Up and Going members and guests gathered on Thursday, Dec 13th, in the Fellowship Hall at 11AM to enjoy the annual Christmas Party. Business was conducted. The Treasurer’s Report was received.
Juliette offered prayer for Gloria Livingston, a long time traveler with the Up and Going. Gary read Christmas Bible verses and the group sang responding Christmas Hymns. Joan lead in playing several Christmas Carols with each of us playing chimes. This music was very pretty and all enjoyed playing the Chimes.
Gary gave the meal blessing. The food tables were heavily laden with containers of delicious Holiday foods and desserts. Each person brought their special dish for our enjoyment. Thanks to each of you for this special meal.
Gary and Joan passed out BINGO cards and we played until each person had won a “white elephant” gift and
candies. Much laughter and many comments were made as each won in bingo and then opened their chosen gift; especially if one tried to steal another’s gift. So much fun for us all!
The January Meeting will be held at the home of Bob and Gloria on Thursday, January 10th at 11AM. We will cook a pot of soup. Sign up on the Bulletin Board your choice of soup item to bring. Frances will have devotions and Gloria will have the program. Each person is asked to bring 3 cans of food for We Care. This is a good way to start the New Year since We Care’s pantry will be low.
Love,
Helen
Archive for January, 2019
Up and Going News
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminA Sincere Thanks
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminA special thanks goes out to each and every one of our volunteers that gave of their time and talents to assist with the worship services and all the processes that goes with the Advent season. St. Jacob’s is blessed to have such wonderful people willing to assist with the many events that are taking place in the church life. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish what we do without each one of you!
Thanks!
The Power of Prayer
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminby Pastor David
The author of the book of James, Jesus’ very own brother, writes an epistle to the Church in which he exhorts believers in Christ to encourage one another in their faith. James teaches us to pray for those for whom there is genuine concern. James writes, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” James 5:16.
Here at St. Jacob’s, we have so many who believe in the power of prayer. I have been with folks praying for healing, for peace of mind and for calming of fear. I have also been with others to offer thanks to God in a variety of situations. I enjoy those times when I am able to pray with members of our church family and hear the petitions they bring to our Lord.
We also have a congregation that cares very much for the people whom they love, folks who are known to them, but perhaps not to the congregation as a whole. Each week, as we say the Prayers of the Church, I offer the congregation time to pray for those, who are on their hearts and minds either out loud or in the silence of their hearts. There were very few, at first, who would actually speak a name of a loved one aloud. I have noticed, lately, that more have become comfortable doing so. I also am convinced that many more people are praying in the silence of their hearts. Truly, at this point in our worship, we are a community in prayer.
Each month, the narthex prayer board becomes filled with names. I understand it has been the practice in recent years to recite each of these names during the Prayers of the Church. Given the length of this list, and our growth as a community in prayer, it is time that we offer the opportunity for others to speak the names of those loved ones on our prayer board in prayer, either out loud, or in silence. As James teaches us, it is not the voice of the one who recites the prayer, it is the faith through which the prayer is offered.
As pastor, I will continue to speak out loud the names of our church members appearing on our prayer list. I will also continue to allot time for the congregation to offer to God the prayers for those whom they love. I would also suggest that we continue to list on the prayer board, the names of those for whom there is genuine concern. Be sure that you have the person’s permission before hand, so that we may continue to list them in our worship bulletin while ensuring personal privacy. Be certain, the prayers offered by the community at worship are powerful as they are working. God knows the needs of those for whom we pray, just as he knows the faith in which you offer your prayers in love toward your neighbor. May the Lord bless you as you pray for those whom you love.
Lutheran Men
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminlease plan to meet on January 20th at 6 PM in the fellowship hall. Watch your worship folders for more
information.
Lutheran Women
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminOur next meeting is January 20th at 4:30 pm in the fellowship hall.
Up and Going Meeting for January
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminPlease make plans to attend our soup pot luncheon on Thursday, January 10th at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Everyone is asked to bring 3 can goods per person for WE CARE.
New Communion ware and Assistant Training
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminIn November, the Altar Guild purchased two new pouring chalices and a new wine flagon for use during Holy Communion. With these new vessels, St. Jacob’s will be better stewards of the communion elements shared during our worship. All those who serve as communion assistants are asked to attend one of the scheduled training sessions in January. Holy Communion assistant training will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 6th and Sunday, January 13th.
Calling all St. Jacob’s Youth Members
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminIn January, we will begin meeting once again on the first and third Sundays each month. Our first meeting will be Sunday, January 6th at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. There are several things to begin planning for, including a spring Carolinas Mission District Youth Retreat in March and a summer mission trip. Pass the word and
plan on attending! See you then!
Church Council Retreat
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminThe Church Council will meet for their first annual Council Retreat during the second weekend of January. On Friday, January 11th, council members and their spouses will share a covered dish dinner in the fellowship hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. Ministry Team reports will be received that evening. Council members will then meet on Saturday, January 12th from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Information and a retreat agenda will be sent to all council members prior to the retreat.
Council Briefs
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminCouncil noted Good Things at St. Jacob’s this month included that the Thanksgiving Eve service was very good. The altar
arrangement was beautiful for the Thanksgiving Eve service. A special thank you to Robin & Gerald Lindler for preparing the
harvest arrangement. The Wednesday morning Bible study is continuing to be enjoyed by those attending. Others are
encouraged to come join this group on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. There was over 300 slices of cake collected for
the HUB. Another thank you to Angela and Laurie for your continuing success with the new Children’s Choir. Everyone is
enjoying hearing all these LITTLE people carry a BIG sound!
Pastor Report- Pastor David noted that he recently attended a meeting for the NALC in Hickory, NC.
Pastor David announced that December 2nd was his one year anniversary at St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church. Pastor said he has really enjoyed his last year with the church and looks forward to where we are headed as a congregation.
Pastor David also attended a PCAT Workshop at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. This meeting focused on restructuring the NALC. Pastor David feels that we need to get the message regarding the NALC to our local community. We are partners of these congregations.
Pastor David noted two important dates. Pastor will hold Service for the “Longest Night” on December 19th. Pastor David said that he enjoys doing this service every year and he will look at moving it to the traditional date of December 21st for the following year. We were unable to accommodate the traditional December 21st date for this service in 2018. There will also be a first time ever Christmas morning service on December 25th. Pastor David will continue this Christmas morning service every year at St. Jacob’s Church. He is very excited about bringing this special service into St. Jacob’s.
There were several members of Council whose term ended in December 2018. Pastor David gave each one of these Council members a thank you gift and thanked each Council member for their service and dedication to St. Jacob’s Church.
Staff Support– The Team is continuing to advertise the position for Director of Youth and Family Ministries. The first job candidate was interviewed by the Interview Committee on November 27, 2018. More interviews are being scheduled with additional candidates.
Spiritual Life- The Worship and Music Team have finalized the plans for the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the December 30th services. The Worship and Music Team met to discuss and clarify the role of the team and the tasks ahead for 2019.
Short Term- The kitchen improvements will begin in January 2019. The cabinet alteration and kitchen flooring will most likely be the first project that takes place on the construction schedule. (THE KITCHEN WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR USE BEGINNING JANUARY 14 UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY.)
The digital sign will take 6-8 weeks to be constructed off-site and then will be installed on the existing brick structure.
The stained glass windows covering project has been completed. Thanks to Chad Lindler for recommending that the gutters be cleaned out during this project!
Parish Life- The Up and Going Group enjoyed an early Thanksgiving meal on November 15, 2018. A group of 23 members and guests enjoyed a meal at Shealy’s BBQ in Batesburg-Leesville. Helen Lindler provided the devotion. A very special thank you to Gerald Lindler for driving the bus!
Support of Ministries- Brandon Slice continues to work on getting pricing on the phone and internet service for St. Jacob’s Church. Brandon will install the video system for the church nursery in the next 2 weeks. Brandon is also continuing to research video recording opportunities for the church shut-ins.
