Have you ever felt unseen—like no one truly notices or understands what you’re going through? We are reminded that our God is the God who sees. From the very beginning, He has always been watching over His people with love and compassion.

In the garden of Eden, God sought out Adam and Eve even after their disobedience. Later, in Genesis 16, He saw Hagar, an Egyptian slave woman who had been cast out and forgotten by others. And in Matthew 9, Jesus looked upon the crowds and had compassion on them. He saw their struggles, their pain, and their need for a Savior.

Just as they were harassed by three great enemies—the devil, the world, and their own flesh—we, too, face these same challenges. Yet God does not turn a blind eye to our suffering. He notices, He cares, and He acts.

As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His heart by noticing those around us. Spiritual conversations often begin with simply paying attention. How can we do this?

– **Pay attention** to the people around you.
– **Pray silently** for those you encounter.
– **Listen genuinely** to their struggles and joys.

When we truly see others, we reflect the heart of our God—the God who sees, notices, and loves.

Listen to this week’s sermon to hear more about God’s compassion and how we can live out His love in our daily lives.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Tony Boos; Reader: Nic Schutte.

Order of service:

First Sunday in Lent, Mar 9, 2025

Readings:

Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Matthew 11:28-30
Psalm reading is from Psalm 91:1–13
Old Testament reading is from Genesis 16
New Testament reading is from Romans 10:8b–13
Holy Gospel is from Matthew 9:35–38

Songs and Hymns:

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Text: Liturgy of St. James, 5th century
Tune: French, 17th century
Public domain
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Text: Thomas O. Chisholm
Tune: William M. Runyan
Public domain
Partita on Hyfrydol
Roland H. Prichard, 1811-1887
Setting by Charles Callahan
Copyright 1986 by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220
Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray
Text: Johann Burkhard Freystein, 1671–1718; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Tune: Hundert . . . geistlicher Arien, 1694, Dresden, alt.
Text and tune: Public domain
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Stuart Townend, © 1995 Thankyou Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
Glory Be to Jesus
Text: Italian, c. 18th cent.; tr. Edward Caswall, 1814–78, alt.
Tune: Friedrich Filitz, 1804–76
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.

Recording:

Audio:
Video:
Watch on YouTube

Announcements:

Sunday, Mar 9:
Worship Service — Pastor Tony Boos: 9 AM to 10:15 AM
Sunday School and Youth Confirmation: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM

Sanctuary

Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM

Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, Mar 11:
Second Tuesday Women’s Bible Study: 6 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday, Mar 12:
Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
Community Group: 10 AM to 11:30 AM

St. James Fellowship Hall with Bob & Marilyn Whipkey.

Midweek Worship: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Thursday, Mar 13:
AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 15:
Women’s Bible Study: 9:30 AM to 11 AM
AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
Join the St. James Technology Team

Technology plays a vital role in supporting the ministry and mission of St. James. From live streaming our services to managing our website, maintaining our network, and ensuring our office technology runs smoothly, our church relies on various digital tools and systems to serve our congregation effectively.

While much of this technology operates seamlessly once set up, occasional updates, configurations, troubleshooting, and upgrades are necessary (because let’s face it, computers have minds of their own). That’s where our Technology Team comes in! We are looking for volunteers with a passion for technology who can help maintain and enhance our digital infrastructure (and occasionally turn things off and on again).

How You Can Help

Do you have experience setting up computers or printers? Have you ever successfully untangled a mess of cables without questioning your life choices? Are you comfortable configuring networks or managing cloud services? Maybe you’re skilled in web design, video production, or office applications like Microsoft Word and Excel? Whether you have extensive technical expertise or are simply eager to learn and contribute, there’s a place for you on our team!

Here are some key areas where we could use your help:

  • Network & Wi-Fi Management: Assist in maintaining network hardware, configuration, and security (bonus points if you can explain why turning it off and on works 99% of the time).
  • Computer & Software Maintenance: Support office computers, software, and peripherals (yes, including the printer that only works when it feels like it).
  • Cloud Services & Storage: Help manage Google Workspace, cloud storage, and backups (because even our church needs a backup plan).
  • Website Development & Maintenance: Assist with updating and designing our WordPress website (we promise it’s more fun than it sounds!).
  • Technical Consultation: Provide insight on purchases, installations, configurations, and long-term maintainability (or just tell us which gadgets are actually worth buying).

Join Us!

By volunteering with the Technology Team, you can use your skills to support the church and help spread God’s message in today’s digital world. Plus, you’ll earn eternal gratitude, the occasional coffee, and the knowledge that you’re the reason everything keeps running smoothly.

If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to our Deacon of Technology, Larry O’Leary, at larry@stjamesglencarbon.org.

We appreciate your willingness to serve and look forward to welcoming you to the team (we promise we’re more fun than your last IT helpdesk experience)!

Property Workdays – ALL HANDS ON DECK! – March 21 & 22

The Property Team has workdays planned to prepare the basement for carpet which will include painting, wall prep and carpet removal on Friday and Saturday, March 21 & 22. Please sign up in the narthex or contact Tim Schnicker at 618-670-0880 or tim@stjamesglencarbon.org to sign up.

Mark Your Calendar: 2025 Illinois Pro-Life March

Mark your Calendars to join the Life Team for the 2025 Illinois Pro-Life March in Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, March 25th! Please sign up in the narthex. Contact the church office with any questions.

  • Carpool leaves St. James promptly @ 9:00 AM
  • Matins at Trinity Lutheran Church @ 11:00 AM, Lunch Following (suggested $6 donation)
  • Rally @ 1:00 PM
  • March @ 2:00 PM
  • Return to St. James immediately following the march.
Thursday Night (Caseyville) Community Group

The Thursday Night (Caseyville) Community Group is looking to grow! We meet every other Thursday, for dinner and discussion, and would love to add some new faces to our group. If you’re interested, please call Cheryl at 618-531-2186 or email cheryl@stjamesglencarbon.org.

Undies Sundays

Please join the St. James’ Circle of Friends (LWML) in collecting underwear for area students who cannot afford them. Help us supply District 7 school nurses with socks, underpants, boxer shorts, undershirts and other underwear to supply students in need. Please bring undies in the original unopened packages Sundays in March and place them in the collection bin in the narthex. Thanks so much for your support.

College Care Packages

Attention all St. James members, if you are or have a college student in your family, please send their college address to Cheryl at the church office. 618-288-6120 or cheryl@stjamesglencarbon.org. Even if their address remains the same, please let us know!

Lent/Easter Worship Schedule
Date Time Event Pastor
March 126:30 PMMidweek WorshipPastor Bill Engfehr
March 196:30 PMMidweek WorshipPastor Bill Engfehr
March 236:30 PMMidweek WorshipPastor Bill Engfehr
March 266:30 PMMidweek WorshipPastor Bill Engfehr
April 26:30 PMMidweek WorshipPastor Bill Engfehr
April 96:30 PMFellowship Dinner in Fellowship Hall
April 176:30 PMHoly Thursday WorshipPastor Tony Boos
April 186:30 PMGood Friday WorshipPastor John Lukomski
April 209:00 AMEaster Sunday Worship

Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt following service.

Pastor Bill Engfehr

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