Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Parking Lot Update:

• Council was pleased with the new rendering of the parking lot and determined that a Congregational Meeting would be held on Sunday March 17, 2024. Danny Shealy and Gerald Lindler were asked to present the plan to the congregation.

Pastors Report:

• Pastor David is pleased that worship attendance has increased and seeing some extended family members attending. Wednesday night worship attendance has increased and exceeds the last few years. There is concern that ministry teams are not active to their potential. Council is asked to pray for our congregation and to pray for our ministry teams.

Report of Ministry Teams:

Staff Support

• Celebrated Bryan birthday in February with a $50 monetary gift card from the congregation.
• Met with Jean for her annual review.

Safety/Security

• Cameras: Perform a study of area churches who utilize cameras both inside and outside of the church buildings.
• Area churches have shared copies of their safety plans.
• A Temple Talk given by the Safety team is scheduled for April 2024.

Christian Education – Sherry

• The Christian Ministry Team will meet Thursday, March 14th at 6:30 PM in the church office to discuss Sunday School, VBS dates and Summer Camp June 9-14.
• Excited that the children’s Sunday School has finally made it to the New Testament!

Congregational Care – David

• Lay Communion Ministry Team has visited and administered communion to our homebound folks.
• Plan to run the new ministry information in the April newsletter again as a reminder.

Discipleship – Lynn / Julie

• Filled and delivered 21 Mercy Bags.
• Thankful to the Lutheran Women and several members of the congregation who have volunteered to assist with this ministry.
• Discussed the possibility of a Flower Fund for Sundays when no one has signed up.

Property – Chad / Barry

• The parts for the HVAC unit have been delivered. There is still a hold up on this project as the platform may need to be modified.
• A new water cooler for the fellowship hall will be purchased and installed from Oasis, the cost will be less than $2,500 dollars.

Stewardship – Doug

• Twenty families signed up to participate in Prayer Partners ministry.
• Please remember to pray for your partners.

Good Things at Saint Jacob’s:

• Temple Talk from Congregational Care reminding the congregation to reach out to Billy McTeer or Lynn Shealy to provide any assistance needed.
• Lutheran Women will pack Mercy Bags on 3rd Sunday in February.
• So wonderful to watch the children participating in worship by playing their instruments while the choir sang. It is always a blessing when our youth participate in worship.

Special Report from the Property Committee regarding the parking lot – Danny Shealy.

• Danny has plans to meet with contractors to review proposals and costs.
• Danny will provide project scope and costs to council at the March meeting.

Pastor’s Report:

• Pastor is thankful to be back to his normal activities now post-surgery.

Report of Ministry:

• The Safety Team thanks the Lindler’s for donating an AED that is located in the hallway between the narthex and the fellowship hall. An automatic blood pressure cuff was also donated.
• Christian Education is getting excited about VBS and will begin ordering materials and determining a date for VBS.
• The Congregational Care Team had a joint meeting with the Discipleship Team and made plans for Home Communion through July, 2024, and also discussed providing visits/help with various needs of our members.
• Discipleship reports that 18 Mercy Bags and 140 pounds of food were delivered to We Care in January. A reminder that, We Care is also in need of hygiene items. Mercy Bags will be packed following worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
• Property Team reports that Buddy Bickley had four headstones repaired in the cemetery and that the HVAC equipment is here but the platform must be modified before installation can be completed.

Old Business:

• Time and Talent sheets have been distributed to Team Leaders and Council Liaisons. Everyone who wrote down that they would help with a ministry need at Saint Jacob’s will be contacted. Thank you!

New Business:

• The Annual Report Book is complete and has been emailed to the congregation with paper copies provided as requested. The congregation voted to approve the Annual Report Book on Sunday February 18th.
• Team Leader Training took place on Monday, February 19th at 6:30 PM.
• Prayer Partners will be signed up for and distributed on Sunday, February 11th. If anyone didn’t get a Prayer Partner or would still like to sign up, see Sherrie.

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Homecoming Service
• Pastor Andy Eargle named Pastor Emeritus
• Cleaning and organizing the Disaster Response Warehouse (Bus Shed)
• Children did a great job assisting with the Reformation Sunday Service

Report of Ministry Teams:
• Property Team met with the Terminix representative to discuss a new termite treatment plan. Council approved the new annual maintenance agreement with Terminix.
• Safety Team – Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed.
• Congregational Care – Provided bereavement meal to Ann Slice’s family and AJ Peeple’s family.
• Discipleship – St. Jacob’s represented at Disaster Response Committee in North Carolina. 12 mercy bags (281 pounds of food) delivered to We Care.

Old Business:
• St. Jacobs will provide 250 slices of pound cake for Thanksgiving at the HUB.

New Business:
• Congregation Christmas Meal scheduled for December 3 immediately following the morning service. The Lutheran Men will pay for the meal. Congregation asked to bring a dessert.
• Council voted to have the Christmas Eve Service to begin at 5 PM

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Lutheran Men Sunday
• Church Wide Workday
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Staff Support – Establish more effective way for staff to communicate electronically.
• Congregational Care – Homecoming is October 15. Congregation will be asked to provide desserts.
• Safety and Security Team is working to research what kind and where to locate security cameras at the church.
• Discipleship – Ten Mercy Bags were delivered to We Care in September. Request for temple talk about We Care ministry.
Old Business:
• Golden Agers will be recognized at Homecoming. Pastor Eargle will also be recognized with a $200 gift card to The Palms Restaurant.

New Business:
• Results of Time and Talent Sheets will be given to Council at the November meeting for review.
• Thanksgiving at The Hub – St. Jacob’s will participate by providing desserts.
• 2024 Council Nominees will be presented at the November meeting.
• Council approved Trunk or Treat to be held on Sunday, October 29 from 4-6 PM by the Lutheran Women. Congregation is encouraged to participate.

Good Things at St. Jacob’s:
• Open House for newly renovated church office
• Kids handbell choir trip
• Disaster Warehouse
Plans Pastor’s Report – Doug Sullivan will be received by Affirmation of Baptism into St. Jacob’s membership.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Congregational Care – Homecoming is October 15th. This will also be Golden Agers Sunday. Congregation will be asked to provide desserts.
• Worship & Music – Youth handbell retreat to Salisbury, NC was a success.
• Safety and Security Team – Council approved purchasing smoke detectors and installing them throughout the building.
Old Business:
• There will be a church wide workday on September 30th. We will start at 8:00a.m. Lunch will be served.
New Business:
• Lawn Maintenance Contract – Council approved a proposal from C&E Landscaping to provide maintenance services on the cemetery side of Columbia Avenue. Annual cost will be $6,960. St. Jacob’s volunteers will continue to be responsible for area around the Sanctuary and Church Office. In the 2024 budget, Lawn Maintenance will be a line item. Members wishing to offset the cost of this service can contribute to the Cemetery Fund.
• Heat Pump Replacement – Council approved to replace the heat pump for the Fellowship Hall at a cost of $31,000. A waiting period of four months for delivery can be expected.

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Office Renovations Completed
• Sunday Visits to Generations is a special time for residents and St. Jacob’s members
Pastor’s Report – Pastor gave recap of Congo trip. An estimated 600 children were fed on this trip.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Staff Support – Annual reviews of staff will be done the month of August.
• Congregation Care – Homecoming is October 15.
• Building & Property – Church Office renovations are complete. Plans continue for the parking lot renovations.
• Worship & Music – Youth handbell retreat to Salisbury NC is August 26. Choir rehearsals will resume August 30.
Old Business:
• NALC Disaster Relief – St. Jacob’s approved to move forward with plans to use the bus shed to store supplies for the NALC Disaster Relief Program.
New Business:
• There will be a church wide workday on September 30. More details to follow.

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Church Office Renovation
• Vacation Bible School
• Adult attendance at VBS was up and encouraging
Bob noted that the church is doing well on this year’s budget and are meeting expenses for 2023.

Council extended a thank you to the Journey Sunday School Class for their efforts in renovating the church office. A drop-in after church service one Sunday will be planned for the congregation.

A congregational workday will be scheduled in September to work on various items around the church and church grounds. Specific tasks will be identified prior to the workday.

Report of Ministry Teams:
• Safety – Don Dease thanked the Safety Team for the work they are doing to make our church a safe environment.
• Christian Education – Vacation Bible School was a great success. Lots of people in attendance.
• Congregation Care – Planning for Homecoming on October 15 continues.
Old Business:
• Fresh Eyes Update: Ongoing focus on Mercy Bag ministry, card ministry, and property and renovations.
New Business:
• On July 30, a representative from the NALC will give a temple talk before worship about the NALC Disaster Response. Council will be looking at assisting the NALC by using a portion of the bus shed as a storage area.

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Isabelle Peeples confirmation and lunch
• Safety Team Certification for operation of safety equipment
• Church office renovation project

Pastor Gary Blobaum will serve as supply pastor on July 9 and 16th while the Pastor is away in the Congo.
Pastor David was elected vice-president of the Carolina Mission Region.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Safety – Eight (8) members of the congregation completed the Medical Response Training. May 23.
• Congregation Care – Lutheran Men will provide 50 pounds of BBQ for the Homecoming meal on October 15.
• Worship and Music – New paraments received and will be displayed this Sunday.
Old Business:
• Church Office Renovations are going well. New Business:
• Council discussed an opportunity to assist the Disaster Response Team. Council will consider using a portion of our bus shed as a disaster response staging area.

Meeting Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Easter Egg Hunt for Children was enjoyed by all
• A “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit” – Good information and attendance
Pastor will be on vacation May 8-13.
Confirmation of Isabelle Peeples is May 21. Council voted to approve a luncheon in her honor after service on that day.
Based on a recommendation from Pastor, Council voted to name Pastor Andy Eargle as Pastor Emeritus of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church. He will be notified and invited to Homecoming on October 15.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Music Ministry Report – Musical Monday Youth Handbell Camp tentatively scheduled for Monday mornings during the summer.
• Christian Education – Curriculum for VBS was approved by Council. Dates have not been con firmed.
• Safety – A trainer has been contacted for the Medical Emergency Training.
• Discipleship – 24 Mercy Bags of food was delivered to We Care. Lynn Shealy has been named to the board of We Care.
• Worship and Music – New green paraments and fair linen cloths have been received.
• Property Team – Plans for the parking lot renovations continue.
Old Business:
• The following vision points were discussed from the NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit. Spiritual Awareness Outreach Visibility Care Connections
• Improvements to church property Congregation will vote by paper ballot on the recommended business office improvements on April 30.
New Business:
• Brief discussion on potential safety hazards caused by the old copings in the cemetery.

Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• Copeland Peeples Solo
• Lutheran Men Sausage Sale
Treasurer’s Report: Because of the volatile stock market, Council approved a Finance Committee recommendation to move the Sites Endowment Fund into a money market account for the short term. Council also approved moving the remaining funds in the Thrivent Account to a money market account.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Safety Team is preparing medical emergency guidelines.
• Christian Education – Multi-Generational Sunday School Class has been discontinued.
• Property Team – A tankless water heater is being installed in the church office. A floor joist is also being repaired in the church office.
Old Business:
• Plans continue for the Fresh Eyes Mission Summit.
• Improvements to church property: Council discussed several items regarding improvements to church property. This includes improvements to the church office, Sanctuary, and parking lot. A plan to renovate the church office is complete. Plans for the Sanctuary and parking lot are continuing. Council voted to approve the plans for the church office. This plan will be presented to the congregation in the near future.
New Business:
• Council voted to add a monthly calendar to the newsletter.