When a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus, He appears to turn her away. His disciples want her to leave. His own words could have easily pushed her away. Instead, she accepts this trial as an opportunity to double down, showing the sincerity of her faith in Jesus. She doesn’t turn away. She turns toward him. Bowing down in worship, she pleads with him to answer her prayer. Jesus response shows the result of her faith and His mercy:
“‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:28, ESV)
May God give us the same strength of faith when we face trials in our own life. Lord, help us to see our trials as an opportunity to grow in our faith in You. Amen!
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 67
- Old Testament reading is from Isaiah 56:1, 6–8
- New Testament reading is from Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32
- Holy Gospel is from Matthew 15:21–28
Songs and Hymns:
- When Peace, like a River
-
Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828–88, alt.
Tune: Philip P. Bliss, 1838–76
Text and tune: Public domain - All Is Well
-
Claire Hamilton, Johnny Parks
© 2009 Integrity Worship Music; Parks Publishing
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - That's What Faith Must Be
-
Michael Card
© 1988 Birdwing Music; Mole End Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Your Table I Approach
-
Text: Gerhard Wolter Molanus, 1633–1722; tr. Matthias Loy, 1828–1915, alt.
Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551, Geneva, ed. Louis Bourgeois
Text and tune: Public domain - Come Unto Me, Ye Weary
-
Text: William C. Dix, 1837–98, alt.
Tune: Friedrich K. Anthes, 1812–after 1857
Public domain - He Will Hold Me Fast
-
Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
© 2013 Getty Music Publishing; Matthew Merker Music
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - My Life Is in You
-
Text and tune: Daniel Gardner
© 1986 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
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
Announcements:
- Sunday, Aug 16:
-
- Worship Service (Pastor Jonathan Lange): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Sunday School: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
-
Downstaris.
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
-
Downstairs.
- Wednesday, Aug 19:
-
- No Men’s Bible Study
- No Jr & Sr High Youth Group
- Thursday, Aug 20:
-
- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
-
Downstairs.
- Saturday, Aug 22:
-
- Women’s Bible Study: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Sunday, Aug 23:
-
- Congregational Voters' Meeting: 10:30 AM
-
Mark Your Calendars for August 23
- Saint James Education Support
-
2026-2027 School Year
- The Only Way (Ep150)
-
Christianity’s exclusive claims are controversial, but the Bible insists that Jesus is the only way to God. On this episode of Craving Answers, Craving God, Chuck and Aaron talk about the scandalous nature of this claim, the barriers to it, and how Christians can articulate it in a way that is both biblically faithful and winsome.
Discover more from St. James Lutheran Church
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.