Introduction: Jesus' preaching excited many and motivated them to believe. But others rejected His preaching and especially His call to repentance and forgiveness.

His Custom: Before we get to the main message, we pause for a moment and notice this important custom of Jesus – He worshipped every Sabbath. Listening to God's word with God's people and responding together with our prayers is one of the most basic aspects of the Christian life.

He Was Handed the Book: The Hebrew prophets promised that the Messiah would heal both souls and bodies from the destruction of sin. Jesus knew the people of Nazareth already knew much about His preaching and healing ministry. But would they believe it? Will we believe it or try to throw Him off the hill?

Joseph's Son?: The people of Nazareth believed the humanity of Jesus but not the divinity. The problem is still the same today. People love the human Jesus who stooped low to be with us. But they don't always love the divine Jesus who wants to save us from our sins.

Faith in Sidon, Syria, and Glen Carbon: Jesus always refused to perform miracles for those who didn't believe. We don't need miracles to create faith. God gives miracles to confirm faith. Faith is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing us to repentance and forgiveness in Jesus. This messages reaches out far and wide and draws in some surprising people. We count ourselves blessed to be one of them.

Conclusion: The rejection of the Gospel is an old problem that causes us great sadness as it did our Lord. While there will always be people who reject Jesus, we never lose hope in the power of the Gospel to save souls all the way to the ends of the earth.

Readings: Pastor Jonathan Lange. Sermon: Pastor Michael Walther.

Order of service:

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan 26, 2025

Readings:

Psalm reading is from Psalm 19:7-14
First reading is from Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10
Epistle reading is from 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a
Holy Gospel is from Luke 4:16–30

Songs and Hymns:

How Great Thou Art
Text by Carl Gustaf Boberg, tr. Stuart W. K. Hine
Tune by Swedish, arr. Stuart W. K. Hine
© 1949, 1953 The Stuart Hine Trust, admin. EMI CMG and Hope Publishing Co
Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Text: Robert Robinson, 1735–90, alt.
Tune: Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813, Harrisburg.
Text and tune: Public domain.
Lift High The Name Of Jesus
Ed Cash, Fionán De Barra, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty
© 2013 Capitol CMG Paragon; © 2013 De Barra, Fionan; © 2013 Getty Music Publishing
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
Before the Throne of God Above
Text by Charitie Lees Bancroft
Tune by Vikki Cook
© 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740
Just as I Am, without One Plea
Text by Charlotte Elliott
Tune by William B. Bradbury
Public domain
In Christ Alone
Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740
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.

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, Jan 26:
Worship Service: 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

During Sunday School

Wednesday, Jan 29:
Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
Youth Group @ The Staake's Home: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Saturday, Feb 1:
No Women’s Bible Study
Circle of Friends – LWML Bible Study (Mite Collection): 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Sunday, Feb 2:
Open House at Metro East Lutheran High School: 1 PM to 3 PM

You’re Invited! Please come to Metro East Lutheran High School for our Open House on Sunday, February 2nd from 1pm-3pm. Come tour our school, meet our faculty, and find out why MELHS is a wonderful place to be!

Tuesday, Feb 11:
Second Tuesday Women’s Bible Study: 6 PM to 8 PM

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 11th from 6-8pm in Fellowship Hall. We will be covering session 3 of Whatever – Keeping Your Heart in Tune With Whatever Life Brings. Join us in celebrating our friendships and enjoy some sweets and good conversation. Text Shala Baker with any questions at 618-315-0788.

St. James Life Ministry – Life Month

January is Life Month! To celebrate we will have cake after worship in Fellowship Hall! Also note that the Babie Bottle Campaign is underway! Bottles are available in the narthex and should be returned by February 16th.

2025 Member Giving Envelopes

Member Giving Envelopes for 2025 are available on the credenza in the narthex.

2024 Member Giving Statements

2024 Member giving statements will be sent the last week of January via email to the email address on record. These are generated from our church reporting system and may go to your “junk/spam” folder. Please check these folders if you don’t see it by end of January. If you don’t receive the email or if you prefer a hard copy, please contact Cheryl in the church office at cheryl@stjamesglencarbon.org.


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