In Matthew 10:34–42, Jesus delivers some of His most challenging words, declaring that He came not to bring earthly peace, but a sword, and demanding absolute priority over even our closest family relationships. To love anything or anyone more than Christ is to be unworthy of Him. When measured against this uncompromising standard, we must honestly confess our own daily failures. We routinely place our comfort, fears, and earthly desires above our devotion to God, proving that we cannot make ourselves worthy of His kingdom.
Yet, our failure does not have the final word. While Christ’s perfect requirement remains unchanged, our ultimate hope rests entirely in His scandalous grace. Jesus took up His cross and bore the sword of divine judgment on our behalf, giving us His own perfect worthiness as a free gift through faith. Anchored in this Gospel promise, we are freed from guilt and empowered by the Holy Spirit to take up our crosses daily, following the One who gave everything to save us.
Liturgist and Preacher: Dr. George Gude; Reader: David Moldenhauer and Dr. George Gude
Order of service:
Readings:
- Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Romans 5:8-11
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 119:153–160
- Old Testament reading is from Jeremiah 28:5–9
- New Testament reading is from Romans 7:1–13
- Holy Gospel is from Matthew 10:34–42
Songs and Hymns:
- “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake
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Text: tr. Charles W. Schaeffer, 1813–96; (sts. 1–3, 5): Johann Schefer, 1624–77; (st. 4): Geistliche Lieder und Lobgesänge, 1695
Tune: Bartholomäus Gesius, c. 1555–1613, adapt.
Text and tune: Public domain - My Worth Is Not in What I Own
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Text and tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick
© 2014 Getty Music
Used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740 - All Is Well
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Claire Hamilton, Johnny Parks
© 2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Parks Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - He Will Hold Me Fast
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Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
Copyright © 2013 Getty Music Publishing, Matthew Merker Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
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Text: Henry E. Jacobs, 1844–1932, alt.
Tune: Cantionale Germanicum, 1628, Gochsheim
Text and tune: Public domain - In the Cross of Christ I Glory
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Text by John Bowring
Tune by Ithamar Conkey
Public domain - Rise My Soul, the Lord is Risen
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Jonny Robinson, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Rich Thompson
© 2024 City Alight Resources; Getty Music Hymns and Songs
© 2024 Getty Music Publishing; Love Your Enemies Publishing
© 2024 Messenger Hymns
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
Liturgies:
- Gloria in Excelsis
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Sanctus
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Agnus Dei
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
Recording:
- Audio:
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- Video:
- Watch on YouTube
Announcements:
- Sunday, Jun 28:
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- Worship Service (Dr. George Gude): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
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Sanctuary.
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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Downstairs.
- Discovering Christianity Class: 10:45 AM
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Downstairs.
- Wednesday, Jul 1:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
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Downstairs.
- Thursday, Jul 2:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
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Downstairs.
- Saturday, Jul 4:
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- LWML Circle of Friends: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Saturday, Jul 11:
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- A Beautiful Opportunity to Love and Serve Our Neighbors: 8 AM to 12 PM
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Loving & Serving our Neighbors
Saturday, July 11th, 8:00 AM – Noon
- Saint James Education Support
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2026-2027 School Year
- Can You Trust Your Bible Translation? (Ep146)
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A common urban myth about Christian origins sometimes gets passed around when people talk about the Bible is that no one can really know what the Bible says since the translations we have now are just translations of older translations. Chuck and Aaron talk about this popular misunderstanding as well as other questions related to our English translations of the Bible on this episode of Craving Answers, Craving God.
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