St James Lutheran Church: Sermons and Worship

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

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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

The commonly held view in the West that freedom and knowledge are the most

important values leads to the running over of church members who disagree about

issues not commanded or forbidden by God, but for Paul, the goal of the Christian

life is not head knowledge or personal freedom, but love of God and love of our

brothers and sisters.

Loving the Weak — Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, January 28, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fourth-sunday-after-the-epiphany

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240128-order-of-service.pdf

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

Psalm 86:3-5

Psalm 111

Deuteronomy 18:15–20

1 Corinthians 8

Mark 1:21–28

Songs and Hymns:

- 10,000 Reasons: Text and tune by Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman, © sixsteps Music;

© Said & Done; © 2011 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI license #

20286740.

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

- You Are The One: Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche; © 2002 Integrity's Hosanna!

Music; Integrity's Praise! Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing: Text: Latin, c. 5th–10th cent.; tr. Robert

Campbell, 1814–68, alt. Tune: Kirchengeseng, 1566, Ivancice. Text and tune: Public

domain.

- Alleluia! Sing to Jesus: Text by William C. Dix; tune by Rowland H. Prichard; text

and tune are in the public domain.

- Be Unto Your Name: Text and tune by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo; © 1998

Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope

Publishing Co.; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by The

Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Epiphany #eatingmeat #love #knowledge #Jesus

What does the word Gospel mean? This question is connected to the related

question, "Why did Jesus live?" Many Christians think they know why Jesus died, but

have a hard time understanding the importance of all Jesus' actions and teachings

between his birth and holy week. But without the reality that, in Jesus, God has

begun his rule and reign over all creation, his death and resurrection make no true

sense biblically.

The Victory of God — Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 21, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-third-sunday-after-the-epiphany

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240121-order-of-service.pdf

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

Psalm 40:1-3

Psalm 62

Isaiah 52:7—53:12

1 Corinthians 7:29–35

Mark 1:14–20

Songs and Hymns:

- Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise: Text by W. Chalmers Smith; tune is Welsh; text

and tune are in the public domain.

- In Christ Alone: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2001 Thankyou

Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Brightest and Best: Words and Music: Reginald Heber, public domain; Arrangement:

Keith Getty, Ben Shive, Fionan de Barra; Choir Arrangement: Samuel Wilson; © 2021

Getty Music Publishing; © 2021 Fionán de Barra; © 2021 Getty Music Hymns and Songs;

© 2021 Junkbox 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.

- 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.

- Jesus Paid It All: Text by Elvina M. Hall; tune by John T. Grape; text and tune

are in the public domain.

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

and tune are in the public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Epiphany #Jesus #kingdom #victory #God #Mark1

In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul argues against the misguided notion that Christians

can do what they want with their bodies since they have the Holy Spirit. This error,

Paul says, misunderstands the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus: since Jesus'

body rose from the dead God means our bodies to rise from the dead too; any attempts

to achieve a resurrection-like experience outside of the Gospel then are inherently

idolatrous. But in Jesus we have finally been freed to know the deepest pleasure and

satisfaction of infinite intimacy with the Trinity. Sex then becomes a way not to be

enslaved but to experience the Gospel with our spouse.

The Gospel and Sex — Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 14, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-second-sunday-after-the-epiphany

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240114-order-of-service.pdf

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

1 Corinthians 15:20, 54-57

Psalm 139:1–10

1 Samuel 3:1–20

1 Corinthians 6:12–20

John 1:43–51

Songs and Hymns:

- Holy, Holy, Holy: Text by Reginald Heber; tune by John B. Dykes; text and tune are

public domain.

- Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed: Text and tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty,

and Ed Cash; © 2012 Alletrop Music | © 2012 Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI

license # 20286740.

- Spirit Song: John Wimber, © 1979 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing; Used with

permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed: Text by Genevieve M. Irons; tune by

Joseph Barnby; text and tune are public domain.

- Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia: Text by Bernard Kyamanyway, (trns.) Howard S. Olson;

tune by Tanzanian, © 1977 Howard S. Olson; used with permission, LSB Hymn License

#110001220.

- There Is a Redeemer: Melody Green; © 1982 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson

Publishing; © 1982 Birdwing Music, © 1982 Ears To Hear; Used with permission: CCLI

license #20286740.

- Sent Forth by God’s Blessing: Text: Omer E. Westendorf, © 1964 World Library

Publications, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740; tune: Welsh, public

domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Epiphany #Jesus #resurrection #body #sex #temple #HolySpirit

Christians have been united to Jesus so that his death to sin means that we

have died to sin, and his resurrection means that Christians have been given the

power of a new, free life. This happens through our baptism, in which the word of

God is mixed with normal water to create faith in us and bind us to Jesus and all

his benefits.

Union with Christ through Christian Baptism — The Baptism of Jesus, January 7, 2024:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-the-baptism-of-jesus

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240107-order-of-service.pdf

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

Romans 8:35-39

Psalm 29

Genesis 1:1–5

Romans 6:1–11

Mark 1:4–11

Songs and Hymns:

- O Church, Arise: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou

Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.

- God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It: Text by Erdmann Neumeister, trans. Robert E.

Voelker, public domain; tune by Johann Caspar Bachofen, © 1991 Robert E. Voelker,

used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- You Called Me By Name: Don Harris, Martin Nystrom; © 1996 Integrity's Hosanna!

Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

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

Knapp; Text and tune: Public domain.

- 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.

- I Need Thee Every Hour: Text: Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry; tune: Robert Lowry;

text and tune are in the 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 #Epiphany #Romans6 #baptism #unionwithchrist #death #resurrection

#Jesus

Holding the baby Jesus, Simeon rejoices at seeing God's salvation in human

form, but he also sees the pain that the coming of the Messiah's kingdom will cause.

This mixture of glory and pain has always been a hallmark of the reign of Jesus -

God's people will have their hearts pierced with a sword as the old order passes

away, but they will also experience the glory and light of the new creation order as

Christ transforms his world into righteousness.

Nunc Dimittis — First Sunday after Christmas, December 31, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-first-sunday-after-christmas

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20231231-order-of-service.pdf

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

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Psalm 111

Isaiah 61:10—62:3

Galatians 4:4–7

Luke 2:22–40

Songs and Hymns:

- O Sing of Christ: Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955; © 1996 Stephen P. Starke, admin.

Concordia Publishing House; Tune: adapt. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872–1958; English;

Public domain; Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune:

Public domain

- Prince Of Heaven: Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood; © 2017 Hillsong Music

Publishing Australia; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

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

domain.

- Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming: Text (sts. 1–2): tr. Theodore Baker, 1851–1934,

alt.; (sts. 1–2, 4): German, 16th cent.; (st. 3): Friedrich L. C. Layriz, 1808–59;

(st. 3): tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth, 1845–1925; (st. 4): tr. John C. Mattes,

1876–1948. Tune: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, 1599, Köln. Text and

tune: Public domain.

- See amid the Winter’s Snow: Text: Edward Caswall; Tune: John Goss; Tune and text:

Public domain.

Liturgies:

- Kyrie: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda; Music: Columbian Harmony; Text and music: © 1990

Concordia Publishing House; Used with permission: One License #728607-A.

- Gloria: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License #728607-A; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, public domain.

- Credo: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: Welsh, pubic domain.

- Sanctus: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: John B. Dykes, public domain.

- Agnus Dei: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, CCLI license #20286740; tune: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872, public domain.

- Nunc Dimittis

By using the themes of the Word, the Light, the Children, and the God who

dwells with his human creatures, St. John demonstrates that he believes the

incarnation of the God-man, Jesus, God is finally renewing his creation, especially

for those who receive Jesus in faith.

The Creation and the New Creation — Christmas Day, December 25, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-christmas-day

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20231225-order-of-service.pdf

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

Isaiah 44:21-23

Psalm 2

Isaiah 52:7–10

Hebrews 1:1–12

John 1:1–14

Songs and Hymns:

- Angels from the Realms of Glory: Text: James Montgomery. Tune: Henry T. Smart.

Text and tune: Public domain.

- Once in Royal David’s City: Text: Cecil F. Alexander; Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett;

Text and tune: Public domain.

- Fullness Of Grace: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend; © 2004 Thankyou

Music, used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- Infant Holy, Infant Lowly: Text: Polish, tr. Edith M.G. Reed; Tune: Polish; Text

and tune: Public domain.

- What Child Is This: Text: by William C. Dix. Tune: English, 16th century. Text and

tune: Public domain.

- Gentle Mary Laid Her Child: Text: Joseph Simpson Cook. Tune: Piae Cantiones

Ecclesiasticae, 1582. Text and tune: Public domain.

- Go Tell It on the Mountain: Text: African American spiritual, ref. John W. Work

II, 1873-1925, sts. alt. Tune: African American spiritual; setting: Hugh Porter,

1897-1960. Text and tune: Public domain.

Liturgies:

- Kyrie: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda; Music: Columbian Harmony; Text and music: © 1990

Concordia Publishing House; Used with permission: One License #728607-A.

- Gloria: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License #728607-A; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, public domain.

- Credo: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: Welsh, pubic domain.

- Sanctus: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: John B. Dykes, public domain.

- Agnus Dei: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, CCLI license #20286740; tune: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872, public domain.

The quest for political power has burdened the shoulder of the world's

peoples since Adam and Eve fell in the Garden, but when Jesus comes he promises to

take upon his own omnipotent shoulder the crushing burden of the world's government,

and while he is crushed by this weight he rises with it to become the Lord and King

of the universe.

The Government Upon His Shoulder — Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-christmas-eve

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20231224-2-order-of-service.pdf

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

John 1:1–14

Isaiah 9:2–7

Titus 2:11–14

Luke 2:1–14

Songs and Hymns:

- O Come, All Ye Faithful: Text and tune: John F. Wade; Public domain.

- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Text: Charles Wesley; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn; Text

and tune: Public domain.

- Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising: Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.;

Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; © 1941 Concordia Publishing House; Tune: German, 14th cent.,

public domain; Text: Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

- Angels We Have Heard on High: Text: The Crown of Jesus, 1862; Tune: French; Text

and tune: Public domain.

- It Came upon the Midnight Clear: Text: Edmund H. Sears; Tune: Richard S. Willis;

Text and tune: Public domain.

- Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune:

Public domain

- Silent Night, Holy Night: Text: Franz Gruber; Tune: Franz Joseph Mohr; Text and

tune: Public domain.

You cannot truly understand humans without understanding who God is, and

you cannot understand who God is without understanding that he became a human in

Jesus. But when the Incarnation is grasped humanity is restored to its rightful,

honorable place as the apex of creation, the image of God. And when the Incarnation

is grasped God himself can be understood since he has accommodated himself to us by

becoming human for our salvation.

Man and God — Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 24, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-fourth-sunday-in-advent

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20231224-order-of-service.pdf

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

Psalm 86:3-5

Psalm 89:1–5

2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

Romans 16:25–27

Luke 1:26–38

Songs and Hymns:

- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Text: Latin c. 12th cent; tr.John Mason Neale; Tune:

French, 15th cent; Tune and text: Public domain.

- The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came: Text and tune: Basque, 18th century, public

domain.

- Immanuel: Michael Card, Tom Fettke; © 1986 Birdwing Music; © 1986 Mole End Music;

Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

- In Christ Alone: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2001 Thankyou

Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.

- Of the Father’s Love Begotten: Text: Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, 348-c. 413, tr.

John Mason Neale, 1818-66, sts. 1-4; tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821-77, st. 5. Tune:

Plainsong, 13th cent., mode V. Text and tune: Public domain.

- What Child Is This: Text: by William C. Dix. Tune: English, 16th century. Text and

tune: Public domain.

- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Text: Charles Wesley; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn; Text

and tune: Public domain.

Liturgies:

- Kyrie: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda; Music: Columbian Harmony; Text and music: © 1990

Concordia Publishing House; Used with permission: One License #728607-A.

- Gloria: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License #728607-A; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, public domain.

- Credo: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: Welsh, pubic domain.

- Sanctus: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, One License 728607-A; tune: John B. Dykes, public domain.

- Agnus Dei: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with

permission, CCLI license #20286740; tune: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872, public domain.

In between Jesus' first and second comings it is frequently difficult to

see what the good God is up to, but through faith in the power of his gospel we are

called by God to always be joyful, always be praying, and always be thankful to him

for the sanctification he's destined us for.

The Christian Constant — Midweek Advent Service, December 20, 2023:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023-midweek-advent-service-03

Order of service:

https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20231220-order-of-service.pdf

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

Psalm 126

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

John 1:6–8, 19–28

Songs and Hymns:

- Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty: Text: Benjamin Schmolck, 1672–1737; tr. Catherine

Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.; Tune: Joachim Neander, 1650–80; Text and tune: Public

domain.

- Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming: Text (sts. 1–2): tr. Theodore Baker, 1851–1934,

alt.; (sts. 1–2, 4): German, 16th cent.; (st. 3): Friedrich L. C. Layriz, 1808–59;

(st. 3): tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth, 1845–1925; (st. 4): tr. John C. Mattes,

1876–1948. Tune: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, 1599, Köln. Text and

tune: Public domain.

- An Irish Christmas Blessing: Keith Getty, Kristyn Lennox Getty, © 2004 Thankyou

Music; 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.

- The Advent of Our King: Text: Charles Coffin, 1676–1749; tr. John Chandler,

1806–76, alt.; Tune: Aaron Williams, 1731–76; Text and tune: Public domain.