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Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis Street - West Saint Paul, MN 55118 Church Office: (651) 457-9232 Fax: (651) 457-1893 E-mail: stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Visit our web site: www.saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Michael Albrecht 651-457-6796 malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Dale Critchley Cell: 440-782-0189 Office: 651-457-6343 dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director Cell: 651-336-2117 tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Ralph Rokke 651-457-3955 rrokke@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard Stadler Cell: 651-338-8621 rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Shirley Hess Parish Nurse 651-210-3380 pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 16, 2015 WELCOME TO WORSHIP! THE TITLE FOR TODAY S SERMON IS: The Hard Saying that Gives Us Life. Jesus said, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you. His own disciples said: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it. It s hard because it reveals how sinful we are. But it also reveals how gracious God is to forgive and save us. We eat Christ s body and drink blood by trusting in his death on the cross as the atonement for our sins. It gives us life. GUESTS AND VISITORS, we are delighted that you are worshiping with us today! Please take a moment to fill out one of the Welcome to our Church cards that are available in the pew racks and place it in the offering. Also, stop by the Visitor Welcome Center as you leave and pick up a small gift. Thank you for coming, and please come back and visit again soon. You are always welcome here at Saint James. LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX. SPECIAL POCKET HEARING SYSTEMS are available from the ushers for anyone desiring an amplified broadcast of the service. THE NURSERY is not staffed but is available for parents who have young children who become noisy or restless during the service. We are thankful for families who teach their children to worship by bringing them to church. But when the little ones become noisy, feel 2
free to use the narthex or the nursery to settle them down. The service is on closed-circuit TV in both locations. PRE-SERVICE PRAYER DEAR LORD JESUS, thank you for shedding your blood for our salvation. We trust in your death as the atonement for all our sins. You give us eternal life as you have promised. Lord, you have the words of eternal life. Feed our souls this day. Amen. THE ORDER OF SERVICE PRE-SERVICE HYMN SING: Pick your favorite hymn! THE GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship 226, stanzas 1, 2, 6, & 7 To Your Temple I Draw Near Please stand for stanza 7. PASTORAL WELCOME Pastor Rokke GREET FELLOW WORSHIPERS THE INVOCATION: Congregation responds by singing: A-men. INTROIT (Psalm 103, selected verses) P: Bless the LORD, O my soul, C: And all that is within me, bless his holy name. P: He does not deal with us according to our sins, C: Nor repay us according to our iniquities. P: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, C: So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; P: As far as the east is from the west, C: So far does he remove our transgressions from us. P: As a father shows compassion to his children, C: So the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. Together: Bless the LORD, O my soul! CONFESSION OF SINS: P: Let us humble ourselves before God and confess our sins to him. (You may kneel.) C: O Lord, our hearts are heavy with sin, and we cannot free ourselves from its burden. We admit to you and before one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you or other people as we should. We have been selfish in decisions and careless in actions. Please free us from the burden of our sins. We pray it in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, Amen. 3
ABSOLUTION: P: Lift up your hearts to the Lord! God has heard your prayer, and He has given his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you. Christ bore the burden of all your sins on the cross, and He sets you free for new life in Him. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C Sings: A-men. (Please rise.) HYMN OF THANKS AND PRAISE: Before the Throne of God Above CCLI Song # 2306412 Charitie Lees Bancroft Vikki Cook 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 272318 4
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Please be seated for the prayer. At the end of the prayer, the congregation sings: A-men. EPISTLE READING: Ephesians 5:6-21 Printed on the back cover. The Apostle Paul tells us Christians that we are light in the Lord, and should live accordingly. He tells us to discern what is pleasing to God, and do it. P: This is the Word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God. VERSE OF THE DAY: Christian Worship, p. 30. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! GOSPEL READING: John 6:51-69 Printed on the back cover. Please rise. Jesus tells his disciples and others that we must eat his body and drink his blood to have spiritual life. It s a hard saying. Some who heard it turned away. When Jesus asked the Twelve if they too wanted to go away, Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life We eat Christ and drink his blood by trusting in his death on the cross. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. THE NICENE CREED: Christian Worship, page 31 SERMON HYMN: Christian Worship 355 Take the World, But Give Me Jesus (All children are invited to the front of the church during stanza 3 for the introduction of the sermon.) 5
SERMON: Text: John 6:51-69 Theme: The Hard Saying that Gives Us Life OFFERTORY: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen. OFFERING VOLUNTARY: OFFERING: Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your income. - Proverbs 3:9 HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship 609, stanzas 1 & 3 We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS THE FIRST BLESSING THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR This sacrament is a special blessing for God s people. In it our sins are forgiven, our weak faith is strengthened, and our resolve to live for the Lord is renewed. We believe the Word of Jesus that in, with, and under the bread and the wine we are receiving the Real Presence of our Savior, His Body and His Blood, for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. All who are baptized, confirmed, and confess with us this understanding of the Lord s Supper are welcome to receive the sacrament with us. By this act of worship we are fellowshipping in a close communion with each other as we receive the Lord s Supper. Visitors who wish to continue to commune with us on a regular basis, or those who have questions are encouraged to speak with one of the pastors. Non-alcoholic white wine is available in each tray for anyone who prefers it. Gluten-free wafers are also available. To indicate that you prefer gluten-free, please raise your index finger when the wafers are brought to you. 6
Parents are welcome to bring their non-confirmed children with them to the altar. The ushers will allow space for them at each table. The pastor will also pronounce a blessing on them. Parents should instruct such unconfirmed children not to stand on the cushions and to keep their hands folded, so the servers will know who should not receive the bread and the wine. THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR: Christian Worship, pp. 33-37. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE DISTRIBUTION HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION: Christian Worship 309 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord Christian Worship 338 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say Christian Worship 397 Just As I Am, without One Plea Christian Worship 316 O Jesus, Blessed Lord, to Thee THANKSGIVING, p. 36. THE BENEDICTION: THE ORGAN POSTLUDE: SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY Pastor Ralph Rokke (preaching) Pastor Michael Albrecht Pastor Dale Critchley Organist Judy Dehrer Ushers Dave Miller and.team # 4 Audio Video Team: Sharon Ferrara, Glenn & Wendy Gatzke, Norm Goetzke, Jerry Hinz, Len & Diane Munson, Jerry Peterson, Lorna Redding, Michael Schroeder, Leif Thune and Gil Ude Screen Slide Production: Ami Heesch 7
REMEMBER THE SAINT JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH FOUNDATION IN YOUR WILL. Your gift can make a difference for generations to come. Suggested wording: In thanks to God for the gift of His Son Jesus, and for all His blessings to me in my lifetime, I gift and bequeath to Saint James Lutheran Church Foundation at 460 West Annapolis Street, West Saint Paul, MN 55118 the amount of $ or (specify the asset). PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR Let us remember to pray for some of our veteran members: Bill Rahn, Laverne Smith, Don Stephan, Irene Steenberg MISSIONS TO PRAY FOR This week please pray for Feed My Starving Children, as they mobilize volunteers to package meals for distribution to children in more than 50 countries around the world. FLOWERS The flowers in the chancel vases are given in honor of Emily Elaine Rank and Sean Matthew O Brien s wedding held yesterday at Saint James. Congratulations! If you would like to order FLOWERS to be placed in the chancel, please contact Altar Guild Flower Chairwoman Shirley Grabuski at 651-457-2529. LIVING AS A LOCAL MISSIONARY: Watch your neighbors yards for signs of needs. (e.g. a pink ribbon banner likely indicates a loved one with breast cancer). Ask them about it, and be ready to listen. STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: God rejoices in the inhabited world and delights in the children of men ~ Proverbs 8:31 As the Creator, God has entrusted his creation to us to manage for His glory. A BIG THANK YOU to all of you in VBS who brought donations for Neighbors Food Shelf. We delivered over 150 pounds in food and other items to Neighbors this past week. Way to go! ~ Neighbors & Saint James Care Corps 8
FAMILY GAME NIGHT is Friday, August 28, at 7:00 pm. We will play cards, dominos and board games. Play one of our games or bring your own! We meet in the Fellowship Room and have good treats and decaf coffee. If the door is locked please talk near the speaker on the wall by the handicap door on the left side of the main entrance, (you do not need to push the button) and someone will open the door for you. We finish around 9:30 pm. Everyone is welcome! SPECIAL ALTAR GUILD DINNER & MEETING: Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. Current and veteran Altar Guild members: please plan on attending this special dinner honoring the recently retired (and the soon to be retired) Altar Guild members who have provided many years of faithful service to Saint James. We will have our annual lasagna dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by a special recognition of their service. There will also be a brief business meeting. Hope to see you then! CHECK OUT THE NEW CHAIRS downstairs in the chapel. These chairs are long lasting and provide good back support for most people. If you wish to donate a chair or two, they cost (including shipping): $85 for the chairs with armrests and $70 for the chairs without. Simply make your donation to Saint James Lutheran and indicate on the memo line or on the envelope: For Chapel Chairs. PHOTO DIRECTORIES ARE HERE! They will be available for purchase on Sundays after the 9:00 service, Mondays after the SonRise service or during the week in the office. The directory costs $15. THE ORGAN IN THE CHAPEL NEEDS A NEW HOME. If you would like to have it, please call the church office at 651-457-9232. 9
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Keep Older Adults Independent by Helping with Shopping Needs. Assist an older adult in your West St Paul neighborhood with their shopping errands by running errands for them or assist them while they go shopping with you. The time commitment would be a couple hours weekly or every other week. If you re interested in this volunteer opportunity, contact Barb Tiggemann at 651-455-1560, barb.tiggemann@darts1.org. Visit www.dartsconnects.org to learn more about DARTS and other ways to volunteer. THE 8 TH ANNUAL GREAT NEIGHBORS DUCK RACES will be held on October 3, 2015 during South St Paul s On The Road Again event. This family-fun event will feature duck races, children s games/crafts and, of course, photo opportunities with Delbert the Duck mascot. New in 2015: mini duck race course for kids! Free admission. Ducks can be adopted (in advance or day-of) for $5 each or a family of five ducks for $25. Proceeds benefit the emergency and supportive service programs at Neighbors, Inc. For more information, visit: www.neighborsmn.org ST. CROIX NEWS Job Openings St. Croix Lutheran currently has full-time and part-time openings in the mission advancement, maintenance, coaching, and food service departments. Visit StCroixLutheran.org/jobs for more information or contact Glenn Will at 651-455-1521 ext. 103. 7th and 8th grade boys interested in playing tackle football at St. Croix Lutheran this fall should contact Carl Lemke at CLemke@StCroixLutheran.org or (651) 455-1521. Share a weekend (or just a day) with an international student from St. Croix Lutheran! This unique opportunity comes with many blessings. Find out more at www.stcroixlutheran.org/if 10
T H I S W E E K A T S A I N T J A M E S TODAY: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2015 8:45 a.m.... Pre-Service Hymn Sing 9:00 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion MONDAY, AUGUST 17 6:30 p.m.... Evening SonRise Worship Service TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 10:00 a.m.... Adult Bible Class WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 9:00 a.m.... Office Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m.... Worship Committee Meeting THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 12:00 p.m.... Opportunity Partners Music Therapy FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 10:00 a.m.... Service @ Wilder 512 SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 8:00 a.m.... Women s Bible Study SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 8:45 a.m.... Pre-Service Hymn Sing 9:00 a.m. Worship Service Ushers: Loren Bahls and Team #5 At saintjameslutheran.com, you can post prayer requests and pray for others who come to our site in need of prayer. Check into the prayer page as part of your morning routine, and let those who request the prayers know you re praying form them! 11