Psalm 103 says God forgives iniquities and heals diseases. Jesus did both of these. But the Psalm also goes on to say that God does this for those who keep His covenant and commandments. In our lesson for today from Luke chapter six, Jesus shows how forgiveness and healing lead to three great commandments: Loving our enemies, The Golden Rule, And Judging for Forgiving.
Loving Our Enemies: No other religion teaches this commandment. Christians do not believe in pacifism or payback. They believe in justice. But we apply justice with mercy.
Golden Rule: How much justice? How much mercy? The golden rule for applying justice with mercy is to ask, "Would this be the way I would want to be treated?"
Judgment for Forgiveness: People love to stop short of Jesus when He says, "Judge not!" But as the verse goes on Jesus says He wants us to forgive. If we are to forgive we have to call out sin. But we call out sin in others by first calling it out in ourselves.
Conclusion: This way of living by love calls for some sacrifices. We won't be doormats, but the process of love does mean getting stepped on. Jesus has one more remedy for this: "Give and it will be given to you." Every ounce of sacrificial love which you show, will be rewarded. You won't lose anything in the long run.
Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Jonathan Lange; Reader: William Ellington.
Order of service:
Readings:
- Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Isaiah 53:4-6
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 103:1–13
- Old Testament reading is from Genesis 45:1-15
- New Testament reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 32-42
- Holy Gospel is from Luke 6:27-38
Songs and Hymns:
- His Mercy Is More
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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 - I Know My Faith Is Founded
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Text: Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Concentus novi, 1540, Augsburg
Text and tune: Public domain - Press On
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Ben Shive, Kristyn Getty
© 2022 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Junkbox Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - I Need Thee Every Hour
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Text: Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry
Tune: Robert Lowry
Public domain - Just as I Am, without One Plea
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Text by Charlotte Elliott
Tune by William B. Bradbury
Public domain - Jesus Paid It All
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Text by Elvina M. Hall
Tune by John T. Grape
Public domain - Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
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Text: John Fawcett
Tune: Henry T. Smart
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 16:
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- Worship Service (Pastor Jonathan Lange): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
- Youth Confirmation: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
- Monday, Feb 17:
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- Elders Meeting: 6 PM
- Wednesday, Feb 19:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
- Community Group: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- Jr & Sr High Youth Group @ The Staake's Home: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
- Thursday, Feb 20:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
- Saturday, Feb 22:
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- Women’s Bible Study: 9:30 AM to 11 AM
- 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.
- Call Committee Update
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The call committee has been reviewing pastoral candidates and will be conducting interviews this month. When we have names to present to the congregation, we will schedule a congregational call meeting and provide the congregation with more information. Please continue to pray for our church, the committee, and the pastor God has in mind for St. James.
- Glen-Ed Pantry Needs and News
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February is Healthy Eating Month at Glen-Ed Pantry. Did you know that client families choose their own foods, and the Pantry encourages healthy shopping choices? Help the pantry stock their shelves with healthy options by donating foods such as whole grain pasta, fruit packed in 100% juice, low sodium vegetables, soups and sauces as well as items that are fat-free and sugar free. Donation idea: Consider using your reward points from the grocery store to purchase pantry donations.
Questions about Glen-Ed Pantry? Call Tina Barnard – 618-406-1932.
- Meet Rev. Dale Skeesick
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We are excited to welcome Rev. Dale Skeesick to our St. James family!
Rev. Skeesick will be serving in our homebound and hospital ministry. Rev. Skeesick was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating from Concordia College St. Paul in 1975, he received his first teaching call to Christ Lutheran School, Jacob, Illinois where he served 5 years. He then received a call to serve as teacher at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Collinsville in 1982. After serving there 6 years he entered Concordia Seminary in August 1986. On Father’s Day, June 21, 1992, Rev Skeesick was ordained into the Pastoral Ministry and became a pastor in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
He has served churches in Worden, Illinois and Prairietown, Illinois. He also served for a time as a Development Director at Lutheran Hour Ministries in St. Louis.
Since retiring in August 2018, he has served Trinity Lutheran, Edwardsville and Holy Cross Collinsville. His primary duties were the visitation of the homebound and shut-ins. In February he will again be serving the elderly of Holy Cross as well as visitations for St. James. To contact Rev. Skeesick please call him at 618-792-2685 or via email at daleskeesick@stjamesglencarbon.org.
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