Our current membership roster will be in the Narthex window from Sunday, December 1st until Sunday, December 29th. Please take a few minutes to check your household entry and indicate changes, corrections and/or additions that need to be made. We especially need to know if you no longer have a land line and if your cell number, email and mailing addresses are correct. You can make changes in the posted roster, indicate changes on the Friendship Register sheet, complete a change of address card or call the church office. Our Ministry Teams and Auxiliary Groups use the information from the roster to ensure everyone is made aware of important happenings at St. Jacob’s. Thank-You for taking the time to help keep our church roster and membership records accurate and up-to-date.
Archive for November, 2019
Time To Print New Roster
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminChildren’s Choir
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminAs I’m sure you’ve noticed, our children have been hard at work this fall in children’s choir. In addition to learning anthems, the children have been learning the liturgy and taken on the task of leading the kyrie. We are also learning about other parts of the liturgy to be able to bring praises to God with the rest of the St. Jacob’s church family.
We are beginning work on our Christmas program. Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 15th at 6 PM. You won’t want to miss our Christmas program as we ask, “Is there any peace left on earth,” adapted from a program written by The Reverend David Wendel, assistant to the bishop. With so much conflict around us today between nations, politicians as well as in day to day life, it is easy to believe there is little peace left on earth. Come explore the true peace of Christmas. We hope that you all have a blessed Christmas season. The children’s choir’s prayer for you this December is “Dona nobis pacem.” Ask any children’s choir member what that means. They can all tell you.
Up and Going
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminOn Thursday, Nov 14th Up and Going had 18 members and guests gather in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy an early Thanksgiving.
- Business was conducted, and the Treasurer’s Report was given by Bob.
- The meeting schedule for 2020 was distributed and discussed.
- Gary gave a very interesting devotional on giving thanks. We read responsively “A Family Prayer of Thanks”.
- Helen gave a prayer of thanks for the bountiful and delicious meal prepared for our enjoyment.
- After lunch, Helen read a Helen Steiner Rice poem entitled “A Special Thank You”. She also read a hymn of Thanksgiving and Harvest.
- We collected the recipes that each had brought for our cookbook. We talked freely about the origins of these recipes and the customs of past Thanksgivings. This discussion brought back precious memories of our loved ones.
- Helen thanked all for the generous gifts of food for We Care.
- The December Meeting will be held on the Dec 12th at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring Holiday food for sharing and 3 items of non-perishable food for We Care. This will be our gift to each other this year. Joan will have devotions.
Hope to see you then.
Congratulations Philip
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminThe church family of St. Jacob’s would like to congratulate Philip Sandi on his completion of his seminary assignment with our congregation which means he will soon be serving as a NALC Pastor.
Thank you and glory be to God for raising up leaders like you for His church throughout the world.
Congratulations
Council Briefs November 2019
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminThe St. Jacob’s Church Council met November 5th for its regular meeting. Good things noted for the month of October:
- Oktoberfest
- Reformation Sunday Service w/trumpeter
- Golden Agers Sunday
- The Digital Sign is really looking good
Important Notes and Dates:
- November 17: Baptism of Brantley Bise and Austin Miller
- November 17: Philip Sandi preaching
- November 19: SC Mission District Convocation @ St. Peter’s (Piney Woods)
- November 24: Christ the King Sunday
- November 27: Thanksgiving Eve Worship @ 6:30
- November 27: Prepare cake slices for the Hub after service
- November 28: Thanksgiving Day
Ongoing Project Updates: No updates this reporting period
Next Scheduled Meeting: December 3rd at 6 PM in the Church Office
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew J. (A.J.) Peeples,
Secretary St. Jacob’s Church Council
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminChristmas has always been my favorite holiday, as I assume it is for many of you. Maybe because of the time we get with family and friends, the music, Hallmark movies, endless shopping, and of course eating too much. All of these things are so easy to enjoy but often overshadow the real Christmas celebration—the baby in a manger, shepherds, wise men, angels, and the prophecies fulfilled. The first Christmas is a story that has endured. It’s a story about hope, peace, and family. An often overlooked perspective of this season is the humility of the birth of Jesus. Even though it is right to shout out with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest!” it is also important to quietly worship God for the humility of the Christmas story. Paul used the incarnation of Jesus as the model for our attitude of humility. Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Although Jesus never laid aside his deity, he exhibited profound humility in becoming a man. The very fact that God would become a man should stagger our pride. We should adore the humble Christmas baby. Humility, service, meekness and love marked Jesus’ life. Ultimately, he sacrificed His life as a substitute for all who would believe in Him. All of the glorious humility of Christmas leads us forward to the beginning of the new year, the Cross, and the Resurrection. The greatest of Kings being born in the most humble of places shows us how to live our lives in the way God intended. This season allows us to serve, to love, to worship and to celebrate Immanuel: God with us. “For unto us a child is born, His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” The sweetest gift will always be the one our Savior gave us, Himself.
Grace & Peace, and a Merry Christmas!
Rachel
Annual Report Information
Posted November 26, 2019 By adminAll team leaders are requested to forward their 2020 schedules and 2019 reports to Sherry in the church office no later than Monday, December 31st. This information is provided in the report booklets that are handed out each year; and in order to have them ready on time, we will need your information.
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Winter Retreat 2020
Posted November 5, 2019 By adminFriday January 10th – Sunday, January 12th Camp St. Christopher – Seabrook Island, SC
Living and Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ
Retreat: (noun) A place set apart, one of renewal, rejuvenation, rest; a period of time used to pray and study quietly, or to think carefully, away from normal activities and duties.
Members and friends of St. Jacob’s are invited to retreat to beautiful Camp St. Christopher and spend a weekend in thought, prayer, discussion and fellowship. Topics will include: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? How family members share faith with one another. Take up the cross? Really?
Enjoy God’s wonderful Creation Beautiful private beach Watch the dolphins swim and play Hiking trails throughout the camp Saturday evening campfire and vespers
Winter Retreat 2020 Registration Friday January 10th – Sunday, January 12th Camp St. Christopher – Seabrook Island, SC
Living and Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ
Cost of registration is $150.00 per participant. The following is included with your registration: Weekend Lodging (Friday evening -Sunday morning) Saturday Breakfast and Supper – Sunday Breakfast (Friday supper and Saturday lunch are on your own)
Please make checks out to: St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Memo line designate: Winter Retreat
Assistance is available to help cover costs of registration. Please contact Pastor David Nuottila if there is a need for such assistance. Strictly confidential.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted November 1, 2019 By adminby Pastor David Nuottila
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5
Waking up early on Thanksgiving morning, the house is already filled with the most pleasing aroma. The feast is being prepared. Perhaps the pies went in first, then the casseroles. In due time, while the parades are concluding and as the pre-game shows begin, the turkey is popped in the oven. Then, after the game, the table is set and the food is blessed. Dig in everyone, for that is how we give thanks in this day and age.
If the above paragraph rings true (for the most part) then consider this. Behind the dumpster, which is filled to the brim, a small homeless family seeks warmth and shelter from the cold, misty rain. The mission doesn’t open its doors for another two or three hours so the family waits patiently along with the others who have gathered. Then finally, the doors creak open and the usual crowd shuffles in. Among them are some new faces yet, each has the same expression.
Long tables are set with paper plates and plastic cups. Plastic table cloths decorated in autumn colors blend nicely with the napkins adorned with the same pattern. Then the food arrives; a feast to the eyes and a circus for the senses. The flavors of each dish are matched perfectly with the smiles of those generous souls who volunteered to host the banquet. Then suddenly a pause, a pastor offers grace and asks God’s blessing upon not only the meal, but for those who enjoy each bite. This, my friends, is how thanks are given in the kingdom of God.
The psalmist who wrote the prayer of thanksgiving above calls upon the people of God enter the
kingdom with thankful hearts. God has provided and will continue to provide for His people. Made sure and certain by our heavenly Father is the safety and security of His eternal kingdom of glory. The hope of rescue from sin and the grave is made a reality through the offering of His Son Jesus Christ. And since God has acted in such a way for His people, our response to enter His gates with thanksgiving, praising and blessing His name forever.
In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus teaches us that our thankful response begins by serving. We serve the God we cannot see by loving and serving the neighbor we can see. Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt.25:35). To share Christ’s love in such a way is to share the kingdom of God with those whom God has placed within our midst. Truly, as we do it unto them, we do it unto Him.
I pray you have a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving holiday. I pray that as your home is opened to family and friends, it is also filled with smiles, laughter, and the Spirit of love for the Lord. It is also my prayer for our church family, that as we pause for this Thanksgiving Day, we would live lives of thanksgiving for all God has done and continues to do for His people. I pray that, year round, we would share the love of God by loving and serving the neighbor God has shown to us. For in this, we proclaim that the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness is for all generations.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion For November
Posted November 1, 2019 By adminCan You Drink the Cup?
Read Matthew 20:17-28
On his way to Jerusalem, the mother of James and John requested that her sons be given places of honor next to Jesus’ throne. Jesus looked at the two disciples and put forth his own question; “Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” Jesus knew the cup he was given by his Father meant he would suffer and die for the sake of God’s people. The cup he is to drink is the cup of God’s salvation; a cup that comes at the cost of pouring out his life.
Jesus asks, “Can you drink the cup?” In Faith we answer “Yes, but how?” Jesus gives clear instructions; deny yourself and take up your cross. Drinking the cup of Christ means suffering with him, serving others, enduring hardship, and having faith that God will equip us to do these things. It means putting away our selfish ambitions and extending our hands to meet the needs of the poor, hungry, and lost. Drinking the cup means loving God and loving neighbor first, offering our lives to Christ in order to gain life in God’s kingdom.
Can you drink the cup? With God’s help, yes you can.
Prayer: O Lord, give us the strength and the will to drink your cup, that we may follow Jesus’ example of love and service for the sake of others. Amen.
