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St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Briefs April 1, 2025

Posted April 30, 2025 By admin

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for March

  • Lenten Meals and Vespers Attendance — Great Fellowship.
  • Youth Service.
  • Sunday School attendance.
  • Altar vases look great.

Ministry Teams

Christian Education: Sherrie

  • Selected 2025 VBS Theme — True North.
  • VBS dates — Monday, June 23rd-Thursday, June 26th with meals at 5:45 PM and VBS from 6:30-8:00 PM.
  • All the old computer equipment has been picked up by Incite Technologies and disposed.
  • No Sunday School on Easter Sunday.

Property: Gerald / Danny

  • Completed Temple Talk on parking lot update to congregation on March 23rd.
  • Ongoing Property Team project updates:
    • Correct doorknob latch assembly for work room door is on order.
    • Waiting for a quote for the priming and painting of new Fellowship Hall side doors.
    • Received quotes from HVAC contractors for replacing two 2 1/2 ton systems located on balcony walls of sanctuary. One unit is broken and cost wise unrepairable, and the other unit is limping along — both units are very old. Property Team has decided to use Wilson Refrigeration & AC Service out of Pomaria, SC. They will be removing the two old systems and installing two High Wall 3 Ton Mitsubishi 18.4 Seer Ductless Heat Pump systems with Wi-Fi T-Stat (thermostat) controls. Unit warranty — 10 years parts, 10 years compressor and 1 year labor. Ecobee Wi-Fi T-Stat (thermostat) warranty — 5 years parts and 1 year labor total installation cost.
    • Received quote for installing 4 ceiling fans and 2 LED light fixtures, breaker, wire, switches and 1 day labor in bus shed.
    • A keyed doorknob has been installed on the music room door in the basement.

Church Sanctuary Renovation Update (including moving altar)

  • Continue to work with designer to finalize plans.
  • Deposit has been made for pew restorations.
  • Plan to move the altar out as part of the renovations.
  • Requested budget to replace the light fixtures. Need more lighting in the Sanctuary.
  • The front doors at the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall will be painted as part of the renovations.

Next scheduled meeting is May 6, 2025 @ 6:45 PM in the Church office.

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings

Pastoral Devotion for May – Jesus Said “Go”

Posted April 30, 2025 By admin

Read Matthew 28:16-20
When we hear our Lord give the Great Commission, we understand finally that our response to Christ’s resurrection is to go into the world and tell others the good news of God’s salvation. Most Christians can quote this passage from memory; those who cannot certainly know where to find it in the Bible. But when congregations hear Christ’s command, the reaction can be varied.
As the remaining disciples gathered on the mountain with Jesus, Matthew tells us they worshiped him, but some doubted. Rest assured, the same condition exists within the Church today. Jesus says, “Go.” Yet, some doubt they are strong enough in their faith.
Others doubt they have the necessary knowledge of the scriptures. Still others feel they lack the training and skill needed to make disciples. All this said, the command given by Jesus stands. Our Lord says, “Go.”
As followers of Christ, it is incumbent upon Christians to learn. As the body of Christ on earth, it is incumbent upon the Church to teach and equip. As those called, gathered and sent by our Lord, it is incumbent upon us all to encourage one another, remembering Christ is with us even to the end of the age.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we go in your name, overcome our doubts with your peace and presence. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Congo Mission Update

Posted April 19, 2025 By admin

I’m not sure how many folks have been paying attention to the news of the ongoing struggle in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there have been some significant and terribly unfortunate events taking place. The neighboring country of Rwanda has sent and supported militaristic factions and groups over the border and seized several of the bordering cities and other areas. These incursions have led to violent protests in several parts of the country, including the capital city of Kinshasa.

Given these political and military actions, Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I have concluded that I should not travel to the Congo this summer. Pastor Kalonji is Congolese and can blend in with the population while staying with family and completing our planned mission. Our amended agenda is for Pastor Kalonji to accomplish all that he and I had planned, including overseeing the construction of the parish building in Mbuji Mayi, education for laity, feeding orphaned children, freeing mothers and their babies from clinics, and supplying Bibles for those with such need. The decision regarding my travel breaks my heart as I pray for those pastoral colleagues and friends whom I have longed to visit. Please keep this situation in your prayers and ask God for resolution, reconciliation, and restoration of all that has been affected.
Pastor Kalonji will travel to Kinshasa at the end of June and upon his return home will provide a full report on his work and also on the political and social climate of the area. I look forward to hearing his report and to seeing photos of friends within the Lutheran Church whom I have been closely associated with over the last ten years.

Filed in Missions, NALC, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Experiencing the Heart of Jesus

Posted April 17, 2025 By admin

For those who are engaged in the Max Lucado Bible Study, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks, our next quarterly gathering will be held in the church office Sunday school room on Monday, April 21st beginning at 6:30 PM. Don’t worry if you have fallen a little behind, everyone is on a different schedule. The discussion will include various parts of the study according to how much has been read. Please plan to join us.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship Service

Easter Divine Services

Posted April 14, 2025 By admin

Our traditional Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for 7:00 AM on Easter Sunday, April 20th. A Festival Service of the Resurrection will commence at 10:00 AM. This service will include a full processional, Gospel Procession and Trumpet accompaniment as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Please invite family members, friends and neighbors to join us on Easter Sunday.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Pastor, Sunday School, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Solid Rock Day Camp

Posted April 10, 2025 By admin

Solid Rock Day Camp is looking for faithful young adults to work as day camp counselors this summer! Counselors lead bible time, crafts, games, devotions, and tons of good ol’ kid fun with elementary age children at various locations across the southeast. It’s not only a job, it’s an amazing experience! Check our website for more information: https://www.carolinas-nalc.org/home/youth/.

Filed in Bible Study, Carolinas Mission Region, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Youth and Family Ministries

Into the Liturgy, part 7

Posted April 7, 2025 By admin

The Sanctus

As the divine service continues, it reaches its peak in the singing of the Sanctus (pronounced Saanktoose). This singing is the highest form of praise to the God who created all that is seen and unseen, saves his people from sin, and grants believers eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. In the singing of the Sanctus, heaven and earth collide as the saints on earth are gathered at the table alongside the saints in heaven. Christians join their voices with the singing of the Seraphim Cherubim around the throne of God. We also join the cry of God’s people as Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem. The Sanctus (Latin for Holy) is the Church’s own canticle of praise as she greets the crucified and risen Lord who comes to us through the Sacrament of the Altar. For this reason, the Sanctus is to be sung boldly, with loud music and voices.

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Eucharistic Prayer is a thanksgiving prayer that is said in the consecration of the bread and wine during the Christian Eucharistic liturgy. This prayer includes the Word of Christ’s institution of the Sacrament (Verba) declaring his divine presence in, with, and under the elements of the bread and wine. Jesus says, “This is my body, given for you; this is my blood, shed for you.” Jesus’s words are spoken by the one agent whom he has called to preside at the table. His words connect the sacramental elements to his promise of forgiveness and eternal life. These are the means through which the elements are consecrated. This particular bread, and this particular cup, consecrated before this particular assembly are the means through which God extends grace. Received through faith, the body and blood of Christ are eaten and drunk for the forgiveness of sin. The Verba concludes with the Lord’s Prayer.

Filed in Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Lutheran Women – Easter Egg Hunt

Posted April 7, 2025 By admin

The Lutheran Women will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There will be crafts to make and games to play and a light lunch will be served. There will be lots of eggs to hunt so please come and bring your Easter basket! Invite some friends as well.
Older kids are welcome to come and help hide the eggs. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Filed in Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings, Youth and Family Ministries

Holy Week – April 13th-19th

Posted April 6, 2025 By admin

Holy Week this year begins as always on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Saturday, the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord. Palm Sunday worship will commence on the sidewalk in front of the church (weather permitting) with the Blessing and Procession of Palms. It is Christian tradition that on Palm Sunday, the Passion narrative of Christ is read before the assembly. A brief sermon my precede the reading of the Passion, but preferably the preaching clergy allow the Passion of Christ to speak for itself.
Divine service will resume with the Great Triduum (Three Days) beginning on Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Christ’s giving “a new commandment” (Mandatum). Through his washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus gives the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” which takes the form of selfless service to others. The service reaches its climax as God extends his table through the receiving of the Sacrament of the Altar. In remembrance of Jesus’s betrayal and arrest, the altar and church nave are stripped of their worship appointments as the cantor sings Psalm 22, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” The service includes no benediction (Good Words), and the congregation departs in silent reflection on Christ’s passion and his approaching crucifixion.
The Divine Service resumes on Good Friday with the traditional Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows). Worshippers gather in silent reflection, pondering the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf. The service includes the confession of sin, solemn reproaches and seven readings concerning the crucifixion and death of Jesus. With each reading, light is diminished until the church is shrouded in darkness. Once more, at the conclusion of the service, the congregation departs in silence as it awaits the good news of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Music Notes

Posted April 5, 2025 By admin

It’s hard to believe that we are almost through our Lenten journey, but with all the pollen in the air, it must be time for Palm Sunday and Easter. Our younger choristers have been learning the history and words of the hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor.” This beautiful hymn that we sing every Palm Sunday as we process into the church waving palm branches was written by St. Theodulph. Theodulph was a priest and writer and was appointed the bishop of Orleans, France by Charlemagne in 781. When Charlemagne died, his son, Louis the Pious, imprisoned many people in fear of rebellion including Theodulph who wrote this beloved hymn while in prison. Wrongly accused of treason, Theodulph clung to his faith and praised his redeemer. May we all show such faith in the challenges we face throughout our lives. Please talk to the children about Theodulph and what it means to you to know that Christ is your redeemer.
Choir rehearsals will return to Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM at the end of Lent.
The children’s choir is currently working on an anthem based on the Lord’s prayer and our making their own prayer book.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Worship and Music, Worship Service, Youth and Family Ministries, Youth Director
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