The Gospel for the day talks about a farmer who spares a barren tree for one year. Caiaphas, the high priest at Jesus time, was barren for almost 20 years and yet God spared him. We'll look at Caiaphas's place in history, his role in the death of Jesus, and his famous prophecy "that it is better for one man to die for the people." Finally, we will consider whether he is in heaven or in hell and why the answer to that question has important implications for us.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor John Lukomski; Reader: William Ellington.

Order of service:

Third Sunday in Lent, Mar 23, 2025

Readings:

Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from 1 Corinthians 15:20, 54–57
Psalm reading is from Psalm 85
Old Testament reading is from Ezekiel 33:7–20
New Testament reading is from 1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Holy Gospel is from Luke 13:1–9

Songs and Hymns:

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson
© 2018 CityAlight Music
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740
Christ, the Life of All the Living
Text: Ernst Christoph Homburg, 1605–81
sts. 1–2, 5, 7: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
sts. 3–4, 6: tr. Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1912, St. Louis
Tune: Das grosse Cantional, 1687, Darmstadt
Text and tune: Public domain
I Am Not My Own
Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler, Skye Peterson, Tom Anderson
© 2023 Beehive Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Be Essential Songs; bryanfowlersongs
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
Keep the Feast
Ben Shive, Skye Peterson
© 2024 Getty Music Publishing (BMI), Beehive Hymns (BMI)
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
Lord from Sorrows Deep I Call
Text and tune: Matt Papa and Matt Boswell
© 2018 Getty Music
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740
Jesus Sinners Doth Receive
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Erdmann Neumeister, 1671–1756
Tune: Neu-verfertigtes Darmstädtisches Gesang-Buch, 1699, Darmstadt
Text and tune: Public domain
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Text by Matthew Bridges (sts. 1-3, 5) and Godfrey Thring (sts. 4)
Tune by George J. Elvey
Public domain

Recording:

Audio:
Video:
Watch on YouTube

Announcements:

Sunday, Mar 23:
Worship Service (Pastor John Lukomski): 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 25:
Life March (Springfield)
Wednesday, Mar 26:
Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
Spring Work Day: 9 AM

The Property Team invites and encourages all members that are able to join in the Spring Work Day. There will be something for everyone. Spring Work Day is a great family service opportunity as there will be inside and outside projects from cleaning to building maintenance and spring landscaping projects. No one is too old or too young to join the party!

Please call the church office (618) 288-6120 or Tim Schnicker for more information.

Midweek Worship: 6:30 PM to 7:15 PM
Thursday, Mar 27:
AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 29:
Women’s Bible Study: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
Tuesday, Apr 8:
Second Tuesday Women's Bible Study: 6 PM to 8 PM

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8th from 6-8 PM in the fellowship hall. We will be covering session 5 (Whatever is Admirable) of “Whatever – Keeping Your Heart in Tune with Whatever Life Brings”. Come celebrate the arrival of spring with a tea party! If you’d like, please bring your favorite tea party fare (finger sandwiches, quiches, canapes, scones, or little sweets). Text Shala Baker with any questions at 618-315-0788.

Join the St. James Technology Team

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)!

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.

Easter Lilies

Help St James’ altar look beautiful for Easter Sunday! Order your Easter lilies ($15 can be placed in the locked box on the church office door) In Honor of, In Memory of, or In Thanksgiving for your loved one(s). We will list the donations in our Easter service bulletin. You are welcome to take the lily home after our Easter Services or leave it for the rest of the season. To order your lily, please complete the form in the narthex no later than March 30th.

40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil

“40 Days for Life is a pro-life international campaign that involves 40 days of prayer and peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, aiming to end abortion through prayer and community outreach.”

This Spring, St James will be joining members of Good Shepherd, Collinsville on Saturday, April 12 for a vigil that will be located next to Planned Parenthood Fairview Heights, 317 Salem Pl Fairview Heights, IL. Each day of the 40 days, the vigil is held from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The amount of time each attendee is present dependent on their availability. Prayer folders are available. Sign up sheet is located in the narthex.

If you have questions or need a prayer folder, please contact Janice Lanto 618-779-8269, Carmen Stewert 314-503-7449 or Janice Wendel 618-660-9166.

Life Team News – Baby Bottle Campaign

Thank you to all that participated in the recent Baby Bottle campaign. We collected 31 baby bottles and 10 “Blankets of Love,” which were made by the women of LWML. These ar all delivered to Mosaic Health in Granite City. They are very appreciative of your support, as it ensures their ability to meet local women’s physical and spiritual needs.

Lent/Easter Worship Schedule
Date Time Event Pastor
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 Worship

Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt following service.

Pastor Bill Engfehr

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