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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
Pastor Ralph Rokke
651-457-6796
malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com
651-457-3955
rrokke@saintjameslutheran.com
Pastor Dale Critchley
Pastor Richard Stadler
Cell: 440-782-0189 | Office: 651-457-6343
dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com
Cell: 651-338-8621
rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com
Terese Thune – Youth Director
Shirley Hess – Parish Nurse
Cell: 651-336-2117
tthune@saintjameslutheran.com
651-210-3380
pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com
Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 22, 2015
Knowing about someone isn’t the
same as knowing someone. That’s
true of God as well. So how can we
know God instead of just knowing
about God? The prophet Jeremiah
promised this would be possible!
YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE AT SAINT JAMES. If this is your first visit,
please fill out a “Welcome to our Church” card (available in the pew rack) and put it in
the offering. Stop by the Visitor Welcome Center as you leave and pick up a small gift.
Thank you for coming, and please come back soon.
THE NURSERY is not staffed, but it is open during the service. As a courtesy to others,
if you keep your child with you, and your child becomes restless during the service,
please take him or her temporarily to the narthex or the nursery. (The service is
broadcast on the TV in both locations.)
SPECIAL POCKET HEARING SYSTEMS are available from the ushers for anyone
desiring an amplified broadcast of the service.
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LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE
ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
PASTOR ALBRECHT’S BIBLE CLASS meets between services in the Fireside Room
to continue our discussion of The Remarkable Gospel of Mark.
Today we consider Jesus’ parable of the Sower and the Soils at
the beginning of chapter four. How many people heard Jesus tell
this parable for the first time? Were there any farmers in the
crowd? Why doesn’t Jesus explain the parable to the crowd? Did
Jesus’ disciples understand the parable after Jesus explained it to them? How do we
understand this parable today? Are you supposed to figure out which kind of soil you
are? As always, your comments and questions are encouraged. All are welcome. Audio
CDs will be available at the Welcome Center, or you can listen to the recording on our
web site or download it and listen to it at your convenience.
PASTOR STADLER’S BIBLE CLASS meets in Rooms 7 & 8 downstairs to continue
studying “How Do the Dead Sea Scrolls Help Us Understand the New Testament?”
Today we begin reading The Community Rule, often
considered the Constitution of the people of the Dead
Sea Scrolls. We will examine the rules the “people of the
scrolls” observed about how they were to live, remain
pure, and treat each other. Does this document agree or
disagree with the Pharisees, the Sadducees and other
Jews we know existed at the time of Jesus? You can add
your own questions and suggestions, or just sit and listen.
Qumran
Audio CD’s of the class are available at the Visitor
Welcome Center in the Narthex or you can listen and download the class from our
website. Welcome.
AS A PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP you are invited to read Psalm 119:9-16.
THE ORDER OF SERVICE
PRELUDE:
(8:00) ORGAN:
Prelude in A Major
... J.S. Bach
(In honor of Bach’s birthday, March 21, 1685 O.S. (March 31, 1685 N.S.)
(10:30) HAND BELLS:
Morning Song of Praise
Blessed Assurance
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... Hakes
... Dobrinski
GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship #106
PASTORAL GREETING
Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain
(Stand for final verse)
Pastor Critchley
INVOCATION
Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]
OPENING VERSICLES:
L I cry to You, O Lord,
C in the morning my prayer comes before You.
L Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
C and uphold me with a willing spirit.
L My mouth is filled with Your praise,
C and with Your glory all the day.
L Every day I will bless You
C and praise Your name forever and ever.
L By awesome deeds You answer us with righteousness,
C O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest
seas.
L Bless the Lord, O my soul;
C and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
L He redeems your life from the pit
C and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
L Hear my prayer, O Lord;
C let my cry come to You.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 31:31–34
The New Covenant Jeremiah describes, unlike the obligation of the old, puts us in a position
of joyful response to the good news of God’s love through Jesus.
L This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE: Hebrews 5:1–10
A priest serves as a mediator between God and people. Because Jesus is both God and
human, He is the perfect priest for us, acting in our stead for the sake of the sacrifice, not
animals, but Himself..
L This is the Word of the Lord.
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C Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORY FOR LENT:
1 John 2:1; [Mark 10:33]; Psalm 32:1
L We have an advocate with the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
C He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
L Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
C He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
L We have an advocate with the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
C He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.
HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 10:35–45
Under the New Covenant, based on love, we serve others in joy, because acting out love is
joyful in itself.
L This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
HYMN OF THE DAY:
Christian Worship #339 Today Your Mercy Calls Us
(Children may come forward during the final verse)
SERMON
Text: Jeremiah 31:31–34
Theme: How can I know God?
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
C Lord God, even though You have been faithful to us in all things, we continue to
be unfaithful to You in our actions, words, and mindset. We hoard your gifts with
greed and then don’t trust that You will provide all we need. Yet in spite of our
attitudes, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, as the greatest gift, that by the gift of
His life, suffering, and death on our behalf, You would renew Your covenant of
love with us once again, so by that promise, we ask for Your faithful mercy.
P God promised through Jeremiah, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin
no more.” Today, He renews that vow again by the proclamation of the Gospel,
Therefore, 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 (sung) Amen.
THE APOSTLES CREED: Christian Worship, page 41
OFFERING
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OFFERING VOLUNTARY: (8:00) ORGAN: Arioso from Orchestra Suite #3 ... J.S. Bach
(10:30) HAND BELLS: Beneath the Cross of Jesus
...Kinyon
HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship #345 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS AND LORD'S PRAYER
BENEDICTION
Numbers 6:24–26
SENDING HYMN: Christian Worship #382 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
ORGAN POSTLUDE:
Wer Nur den Lieben, Gott Lasst Walten
... J.S. Bach
SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY
Pastor Dale Critchley (preaching)
Pastor Ralph Rokke
Organist: Tom Rowland
Saint James Handbells and Director Winifred Farley
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)___.
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PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR
Let us remember to pray for some of our veteran members:
Lois Herman, Alice Hinnenthal, Lee Hubler, LaJene Ihfe
MISSIONS TO PRAY FOR
This week please pray for Don and Pam Leonard and Project Video, who use local talent
to produce and distribute Bible videos in Thailand and China.
FLOWERS
The flowers in the chancel vases are given in loving memory of Karen Robideau’s
birthday on March 29, provided by Brad & Crystal Robideau.
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.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Maundy Thursday, April 2
7:00 p.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion
Pastor Critchley: “Remembrance”
Good Friday, April 3
11:00 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion
7:00 p.m. Divine Tenebrae Service with Holy Communion
Pastor Rokke: “Sin’s Price Is Paid in Full”
Easter Vigil, April 4
7:00 p.m. Service with Holy Baptism
Pastor Albrecht: “There Is No Way to Anoint the Anointed One”
Easter Sunday, April 5
7:00 – 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast Served
8:00 a.m. Easter Festival Service
9:30 a.m. Children’s Easter Celebration
10:30 a.m. Easter Festival Service
Pastor Albrecht: “Jesus Is on the Loose”
Monday, April 6
6:30 p.m. “Echoes of Easter” Evening SonRise Worship
Pastor Stadler: “Can We Find Life in a Cemetery?”
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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “No person was ever honored for what he
received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
~ Calvin Coolidge
(1872-1933, 20th U.S. President)
LIVING AS A LOCAL MISSIONARY: At a local business you frequent, express your
appreciation that they make God’s world a better place by providing (goods/services).
IN SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY the focus is “The Widow’s Mite.” Just as the widow gave all
she had to God, trusting Him to provide and care for her, so Jesus gave His all for us, who
fail to trust in God for all things. Consider discussing, “How was the widows’ offering different
from the others? How has God given us His greatest treasure?”
EASTER BREAKFAST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Easter Breakfast will be served on
Sunday, April 5, from 7:00 – 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed from 7:00 – 9:30 a.m. and
9:30 a.m. – cleanup. If you are interested in helping please contact Roger Ohmann at 651248-8638.
FOOD SHARE MONTH: Keep it coming! Thank you to all who have brought food or
monetary contributions to Saint James for Neighbors food shelf. We have until the end of
March, during which time all of our gifts will be “matched” by the State of Minnesota food
share program. Let’s bring in some rice and canned fruit or vegetables this week. Make it
easy! You are also welcome to write out a check to Saint James with “Food Shelf” in the
memo line.
BOY & GIRL PIONEERS: The girls will host the annual Mother/Daughter Tea from 10:30 –
12:00. At 12:00 the boys and girls will launch the rockets they made at Sibley High School.
SAINT JAMES BOOK CLUB is reading Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival,
Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. We invite anyone who has read the book
or watched the movie to join us for a lively and interesting discussion on Tuesday, March 24
at 7:00 p.m. Contact Deb Most at debmost@comcast.net or 651-334-1457 with questions.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT is this Friday, March 27 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!
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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Saint James offers financial assistance to families who
enroll their children at Lutheran schools. The scholarship fund is available for pre-school
through 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 17 th at (651)
457-3177 or rcecker@q.com.
COUPLES DATE NIGHT: This is a friendly reminder and personal invitation to the next
Couples Date Night here at Saint James on Saturday, April 11th at 5:30 p.m. Please bring an
appetizer/salad/dessert/whatever to share. After some casual conversation and good
food, we will settle down to watch and discuss a video. If you can’t make it promptly at 5:30,
please feel free to come when you can. If you would like to have child care available here at
church, please let Ron Ecker know ASAP at (651) 457-3177.
EVERYBODY GRIEVES: GRIEF EDUCATION FOR ADULTS: HealthEast Hospice Grief
Support Services is offering a grief education class designed to help adults better understand
and cope with their own grief after the death of a loved one. The class will be held on
Monday, April 13, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Watson Education Center, Room 2, Maplewood
Professional Building. There is no cost but registration is required as space is limited. For
more information about the class and to register please call Gina Germain at 651-232-3543
or by email ggmcgovern@healtheast.org.
STORE TO DOOR is a volunteer-based shopping and delivery service to give seniors
reliable access to their choice of food and household essentials, so they can continue to live
in their own homes. Learn how to volunteer or sign up for services at www.storetodoor.org or
call 651-642-1892.
NEW CLASS – “GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOUR CANCER”: Beginning Tuesday, March
24th Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville will begin a 9-week course for anyone currently in
treatment, post treatment, caregivers or loved ones of those with cancer. Classes will be held
in the Fireside Room from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. They will provide resources, opportunities to
share and care, and ideas to keep faith central in the cancer journey. To register or for
questions, please contact Michele at 651-344-8579, michelekarpenko@yahoo.com or Beth
at 952-687-1585, bjschulze@charter.net.
TAKE A VOLUNTEER SPRING BREAK! Join your friends, family, or coworkers and
volunteer this spring to help an older homeowner clean and maintain their yard in the Dakota
County area. Sign up to volunteer through DARTS website at www.dartsconnects.org or
email barb.tiggemann@darts1.org.
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THIS WEEK AT SAINT JAMES
TODAY, MARCH 22, 2015
8:00 a.m. … Worship Service
9:15 a.m. … Sunday School & Bible Classes
10:30 a.m. … Worship Service
11:30 p.m. ... JAM Session
MONDAY, MARCH 23
6:30 p.m. … Evening SonRise Worship Service
7:30 p.m. ...Vestry
7:30 p.m. … Sr. Handbells
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
10:00 a.m. ... Bible Class
7:00 p.m. ... Saint James Book Club
7:00 p.m. ... Stewardship Committee
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
11:00 a.m. ... Lenten Service
5:00 p.m. … Confirmation Classes
5:00 p.m. ... Lenten Dinner
6:30 p.m. … Lenten Service
6:30 p.m. … Adult Children of Alcoholics
7:30 p.m. ... VBS Committee Meeting
7:30 p.m. … Saint James Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
6:30 p.m. ... Puppet Practice
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
7:00 p.m. ... Family Game Night
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
8:00 a.m. ... Women’s Bible Study
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 (Palm Sunday)
8:00 a.m. … Worship Service
Ushers: Loren Bahls and Team #5
9:15 a.m. … Sunday School & Bible Classes
10:30 a.m. … Worship Service
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Ushers: Virginia Genz and Team #6
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