Two Sundays, One Church Family
On Claremont Avenue in Stockton, St. Andrews Lutheran Church has been gathering a community around Christ for more than eighty years. The congregation meets on Sunday mornings in two distinct services that share the same foundation of Scripture, prayer, and Holy Communion, while offering different musical styles for worshipers.
At 8:30 a.m., the Traditional Worship service follows the Lutheran liturgy with familiar hymns, Scripture readings, a sermon, and Holy Communion. At 10:45 a.m., the Contemporary Worship service fills the sanctuary with modern Christian music in a more relaxed atmosphere, paired with prayer, fellowship, and a Christ-centered message. Recent services are available to watch online through the church's YouTube channel, so members and visitors who cannot be present on a Sunday can still join in worship from anywhere.
Both services are central to the life of St. Andrews, and the church's hope is that whoever walks in - whether a long-time Lutheran, a returning visitor, or someone simply curious about faith - will hear the Word and Good News of God proclaimed for them.
A Taizé Service in the Quiet
For those drawn to a quieter style of prayer, St. Andrews holds a periodic Taizé worship service in the evening. The service centers on prayer, Scripture, silence, and simple repeated songs, with candlelight and gentle music creating space to slow down and rest in God's presence. The Taizé service offers a meaningful opportunity for personal reflection and spiritual renewal, distinct from the Sunday morning rhythm.
Newday Preschool Since 1975
Tucked onto the St. Andrews campus, Newday Preschool has been a trusted part of the Stockton community since 1975. The preschool serves children ages 2 through 5 with a play-based, developmentally appropriate program designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
As a ministry of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Newday partners with families to build a strong foundation for learning, friendships, and faith. The preschool is licensed by the California Department of Social Services under Title 22 and is licensed to enroll up to 49 students. It also accepts referrals from the local Family Resource and Referral Center and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, nationality, or creed.
Newday operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is closed on weekends and major holidays. Tuition options include full-day (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and half-day (9:00 to 11:45 a.m.) schedules, with Monday-Friday, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and Tuesday-Thursday combinations. An optional Lunch Bunch hour runs from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for half-day students. A non-refundable $200 registration fee secures a child's spot, and siblings receive a 10% tuition discount.
Families interested in a tour can reach Newday at (209) 957-4089 or newday@stalc.org.
Rahab, the Comfort Dog
One of St. Andrews' most distinctive outreach efforts is Rahab, a Lutheran Church Charities Comfort K-9 who joined the congregation after years of planning, fundraising, and preparation. Named for the figure in Joshua 2, Rahab and her team of handlers travel throughout Stockton, Lodi, and beyond to bring comfort to schools, care homes, law enforcement, first responders, military members, and community organizations.
Rahab is often present during difficult moments of grief, tragedy, and crisis, as well as joyful events and school activities. At the heart of the ministry are the small connections that happen during each visit: a conversation, a prayer, a hug, a smile, or a quiet moment together. Rahab helps open the door, while her dedicated handlers and ministry partners provide the care, compassion, and presence that make this outreach so meaningful.
The Rahab team welcomes new Ministry Partners - adults 18 and older who are comfortable praying for and with hurting people and willing to serve on a flexible schedule.
Good Shepherd Family Ministry
Good Shepherd Family Ministry is a welcoming community created to connect adults with disabilities to Christ and to one another through friendship, worship, service, and meaningful activities. The program follows the school calendar from September through May and meets on Saturdays from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Participants enjoy social time, snacks, worship, crafts, games, birthday celebrations, and seasonal activities throughout the year. Annual highlights include a Christmas play, spring talent show, butterfly release, retreat, and Vacation Bible School. Good Shepherd depends on caring volunteers to help with dishes, clean-up, crafts, bingo, and other activities - most opportunities require only one to two hours once a month.
Family Promise and the Wider Community
St. Andrews partners with Family Promise to support local families experiencing homelessness. During the congregation's designated hosting week, volunteers come together to provide meals, activities, overnight support, tutoring, and a welcoming environment for families in the community. Hosting weeks typically include several days of volunteer opportunities, from preparing dinner to helping with homework and staying overnight.
Beyond Family Promise, St. Andrews opens its campus to a number of community gatherings. The Freedom & Hope Al-Anon group meets on Monday evenings in the Library, and M&M, a regular men's or members' small group, gathers in the Fellowship Hall. Both are recurring weekly meetings that use the church's original building.
Midweek and Women's Bible Study
Wednesday evenings at St. Andrews are built around three things happening at once: Adult Bible Study from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., High School Youth from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Head2Heart Confirmation Class from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Parents dropping off teens can step into the adult study and then gather everyone back for fellowship at the end of the night. The Saturday morning rhythm continues with Women's Bible Study from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., often built around an eight-week study series such as "Leaning on Jesus."
Lutheran Women in Mission
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) connects women of the congregation through faith, fellowship, Bible study, and service. LWML gathers on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. for fellowship, encouragement, and opportunities to support mission-focused ministry within the church and beyond.
Vacation Bible School
Each summer, Vacation Bible School brings children together at St. Andrews for an engaging week of learning, laughter, and growing in faith. The program combines Bible stories, music, games, crafts, and time with friends in a welcoming environment, and is one of the highlights of the year for many families.
Wartime Beginnings in Stockton
St. Andrews Lutheran Church began in the midst of World War II, when a group of people came together to form a church and share a message of hope with their community during a very challenging time. More than eighty years later, the congregation is still seeking to inspire Stockton to live out the hope found in Christ.
The church's message is simple and direct: Christ crucified, with a focus on Jesus' work for people. The congregation is open to visitors, returning worshipers, and the simply curious. St. Andrews believes that church is people, not buildings, and that the truth of God's Word and the Gospel of His grace can change lives.
The People of St. Andrews
Pastor Brian Muldowney serves as Senior Pastor, with Deacon Kirk Hamilton assisting in ministry. Julia Newkirk is Director of Family Ministries, overseeing much of the work that connects children, students, and families to the life of the church. Ginger Herrera serves as Organist and Erika Kleinert directs the Contemporary Band; together they help shape the music across both Sunday services. Ron Centers leads the technical ministry that supports worship and online broadcasts.
The church office is open during the week at (209) 957-8750, and the office email is office@stalc.org. Generosity makes ministry possible at St. Andrews, and gifts can be made online, mailed to the church, or placed in the offering during worship.