There are three pairs in Luke 6:17-26. There on the "level place" there are two groups – a crowd of disciples and a multitude of people. They are there on the "level place" for two reason – to hear Jesus and be healed. But whatever their motive for being there Luke reminds us he "healed them all."
God is a god of mercy who cannot but help those who come to him in need whether they deserve it or not. However, there is a word of warning and promise that he speaks to both disciples and people, both those who come to hear and those who come to be healed. Woe to those who have nothing but worldly riches, for that's all the condolence they'll ever have. For the one who is full there is ultimately hunger, for the one who laughs there is ultimately weeping. Again this is true of all. However, for those who know this truth, that we are "beggarly poor" (the actual meaning of poor in the text) there are blessings. Our hunger will be replaced with satisfaction. Our weeping will be replaced with laughter. All of this comes to us as a gift from Jesus.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich—2 Corinthians 8:9.
Liturgist: Pastor Jonathan Lange; Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: William Ellington.
Order of service:
Readings:
- Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Romans 8:35-39
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 1
- Old Testament reading is from Jeremiah 17:5–8
- New Testament reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:1–20
- Holy Gospel is from Luke 6:17–26
Songs and Hymns:
- Christ Our Hope In Life And Death
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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 - Amazing Grace
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Text and Tune: John Newton; Louie Giglio; Chris Tomlin
© 2006 Worship Together Music, Vamos Publishing, Rising Springs Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740. - Blessed Are the Humble
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Graham Kendrick
© 2001 Make Way Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - I Will Wait for You
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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 - What Wondrous Love Is This
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Text is from A General Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1811
Tune is from Southern Harmony, 1835
Public domain - I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table
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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 - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
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Text: William Williams
Tune: John Hughes
Public domain
Liturgies:
- Gloria in Excelsis
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Sanctus
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Agnus Dei
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
Recording:
- Audio:
- Video:
- Watch on YouTube
Announcements:
- Sunday, Feb 23:
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- Worship Service (Pastor John Lukomski): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
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In the Sanctuary.
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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In Fellowship Hall..
- Youth Confirmation: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
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During Sunday School
- Campus Planning Team: Campus Tours: 1 PM to 2 PM
- Wednesday, Feb 26:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Jr & Sr High Youth Group @ The Staake's Home: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
- Thursday, Feb 27:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
- Saturday, Mar 1:
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- Circle of Friends (LWML): 10 AM to 11:30 AM
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Please join us this Saturday when Tina Barnard along with guest speaker, Wenifer Greer (District 7), will present the kick off for “Undies Sundays,” a collection of underwear for students in need.
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Altar Guild – Ministry Spotlight
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The Altar Guild’s work goes beyond just making the church look beautiful—it’s a vital part of making sure everything runs smoothly during our worship services. Questions about Altar Guild? Reach out to Nic Schatte at nic@saintjamesglencarbon.org to learn more!
- Episode 111 of Craving Answers Craving God
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Our newest release of Craving Answers Craving God focuses on a controversial subject. What does the Bible have to say about homosexuality? How does a Christian engage this issue in a way that honors God while showing love for one’s neighbor? It’s a sensitive and important topic on our latest episode of Craving Answers Craving God.
- Property Team Update
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- The lower-level carpet has been ordered, and soon there will be opportunities to help with demo and painting.
- The final review for phase one of the new sanctuary lighting is complete, and the order has been placed. The installation plan is in progress.
- Mark your calendars for the week of March 24 for an opportunity to lend a hand with spring cleanup.
- Plans are in place to refresh the upstairs bathrooms by painting and renewing the exhaust fans.
- Looking ahead to late spring or early summer, some concrete repairs will be made around the building, and the parking lot will be resealed and repainted.
- Campus Planning Team Update
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We are gathering information from the campus planning survey, our Elders and Deacons, and touring area churches as we discern facility needs to successfully complete the St. James Ministry Plan.
- The Thursday Night (Caseyville) Community Group
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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.
- Second Tuesday Women’s Bible Study
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Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11th from 6-8pm in the fellowship hall. We will be covering session 4 of “Whatever – Keeping Your Heart in Tune With Whatever Life Brings”. If you’d like, please bring your favorite sweet or savory dip to share. Text Shala Baker with any questions at 618-315-0788.
- 2025 Illinois Pro-Life March
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Mark your Calendars to join the Life Team for the 2025 Illinois Pro-Life March in Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, March 25th! Watch for more details to come.
- College Care Packages
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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, for Spring College Care Packages!
- Meet our guest Pastor: Pastor John Lukomski
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Pastor John Lukomski was born in Independence, MO Feb. 18, 1953. He graduated from Concordia College in St. Paul, MN in 1974. He received his Ministry of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary at Springfield, IL and Ft. Wayne, IN. He received his Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
He served as pastor for 40 years at Trinity Lutheran in Darmstadt, IL and St. Paul Lutheran in New Athens, IL. He retired from that call May 2019. He was an active member of the local theater group: Open House Theater. He has served in various positions in the Southern Illinois District including Board of Congregational Services, Circuit Visitor, 1st Vice-president and a 7-year term as Mission Board Chairman.
You can hear him on your favorite podcast app or live on KFUO radio Saturday morning on “Wrestling with the Basics” with co-host Rev. Matt Clark, “Moments on the Lighter Side”, as well as a regular guest on “Thy Strong Word.” He is also known to show up as a variety of characters (Martin Luther, St. Peter, even a donkey named Max) both on KFUO and in area congregations.
He is married to Lynn Lukomski, retired principal at Immanuel Lutheran School, Okawville. She and John were married on June 30, 2002. Between them they have 8 children and 11 grandchildren.
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