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:
Visit our web site: www.saintjameslutheran.com
Pastor Michael Albrecht651-457-6796
/ Pastor Ralph Rokke
651-457-3955
Pastor Dale Critchley
Cell: 440-782-0189 | Office: 651-457-6343
/ Pastor Richard Stadler
Cell: 651-338-8621
Terese Thune – Youth Director
Cell: 651-336-2117
/ Shirley Hess – Parish Nurse
651-210-3380
The Second Sunday in Lent March 1, 2015
WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT SAINT JAMES!
THE TITLE OF TODAY’S SERMON IS: “Set Your Mind on the Things of God.” The text is Mark 8:27-38. Here Peter makes both a great confession of faith and a great blunder. Peter clearly understood some truth about Jesus, but not everything. He did not understand the need for the cross, which was central to the mission of Jesus’ earthly life. When we are tempted to seek only glory from God and to leave the cross behind, let’s remember Jesus’ words to Peter, and that the cross gives us peace with God.
SPECIAL POCKET HEARING SYSTEMS are available from the ushers for anyone desiring an amplified broadcast of the service.
LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE
ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
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.
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 free to use the narthex of the nursery to settle them down. The service is on closed-circuit TV in both locations.
PASTOR ALBRECHT’S BIBLE CLASS meets in the Fireside Room between services to continue our discussion of the Remarkable Gospel of Mark. Today we consider the list of the twelve apostles. What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle? Why did Jesus appoint twelve apostles - rather than seven or ten? How many of the apostles have more than one name? Do we still have apostles today? As always, your comments and questions are encouraged. This class will be repeated on Tuesday morning at 10:00. You can also listen to the recording on our website, or download it and listen at your convenience. All are welcome.
PASTOR STADLER’S BIBLE CLASS meets in the Chapel (Rooms 7 & 8 downstairs) at 9:15 a.m. to address the following questions:
Did the people of the Damascus Document agree with the Pharisees that it was o.k. to pull a man or animal out of a well on the Sabbath? Would they have agreed or disagreed with Jesus in His arguments with the Pharisees? Would they have had a toilet inside the walls of their commune like the one in the picture that was found at Qumran? Were they more or less strict than the Pharisees? You can add your own questions and suggestions, too. The classes are available on CD's at the Visitor Welcome Center in the Narthex or you can listen to them & download them from our website: www.saintjameslutheran.com.
AS PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP, you are invited to meditate on God’s Word in Psalm 28:8-9: “The LORD is the strength of his people, he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
PRE-SERVICE PRAYER
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, you are our Refuge and Strength. Thank you for your mercy, and for giving your Son Jesus to be our Savior. Jesus, be our Shepherd and carry us forever. In Your name we pray, Amen.
THE ORDER OF SERVICE
THE PRELUDE: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me …Henry
OPENING SENTENCE BY THE SAINT JAMES CHOIR:
The Lord Is in His Holy Temple …Bolle
THE OPENING HYMN: Christian Worship, # 230 Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
Please stand for stanza 4.
PASTORAL WELCOME Pastor Rokke
THE INVOCATION:
Congregation responds by singing: “A-men.”
PRAYER
P: Because Your steadfast love is better than life,
C: my lips will praise You.
P: For You have been my help,
C: and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.
P: Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth;
C: unite my heart to fear Your name.
P: I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
C: and I will glorify Your name forever.
P: May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You.
C: May those who love Your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
P: Save Your people and bless Your heritage!
C: Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
P: Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
C: listen to my plea for grace. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS: You may kneel.
TOGETHER: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from
my sin. For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your sight. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 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 a free spirit.
Amen.
ABSOLUTION:
P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, and He has given His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the atoning sacrifice for your sins. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Christ, in his stead and by his command, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Please rise.
HYMN OF THANKS AND PRAISE: Wonderful, Merciful Savior
9
Verse 1
Wonderful merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh You rescue the souls of men
Chorus
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Verse 2
Counselor Comforter Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts
Have hopelessly lost the way
Oh we hopelessly lost the way CHORUS
Verse 3
Almighty infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh we're falling before Your throne CHORUS
CCLI Song # 106879 CCLI License # 272318
Dawn Rodgers | Eric Wyse
© 1989 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
Dayspring Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
9
PRAYER OF THE DAY: (Please be seated for the prayer.)
At the end of the prayer, the congregation sings: “A-men.”
EPISTLE READING: Romans 5:1-11 Printed on the back cover.
The death of Christ brought us peace with God. We are justified by his blood. And just as his sufferings have brought us salvation, so they also give meaning to our sufferings. God uses our sufferings to produce spiritual fruit in us.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 8:27-38 Printed on the back cover. Please rise.
Peter gives a glorious confession that Jesus is the Christ. But then, a short time later, Peter challenges the idea that Jesus must die on the cross. The Lord would not tolerate opposition to the most important thing he came to do, and so Jesus rebuked Peter. God’s ways are not our ways. They are higher than ours. Let us set our minds on the things of God.
THE NICENE CREED: Christian Worship, page 31.
SERMON HYMN: Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow
(All children are invited to the front of the church during
The sermon hymn for the introduction of the sermon.)
SERMON: Text: Mark 8:27-38
Theme: Set Your Mind on the Things of God
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.
( 8:00) OFFERING VOLUNTARY: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross …Farlee
(10:30) SPECIAL MUSIC BY THE CLAWSON FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF
TOM CLAWSON, WHO WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD ON MARCH 2, 2013.
OFFERING: “Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all
your income.” - Proverbs 3:9
HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship, # 488, stanzas 1 & 2
Savior, Thy Dying Love Please stand.
PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE FIRST BLESSING
THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
The Sacrament of the Altar 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 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.
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:
(10:30) SAINTJAMES SENIOR CHOIR: Ubi Caritas …Mayo
Christian Worship, # 372 I Lay My Sins on Jesus
Christian Worship, # 375 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Christian Worship, # 125 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Christian Worship, # 316 O Jesus, Blessed Lord to Thee
THANKSGIVING, p. 36.
THE BENEDICTION:
THE ORGAN POSTLUDE: Were You There …Diemer
SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY
Pastor Ralph Rokke (preaching)
Pastor Dale Critchley
Organist and Choir Director – Tom Rowland
The Saint James Choir
Ushers – 8:00 – Len Bohrer and Team # 3
10:30 – 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
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:
Harvey Kirchner, Cal & Betty Kubat, Marybelle Johnson
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 Tom Clawson who entered his eternal home 2 years ago and in commemoration of his 85th birthday, provided by his wife Sue and sons Tom & Tim.
The flowers behind the crucifix are given in loving memory of Clayton Groth, in commemoration of his 92nd birthday on March 2nd, provided by his family.
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.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
If you want to cheer yourself up, try cheering someone else up.
LIVING AS A LOCAL MISSIONARY: Put your neighbors on your prayer list/calendar. Let them know when you pray for them. Ask whether they have any specific requests.
IN SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY students study the account “Jesus Calms a Storm.” Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and death by taking our sin upon Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally. Consider discussing, “What did Jesus do to calm the storm? How does Jesus calm the storms in our life?”
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Saint James offers financial assistance to families who enroll their children at parochial schools. The scholarship fund is available for pre-school, K-8, and high school. Students planning on entering college for the preaching or teaching ministry are also eligible. If you plan on sending a child to a Lutheran school for the 2015-16 school year, please inform Ron Ecker from the Education Committee by May 17th at (651) 457-3177 or .