About Us
Our Mission
St. Andrew Lutheran Church is called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ. We do this by welcoming all to our ministry; by serving our members, the community and the world; and by encouraging people to continue their growth in faith.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church is called to create opportunities for all people to become devoted followers of Christ. We do this by welcoming all to our ministry; by serving our members, the community and the world; and by encouraging people to continue their growth in faith.
Our History
Our first Sunday worship service occurred on Palm Sunday, March 14, 1991 in the Mountain Shadows Community Center in Sun City. On October 31, 1993, the congregation was officially chartered and became part of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In the spring of 1996, St. Andrew began construction of its present church building and the facility was consecrated in February 1997. On Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009 we broke ground for a new addition and the Fellowship Hall opened in October 2009. The former Fellowship Hall was then renovated and opened as the Education and Youth Center and the choir loft was expanded. The new facilities were dedicated on March 7, 2010. In 2023, we celebrated our Thirtieth Anniversary. Prior to his retirement in 2024, Pastor Phil Shuart was named "Pastor Emeritus". Pastor Mari was installed as our Associate Pastor in 2021 and our Pastor in 2025.
Our first Sunday worship service occurred on Palm Sunday, March 14, 1991 in the Mountain Shadows Community Center in Sun City. On October 31, 1993, the congregation was officially chartered and became part of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In the spring of 1996, St. Andrew began construction of its present church building and the facility was consecrated in February 1997. On Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009 we broke ground for a new addition and the Fellowship Hall opened in October 2009. The former Fellowship Hall was then renovated and opened as the Education and Youth Center and the choir loft was expanded. The new facilities were dedicated on March 7, 2010. In 2023, we celebrated our Thirtieth Anniversary. Prior to his retirement in 2024, Pastor Phil Shuart was named "Pastor Emeritus". Pastor Mari was installed as our Associate Pastor in 2021 and our Pastor in 2025.
Staff
Rev. Dr. Mari Larson
Pastor Mari grew up on a farm in Minnesota. After completing her Bachelor's at the University of Minnesota, she worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and pursued a Master's at St. Mary's University before attending Luther Seminary (MDiv). She later received her DMin from Fairfax University and post-graduate certificates from Villanova (Church Management) and Cornell (DEI). She has been an ELCA pastor for 30 years and has served congregations in South Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas, and Nevada. She is married, a stepmom, and a cat mom. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 52:7, and she loves Honeycrisp apples (ask her why).
Pastor Mari grew up on a farm in Minnesota. After completing her Bachelor's at the University of Minnesota, she worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and pursued a Master's at St. Mary's University before attending Luther Seminary (MDiv). She later received her DMin from Fairfax University and post-graduate certificates from Villanova (Church Management) and Cornell (DEI). She has been an ELCA pastor for 30 years and has served congregations in South Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas, and Nevada. She is married, a stepmom, and a cat mom. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 52:7, and she loves Honeycrisp apples (ask her why).
Antonio and Evangelina Z. - Sextons
Antonio and Evangelina consider their work here to be ministry, and it shows. They have been keeping our building clean and in good repair for more than 16 years. They are also lay ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination and lead a Hispanic congregation. They are a blessing!
Antonio and Evangelina consider their work here to be ministry, and it shows. They have been keeping our building clean and in good repair for more than 16 years. They are also lay ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination and lead a Hispanic congregation. They are a blessing!
Amy K. - Music
Amy has been with St. Andrew for 5 years, playing the piano and directing the choir. She also teaches our music appreciation classes every summer. She is a popular piano instructor and a member of Vegas Swing band.
Amy has been with St. Andrew for 5 years, playing the piano and directing the choir. She also teaches our music appreciation classes every summer. She is a popular piano instructor and a member of Vegas Swing band.
Colleen L. - Audio/Visual
Colleen has been on staff for about 5 years. She handles sound, Powerpoint, and livestreaming (which, in most churches, is a 2- or 3-person job).
Colleen has been on staff for about 5 years. She handles sound, Powerpoint, and livestreaming (which, in most churches, is a 2- or 3-person job).
Angela D. - Director of Finance
Angela is a "jill of all trades". She pays the bills, manages our contractors, and handles much of our community outreach. She is also a military veteran, having served 26 years.
Angela is a "jill of all trades". She pays the bills, manages our contractors, and handles much of our community outreach. She is also a military veteran, having served 26 years.
Jensen L. - Communications Director
Jensen is a musician, a barista, and a sociologist. He has been playing his blue guitar for worship here for almost 5 years. He is the man behind the camera at the blessing of the animals every October. And he has untangled our technology more than once. When he's not at St. Andrew, he's probably at Starbucks or playing in a band.
Jensen is a musician, a barista, and a sociologist. He has been playing his blue guitar for worship here for almost 5 years. He is the man behind the camera at the blessing of the animals every October. And he has untangled our technology more than once. When he's not at St. Andrew, he's probably at Starbucks or playing in a band.
