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Lenten Midweek Series

Posted February 6, 2024 By admin

Our Lenten vesper services this year will feature a series of monologues entitled “Thus It Is Written.” These monologues will be delivered in the persons of three of the Gospel writers.

On Ash Wednesday, we listen to Mark telling about what he wrote in his gospel about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then in week two of Lent Marks speaks to the crucifixion of our Lord. In Weeks 3 and 4, Luke it will be Luke who tells us about the last days of Jesus’ life and ministry. And in weeks 5 and 6, we will hear from John.

Join us each Wednesday evening during Lent for this worshipful experience as we make our annual trek toward the cross of Good Friday and finally to the empty tomb of Easter.

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

Lenten Bible Reading Challenge

Posted February 5, 2024 By admin

During the season of Lent (this year from February 14 – March 30) the challenge for our congregation is to read the four Gospels in this season of penitence and reflection. Daily Scripture reading is one of the hallmarks of discipleship. Developing such discipline is what the season of Lent is all about – moving away from worldly endeavors and striving for the kingdom of God. Within the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) there are 89 chapters. Through the season of Lent (minus Sundays) there are 40 days in which to read. Each Sunday during the challenge is a day in which you may take a break from your devotional reading to attend worship.

Taking up this challenge, you will read the entire narrative of Jesus’ ministry and victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. Plan to take up this challenge and develop a healthy habit of Scripture reading that will carry you throughout your days. Copies of the reading plan are available in the church narthex.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

Posted February 2, 2024 By admin

In a desire to help the children of St. Jacob’s grow in their faith and discipleship, our choir director, Angela Nuottila has equipped the youth handbell choir members to lead worship services here at St. Jacob’s. Our older youth members have also been a part of this ongoing act of discipleship.
Each month with a fifth Sunday, our youth will be leading our services of worship. This is not to be confused with having a “Youth Sunday”, but it is a means to incorporate our younger church family members in the weekly worship of St. Jacob’s. Growing such faithful leaders for the church helps to ensure our youth remain engaged and connected to their faith throughout their lives. Please support these young Christians by attending and participating in weekly worship.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Midweek Bible Study

Posted February 1, 2024 By admin

Our Midweek Bible study is back in full swing with a study of Psalms. Each week we are taking a close look at a selected Psalm so the topic is new every time. The purpose of our study is threefold:
• To know God through the world he created, through his Word, and through our experiences with him.
• To gain assurance that God will sustain us throughout our life.
• To help us hear God’s message every time we read Scripture. It is possible to read without hearing.
Through this study, we want to learn to listen for God speaking very personally to us as we read the Psalms.
Please plan to attend and study the Psalms with members of your church family. There are no special materials required and there is always room for more at the table. Midweek Bible study meets each Wednesday morning at 9:30 in the church office conference room.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings

Up And Going News

Posted February 1, 2024 By admin

Up and Going’s January meeting was held on Thursday, January 11th with 21 members and guests present.

We had a short business meeting. Helen L. Lindler gave the devotions from the book “God’s Little Devotional Book for Women” on turning kindness into love. This was a very thought provoking devotion and ended by using John 3:16-17 for prayer.

BINGO was played until all had won several times. This is always one of our most fun activities. The Soup Pot had simmered and was enjoyed by all. Delicious Soup, sandwiches, cornbread and various desserts were enjoyed by all.

The February meeting will be held on the 2nd Thursday, February 8th at 11:00 AM in the fellowship hall.
Lunch will be a covered dish meal.
Helen,
Team Leader

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Up and Going

Pastoral Devotion for February – Who Will Deliver Me?

Posted January 31, 2024 By admin

Read Romans 7:7-25

Everyone has bad habits. Those things we do subconsciously and don’t realize it until it’s done. Then there are those bad habits that, as we strive to refrain from doing them, the temptation becomes too great, and we surrender. We all suffer from such inclinations. Everyone falls into the pit of their own personal bad habits because we are all sinners in need of redemption.

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul puts it plainly for everyone to see. Because of sin, we continue to fall short of God’s expectation for us. We want to follow God’s commandments, but our sinful flesh is weak and so the evil deeds we do not want to do are all too often the exact thing we do. The desires of our flesh wage war against our desire to please God. So often is the case, the flesh wins, wretched people that we are.

Paul also makes it clear that, even as we are captive to sin, we have a champion. Christ has put sin to death once and for all.

Because Christ prevailed over sin, death, and the power of the devil, those who repent and turn to God for forgiveness will be saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: O God, give me strength to withstand temptation, forgive my sin, and keep me in your grace.
Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

LM Bulk Pork Sausage

Posted January 31, 2024 By admin

The Lutheran Men will be making Country Sausage on Monday, February 12, 2024. If you would like to purchase BULK sausage at $5.00 per pound, please place your order in advance. See a member of the LM or contact Gerald on or before Sunday, February 4th. The sausage can be picked up between 3:00 and 6:00 pm on Monday, February 12th in the Fellowship Hall.

Filed in Lutheran Men, Other Happenings

Choir Notes

Posted January 31, 2024 By admin

Psalm 92:2-4 Let Us Sing to the Lord For His Steadfast Love
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, 2 to sing
praises to your name, O Most High; to
declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music
of the lute and the harp, to the melody of
the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

February brings us Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday all on the same day. How fitting that we should come together to remember that God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die for us. Though Lent is a time of remembering our sinfulness and need for a savior, it is also a time to thank God for his steadfast love in prayer and in song.
During Lent, we will begin a new psalmody that includes an antiphon. Antiphons are a rich part of traditional sacred music in liturgical churches and are used in many Lutheran congregations. Antiphons are short passages of scripture sung at various places in the service. During the psalm, the antiphon is a verse from the psalm of the day sung as a refrain. To introduce the antiphon for the day, the choir will sing the antiphon once and then the congregation will repeat the antiphon. The cantor and congregation will then sing the psalm responsively including the antiphon at designated places throughout the psalm. It will be a little different, but I think we will all catch on quickly. The psalm helps tie the message of all the readings for the day together. I hope this use of antiphons will enrich our worship and our understanding of the message for each Sunday.

Filed in Choir Notes, Fellowship, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Congregation Meeting

Posted January 31, 2024 By admin

Our Annual Spring Congregation meeting will be held prior to worship on Sunday, February 18th, 2024. The purpose of the meeting is to receive and approve the 2023 Annual Report Book. Report books will be sent to the congregation electronically (email). Any one who desires to have a hard copy for the report book should contact the church office to make arrangements for one to be provided.

Filed in Church Council President, Other Happenings

New Congregational Bible Study

Posted January 15, 2024 By admin

Throughout 2025, Pastor David is inviting the congregation to join him and Angela in a new Bible Study. This particular study is written by prominent Christian author Max Lucado. The study is called Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks. The study is meant for people to grow in their knowledge, understanding, and relationship of our Lord.  Anyone who would like to participate can do so by first purchasing the book. It is available online from Amazon for less than $15. The plan will be for each person to participate in this study on their own, or with a friend. The group will meet with Pastor David once per month to simply discuss what they have discovered along the way. Again, all are invited. Youth members of our congregation are also encouraged to make the journey with us. Everyone who joins in should contact Pastor David to let him know they will be part of the group. Once the group is established, everyone will be contacted and alerted as to when to begin.

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