St James Lutheran Church: Sermons and Worship

In John 3, Jesus claims to be like the bronze snake Moses put up on a pole

for the people of Israel to look at and be healed, but how is this possible? What's

the connection? Jesus goes on to explain by connecting the realities of judgment and

grace together in himself - just like the serpent was simultaneously a sign of their

judgment (the snake attacks had been the result of Israel's rebellion), trusting

God's grace and looking at it was also their path to salvation.

The Snake and the Cross — Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 10, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fourth-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240310-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Psalm 40:1-3

Psalm 107:1–9

Numbers 21:4–9

Ephesians 2:1–10

John 3:14–21

Songs and Hymns:

- A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Text and tune by Martin Luther, public domain.

- His Mercy Is More: Tune and text by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa; © 2016 Getty Music

Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, and Messenger

Hymns; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- You Are My King: Billy J. Foote; © 1996 worshiptogether.com songs; Used with

permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Before the Throne of God Above: Text by Charitie Lees Bancroft; tune by Vikki

Cook; © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table: Text by Friedrich Christian Heyder, tran. The

Lutheran Hymnal, © 1941 Concordia Publishing House; used with permission, LSB Hymn

License #110001220; tune by Emskirchner Choral-Buch, 1756, public domain.

- When I Behold Jesus Christ: Text by Almaz Belhu (sts.1-3, ref.), Joseph Herl

(st.4), trans. Jim and Aurelia Keefer; tune by Almaz Belhu; text and tune, © 1970

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; text (st. 4), © 1998 Concordia Publishing

House; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer: Text: William Williams; tune: John Hughes; text

and tune are in the public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #snake #serpent #liftedup #Jesus #john316 #love #John3

The temptation for many is to view the Ten Commandments as an ethical

standard for living in a good society, God's rules for living a moral life, or (in

many Lutheran churches) an impossible standard meant to stir up the guilt that can

drive us to Jesus. And while all of these can be true to some extent, the Ten

Commandments are primarily a vision of God's own heart for his redeemed creation.

A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments — Midweek Lent Service, March 6, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-midweek-lent-service-3

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240306-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Psalm 19

Exodus 20:1–17

Songs and Hymns:

- Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted: Joseph Swain, Kevin Twit; © 2013 Twit, Kevin; Used

with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- Built on the Rock: Text: Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig, 1783–1872, abr.; tr.

Carl Döving, 1867–1937, alt.; Tune: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1812–87; Text and tune:

Public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #tencommandments #God #community #lifetogether

#evangelism #Exodus20

For the world, Paul says, the message of the crucified Messiah is foolish.

But the assumptions upon which the world’s wisdom is based - humanism, materialism,

informationalism, and meaninglessness - are unable to provide true purpose and

connection with ultimate reality. The crucifixion of God, though, while seeming

foolish, always shows itself to be powerful for salvation and restoration.

The Wisdom of the World and the Wisdom of God — Third Sunday in Lent, March 3, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-third-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240303-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

1 Corinthians 15:20, 54-57

Psalm 19

Exodus 20:1–17

1 Corinthians 1:18–31

John 2:13–22

Songs and Hymns:

- How Great Thou Art: Text by Carl Gustaf Boberg; tr. Stuart W. K. Hine; tune by

Swedish; arr. Stuart W. K. Hine, © 1949, 1953 The Stuart Hine Trust, admin. EMI CMG

and Hope Publishing Co; Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- What Is the World to Me: Text: George Michael Pfefferkorn, trns. August Crull;

tune: Ahasverus Fritsch; Text and tune are in the public domain.

- Lord I Need You: Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill,

Matt Maher; © 2011 sixsteps Music; © 2011 Sweater Weather Music; © 2011 Thankyou

Music; © 2011 Valley Of Songs Music; © 2011 worshiptogether.com songs; Used with

permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: Text by Isaac Watts; tune by Lowell Mason; text

and tune are public domain.

- Merciful God: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend; © 2006 Thankyou Music;

Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Just as I Am, without One Plea: Text by Charlotte Elliott; tune by William B.

Bradbury; text and tune are public domain.

- Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing: Text: Charles Wesley, tune: Carl G. Glaser;

text and tune: public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #wisdom #philosophy #cross #crucifixion #Jesus

#1Corinthians1

The command to rejoice in suffering seems impossible, but Paul says our

suffering is not a destination but a path toward the hope of the glory of God

revealed in those he loves. The guarantee of this future hope is the Holy Spirit

whom he's poured out on those in his son Jesus, but also the promise that if Jesus

went to such great lengths to die for us and initiate our salvation, he certainly

won't stop until he completes the good work he has begun in us.

How to Rejoice in Sufferings — Midweek Lent Service, February 28, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-midweek-lent-service-2

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240228-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Psalm 22:23–31

Romans 5:1–11

Songs and Hymns:

- God Loves Me Dearly: Text: August Rische; tune: German; text and tune are public

domain.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- What Wondrous Love Is This: Text is from A General Selection of Hymns and

Spiritual Songs, 1811; tune is from Southern Harmony, 1835; text and tune are public

domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #suffering #Jesus #holyspirit #love #Romans5

Like the man whose sight Jesus restored in two steps, Jesus' disciples come

to know him in multiple stages: first, they recognize him as the Messiah; second,

they accept that his mission is not in military or political victory but in

suffering; and third, they come to embrace their own fellowship with him on that

path of suffering to the cross.

The Stages of Coming to Know the Messiah — Second Sunday in Lent, February 25, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-second-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240225-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Matthew 11:28-30

Psalm 22:23–31

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16

Romans 5:1–11

Mark 8:27–38

Songs and Hymns:

- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty: Text by Joachim Neander, trns. Catherine

Winkworth; tune by Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, 1665; text and tune are

public domain.

- O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: Text: German version, Paul Gerhardt; tr. Bernard of

Clairvaux, © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, LSB Hymn License

no. 110001220; tune: Hans Leo Hassler, public domain.

- Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed: Text by Isaac Watts; tune by Hugh Wilson; text and

turn are in the public domain.

- Christ, the Life of All the Living: Text: Ernst Christoph Homburg, 1605–81; sts.

1–2, 5, 7: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.; sts. 3–4, 6: tr. Evangelical

Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1912, St. Louis; Tune: Das grosse Cantional, 1687, Darmstadt;

Text and tune: Public domain.

- Go to Dark Gethsemane: Text: James Montgomery, 1771–1854; Tune: Richard Redhead,

1820–1901; Text and tune: Public domain.

- Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow: Text by Thomas Ken; tune by Trente

Quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551; text and tune are in public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #messiah #suffering #cross #faith #Jesus #Mark8

After promising him a son who would inherit the covenant promise to rescue

the world, God commands Abraham to sacrifice him. And Abraham's willingness to do so

is not a testament to his great capacity to believe in God, but his confidence in

God's great capacity to keep his promise that Isaac was the chosen offspring.

The True Test of Your Faith — Midweek Lent Service, February 21, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-midweek-lent-service-1

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240221-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Psalm 25:1–10

Genesis 22:1–18

Songs and Hymns:

- The Lamb: Text and tune by Gerald P. Coleman; © 1987 and 1997 MorningStar Music

Publishers, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), ©

2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- Lamb of God: Text and tune by Twila Paris; © 1985 Jubilee Communications Inc.; ©

1985 Mountain Spring Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #Abraham #sacrifice #Isaac #Jesus #faith #Genesis22

Being tempted and giving in to sin is like being seduced, impregnated, and

eventually killed by the baby. But God, our heavenly Father, has brought us to birth

by the word of His gospel so that we can experience his good and perfect gift, the

first and best of his creation.

Fighting Temptation with the New Birth — First Sunday in Lent, February 18, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-first-sunday-in-lent

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240218-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Psalm 25:1–10

Genesis 22:1–18

James 1:12–18

Mark 1:9–15

Songs and Hymns:

- Great Is Thy Faithfulness: Text: Thomas O. Chisholm; tune: William M. Runyan; Text

and tune are public domain.

- Lord from Sorrows Deep I Call: Text and tune: Matt Papa and Matt Boswell; © 2018

Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- I Will Wait for You: Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matthew Merker, Stuart Townend;

© 2018 Getty Music Publishing; Jordan Kauflin Music; Matthew Merker Music; Townend

Songs; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted: Joseph Swain, Kevin Twit; © 2013 Twit, Kevin; Used

with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: Text and tune: Kathleen Thomerson, 1934; ©

1970, 1975 Celebration. Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence: Text: Liturgy of St. James, 5th century; tune:

French, 17th century; text and tune are in the public domain.

- Blessed Assurance: Text: Fanny J. Crosby, alt. Aaron Mueller; Tune: Phoebe P.

Knapp; Text and tune: Public domain.

- Go, My Children, with My Blessing: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008, © 1983

Concordia Publishing House; Tune: Welsh, 18th cent.; Used with permission: LSB Hymn

License #110001220.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #James1 #temptation #Jesus #newbirth

Paul's hardships are well known - he lived his life as an ambassador for

Christ as a walking dead man. But while some of his fellow Christians thought this

made him a failure, he insists in 2 Corinthians that his weakness and impending

death made him look like the crucified Jesus.

The Vulnerability and Power of Death — Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-ash-wednesday

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240214-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Psalm 51:1–13

Joel 2:12–19

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10

Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

Songs and Hymns:

- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: Text by Isaac Watts; tune by Lowell Mason; text

and tune are public domain.

- Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed: Text by Isaac Watts; tune by Hugh Wilson; text and

turn are in the public domain.

- The Power of the Cross: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005

Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

Liturgies:

- Offertory

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #AshWednesday #Paul #suffering #death #2Corinthians5

In some mythologies there are places that are “thin”: spots where the

divine is really close to the experienced word. Moderns Westerners, of course,

believe all places are “thick”: essentially closed off to the transcendent world.

But at the Transfiguration Jesus reveals that there are no thin or thick places -

wherever Jesus is is ultimate reality.

Thin and Thick Places — The Transfiguration of Our Lord, February 11, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-the-transfiguration-of-our-lord

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240211-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Isaiah 53:4-6

Psalm 50:1–6

2 Kings 2:1–12

2 Corinthians 3:12–18; 4:1–6

Mark 9:2–9

Songs and Hymns:

- O Bless the Lord, My Soul: Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748; tune: Aaron Williams,

1731-76; Text and tune are in the public domain.

- Jesus on the Mountain Peak: Text: Brian Wren, 1936; © 1977 Hope Publishing Co.;

Tune: Theodore A. Beck, 1929–2003, alt.; © 1998 Theodore A. Beck.; Used with

permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.

- There Is A Higher Throne: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty; © 2002 Thankyou Music; Used

with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Ancient of Days: Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson; ©

2018 CityAlight Music. Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740.

- Before the Throne of God Above: Text by Charitie Lees Bancroft; tune by Vikki

Cook; © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- My Song Is Love Unknown: Text: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624–1683; Public domain. Tune:

John N. Ireland, 1879–1962, © John Ireland Trust; Used with permission: LSB Hymn

License #110001220.

- Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow: Text by Thomas Ken; tune by Trente

Quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551; text and tune are in public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Epiphany #thinplaces #Jesus #transfiguration #Mark9

Paul believes that in Christ he has been made free from all human control,

but instead of exercising that right to serve himself he gives that freedom away in

order to preach the gospel free of charge. This call to living in Christian freedom

for the sake of serving the other is at the heart of Christian community -

non-consumerist relationships that live for the other, trusting in the love of the

other, and fundamentally living in the self-giving love of God in Christ.

The Self-Giving Freedom of the Christian — Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February

4, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240204-order-of-service.pdf

Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give

Isaiah 44:21-23

Psalm 147:1–11

Isaiah 40:21–31

1 Corinthians 9:16–27

Mark 1:29–39

Songs and Hymns:

- Christ Our Hope In Life And Death: Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt

Papa, Matthew Merker; © 2020 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing,

Jordan Kauflin Music, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Matthew Merker Music, Messenger

Hymns; Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- What Wondrous Love Is This: Text is from A General Selection of Hymns and

Spiritual Songs, 1811; tune is from Southern Harmony, 1835; text and tune are public

domain.

- The Compassion Hymn: Text and tune by Stuart Townend, Kristyn Getty, Keith Getty;

© 2008 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.

- Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me: Text by Augustus M. Toplady; tune by Thomas Hastings;

text and tune are in the public domain.

- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: Text and tune: Kathleen Thomerson, 1934; ©

1970, 1975 Celebration. Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Oh, How Good It Is: Text and tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes,

Stuart Townend; © 2012 Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing: Text: John Fawcett; Tune: Henry T. Smart;

Text and tune: Public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Epiphany #freedom #service #community #Jesus #1Corinthians9