God Will Help
Read Luke 16:19-31
He is dirty, has a long scraggly beard and holds a sign in his hands that simply said “Hungry. Anything will help.” His name is Lazarus.
Does this sound familiar? Likely you have driven past him as you entered the parking lot at the shopping center or fast-food restaurant. Responding to his predicament is a tough call. On one hand, Jesus teaches us that we are to care for the needy, feed the hungry, and offer help to the poor. On the other hand, we don’t know if the person begging from us is truly in need, or if they are trying to take advantage of a person’s generosity.
Street corners and parking lots are a haven for beggars. For some, it is food for their children. With others, gas for the car, or medicine for a particular ailment. Today, Jesus teaches us that we should be kind to those in need, sharing what we have for the sake of the poor and hungry without judging them. The question is, do we help?
Focusing on the man we drove by as we entered the parking lot consider this, in Hebrew, the name Lazarus means “God will help.” No, not every beggar is in such need. We won’t always be willing to let go of those precious dollars we worked so hard to get. But we can act in good faith, for we have Moses and the prophets to teach us. We have God’s commandments and we have the parables of Jesus. The truth is, God will help. He helps Lazarus, and he will help us too.
Prayer: Father in heaven, give us hearts for compassion, and the will to be generous to those in need. Amen.
Archive for April, 2022
Pastoral Devotion for May
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminChoir Notes
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminChrist Is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed Alleluia!
We have once again celebrated Christ’s victory over death on Easter Sunday and with that comes some changes to our church service. We once more proclaim, “Alleluia”, praise to God, throughout the service. During Lent all our Alleluias went away. Do you know how many times we say “Alleluia, praise the Lord” during our service? I once had the children count them in the bulletin and it’s a lot. Check it out this Sunday. As we come together to praise God, we say Alleluia quite a few times. Another change in the service is that the Hymn of Praise, “Glory to God”, has returned. It too went away during Lent. After the Kyrie, we sing “Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the Highest.” This hymn of praise is based on the Gloria sung by the angels at the birth of Christ. We are rejoicing at the coming of Christ. He has come into the world and taken away our sins. He has risen and is seated at the right hand of God. We ask him to have mercy on us. During Lent, we did not sing the hymn of praise as we remembered the forty years Israel wandered lost in the wilderness. Lent is a time when we focus on just how lost we are and how much we need a savior. But Glory to God, it is Easter, Christ has arisen and we join with all the host of heaven singing praises to the Lord. During this Easter season rejoice in the Lord and sing out his praises with gusto. This Sunday focus on the beautiful words given to us at Jesus birth and remember all that he has done and continues to do for you.
I hope that you enjoyed the return of bell music to our service on Easter morning. If you have rung bells in the past or have thought I’d love to learn to ring bells, please let me know. I would like to put together another small group to play on Pentecost Sunday in June. We would require a few weeks to practice. I pray for your help as we begin to rebuild the music ministry at St. Jacob’s.
Worship & Music
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminWe’d like to say a big thanks to Brandon and Marie that served our last Lenten Meal in April. We’d also like to thank Ole Timey Meat Market for their kind donation of the cubed steak that was served. We appreciate all the support each group did over our Lenten season. Thanks to all that participated.
Up And Going Needs a Group Leader
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminSt. Jacob’s senior’s group, Up and Going, is in need of a new group leader. Helen Linder has served in this position for a number of years and is planning to step down from the role. Anyone who is interested in stepping up should contact Helen for a description of what it means to be the leader for Up and Going. Pastor David is also willing to lend any assistance necessary.
Up and Going will be getting together on May 1st at 11:30 AM for May Day. Meal is provided so all you need to do is show up in your May Day outfit and plan to enjoy an awesome time of fellowship.
Lutheran Men
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminThe Lutheran Men will be sponsoring a Ladies night on May 15th, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Updates From The Finance Team
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminAs you begin planning for your 2022 tithes and financial gifts, the following list of funds have been approved by Council for any financial gifts. If you make a financial gift to a fund not listed below, a member of the Finance Team will contact you to determine 1) if you would like to choose another account or 2) if you would prefer to have your gift returned. Please make your financial gifts to one of the accounts listed below:
• General Fund (operating expenses)
• Building Fund (property and facilities)
• Cemetery Fund
• Memorial Fund (Memorial gifts not designated)
• Lutheran Men Fund
• Lutheran Women Fund
• Lutheran Youth Fund
• Up and Going
• Mercy Buckets (We Care Meals for a Week)
• Congo Mission
• Holiday Giving (Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas)
• Global Mission/Great Commission (Mission within and outside of the United States)
• Good Works (Chapin Mission)
• NALC Disaster Relief
• Carolina Mission Region – Mission Congregation (within our SC NC Region)
• NALC Seminary Scholarship
• Sister Care
• Sola Publishing (NALC Approved Publisher)
• Water Mission
• We Care (Chapin Mission)
Thanks…Your Finance Team
Monday And Wednesday Bible Study
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminWednesday Morning Bible Study has resumed at 10 AM each Wednesday morning. In response to the sample survey sent out earlier in the year, Pastor David is also offering a new Bible Study on Monday evenings at 7 PM. The topic for our study will be “Walking Together: The Importance of Fellowship for Disciples of Christ.”
“Walking Together” will include nine lessons presented in a “come as you are” level requiring no previous study or homework. Each lesson will be presented in such a way that it will be easy to invite a friend or neighbor to join in for a single lesson or for the entire study. Each lesson will cover a primary reading from the Bible and ask open ended questions concerning our life together as the people of God. All are welcome to participate. No special materials are required. Just bring your Bible and a willingness to study God’s Word together.
Welcome Matt and Kailey
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminSt. Jacob’s welcomed our new Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Matt Burt and his wife, Kailey, on Sunday, April 3rd with a reception following the service. We are so blessed to have Matt and we look forward to what God has in store for our youth and family ministries as Matt begins his ministry with St. Jacob’s.
Council Briefs
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminGood Things @ St. Jacob’s for April:
• Lutheran Men sold 700 pounds of sausage. Congregation was very supportive.
• Youth Choir
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was a success.
• Lenten Meals were excellent.
• Attendance is going up every Sunday.
Countdown To Congo
Posted April 29, 2022 By adminBy: Pastor David
There are only three full months until my trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This trip will be quite unique as Pastor Kalonji and I will travel to a region where I have not been in the past. Still, there will be opportunity to minister to some congregations that I am familiar with and I’m looking forward to seeing those pastors again and hearing their stories and experiences since I saw them last.
Of course, the opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus will be the main highlight of our trip. God is so gracious as to allow Pastor Kalonji and I to travel and share the good news of Jesus with others. Upon my return, I will provide plenty of photos and stories with you so that you can see the many ways through which St. Jacob’s comes to the aid of our neighbors across the ocean. They certainly live a different way of life than we do, but it is the same God who provides all they need. It is also the same God who sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world so that our sins will be forgiven. We are all united in Christ Jesus, the people of St. Jacob’s, the people of God in the Congo, and all Christians around the globe. To God be the glory now and forever!
