With all the difficulties surrounding the current pandemic, a new ministry opportunity has presented itself. Beginning with the season of Lent, Pastor David will launch a new format to our Christian Education ministry: the St. Jacob’s Online Campus for Christian Education. Initially, this online campus will be a place for Bible Study, small group discussions, and other learning opportunities. The online campus will include pre-recorded lessons uploaded to YouTube and will also have classes that meet live on Zoom.com. The online campus is open to anyone who would like to participate.
Our first online class will begin on Monday, February 22nd beginning at 7:00 p.m. Our study will be based on a SOLA Publishing Lenten Bible study entitled “Why Did Jesus Have To Die.” The materials are available through the church office at a price of $8.00. Everyone who wishes to participate should contact the church office or Pastor David to secure their copy and receive further information.
St. Jacob’s Online Campus
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminMid-Week Lenten Series
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIt’s hard to believe but the season of Lent is nearly upon us. Our mid-week series will include a set of dramatic readings from characters from the Passion of our Lord Jesus. From the widow who donated her two pennies to the temple treasury to the man who provided Jesus with a donkey to ride on Palm Sunday these unique readings are presented in such a way that we might ponder the “Gifts of Lent.” We look forward to your attending our mid-week Lenten series. Those who would wish to participate in the readings should contact Pastor David.
Daily Devotions
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIt has been my pleasure to share daily devotions with the congregation and our friends on Facebook the past nine months. This has been an unexpected blessing for me in our current condition of the COVID-19 pandemic. So much so that it has become an enjoyable part of my daily routine. As we flip the page to 2021, I plan to continue this time of devotions and prayer throughout the year. I pray that more of our church family members will make these devotions a part of their morning routine. Please, feel free to share these devotions with your friends and family on Facebook as you are able.
Pastor David
Continuing Covid Response
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIn our continuing effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, St. Jacob’s will continue our current protocols for social distancing and protection. Please remember these simple steps.
• Entrance to the church on Sunday morning is through the Fellowship Hall doors. This is to prevent groups from gathering in the narthex as others come in to find their seat.
• Use hand sanitizer as you enter the church nave. Sanitizer is provided on the table at the narthex doors.
• Although masks are not required to enter the building, they are required when the congregations sing liturgy or hymns. It is also a best practice to wear your mask while sitting in the pews. For this reason, everyone is to have a mask in their possession.
• Please remember to fill out a record of worship card and place it in the tray on the table at the narthex doors.
• Upon conclusion of the worship service, everyone is to depart the building. The aisle and hallways are to be kept clear. Conversations may be held outside.
These protocols are in place to ensure the health and well-being of our church family and visitors. The Pastor and Church Council will revise them as necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
Reading The Bible In One Year
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminWith the new year comes the opportunity to renew your commitment to reading the Holy Scriptures every day. The simplest way to accomplish this is to commit to reading the Bible from cover to cover in one year. It only takes fifteen minutes or so each day. Before you know it, you are well on your way to meeting your goal. Even if you get a late start, you can read just a little extra and it won’t take long before you’re caught up.
Several of our church family members have taken up the challenge and succeeded. Other have begun but have not quite made it. No matter. Just keep reading. God takes delight in those who grow in their faith through reading His Word. Reading plans are in the narthex. Pick one up today.
St. Jacob’s Altar Flower Sign-Up
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminYou can still sign up for Altar Flowers. The chart is hanging in the Narthex. 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.
Pastoral Devotion for January: Faithful and True
Posted January 29, 2021 By adminRead: Revelation 19:11-16
If you were asked to describe Jesus how would you? What physical attributes could you mention? John takes up the task in the nineteenth chapter of Revelation. I would imagine, however, that our descriptions of Jesus would likely fall seriously short of John’s. Who among us could capture the true essence of Christ better than John?
Christians are one week removed from celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord. This celebration lends itself to peaceful images of shepherds, angels and a baby lying in a manger. Yet, the power and purpose of this child is captured in John’s vision of the one sitting atop of a white horse whose name is Faithful and True. He commands armies of angels. From his mouth comes a sharp sword which cuts down evil and rules the nations with a rod of iron. His name? The Word of the Lord.
Our Lord Jesus, God’s Word made flesh remains faithful and true. Christ is the same yesterday, today and always. He is Lord and Savior. He came to save we who are neither faithful nor true. His mercy is revealed through the truth of his Word and his grace is sufficient in all circumstances. Turn to the Lord. Call upon his name and receive the free gift of salvation through the one who is King of kings, Lord of lords.
Prayer: Most holy God, keep us in faith, that we would be ever thankful for your mercy and grace. Amen.
We Care
Posted December 30, 2020 By adminPlease continue to bring your donations of nonperishable items for We Care. You may bring your donations to worship with you on Sunday morning, or drop them off at the church office Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. When the list changes, it will be posted on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex.
Annual Report Information
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminPlease 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.
2020 Year End Closing
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminFinancial 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 Shealy so he can close out the year. If you have any questions, please see Walt.
