Preparing for Worship | October 23, 2022

October 23 is the Festival of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr. This day provides an interesting counterpoint to next week's festival of the Reformation, as we consider the relationship between faith and works.

View this week's worship folder here.

Watch worship live on Sunday at 9 a.m. or anytime after on demand here.

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LCMS Lectionary Summary

Readings

Acts 15:12–22a
James 1:1–12
Matthew 13:54–58
 
St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr
 
“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household” (Matt. 13:58). James the Just was once offended at Jesus’ “wisdom and … mighty works” (Matt. 13:54). But he came to faith following His resurrection, when Jesus appeared to him (1 Cor. 15:7). He then became a leader of the Early Church in Jerusalem, present at the council recorded in Acts 15. There James recognized from the prophets that Jesus was the Lord “known from of old” and returned to rebuild David’s fallen tent and restore it, “that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name” (Acts 15:16–18). “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3). Josephus and other historians record that James was martyred by stoning in the 60s A.D. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Worship

During the month of October, we will use Divine Service, Setting 5. This setting of the Divine Service is an English adaptation of Martin Luther's German Mass (Deutsche Messe). Divine Service, Setting 5 is a hymn service. To learn more about Divine Service, Setting 5, click here

Hymns

Because there are many hymns that constitute the liturgy of Divine Service, Setting 5, we will limit additional hymns for this month. In addition to the liturgical hymns, we will also sing a Hymn of the Day and Distribution Hymns.

The hymn numbers are for Lutheran Service Book (LSB).​

Praise to the Almighty (LSB 797) is the hymn of the day for St. James, and is a hymn of praise and doxology for those who count it all joy.

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O Holy Spirit Grant Us Grace (LSB 693) is the first distribution hymn and pleads with the Spirit for grace during life and at life's end. As St. James was martyred for the sake of Christ and instructs us to remain steadfast under suffering, this hymn is a prayer for Christians in difficult times.

Enjoy this video of Lord of All Hopefulness (LSB 738) sung by the Choir of King's College. The melody is slightly different for this English choir, but you may recognize the Irish melody "Slane."