Even the most faithful Christians doubt God sometimes – but God can use those doubts to drive us to himself, to the reality of his power and love, and to the salvation that God is working out in our world through the power of his own death and resurrection.
Readings and sermon were delivered by Pastor Aaron Mueller.
Order of service:
Readings:
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 85
- Old Testament reading is from Zephaniah 3:14–20
- Epistle reading is from Philippians 4:4–7
- Holy Gospel is from Luke 7:18–28
Hymns:
- The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
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Text and tune: Basque, 18th century
Public domain - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
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Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope Publishing Co.
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740
Tune by The Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
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Text: Charles Wesley
Tune: Rowland H. Pritchard
Public domain - God Loves Me Dearly
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Text: August Rische
Tune: German
Public domain - Be Unto Your Name
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Text and tune by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo
© 1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740 - See amid the Winter’s Snow
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Text: Edward Caswall
Tune: John Goss
Public domain - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
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Text by William Williams
Tune by John Hughes
Public domain
Recording:
- Audio:
- Video:
- Watch on YouTube
Announcements:
- Sunday, Dec 12:
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- Bible Study: 9:15 AM
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Adults meet in the Sanctuary. Children meet downstairs.
- Congregational Meeting: 11:30 AM
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We will have a congregational meeting . Those who wish to attend in person can meet in the Sanctuary at that time. We will also broadcast online for those who are unable to attend in person. We will address the following:
- 2022 Budget–drafts may be found in the narthex or may be requested from the church office.
- 2022 Elders and Deacons
- Sunday Evening Prayer: 5:30 PM
- Tuesday, Dec 14:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Youth Group: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
- Wednesday, Dec 15:
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- Advent Worship Service: 7 PM
- No Zoom Bible Study
- Saturday, Dec 18:
- Sunday, Dec 19:
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- Christmas Caroling: 3 PM
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St. James Music and Life Ministries are sponsoring Christmas Caroling on December 19th. Meet at the church. We will be going to Meridian Village and also a few houses.
We have a small gift package for each of the members we will be visiting. If you would like to help assemble the gift packages, please arrive at 2:30. All ages encouraged to attend! Contact: Pam Meister 618-799-9348.
- Children’s Christmas Presentation
- The preschool thru 4th Grade will be dressing in nativity costumes and singing “Away in a Manager” on December 19 at the 10:30 AM service. Children should meet downstairs at 10:15 AM to put on costumes before the service.
- Christmas Family Breakfast
- St. James Fellowship Team will be hosting a family breakfast downstairs in fellowship hall on December 19th after the early worship service to 10:15 AM. Everyone is invited to join us for a wonderful breakfast and fellowship opportunity.
- 2022 Giving Envelopes Are Ready
- Giving envelopes are ready for pick up in the narthex. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact Cheryl in the church office.
- Madison County Children’s Ministry Update
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We received 3 grants this year from Thrivent:
- $250 Coats
- $250 Hoodies
- $250 Foster Teen program
In the last few weeks we delivered warm items to area schools in need:
- 15 hoodies to Grigsby Intermediate School in Granite City along with 15 sets of hats and gloves.
- 8 coats to the Hamel Elementary along with 20 sets of hats and gloves.
- 8 coats to the Midway Elementary along with 20 sets of hats and gloves.
- 8 coats to the Worden Intermediate School along with 20 sets of hats and gloves.
These schools were overjoyed with the gifts of coats, hats and gloves!
- CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
- Madison County Children’s Mission is supporting several area schools children for Christmas: Granite City, Glen Carbon, and Collinsville. There are 133 opportunities to give with 33 wishes already fulfilled. The deadline is Dec. 15th. Participants can order on Amazon and have them delivered to church or buy, wrap and deliver to church by Dec. 15th. We plan to have a wrapping party at church on December 16th to sort, wrap, and label and box up gifts to have them ready to deliver on Dec. 20th. Please contact the church office to sign up for the wrapping party. To select a gift to donate, please visit St. James Lutheran Church Madison County Children’s Ministry SignUpGenius or contact the church office.