In John 3, Jesus claims to be like the bronze snake Moses put up on a pole for the people of Israel to look at and be healed, but how is this possible? What's the connection? Jesus goes on to explain by connecting the realities of judgment and grace together in himself - just like the serpent was simultaneously a sign of their judgment (the snake attacks had been the result of Israel's rebellion), trusting God's grace and looking at it was also their path to salvation.

The Snake and the Cross — Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 10, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fourth-sunday-in-lent

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240310-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Psalm 40:1-3
Psalm 107:1–9
Numbers 21:4–9
Ephesians 2:1–10
John 3:14–21

Songs and Hymns:
    - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Text and tune by Martin Luther, public domain.
    - His Mercy Is More: Tune and text by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa; © 2016 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, and Messenger Hymns; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - You Are My King: Billy J. Foote; © 1996 worshiptogether.com songs; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Before the Throne of God Above: Text by Charitie Lees Bancroft; tune by Vikki Cook; © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table: Text by Friedrich Christian Heyder, tran. The Lutheran Hymnal, © 1941 Concordia Publishing House; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by Emskirchner Choral-Buch, 1756, public domain.
    - When I Behold Jesus Christ: Text by Almaz Belhu (sts.1-3, ref.), Joseph Herl (st.4), trans. Jim and Aurelia Keefer; tune by Almaz Belhu; text and tune, © 1970 Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; text (st. 4), © 1998 Concordia Publishing House; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.
    - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer: Text: William Williams; tune: John Hughes; text and tune are in the public domain.

#Sermon #Gospel #Lent #Easter #snake #serpent #liftedup #Jesus #john316 #love #John3

Lenten Season (2024)

The Snake and the Cross - Fourth Sunday in Lent

The Snake and the Cross - Mar 10 - Fourth Sunday in Lent

The question of whether Christians should go to church or not can only be answered by answering the question, are Christians the church or not.

Once again, Western-style individualism blocks us from even understanding the nature of the problem. The Bible insists that our highest value comes not from our individuality but from how our individuality flourishes in community. By ourselves we have no way of overcoming our personal weaknesses, but in community others cover up these weaknesses with their strength, as we do for them.

Unfortunately, Christians in America tend to be more individualistic than biblical: the notion that we can be Christians on our own outside of the Christian church creates a personal atmosphere of isolation and ignorance, but embracing the strange and scary reality of Christian community leads to flourishing and knowledge.

Hosts: Aaron Mueller and Chuck Rathert

Subscribe to the show at https://cacg.saintjamesglencarbon.org.
To comment on this episode, visit https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/cacg-ep89.

Craving Answers, Craving God

Why Go to Church

Why Go to Church (Ep89)

God wants us to stop sinning, but how can we even begin this impossible task? John's answer: look to the cross of the crucified Jesus who died to sin for us, look to the new creation where our destiny as full-formed children of God will become a reality, and look to our heavenly Father whose deep and forgiving love for us constantly woo us to himself.

How to Stop Sinning — Third Sunday of Easter, April 14, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-third-sunday-of-easter

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240414-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Romans 5:8-11
Psalm 4
Acts 3:11–21
1 John 3:1–7
Luke 24:36–49


Songs and Hymns:
    - Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven: Text by Henry F. Lyte; tune by John Goss; text and tune are public domain.
    - Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted: Joseph Swain, Kevin Twit; © 2013 Twit, Kevin; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Jesus Paid It All: Text by Elvina M. Hall; tune by John T. Grape; text and tune are in the public domain.
    - My Savior's Love: Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa; © 2019 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Messenger Hymns; Used with permission, One License #728607-A.
    - What Wondrous Love Is This: Text is from A General Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1811; tune is from Southern Harmony, 1835; text and tune are public domain.
    - All You Works of God, Bless the Lord: Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955, © 1995 Stephen P. Starke. Tune: Jamaican; adapt. Doreen Potter, 1925–80, © 1975 Hope Publishing Co. Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.

Liturgies:
    - Gloria in Excelsis: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #1John3 #Jesus #sin #children #love

Easter Season (2024)

How to Stop Sinning - Third Sunday of Easter

How to Stop Sinning - Apr 14 - Third Sunday of Easter

The false teachers John is defending his church against made much of their own leadership, creating doubt in the minds of her members by causing them to selfishly look for the locus of their relationship with God inside themselves. But John draws them back by making much of Jesus' love for them, a love which works in their own hearts to pull them outside of themselves to love and serve each other, and find their status before God in his declaration of his love for them.

Who Are the True Christians? — Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fourth-sunday-of-easter

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240421-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Romans 8:35-39
Psalm 23
Acts 4:1–12
1 John 3:16–24
John 10:11–18


Songs and Hymns:
    - 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.
    - The King of Love My Shepherd Is: Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821–77; Tune: Irish, c. 18th cent.; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want: Stuart Townend | © 1996 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing); Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.); used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - Before the Throne of God Above: Text by Charitie Lees Bancroft; tune by Vikki Cook; © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - There Is a Balm in Gilead: Text and tune are African American Spiritual; text and tune are in the public domain.
    - Just as I Am, without One Plea: Text by Charlotte Elliott; tune by William B. Bradbury; text and tune are public domain.

Liturgies:
    - Gloria in Excelsis: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #Jesus #love #salvation #faith #commandments

Who Are the True Christians? - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Who Are the True Christians? - Apr 21 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

For the past three hundred years it has seemed obvious to many modern Westerners that cataclysmic, global floods are impossible, and so the biblical story of the great flood has been seen as a legendary myth highlighting the vindictive judgment of the Bible’s angry God.

But this assumption fails to acknowledge the existence of great flood narratives spread throughout the ancient world - from the Cheyenne in North America, to the Chinese, to the Mesopotamians. How could all these different groups tell such similar stories? Is this a coincidence? Or instead does there remain in the collective memory of all these people groups the flood event described in Genesis 6-9?

This last option seems more likely than the myth that modern, scientific man is more right than the remembered and recorded experiences of all these ancient peoples. But the larger question is not, did the flood happen? But, what does the flood mean? And in the Bible, the great flood happens because the creator God simultaneously refuses to tolerate sin, and also loves to create salvation from that destruction. Like the Red Sea crossing, God drowns those who hate him, but saves - through that same water - those who trust him. The culmination of this truth is the redemption given to those who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, in the water of baptism.

Hosts: Aaron Mueller and Chuck Rathert

Subscribe to the show at https://cacg.saintjamesglencarbon.org.
To comment on this episode, visit https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/cacg-ep90.

The Great Flood

The Great Flood (Ep90)

The perfect love we have been given in Jesus is able to cast out our fear of judgment by putting us into a community of forgiven sinners, whose unconditional love for us is a constant manifestation and reinforcement of God’s infinitely forgiving love for us in Jesus.

What is Perfect Love? — Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fifth-sunday-of-easter

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240428-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


1 Corinthians 15:20, 54-57
Psalm 150
Acts 8:26–40
1 John 4
John 15:1–8


Songs and Hymns:
    - My Savior's Love: Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa; © 2019 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Messenger Hymns; Admin. by Music Services, Inc.; Used with permission CCLI license #20286740.
    - Oh, How Good It Is: Text and tune by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes, Stuart Townend; © 2012 Getty Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - Magnificent Marvelous Matchless Love: Aaron Keyes, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Luke Brown, Matt Papa; © 2018 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing; © 2018 Love Your Enemies Publishing, 10000 Fathers, Common Hymnal Publishing; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Chief of Sinners Though I Be: Text: William McComb, 1793–1873, alt.; Tune: Richard Redhead, 1820–1901; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - The Compassion Hymn: Text and tune by Stuart Townend, Kristyn Getty, Keith Getty; © 2008 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.
    - Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed: Text by Genevieve M. Irons; tune by Joseph Barnby; text and tune are public domain.

Liturgies:
    - Gloria in Excelsis: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #judgement #loveoverfear #Godislove #community #relationship #fearlesslove #perfectlove #1John4

What is Perfect Love? - Fifth Sunday of Easter

What is Perfect Love? - Apr 28 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Jesus' heart for healing, his power to heal, and the way he applies this healing to his fallen human race can be experienced in the power of His word and in the family of the Christian community.

The Healing Power of Jesus — Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 5, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-sixth-sunday-of-easter

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240505-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Psalm 40:1-3
Psalm 3
Isaiah 42:1–9
James 5:13–20
Matthew 9:18–26


Songs and Hymns:
    - The Day of Resurrection: Text: John of Damascus, c. 696–c. 754; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.; Tune: Henry T. Smart, 1813–79; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: Text: John Newton, 1725–1807, alt. Tune: Alexander R. Reinagle, 1799–1877. Text and tune: Public domain.
    - How Long: Stuart Townend, © 1997 Thankyou Music; Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740.
    - Blessed Assurance: Text: Fanny J. Crosby, alt. Aaron Mueller; Tune: Phoebe P. Knapp; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me: Text by Augustus M. Toplady; tune by Thomas Hastings; text and tune are in the public domain.
    - There Is a Redeemer: Melody Green; © 1982 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing; © 1982 Birdwing Music, © 1982 Ears To Hear; 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
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #healing #Jesus #justice #gentleness #word #promise #community #Matthew9

The Healing Power of Jesus - Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Healing Power of Jesus - May 5 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

For Christians, the question of how we can be saved has too often been framed as a future question: how can I know I’m going to heaven when I die? But the Bible just doesn’t talk enough about going to heaven when we die for us to justify making that the baseline of our assurance of salvation.

Instead, the Bible talks about our assurance in terms of what God has done in the past and is now doing in the future; namely, he has become a human being in space and time so that he can - in the middle of human history and on the planet earth - die the death we should have died and rise from the dead to take away the barrier between us and God, and that he gives us this salvation in concrete, objective ways.

These concrete applications of his salvation are his word, which regardless of how we feel announces to us that he loves us for the sake of his son, Jesus Christ, and his sacraments, which are physical, objective promises of salvation to us. I might sometimes doubt, I might sometimes not understand the Bible like I should, I might sometimes do things that are sinful, but what never changes is that God’s word announces my salvation and my baptism into Jesus really happened.        

Hosts: Aaron Mueller and Chuck Rathert

Subscribe to the show at https://cacg.saintjamesglencarbon.org.
To comment on this episode, visit https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/cacg-ep91.

How Do I Know I’m Saved?

How Do I Know I’m Saved? (Ep91)

When Jesus ascended to the right hand of his Father, he was given complete power and lordship over everything in heaven and earth. Also, through his ascension he now "fills all things", so that he is ubiquitously present with his whole church on earth. And now, through his ascension, he gives good gifts to his people so that we can be empowered to love and serve each other and our community in Jesus' presence and power.

What Happened at the Ascension of Jesus? — Ascension Sunday, May 12, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-ascension-sunday

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240512-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Isaiah 44:21-23
Psalm 47
Daniel 7:1–14
Ephesians 1:15–23; 4:1–13
Luke 24:44–53


Songs and Hymns:
    - Come, Thou Almighty King: Text is English; tune by Felice de Giardini; text and tune are in the public domain.
    - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: Text: Edward Perronet; Tune: Oliver Holden; Text and tune are public domain.
    - Song Of Moses: Aaron Keyes, Ben Smith, Chris Moerman, Graham Kendrick, Joseph Barrett; © Barrett Daddy Music; Flock Street Music; Itisreal Music.Com; © Thankyou Music; worshiptogether.com songs; Make Way Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740A.
    - Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen: Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926–2009; © 1995 Augsburg Fortress; Tune: David N. Johnson, 1922–87, © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House; Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.
    - All You Works of God, Bless the Lord: Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955, © 1995 Stephen P. Starke. Tune: Jamaican; adapt. Doreen Potter, 1925–80, © 1975 Hope Publishing Co. Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220.
    - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing: Text: Charles Wesley, tune: Carl G. Glaser; text and tune: public domain.

Liturgies:
    - Gloria in Excelsis: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #ascension #Jesus #lord #community #spiritualgifts #Ephesians1 #Ephesians4

What Happened at the Ascension of Jesus? - Ascension Sunday

What Happened at the Ascension of Jesus? - May 12 - Ascension Sunday

The third of St. James' three pillars is restoration - God's mission to restore Glen Carbon for himself. The power behind this massive task is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who brings Jesus into the midst of his people and sends us out under this same power to live and preach the gospel in our town.

The fruit of the Spirit is not primarily about the Christian's personal and private experience, but about the results the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the Christian which - when lived out in public - transform the world. The love, joy, and peace the world craves but cannot experience in its fallen and rebellious state can be had through the gracious power of the loving and restoring Holy Spirit.

The Restoration of the Holy Spirit — The Day of Pentecost, May 19, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-the-day-of-pentecost

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20240519-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Isaiah 44:21-23
Psalm 104:24–30
Acts 2:1–21
Galatians 5:16–25
John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15


Songs and Hymns:
    - Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune: Public domain
    - For Your Gift of God the Spirit: Text by Edith Margaret Clarkson; tune by Mindy Deckard and Bruce Benedict; © 1987 Hope Publishing Co.; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - Light of God: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty, © 2005 Thankyou Music, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling: Text: Timothy Rees, 1874–1939, alt.; Tune: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse . . . Contradanseu, c. 1710, Amsterdam; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - O Church, Arise: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.
    - Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying: Text by Stephen P. Starke, © 1999 Stephen P. Starke; tune by Jeffrey N. Blersch, © 2003 Jeffrey N. Blersch; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.

Liturgies:
    - Gloria in Excelsis: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Sanctus: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Agnus Dei: Text: Stephen P. Starke
    - Nunc Dimittis

#Sermon #Gospel #Easter #pentecost #holyspirit #fruitofthespirit #restoration #Galatians5

The Restoration of the Holy Spirit - The Day of Pentecost

The Restoration of the Holy Spirit - May 19 - The Day of Pentecost

After a discussion about how it’s impossible to prove things like whether spirits exist or not, Chuck and Aaron talk about how the Bible describes the spiritual world.

The existence of angels - powerful, supernatural beings whose job it is to serve God - is assumed by the Bible, and there are times when angels interact with humans. Most of us have never had an experience of an angel, but the Bible says that sometimes humans can interact with them without being aware they are talking with an angel. The Bible also describes fallen angels, or demons. These beings have rebelled against God and are determined to do harm to humanity.

Chuck and Aaron discuss the possibility that “hauntings” are actually the work of demonic forces. Ghosts, on the other hand, if they are to be understood as the souls of deceased people, don’t typically inhabit this universe, since the Bible says that it is appointed to each human being to die and then face the judgment. In other words, the souls of the deceased either go to hell or into the presence of Christ. Interacting with spiritual forces under the misconception that they are harmless wandering souls can therefore be a very dangerous thing.

Hosts: Aaron Mueller and Chuck Rathert

Subscribe to the show at https://cacg.saintjamesglencarbon.org.
To comment on this episode, visit https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/cacg-ep92.

Angels, Demons, and Ghosts

Angels, Demons, and Ghosts (Ep92)

St. James Lutheran Church was established in 1982. We are a church rooted on Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone. And we are a body of sinners and saints focused on spreading the Good News in the Greater Glen Carbon community.

St. James is located in Glen Carbon, IL at 146 North Main Street. We are located across from Glen Carbon Village Hall and right next to Schon Park.

The Snake and the Cross - Mar 10 - Fourth Sunday in Lent

St James Lutheran Church

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