Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 3, 2017 Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis Street - West Saint Paul, MN 55118 Church Office: (651) 457-9232 Fax: (651) 457-1893 www.saintjameslutheran.com stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com facebook.com/stjwsp @stjameswsp Pastor Michael Albrecht 651-457-6796 malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Dale Critchley 651-689-3253 dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director 651-336-2117 tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Ralph Rokke 651-457-3955 rrokke@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard Stadler 651-338-8621 rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Tom Rowland Organist & Choir Director 612-861-4503 trowland5726@comcast.net Shirley Hess Parish Nurse 651-210-3380 pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com
WELCOME TO WORSHIP! Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 3, 2017 THE TITLE FOR TODAY S SERMON IS: Pride & Prejudice & Jesus. Christians face many accusations, both individually and collectively. Some are true, and some are not. How do we respond to accusations when they come? GUESTS AND VISITORS, we are delighted that you are worshiping with us today! Please take a moment to fill out a Welcome, Guest card which is available in the pew racks and place it in the offering. For every guest who completes this form, Saint James will donate $5 to the Neighbor s Food Shelf. 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. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Today, we focus on Psalm 26, written by David, an imperfect man who also had been falsely accused at times. Read Psalm 26. How does this speak to various times in your life? Now? Pray to God in thanks that Jesus took our guilt and bad reputation on Himself to the cross. 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. When your little ones become noisy, feel free to take them to the narthex or the nursery to settle them down. The service can be seen and heard on TV in both locations. 2
THE ORDER OF SERVICE HYMN SING: Pick your favorite! GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship #533 I Love Your Kingdom, Lord Those able, please stand for final stanza PASTORAL GREETING & GREET FELLOW WORSHIPERS: Pastor Critchley INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. PSALM 26 1 Judge me, O Lord, and prove my ways, And try my reins, and try my heart My faith upon thy promise stays, Nor from thy law my feet depart. We join our voices in David s song to God, calling on Him to clear us of guilt, both what we deserve and what we don t. 2 I hate to walk, I hate to sit, With men of vanity and lies The scoffer and the hypocrite Are the abhorrence of mine eyes. 3 Amongst thy saints will I appear With frauds well washed in innocence; But when I stand before thy bar, The blood of Christ is my defense. 4 I love thy habitation, Lord, The temple where thine honors dwell; There shall I hear thine holy word, And there thy works of wonder tell. 5 Let not my soul be joined at last With men of treachery and blood, Since I my days on earth have passed Among the saints, and near my God. Public domain PRAYER OF THE DAY Please be seated 3
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 15:5-21 In the face of accusations and persecution, Jeremiah cries out to God, and God promises to Jeremiah and to us that He will rescue us. The prophet Jeremiah at the foot of the Colonna dell Immacolata 15 O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? 19 Therefore thus says the LORD: If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless. Reading Response P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! 4
EPISTLE: Romans 12:9-21 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. 20 To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Paul paints for us a picture of what the forgiven and freed life looks like. Look at each of these and consider: since God has forgiven me and provides for me, how am I set free to live this way? Reading Response P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! VERSE RESPONSE: Christian Worship, page 40 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words are written that we may believe That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-28 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you. 23 But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. Those able, please stand God s forgiveness and eternal life is free, but it s not cheap. God calls us to embrace the new life we ve been given and follow His call, no matter what the sacrifice, knowing He has given us everything. And when we fail to follow that call, we know Jesus took up our cross for us. Gospel Response P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ! 5
Please be seated Children are invited to come forward during the final stanza HYMN OF THE DAY: Christian Worship #523 God of Grace and God of Glory SERMON: Text: Psalm 26 Theme: Pride & Prejudice & Jesus Those able, please kneel CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION: P: We kneel as we confess our sin. C: O Lord, I have not always walked in integrity or trusted the Lord without wavering. My love is not always genuine, and I m reluctant to take up my cross and follow You. But your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness, so for the sake of Jesus Who took up my cross for me, vindicate me by His merits. P: Thus says the LORD: If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. For our sake, Jesus suffered many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and was killed, and on the third day was raised. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen! My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD. Those able, please stand NICENE CREED: Christian Worship, page 31 Please be seated Give online at give.4gvn.us You can find step by step directions in the I Give Online card available in the pew racks. Those able, please stand OFFERING: Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your income. Proverbs 3:9 OFFERTORY: From God Can Nothing Move Me Joseph Herl HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship #609 We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer Please be seated PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS LORD S PRAYER FIRST BLESSING 6
Those able, please stand 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. LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT: Christian Worship, pages 21-23 The Sacrament of the Altar is a special blessing for God s people: our sins are forgiven, our faith is strengthened, and our resolve to live for the Lord is renewed. We believe the word of Jesus that under the bread and the wine we receive the Real Presence of our Savior, His Body and His Blood, for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. All who are baptized and confirmed and confess this understanding of the Lord s Supper are welcome to receive the sacrament with us. We enjoy fellowship in a close communion with each other as we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord together. 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. Parents are welcome to bring their non-confirmed children with them to the altar. The pastor will 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 pastor will know who should not receive the sacrament. Please be seated DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: Christian Worship #421 All Depends on Our Possessing Christian Worship #349 Jesus, Priceless Treasure Christian Worship #618 Before the Lord We Bow POST COMMUNION THANKSGIVING: Christian Worship, page 24 Those able, please stand BENEDICTION POSTLUDE: We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God Gustav Holst Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House. 7
SAINT JAMES FOUNDATION Remember the 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.). Stewardship Thought Discontent makes rich men poor while contentment makes poor men rich. (Contributed by a Saint James member) Living as a Local Missionary SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY Pastor Dale Critchley (preaching) Pastor Ralph Rokke Organist: Joni Norrgard Ushers: Bill Grabuski and Team #1 Audio Video Team: Hannah Critchley, Sharon Ferrara, Glenn & Wendy Gatzke, Jerry Hinz, Len & Diane Munson, Jerry Peterson, Becky Martinez, Lorna Redding, and Leif Thune Screen Slide Production: Ami Heesch PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR Let us remember to pray for some of our veteran members: Dennis Grover, Ruth Grundei, LaJene Ihfe, Lee Hubler MISSIONS TO PRAY FOR This week please pray for The Lutheran Heritage Foundation, as they translate Lutheran theological works into 88 different languages, publishing and introducing them into 70 countries around the world. FLOWERS The flowers in the chancel vases are given in loving memory of Cliff Lehner, who entered his eternal home twelve years ago, on September 5 th, provided by his wife Doris and family. If you would like to order FLOWERS please contact Altar Guild Flower Chairwoman Kathy Stadler at 651-450-6452 or stadlerek@comcast.net. When shopping, if you see an item that someone has dropped in the wrong aisle, put it where it belongs. See how many you can put right per trip. Take perishables left out to the service desk. 8