When Jesus was falsely accused of sedition and blasphemy, Pontius Pilate asked him a question which has persistently confounded every thinker before and since: “What is truth?”

Pinning down truth so that everyone can have access to reality has been notoriously difficult. One option is to hold that humans can figure out the truth based upon their own observations and experiences - but the human propensity to be mistaken often demonstrates this theory’s weakness. Another option is to hold that there is no such thing as truth (or, at least, no one can know whether there is or not) - and yet we humans continue to live as though some things are true and worth giving assent to and others are not.

The Christian solution is that no mere mortal can completely know and understand the truth, but that God has made the truth known in the person of his Son Jesus. In other words, any and all truth claims must be tested not against the standard of human experience or common sense, but against the person of the One who claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life.

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-ep99.

Craving Answers, Craving God

How to Tell the Truth from a Lie

How to Tell the Truth from a Lie (Ep99)

It’s not at all controversial to note that Christmas, as a cultural phenomenon in the United States, does not always resemble the Christian festival celebrating Jesus’ birth. Commercial interests have exploited the season for profit, and it seems like all of us have agreed to make the month of December the most hectic and least peaceful season of all.

On the one hand, this misplaced emphasis on capitalist greed and frantic busy-ness at least holds Christmas up as important, and as long as Christmas is at the forefront of the cultural consciousness there is a chance its main message - that God has become human to recur his human creatures and creation - might break through the barriers.

But its worthwhile for Christians to push back against the noise and pace of “American” Christmas and spend more time quietly meditating on what it means to wait on the Lord, to find our happiness in the arrival of Jesus to save us.

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-ep107.

The True Meaning of Christmas

The True Meaning of Christmas (Ep107)

Jesus compared his and John’s ministry to kids who play a game where they play happy and sad music, but no one dances to their happy music and no one mourns at their sad music. His point: outside of the work of the Spirit, Law and Gospel do not satisfy the average human, but wisdom is justified by her children.

The Different Ministries of Jesus and John — Midweek Advent, December 18, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-midweek-advent-3

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20241218-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Psalm 85
Luke 7:18–35

Songs and Hymns:
    - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry: Text: Charles Coffin; tr. composite. Tune: Michael Praetorius. Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), © 2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220.
    - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope Publishing Co.; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by The Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain.

#sermon #gospel #advent #midweek #johnthebaptist #Jesus #ministry #Luke7

Advent Season (2024)

The Different Ministries of Jesus and John - Midweek Advent

The Different Ministries of Jesus and John - Dec 18 - Midweek Advent

When Elizabeth and Mary first meet after they both became pregnant, Elizabeth and her baby - the future John the Baptist - respond to Mary's unborn child, Jesus, with joy, recognizing that he is God, recognizing that he is the one to put into action God's plan of salvation, and recognizing in him God's supreme act of grace toward humanity.

How to Meet Jesus — Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-fourth-sunday-in-advent

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20241222-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Isaiah 44:21-23
Psalm 80:1–7
Micah 5:2–5a
Hebrews 10:5–10
Luke 1:39–45


Songs and Hymns:
    - Silent Night, Holy Night: Text: Franz Gruber; Tune: Franz Joseph Mohr; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - In Christ Alone: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2001 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came: Text and tune: Basque, 18th century, public domain.
    - Brightest and Best: Words and Music: Reginald Heber, public domain; Arrangement: Keith Getty, Ben Shive, Fionan de Barra; Choir Arrangement: Samuel Wilson; © 2021 Getty Music Publishing; © 2021 Fionán de Barra; © 2021 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; © 2021 Junkbox Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - What Hope! An Eden Prophesied: Text: Stephen P. Starke, © 1998 Stephen P. Starke, used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740. Tune: Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813, public domain.
    - See amid the Winter’s Snow: Text: Edward Caswall; Tune: John Goss; Tune and text: Public domain.
    - Of the Father’s Love Begotten: Text: Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, 348-c. 413, tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-66, sts. 1-4; tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821-77, st. 5. Tune: Plainsong, 13th cent., mode V. Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence: Text: Liturgy of St. James, 5th century; tune: French, 17th century; text and tune are in the public domain.

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

#sermon #gospel #advent #elizabeth #mary #johnthebaptist #jesus #motherofgod #Luke1

How to Meet Jesus - Fourth Sunday in Advent

How to Meet Jesus - Dec 22 - Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Bible insists that the motive for God the Father sending his Son to be the Savior of the world is his life-giving (he gave up his life to be a propitiation for our sins) and life-saving (he came so we might live through him) love! And now, although we cannot see God physically with our eyes, we can experience this perfect life-giving and life-saving love of Jesus in the way those of us who have been saved by this love give ourselves up for each other.

Christmas Every Day — Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-christmas-eve

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20241224-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Isaiah 7:10–14
1 John 4:7–16
Luke 2:1–14


Songs and Hymns:
    - O Come, All Ye Faithful: Text and tune: John F. Wade; Public domain.
    - O Little Town of Bethlehem: Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835–93; Tune: Lewis H. Redner, 1831–1908; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - What Child Is This: Text: by William C. Dix. Tune: English, 16th century. Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Angels We Have Heard on High: Text: The Crown of Jesus, 1862; Tune: French; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - It Came upon the Midnight Clear: Text: Edmund H. Sears; Tune: Richard S. Willis; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Text: Charles Wesley; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Silent Night, Holy Night: Text: Franz Gruber; Tune: Franz Joseph Mohr; Text and tune: Public domain.

#sermon #gospel #advent #christmas #jesus #love #sacrifice #1John4

Christmas Season (2024)

Christmas Every Day - Christmas Eve

Christmas Every Day - Dec 24 - Christmas Eve

In Psalm 2 Yahweh calls the Messiah his firstborn son, laughs at all their enemies who long to rebel against his rightful authority, and warns all the nations of the earth to submit to the Son lest they be destroyed.

The Christmas Revolution — Christmas Day, December 25, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-christmas-day

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20241225-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Zephaniah 3:14-17
Psalm 2
Isaiah 52:7–10
Hebrews 1:1–12
John 1:1–18


Songs and Hymns:
    - See amid the Winter’s Snow: Text: Edward Caswall; Tune: John Goss; Tune and text: Public domain.
    - Once in Royal David’s City: Text: Cecil F. Alexander; Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - All Is Well: Claire Hamilton, Johnny Parks; © 2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music), Parks Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music); Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Angels from the Realms of Glory: Text: James Montgomery. Tune: Henry T. Smart. Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly: Text: Polish, tr. Edith M.G. Reed; Tune: Polish; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child: Text: Joseph Simpson Cook. Tune: Piae Cantiones Ecclesiasticae, 1582. 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 #advent #christmas #messiah #power #revolution #Psalm2

The Christmas Revolution - Christmas Day

The Christmas Revolution - Dec 25 - Christmas Day

The entire goal of Simeon's life had been to see God bring about the salvation of Israel, and the old saint's patience, his hope, his immersion in sacred scripture, and his refusal to filter out the sorrow that colored that hope allowed him to recognize, rejoice, and be thankful for that salvation when it arrived in a way he couldn't have anticipated.

Nunc Dimittis — First Sunday after Christmas, December 29, 2024: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2024-first-sunday-after-christmas

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20241229-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Zephaniah 3:14-17
Psalm 111
Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15
Colossians 3:12–17
Luke 2:22–40


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.
    - Jesus Loves Me: Text by Anna B. Warner; tune by William B. Bradbury; text and tune are in the public domain.
    - O Church, Arise: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.
    - Great Is Thy Faithfulness: Text: Thomas O. Chisholm; tune: William M. Runyan; Text and tune are public domain.
    - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child: Text: Joseph Simpson Cook. Tune: Piae Cantiones Ecclesiasticae, 1582. Text and tune: 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.
    - Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted: Joseph Swain, Kevin Twit; © 2013 Twit, Kevin; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Text: Charles Wesley; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - An Irish Christmas Blessing: Keith Getty, Kristyn Lennox Getty, © 2004 Thankyou Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.

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

#sermon #gospel #advent #christmas #nuncdimittis #simeon #jesus #salvation #Luke2

Nunc Dimittis - First Sunday after Christmas

Nunc Dimittis - Dec 29 - First Sunday after Christmas

How do pastors become pastors? How does God make pastors, and how do they know that’s what God wants them to be? And how do they know what church they should be at. In this episode Chuck and Aaron answer these questions and also talk about Aaron’s call to be a pastor.

Pastors are called by God to preach and teach the Gospel to the Christian church. In this sense the call is unique to this particular ministry. But in another sense the call to be a pastor is no different than the call to be a mother, or lawyer, or church musician. God gives each of his people gifts to use in loving him and loving each other, and these specific gifts will make clear what call each person has received from God. And for pastors, the question of which church they should serve at is also connected with the gifts God has given them. Which church can best use his gifts and cover his weaknesses?

Aaron is making the transition to pastoring a new church, so Chuck and Aaron discuss how Aaron and his family made the decision to leave St James and move to his new church.

And in related news, Chuck and Aaron also discuss the ongoing mission of Craving Answers Craving God, and how the podcast will continue producing episodes in spite of Aaron’s move.

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-ep108.

Craving Answers Craving God

The Divine Call to Pastors

The Divine Call to Pastors (Ep108)

In today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, we see that the child Jesus is growing and maturing, specifically in strength, or stature, and in wisdom and favor.

As we read of his visit to Jerusalem with His parents, we can see that Jesus’ growth is based on His understanding of His identity as God‘s child, and also by his willingness to submit to His heavenly Father and to his earthly parents.

We, too, will grow in strength, wisdom, and favor this year, as we understand our true identity and live it out in humility, with God’s power. 

Growing in Strength, Wisdom, and Favor — Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5, 2025: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2025-second-sunday-after-christmas

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20250105-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Psalm 86:3–5
Psalm 119:97–104
1 Kings 3:4–15
Ephesians 1:3–14
Luke 2:40–52


Songs and Hymns:
    - Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune: Public domain
    - Once in Royal David’s City: Text: Cecil F. Alexander; Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Holy Forever: Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham; © 2022 Brian and Jenn Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; S. D. G. Publishing; © 2022 Be Essential Songs; My Magnolia Music; Phil Wickham Music; © 2022 Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly: Text: Polish, tr. Edith M.G. Reed; Tune: Polish; 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 #advent #christmas #strength #wisdom #favor #identity #humility #SonofGod #childofGod #Luke2

Christmas Season (2025)

Growing in Strength, Wisdom, and Favor - Second Sunday after Christmas

Growing in Strength, Wisdom, and Favor - Jan 5 - Second Sunday after Christmas

At the time of Jesus’ appearing, or “epiphany,” the people of Israel were awaiting a hero, a savior— the Messiah. They asked John the Baptist if he might be the one. He assured them he was not, but the Christ was coming, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus came and was baptized by John. God the Father‘s voice was heard by witnesses there: “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.“

Jesus proved himself to be the Messiah by His teaching, through  miracles, in the prophecies fulfilled, and ultimately by His death and resurrection from the dead. All were experienced by many eyewitnesses. If you haven’t put your trust in Jesus as your Savior, what are you waiting for?

If you have received Jesus as your Messiah, and have been baptized in His name, you have also received the promised Holy Spirit. You are a living fulfillment of John’s prophecy. You have a new identity as a child of God, in whom God the Father is well pleased—for Jesus’ sake. And we await Jesus’ return and the joy of eternal life with God. As we face this new year together, we are living in expectation. The best is yet to come!

Living in Expectation — The Baptism of Jesus, January 12, 2025: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2025-the-baptism-of-jesus

Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-content/uploads/st-james-20250112-order-of-service.pdf
Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give


Psalm 29
Isaiah 43:1–7
Romans 6:1–11
Luke 3:15-22

Songs and Hymns:
    - O Church, Arise: Text and tune by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, © 2005 Thankyou Music; used with permission, CCLI License # 20286740.
    - God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It: Text by Erdmann Neumeister, trans. Robert E. Voelker, public domain; tune by Johann Caspar Bachofen, © 1991 Robert E. Voelker, used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220.
    - Baptism: Michael Card, © 1985 Birdwing Music; Mole End Music; Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740.
    - By Grace Alone: Text by Martin Luther; tune by David Ward, © 2002 ThousandTongues.org; used with permission, CCLI license # 20286740.
    - Blessed Assurance: Text: Fanny J. Crosby, alt. Aaron Mueller; Tune: Phoebe P. Knapp; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness: Text: Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700–60; tr. John B. Wesley, 1703–91, alt.; Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–93; Text and tune: Public domain.
    - I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: Text and tune: Kathleen Thomerson, 1934; © 1970, 1975 Celebration. 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

#sermon #gospel #epiphany #expectations #Messiah #Christ #Savior #SonofGod #identity #childofGod #Luke3

Epiphany Season (2025)

Living in Expectation - The Baptism of Jesus

Living in Expectation - Jan 12 - The Baptism of Jesus

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.

How to Tell the Truth from a Lie (Ep99)

St James Lutheran Church

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