Please be sure and forward your 2021 schedules and 2020 reports to Sherry in the church office by December 31st so your information can be provided in the report booklet. Auxiliaries that have checking accounts, please send that information to me as soon as you receive your statements.
Thank you in advance.
Financial Year End information is due by December 31st. If you have any paperwork (reimbursement requests, receipts to back cash advances, and any leftover cash, etc.) for 2020, please turn your information into Walt so he can close out the year. If you have any questions, please see Walt.
The Up and Going held a short meeting on Nov 15th after Church services with 11 members present. Sure was good to see all of you. Get Well cards were signed for Davis and Leon. During August, a memorial was sent to St. Jacob’s Cemetery Fund in memory of Gloria Dugan; a memorial was given to the Monts family in memory of Landon, grandson of Sandra and Davis; a memorial was given to the Lindler family in memory of Jamie, granddaughter of Frances. Birthday cards and get well cards have been sent to appropriate members. Members are reminded to bring non-perishable food items as is our custom in November and December for We Care. The December Meeting will be held after Sunday Church Services on a chosen Sunday in December. Watch Sunday bulletins for date or updates. Take care of yourself and Be Safe. Love to all.
Thanks,
Helen
All are invited to keep Christ in Christmas and worship with us on Christmas Morning. The Christmas Morning service is “come as you are.” Children in pajamas, adults in relaxed and casual dress are all most certainly welcome. Come make a joyful noise and share in the blessing of Christmas with your church family. Worship with Holy Communion will begin at 10 AM. As always, we will live stream our service on our Facebook page.
Because of the current pandemic and the need for social distancing, St. Jacob’s will offer two services of worship on Christmas Eve. This is to ensure that we honor our coronavirus protocols we have in place. The first service will begin at 4:30 PM with the second service beginning at 7:30 PM. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service and both will conclude with the traditional candlelight singing of Silent Night.
In order that we might be faithful to our coronavirus protocols, yet accommodate everyone who would like to attend worship on Christmas Eve, we will post a sign up list on which families shall indicate which service they will attend and how many will be in their party. We look forward to sharing this most holy evening with you, along with the traditional readings and carols of Christmas.
As Christmas approaches, not everyone gets caught up in the joy of the season. No matter the situation, for some, Christmas is a time of extended grief, sorrow, and loneliness. For these and other reasons, we offer a time for worship and reflection on God’s gift of the Messiah. Worship on the Longest Night, also called Blue Christmas, falls on December 21st, the longest night of the year. This year, due to COVID-19 concerns, we will not gather in person. Our Blue Christmas service of worship will be live streamed on our Facebook page. The service begins at 7 PM.
The theme for our Advent Vespers will be “Letters from Bethlehem” featuring four brief monologues. Each monologue is a reading of a letter written to loved ones describing the events of Jesus’ birth.
Below is our schedule for mid-week Advent services.
• December 2 – The Angel to a Friend
• December 9 – A Shepherd to His Family
• December 16 – A Wise Man to His Court
• December 23 – Mary to Her Mother
Advent Vespers will begin at 7 PM each Wednesday during the season. We will also receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each service. Please plan to attend each week as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus. Social distancing will be observed; and for those who are unable to attend, the services will be streamed live on our Facebook page
Our current membership roster will be in the Narthex window from Sunday, November 29th until Sunday, December 27th. All members are urged to check their household information to be sure it is correct. We especially need to know if you no longer have a landline and that your cell number, email address or mailing addresses have changed in 2020. If you are attending in-person worship services, you can indicate any updates or changes in the roster. You can also provide the information directly to Robin. Our Ministry Teams, Auxiliary Groups and members of the congregation 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.
As in the past, an altar flower sign-up sheet will be posted in the Narthex on Sunday November 29th and will remain until Sunday, December 27th. Many times, members wish to provide the altar flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. If there is a particular Sunday YOU would like to furnish the altar flowers for the worship service, please indicate your choice by signing up for that Sunday. If you are not currently attending in-person worship services at the church, you can email Robin to request a Sunday. All open dates will be assigned to other members of the congregation. NOTE: During Advent/Christmas Seasons only one vase of flowers is needed. Also, artificial flowers are never to be used in the altar vases and pot plants are to be used to enhance services on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday and Christmas Services – not as altar flowers.
Bible study continues to be held each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM on Zoom.com. We are continuing our study of the book of James. There are no special materials that you must purchase. All you need is a computer and access to the internet to join in the conversation. Weekly study guides are emailed to the congregation on Tuesday afternoon. Even if you have not provided an email address our study’s such that you can join in and participate in the conversation. Why not make Bible study a part of your week? If you have any questions, please contact Pastor David or Rachel.
