Other Happenings Archive

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Confirming Our Youth

Posted August 20, 2026 By admin

I would like to be the first to congratulate our four confirmands for 2026. For the past two years, excluding some time between seasons, these four students have met with me and studied the Scriptures, Luther’s Small Catechism, and the historical liturgy of the Church. I am especially proud of these four as they have endured several schedule changes, multiple quizzes and exams and even summer classes which is a first for this pastor.

But all four have demonstrated to me that they are ready to accept and affirm the promises made for them in Baptism. Well done Bryleigh, Copeland, MacKenzie, and Samantha. These four will be confirmed on Sunday, September 6th as a part of our service of worship.

Filed in Bible Study, Chirstians Under Construction, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Pastor, Youth Director

Up and Going

Posted August 15, 2026 By admin

On Thursday, July 9th , fourteen members and guests gathered at the Chapin Ale House for the July Up and Going meeting.

Helen gave the devotions from the “Faith Matters” article in the ICL magazine written by Rev. Ron Philabaum, Senior Pastor at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin. Pastor Philabaum wrote about the joys of blueberries, butterflies and buttercups in the spring and summer. Bible readings were Matthew 6 and Psalm 104. Devotions ended with prayer.

The hostess seated us and we ordered our drinks and selected food items. Each booth offered grace for our meal. While waiting, we all signed Get Well cards for absent members who are sick.  Laughter and conversation filled the area. Food was enjoyed and goodbyes we said.

The August meeting is the 4 Churches Meeting. This year the meeting will be held on Thursday, August 20th at Macedonia Lutheran Church located on Macedonia Church Road in Prosperity at 11:00 AM. We are to meet there by 10:45 AM. We are asked to bring a dessert or a side dish. Meat will be provided by the hosting church. Hope you all will be able to attend. We always have a great time. September is the annual apple run….September 10th. Please plan to join us.

Helen

Team Leader for Up and Going

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Up and Going

VBS Volunteers and attendees

Posted August 12, 2026 By admin

Thank you for spending your nights with us from Monday, July 13th through Thursday, July 16th. Thank you to our cooks for providing us a meal each night and for all our volunteers for the lessons, crafts, music, and games! A good time was had by all as we were reminded that Jesus is God’s promised, perfect, powerful, and proven son – Jesus Christ.

Filed in Fellowship, LCY, Other Happenings

Music Notes

Posted August 10, 2026 By admin

Ecclesiastes 3

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ecc.3.1-8.ESV

Solomon tells us that life is full of many seasons. There are seasons of plenty and seasons of need. As we begin this choir season, the St. Jacob’s choir is in a time of need. As our choir has aged, we have lost many wonderful members who added to our worship and praise to God. We are now down to just a few members and when a couple are away on vacation or ill, we are unable to bring our offering of song to God. During this year you may notice weeks without a choir. We need your help. You may think you do not have a strong voice, or you are too busy to commit to weekly practice. This is the time for you to join us not every week, but when you can. We need every voice raised in praise to God, strong and weak.

It is indeed a time to seek and a time to build up. If our worship and praise is important to St. Jacob’s, and if having a choir to lead worship is important, then it will take volunteers.

Be assured that we will lead worship with God’s help as we are able. We will sing hymns that are well known to us for anthems, and we will now practice on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM. You need not commit to every Sunday, but you can join us at 9:30 AM as you are able.

 

God is with us through all these times and seasons of life. I know that he will provide.

Filed in Bible Study, Choir Notes, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Worship and Music, Worship Service

St. Jacob’s 250th Anniversary Year-long Celebration

Posted August 7, 2026 By admin

It was truly a treat to welcome Pastor Randy Drafts back to St. Jacob’s in July. As reported to Pastor David, he truly enjoyed his visit with us and renewing so many wonderful relationships.

This month our 250th anniversary celebration continues as we again welcome a special guest Pastor. Pastor Dave Tholstrup, the long-time pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Chapin and also the first dean of the NALC South Carolina Mission District will visit and deliver the sermon on Sunday, August 16th. A congregational dinner will be served following the service of worship and everyone is invited to attend. Please bring your favorite dessert to share. Join your church family as we continue our year-long celebration as we give thanks to God for our congregation’s long history in the service of the Gospel. Please make sure to attend each of these and invite your friends and neighbors to join us. Below is a list of our remaining planned events.

  • August 16th – Guest preacher Rev. Dave Tholstrup (former SCMD Dean), congregational dinner following worship. Congregation members provide dessert.
  • September 20th – Congregational Outreach Event; blankets for residents at Generations.
  • October 25th – Homecoming and Anniversary Sunday, guest preacher NALC Presiding Bishop Dan Selbo; special catered congregational dinner following worship.
  • November TBD – Golden Agers Recognition and Celebration.

 

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Blessing of the Backpacks

Posted August 5, 2026 By admin

It’s hard to believe, the summer break from school for our children is about to come to a close. The first day of public school in Chapin is Tuesday, August 11th . As such, we will have our annual blessing of the kids’ backpacks and bookbags on Sunday, August 9th during the Children’s Sermon.

All students in grade K-12 are encouraged to bring their backpacks or bookbags with them as we pray for God’s blessing on another fruitful school year. We will also pray for teachers (public school, private school, and homeschool) that they would enjoy seeing their students progress in their areas of study.

Filed in Chirstians Under Construction, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship Service

Women’s Bible Study

Posted August 3, 2026 By admin

The Women’s Bible Study met on Monday, July 20th at the home of Susan. We enjoyed a devotion titled, “A Beautiful Bouquet” that focused on Psalm 139. Beautiful votive bouquets were created and enjoyed along with friendship and fellowship!

Our next meeting will be at the Chapin Ale House on Monday, August 10th at 6:30 PM. All women of St. Jacob’s (including friends!) are welcome! Please RSVP to Susan by Saturday, August 8th so we can reserve a table.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings

Devotion for August – Together in Faith

Posted August 1, 2026 By admin

Read 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
Nothing gives the devil pleasure more than to drive a wedge between God and his people. Second on Satan’s list is to set the brothers and sisters in Christ against one another. All too often, the devil uses trickery and false promises to cause the faithful to raise suspicion, cast doubt, and make false accusations against their neighbor. Pride, ego, overconfidence and self-righteousness are among the evil one’s favorite weapons. Yet, no matter how clever, cunning, or deceitful the devils’ attempts may be, they are no match for the power of God’s love.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses division within the church by exhorting the Christians in Corinth to reaffirm their love and trust in God. Through the power of God’s grace through Christ Jesus, forgiveness is made available; relationships may be restored and people reconciled to one another.
The same is said for the church today. Even as Satan attempts to pull one away from another, the relationship we have in Christ is stronger. Paul teaches us that as we forgive, we are forgiven. As we build one another up in the presence of Christ, we are empowered to withstand the pokes and prods of those powers that defy God’s goodness and grace.
In these steps of our journey toward the cross of Christ, the people of God live together in trust and hope. As Paul points to our need to reaffirm our faith in the one true God who forgives sin, we also reaffirm the relationships God has established among his people. Living together for the sake of Christ, the church remains strong against any power that would attempt to drive a wedge between us. Thanks be to God.
Prayer: O God our strength, give us the power to withstand temptation, that we may live together in faith and love. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Midweek Bible Study Update

Posted July 31, 2026 By admin

With the expected completion of our parking lot construction, we will be returning to our regular schedule for midweek Bible studies. Beginning in September, the evening study will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday each month at 6:30 PM. Our morning study will be meeting each Wednesday morning beginning at 9:30 AM.

Our current study of the Seven Letters to Seven Churches in Revelation will conclude on Wednesday, August 5th at 6:30 PM with the topic, “Jesus’s Letter to the Church in Chapin.” This will include a summary of all seven letters to the churches in Revelation. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship Service

St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Briefs July 7, 2026

Posted July 30, 2026 By admin

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for June

  • Compliments to the Pastor for the summer sermon series.
  • Meeting our hymnal goal and receiving new hymnals.
  • Confirmands on track to be confirmed.
  • Safety Team has done a wonderful job handling the parking lot safety during the construction.

Treasurer’s Presentation on this Year’s Finances:

  • We are $30k behind in the budget for giving, last year at this time we were $17k behind.
    • Council came up with a plan to address the issue to the congregation.

Parking Lot Presentation – Danny Shealy:

  • Danny suggested that we bring a vote to the congregation regarding extra funding to complete the parking lot. Cost includes:
    • $20k undercutting bad materials
    • $30k landscaping (required by county)
    • $4,500 concrete headwalls on pipe (required by county)
    • $65k resurface bus shed and fix the water problem while contractor is here paving. We will save 5% by adding this area.
    • Recommended that we add 10% to the total brought to the congregation for voting to cover any unforeseen costs.
    • This brings the total needed to $131,450 for approval.
  • Council voted unanimously to connect to city water.
  • Council voted on spending $18k on renovating the picnic shed or $8k to demolish it due to rotten areas. Council voted unanimously to demolish the picnic shed.

 

Pastor’s Report:

  • VBS- Pastor will be teaching the adult class.
  • July 19th – 250th celebration with Pastor Randy Drafts.
  • New member classes TBA.
  • Pastor will finish up confirmation sometime near the end of July/early August and will confirm in August/September.

Ministry Team Reports

  • Christian Education
    • Sponsored the Luther League youth celebration on Sunday, June 7th. Members of past groups were invited to our service and lunch who were part of our youth when Pastor Wessinger and Pastor Eargle served. Hamburger meal was provided. Great fun!
    • VBS will be Monday, July 13th -Thursday, July 16th with meal starting at 5:45 PM and VBS from 6:30-8:00 PM.
    • Background checks for some of our Sunday school and VBS teachers and volunteers have been turned in.
    • Prayers for our program and increasing attendance for Sunday school and for volunteers for both Sunday school and nursery. 5
  • Congregational Care
    • Assisted with the 250th anniversary meal for Luther League.
    • Plan to assist with VBS and will assist in the 250th anniversary meal on July 19th .
  • Discipleship
    • Donated 16 Mercy Bags to We Care weighing 292 pounds.
    • The Auxiliary Warehouse received 50 High School Kits and 25 Kitchen Kits for our inventory. We also moved 28 Storm Buckets from the shelves and stacked them against the wall to make room on the shelves for items that cannot be stored on the floor.
  • Property
    • See parking lot presentation above.
    • Wilson’s replaced our 30-year-old HVAC unit on the east side of the church basement with a 3-ton Armstrong heat pump. o Safety
  • Safety Team met with Judy Dease and revised the St. Jacob’s Child Safety Policy. Eddie Eargle, our council representative, was also present.
    • Placed cones in the road and assisted members crossing over from bus shed parking lot.
    • Plans to renew several members with CPR certification. Staff Support
  • Staff Support
    • Laurie is receiving training and information to begin using Constant Contact for communication.
    • Need help to promote digital media position.
  • Stewardship
    • AJ to provide a temple talk the first week of August to focus on “treasures” tithing and giving.
  • Worship and Music
    • Background checks turned in.
    • Decorating for VBS.

Old Business:

  • Child and Youth Protection Policy:
    • Council to review new changes to policy at home and report back.
  • Property Team to give quotes on exterior lighting for the church office.
  • Lexington County landscaping plan.

New Business:

  • Replace signs at intersections.
  • Blankets needed to be handed out sometime in September (need 20 total).
  • Delegates needed for the NALC virtual meeting Friday, August 7th from 7pm-10pm.

** Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 4th at 6:30 PM in the church office. **

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
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