Archive for September, 2017

Christian Education for 2016

Posted September 7, 2017 By admin

Thank you to all who volunteered their time and talent this year, fulfilling their baptismal promises to teach our children God’s holy word. It is my prayer that we all will continue help one another grow in our faith and trust in our mighty Father.

This year our Sunday School consisted of two (2) Adult classes, one (1) High School Class (which eventually merged with one of the Adult classes due to lack of teachers), one (1) Middle School class, (1) one Elementary School class, and one (1) preschool class.

I would like to especially thank Mrs. Libby Shealy for her dedication to teaching our Middle School children and all those who volunteered to teach each Sunday, some who even coordinated their own teaching and lesson schedules.

Our Team was responsible for Vacation Bible School this summer. We began each night with supper for the attendees and their families. The curriculum, Surf Shack, had classes for Adults through Preschool and we learned about God’s mission in our lives. Pastor Kevin once again led the Adult class and the younger children rotated between music, games, lessons, crafts and snacks. We had a wonderful time learning about how God creates, helps, loves, calms and sends each of us. We would like to send a big thank you to all our volunteers who fed our children and Adults with food and especially God’s Word!

 

VBS Daily Attendance Average:

  • Kids: 35 – 40
  • Adults: 40 – 43

Other Team Accomplishments:

  • Confirmation Class (Pastor Kevin, David Kibler and Dawn Rister)
  • First Communion Class (Pastor Kevin)
  • Children’s Christingle (Advent) Service – This service included participation of children from our Preschool class to our High School Class. We would like to thank St. Jacobs’s staff, musicians, children and all our wonderful parent volunteers who helped chaperone and organize this service.
  • With much appreciation from the Christian Education Team we look forward to serving side by side with our brothers and sisters in Christ, spreading His word and love to all who need to hear and know Him.
Filed in Chirstians Under Construction, Fellowship, Outreach

Report from the LCY for 2016

Posted September 7, 2017 By admin

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mathew 5:16

As I read this scripture from Mathew, I can’t help but think of the youth we have here at St. Jacobs. We are so blessed to have such a talented group of young people who are willing to share their gifts in our congregation and elsewhere. They serve as a wonderful example of what God can do with His children when they a willing to shine their lights in the world.

It is a fun and exciting time for our youth as they continue let their “Light” shine!! Here are some of the examples of Outreach that SJY (St. Jacobs Youth) accomplished during 2016:

  • During our trip to the Coastal Retreat Center we enjoyed fellowship and fun in the sun, but we also gave the retreat center a thorough cleaning before we left.
  • The kids decorated pumpkins and wrote card to some of our congregational members.
  • SJY assisted the Lutheran Women with the Easter Egg hunt and Christmas caroling.
  • Our youth participated in a Homeless Lock-in. While there was fun and faith building we also made blankets to give to our shut-ins.
  • The youth planned and lead worship for the congregation during Youth Sunday.
  • Our youth helped the Christian Education Committee during this year’s Vacation Bible School.
  • A Youth Planning Committee has been established and it has given the youth and parents the opportunity to take ownership in planning activities for SJY.
  • The Youth Choir has been established and they are now singing one Sunday a month.

This year has been filled with opportunities for our youth to grow in their faith and to fellowship with their friends while participating in variety of fun activities. Some of these activities included: Partying at the Lake, the BBQ, going to Carowinds, visiting Congaree National Park, Christmas Caroling, and a monthly Bible Study.

Besides all the fun and outreach…St. J’s middle and high school kids have taken on active roles in our congregation. They can be seen serving as acolytes, lay readers, communion assistants, instrumentalist, vocalist, and teaching VBS classes. With such a great group of young people who are willing to serve…the future looks bright for St. Jacobs!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the Congregation for your support and for volunteering your time to chaperone and facilitate events for our youth this year…we couldn’t do it without you!

Peace & Love,

Dawn

Filed in Fellowship, LCY, Outreach

Lutheran Women’s 2016 Report

Posted September 7, 2017 By admin

Below is a list of some of our accomplishments for this year:

  • We began the year with helping the Lutheran men with Shrove Tuesday on February 9, 2016.
  • The Lutheran Women Lenten meal was served on February 17, 2016 consisting of spaghetti and all the trimmings.
  • The annual children’s Easter egg hunt was held on March 26, 2016 with many children in attendance. The children made different crafts, hunted decorative eggs and enjoyed a delicious lunch.
  • The Lutheran Women Sunday was held on Sunday, April 3, 2016. Our sermon was telling the story of 6 women of the Bible in the Old Testament.
  • We adopted a family of 5 for Christmas. There were 3 children plus mom and dad. It was such a joy to be able to give this family a wonderful Christmas.
  • On December 4, we helped the Lutheran Men with the Christmas Family dinner by decorating and furnishing the delicious desserts.
  • We invite all ladies of the congregation to join us on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 5PM in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Sent cards to our birthday honorees that are 75 and older throughout the year.

 

Our thanks to the congregation of St. Jacob’s for their continuous support and for those that made monetary contributions during the year.

Filed in Fellowship, Lutheran Women, Outreach

Lutheran Men Update at end of 2016

Posted September 7, 2017 By admin

Specific goals accomplished and/or activities supported for 2016 are noted below. (Some activities were combined efforts of the LM, Property, and/or other church team and/or our church family.)

(1) Supported workdays and/or work-lists during the year; assisting with general maintenance items around the church, Fellowship Hall, bus shed and office; see Property Team’s report for specific accomplishments

(2) Supported grass cutting needs of the church grounds and cemetery

(3) Assisted in litter pick-up along our “adopted” section of Columbia Avenue (Road 48)

(4) Made time & “talent” donations to our church family, i.e. supported the SJY Chicken BBQ (March 19, 2016), a gift certificate for a member in need, assisted in the LW’s Mother Daughter Banquet (portion of food purchase, preparation & serving); provided congregational support/other where needed

(5) Monetary, labor, and/or other contributions to our community and beyond, participated in joint community LM (Carolinas Lutheran Men) meetings at Holy Trinity, donated $50 per child resident at Newberry Boys Farm for Christmas

(6) Held Catfish Stew & Country Sausage fund raising events as well as our annual July 4th BBQ; these events raise funds for our church, LM and community efforts

(7) formally dedicated our BBQ facility on July 31 during the service followed by a meal of hot dogs & hamburgers and trimmings; meal expenses shared by the Fellowship Team & LM, our facility was dedicated in memory & honor of all LM of the congregation

(8) Supported this past year’s outdoor, 8:00 a.m. Homecoming service; preparing breakfast for all in attendance (for all our breakfast events, LM make the sausage)

(9) Constructed a deck for former Pastor Kevin & family at their new home in North Carolina

The LM continued their annual participation and efforts for the Shrove Tuesday pancake and sausage supper, a Lenten meal, Lutheran Men’s Sunday, Easter Sunrise breakfast, and general assistance (when needed) for church members, and others in need. We assisted in the erection and disassembly of the Easter crosses and Church’s manger scene.

This past year Pastor Kevin’s last Sunday at St. Jacob’s was on LM Sunday, and he provided a timely and final message to the congregation. LM handled all parts of the service. Laurie Lackey graciously supported our “all men’s” choir efforts. We appreciate their efforts on behalf of the LM.

The LM’s traditional Ladies Night hamburger cook-out in May was a combined effort with the SJY & LW. A great evening of fellowship & fun was enjoyed. The annual Ice Cream Social with added hot dogs & trimmings was held in July as a joint effort with the Christian Education Team’s opening night of Vacation Bible School, with SJ Youth & members of the congregation participating. In December the LM with LW assistance sponsored the annual evening, congregational Christmas meal catered by Farm Boy’s BBQ. The LM assumed a portion of the cost of the meal and LW provided many wonderful deserts and a beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall. The Christmas dinner was a success with 75+ (members & church family) enjoying dinner and fellowship.

Our group invites men of the church (young & old) to participate and join our unit. Devotions, periodic programs, fellowship, and good food are “main courses” served at our meetings. The LM makes every effort to return our monetary gains to our church and extended community family. We appreciate the opportunity to provide support to our SJY, LW, and Up & Going groups along with our church family in general. We likewise appreciate the support these groups & our church family provide us. We are proud of our accomplishments in 2016 and look forward to serving our church and community in 2017.

Filed in Fellowship, Lutheran Men, Outreach