In today’s gospel reading for Matthew chapter 20, Jesus tells a story about workers who all get paid the same, even though some worked for many hours, and others worked for just a few. This didn’t make sense to his listeners then or to us today. Sometimes God‘s way of doing things is not our way. In Isaiah chapter 55:8-9 we read the following:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (ESV)
We shouldn’t be surprised when we don’t understand God, but it doesn’t make it any easier for us. Discover what the Bible has to teach us about how we can handle the dissonance when God’s plans are not our plans, and when his ways are not our ways
Service times:
- Live on YouTube
- In person worship
Order of service:
Readings:
- Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Romans 5:8-11
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 27:1–9
- Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 55:6–9
- New Testament reading is from Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30
- Holy Gospel is from Matthew 20:1–16
Songs and Hymns:
- If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee
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Text: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.
Text and tune: Georg Neumark, 1621–81
Text and tune: Public domain - 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 - Christ Is Mine Forevermore
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Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, © 2016 CityAlight Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - He Will Hold Me Fast
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Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing; Matthew Merker Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Ancient of Days
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Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson;
© 2018 CityAlight Music.
Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740. - The King of Love My Shepherd Is
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Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821–77
Tune: Irish, c. 18th cent.
Text and tune: Public domain - O God, Our Help in Ages Past
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Text: Isaac Watts, 1674–1748, alt.
Tune: William Croft, 1678–1727
Text and tune: Public domain
Liturgies:
- Gloria in Excelsis
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Sanctus
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Agnus Dei
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
Announcements:
- Sunday, Sep 20:
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- Worship Service (Pastor Jonathan Lange): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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Downstaris.
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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Downstairs.
- Wednesday, Sep 23:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
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Downstairs.
- No Jr & Sr High Youth Group
- Thursday, Sep 24:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
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Downstairs.
- Saturday, Sep 26:
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- No Women’s Bible Study
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Sunday, Sep 27:
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- St. James Church Picnic
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Join us September 27th for Fun, Food and Fellowship!
- Who is the Rock? (Ep152)
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When Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Jesus calls him the rock on which he will build his church. Does this mean that Peter is the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church? Chuck and Aaron talk about this famous text on this episode of Craving Answers, Craving God.
Discover more from St. James Lutheran Church
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