For over three years, Shirley has been growing physically stronger and healthier with my help. Now you have the opportunity to grow spiritually stronger as you enjoy "His Eye is on the Sparrow," her first devotional. Nicholas Galuardi-Exercise Physiologist, Saratoga Health and Wellness Center. Saratoga Springs, NY. Shirley Andrews has brought forth the greatness of our God through the visualization of nature; through the lives and behaviors of some of God’s most colorful creatures, birds! Shirley brings together her words of wisdom and the power of her prayers as she shares with each new description. As I read the book, I gained a totally new insight into how our God, the Creator of all things, yearns for us to be close to Him. Through the Scripture and the photos we see clearly the loving beauty of God’s creation. I recommend this devotional for people who are looking for the gentleness, sweetness and loving kindness that comes to us through Shirley’s ability to show us the greatness that comes from small things. I encourage each of you to take this devotional each day and see how God will reveal Himself to you and how we along with Shirley journey with her in her relationship with God. This book brings forth the greatness of God on each page! ENJOY! Rev. Patti Molik Elder, Upper New York Annual Conference United Methodist Church Shirley’s wonderful compilation of prayer, Scripture, photography, and devotional reflections, contained in "His Eye Is On the Sparrow," provided me with a greater respect of the interdependence between humanity and creation and the way in which God’s presence sustains and maintains the fragile balance between the two. This inspiring devotional highlights insightful lessons to each of us through the life of various birds God has gifted to the world. I know I will look at birds differently from now on. Rev. Penny Brink Elder, Upper New York Annual Conference United Methodist Church "Shirley turns our attention to the loving presence of God all around us and encourages us to step out in faith to receive the grace God is waiting to share with us." Rev. David Martin Elder, Upper New York Annual Conference Hope United Methodist Church, Troy, NY
Shirley is a graduate of Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and has a masters degree from Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY. She taught elementary public school music for 31 years. Most of those years were in the Scotia-Glenville School District. She also taught music education classes at Schenectady County Community College. Shirley loved her career in teaching. After retiring she enjoyed leading the Wesley Choir in hymn sings at the Embury Apartments and the Wesley Health Care Facility, both part of the Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs, NY. She has two children and two grandchildren.
After retirement and the death of her husband, Shirley pursued a second career as a Certified Lay Minister in the Adirondack District of the United Methodist Church (UMC). She has held leadership positions at Porter Corners UMC, Ballston Spa UMC, and has led worship at Woodlawn Commons Enriched Living in the Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs. Her passions include writing worship songs, leading worship, small group bible studies and prayer meetings. She is a certified healing prayer minister. She has recently added a new passion for inspirational writing. The Sparrow books are her first devotionals.
