A 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!
by 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.
lease plan to meet on January 20th at 6 PM in the fellowship hall. Watch your worship folders for more
information.
Our next meeting is January 20th at 4:30 pm in the fellowship hall.
Please 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.
In 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.
In 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!
The 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 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.
“Arise and shine, your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
For centuries, astronomers have plotted the courses of the stars in order to keep track of time and the passing of the seasons. Navigators of ships used the stars to help guide them to their destination. And long ago, ancient cultures shared stories of mythical characters whose constellations may be seen as people gazed at the night time sky. Much has been learned by tracking the many points of light that pierce the darkness of night.
Following the birth of our Lord Jesus, there were others who also looked to the stars, one star in particular. The Magi from the East followed this star which led them to Bethlehem. By marking the exact time when they first saw the star and following its light westward, the wise men were led on a journey upon which they encountered Christ. Once they reached their destination, God revealed to the them the one born as his own redeeming light. It is in this epiphany that Jesus is revealed to the world as God’s ultimate outpouring of love.
The celebration of the Epiphany of our Lord is the proclamation that long before we could have ever stumbled our way out of darkness, God’s light has come to us. Through our Baptism, God makes us children of the light. In our thankful response to God’s grace, we carry the light of Christ into the world so that others can experience the fulfillment and wonder of God’s promise of a Savior. It is through loving God above all else and serving our neighbor in the name of Christ, that we let our light shine. Our Lord calls each and every one of us to serve as a beacon leading others to the truth of the gospel, just as that single star led the Magi so many years ago.
As we begin a new year in ministry, I would invite all of our church family members to consider the ways in which you proclaim the gospel and share God’s love. We have the opportunity to engage is so many missions of the NALC and within our mission district. Here in Chapin, we can feed the hungry, give aid to the poor, provide shelter and welcome those who have no place for worship. St. Jacob’s is uniquely positioned to serve our neighbors in town, and the many who live in developing communities all around us.
We also have the opportunity to serve Christ through our service to others around our country and world. I am so pleased that many of our church family members have embraced the mission work of Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I in the Congo. Several other congregation have also joined St. Jacob’s in supporting this important mission. Through your efforts and generosity, pastors have Bibles from which to teach and preach, many hungry children are fed, and a community of God’s people have a relationship of faith and love with a congregation who will pray for them and minister to them in times of trial. Jesus calls us all to follow his example of love and service for the sake of the least among us. I would also invite those who have not considered attending Sunday school and one of our weekly Bible studies to give it a try. As Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ, daily reading of Holy Scripture is essential and weekly gathering for worship and learning is most beneficial for those growing in faith and hope. There is no better time to begin such practice than during Epiphany, the season of light.
Since the birth of Christ, the time of our lives is no longer marked by plotting stars and our destination is no longer found by tracking celestial bodies. Our time and our destination are caught up in Jesus Christ. To use a metaphor, the books of Holy Scripture serve as the stars of our celestial journey and Christ our compass. Led by God’s Holy Spirit, we travel through life’s journey always remembering to let our light shine before others, so that all may see that in Christ the light of the world has come.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
