Drawing from Matthew 11:25–30, this sermon explores Christ's invitation to the weary and burdened. Jesus offers true rest, not merely relief from life's struggles, but the healing and restoration that come through His grace.

As recipients of Christ's compassion, the Church is called to become a community of welcome, bearing one another's burdens and reflecting God's love to our neighbors. The message will connect Christ's invitation to the ministry of Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA), where relationships, service, and Gospel witness help refugees and immigrants experience healing, community, and restoration in Christ.

Liturgist and Preacher: Pastor Stanish Stanley; Reader: William Ellington and Pastor Stanish Stanley

Order of service:

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Jul 5, 2026

Readings:

Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Romans 5:8-11
Psalm reading is from Psalm 145:1–14
Old Testament reading is from Zechariah 9:9–12
New Testament reading is from Romans 7:14–25a
Holy Gospel is from Matthew 11:25–30

Songs and Hymns:

Father Welcomes
Robin Mann, 1949
© 1986 Kevin Mayhew Ltd.
Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220
O Church, Arise
Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2005 Thankyou Music
Used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740
Immigrant's Song
Ben Shive | Jordyn Shellhart | Kristyn Getty
© 2022 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Junkbox Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808–89, alt.; Public domain;
Tune: Amanda Husberg, 1940; © 1996 Amanda Husberg;
Used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.
Facing a Task Unfinished
Ed Cash, Fionán De Barra, Frank Houghton, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Samuel Wesley
© 2015 Capitol CMG Paragon; Fionan De Barra Pub Designee
© 2015 Getty Music Publishing; OMF International (UK)
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
God Bless Our Native Land
Text (st. 1): Charles T. Brooks, 1813–83, alt.; (st. 2): John S. Dwight, 1813–93, alt.
Tune: Thesaurus Musicus, c. 1740, London
Text and tune: 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, Jul 5:
Worship Service (Pastor Stanish Stanley): 9 AM to 10:15 AM

Pastor Stanish originally comes from the India Evangelical Lutheran church (IELC), a church established by LCMS mission labor from 1895 – 1956. He is currently a rostered LCMS pastor leading CFNA ministry in St. Louis.

Sunday School: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM

Downstaris.

Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM

Downstairs.

Discovering Christianity Class: 10:45 AM

Downstairs.

Wednesday, Jul 8:
Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM

Downstairs.

Join us for an Ice Cream Social to Meet Pastor Brakhage & Family: 6 PM to 8 PM

You are warmly invited to an Ice Cream Social next Wednesday evening, July 8th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the fellowship hall! As you know, we have extended a divine call to Pastor Brakhage to serve as our next pastor. This will be a wonderful, casual opportunity for our entire congregation to welcome […]

Thursday, Jul 9:
AA Meeting: 6:30 PM

Downstairs.

Saturday, Jul 11:
A Beautiful Opportunity to Love and Serve Our Neighbors: 8 AM to 12 PM

Loving & Serving our Neighbors
Saturday, July 11th, 8:00 AM – Noon

LWML Circle of Friends: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
Wednesday, Jul 22:
Village Workers Lunch

Save the Date:  Please mark your calendars for July 22nd for the Glen Carbon Village Worker’s luncheon.  We will host the luncheon in Fellowship Hall. Contact Jen Weber for more information!

Saturday, Aug 8:
Sisterhood: Anchored In Hope: 9 AM to 1 PM

Saturday, August 8 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Find your footing, trade the chaos for peace, and secure your spot today for a day of biblical teaching and genuine fellowship at our Anchored in Hope sisterhood event! Registration closes on July 31st. Bring a friend—just make sure to register her separately!  Questions? Contact Cheryl […]

Tuesday, Aug 11:
Saint James Night at Busch Stadium: 6:45 PM

Act Now to Get Your Tickets!

Saint James Education Support

2026-2027 School Year

Once Lost, Always Lost? (Ep147)

Hebrews 6:1-6 seems to imply that if someone who was once genuinely converted loses that salvation they are not able to repent and return once again to the Christian faith, but how does that fit with stories of apostasy and restoration from Scripture and from the real lives of many Christians? Chuck and Aaron talk about what this text means on this edition of Craving Answers, Craving God.


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