages. Whether you love hymns or modern songs, there’s a place for you.
Explore the options below to get involved.

PRAISE BAND

Our 11:09 Praise Band consists of volunteers, both instrumentalists and vocalists, who bring contemporary Christian music to our modern worship experiences here at St. Andrew. There are opportunities open to singers and musicians—including guitarists, bassists, percussionists, horn players, and string players—who want to share their gifts and be part of a dynamic worship team.

Interested in joining?
Contact Jason Snyder at JRobertSnyder@gmail.com with your interest and for the rehearsal schedule.

SEASIDE CHANCEL CHOIR

Participating in the Chancel Choir is a great way to meet new people while using your musical gifts to serve God, the church, and the community. The choir leads worship each Sunday at the 9:00 am traditional service, as well as many other special services throughout the year. If you can’t make a weekly commitment to join, you are welcome to participate for special occasions (holidays, cantatas, etc.) – we would be happy for you to join us as your schedule allows.

Rehearsals

Chancel Choir rehearsals are in the Music Room on Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, and Sunday mornings. September through May.

Interested in joining?

The Chancel Choir includes members and non-members of the church who volunteer their time to support the music ministries of the church. The choir is open to all adult vocalists high school age and older. There is no audition and all are welcome. The Chancel choir is led by Bruce Gale, St. Andrew’s Director of Music. For more information, or to join, please contact Bruce at bruceghhiumc@gmail.com

SEASIDE HANDBELL CHOIR

St. Andrew’s handbell choir helps to lead worship monthly, generally the second Sunday of the month. The bell choir is open to anyone interested, regardless of handbell experience or ability to read music.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are in the Sanctuary on Tuesdays, 2:00-3:00 pm. September through May.

Interested in joining?

New ringers are accepted at any time; there is no audition. If you’re interested in joining, contact Bruce at bruceghhiumc@gmail.com, Director of Music.

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Instrumentalists of all ages, musical styles, and abilities are invited to participate in our music ministry. Whether you enjoy playing solo, in a small ensemble, or as an accompanist, there is a place for you at either the Modern or Traditional service.

Interested in joining?

Contact Pastor Jonathan or Bruce Gale at bruceghhiumc@gmail.com, Director of Music.

ORGAN DEDICATION + CONCERT

Did you miss St. Andrew’s new organ dedication and concert on March 2, 2025? Or maybe you’d like to see the keyboard and footwork up close.

The Prayer Quilt Ministry is a way to combine the gift of a quilt, with the gift of prayer, for someone in need. It is a meaningful way to reach out to others in prayer. What better way to help someone in need, than with the power of prayer.

The Prayer Quilt Ministry is an interfaith outreach ministry that is currently being offered in Methodist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Catholic, and non-denominational churches across the United States, and Australia. St. Andrew is Chapter #68.

The purpose of the Prayer Quilt Ministry is not to make and distribute quilts but to promote prayer through the use of quilts. The quilt is simply the prayer carrier. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied with a knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for someone in special need, who then receives the finished quilt. This is not just a gift of a quilt, it is a gift of love and prayer. It is a statement of faith in God and in His power to comfort, strengthen, and heal. As a special gift of love, they can be made for sick babies, for adults and children facing health-related problems, or for anyone facing a personal crisis. There are many circumstances when the gift of a Prayer Quilt is appropriate. The only requirement is that the recipient of a Prayer Quilt, or their family, must be prepared and have agreed to receive our gift of prayer. A surprise Prayer Quilt is not appropriate. We can request a Prayer Quilt for ourselves, for a loved one, a friend, or for anyone who is facing a difficult time in their life and would like to receive our prayers. They may be a member of our congregation, or they may live many, many miles from the Lowcountry.

Do you know someone in need, someone who could use the power of our prayers, given to them in the tangible form of a quilt, which can provide them with both physical and spiritual comfort?

You can offer them this healing power of prayer simply by calling the church office at 843-785-4711 to get information.