Washington School football team visits St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Washington School football team joined the congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Leland for the 9 a.m. service Sunday, August 16.

Visiting priest, Rev. Andy Andrews, welcomed the team during a sermon centered on a simple message: God delights in us and loves each of us.

Preaching from Matthew 15:10-28, Andrews reflected on one of the Gospel’s more challenging encounters, Jesus’ initially harsh response to a Canaanite woman who persistently asks him to heal her daughter. Her faith and persistence ultimately change the encounter, and Jesus praises her faith and grants her request.

Andrews brought the message back to the people gathered in the church and to the young men standing together before the congregation.

“What a beautiful bunch of people you are,” he told them. “God delights in you. God loves you and me.”

The team attended the service together ahead of the 2026 football season.