We have been invited to join the Carolina’s Mission District on a Youth Retreat, March 13th-15th, at Camp St. Christopher. All students grades 6-12 are invited to join and bring their friends as well. The cost for non-members is $120 and SJY members will attend for free. We will go Friday night and return home Sunday after Worship. The weekend will include worship on the beach, Bible study, campfires, games, and friends! If you plan on attending, sign up on the SJY youth bulletin board as soon as possible so we can save your spot! It’s gonna be a great time.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminOur Wednesday morning Bible study continues on January 8th beginning at 9:30 AM. We have been working through a study written by our friend and last year’s Homecoming guest preacher Brad Hales. The fruit of this study is a wonderful discussion concerning our lives as disciples of Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you have not attended from the beginning; each week is a perfect opportunity to jump right in. Join the members of your church family in Bible study on Wednesday morning and be a part of this lively discussion we are having.
Spring Retreat
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminRetreat: (noun) A place set apart, one of renewal, rejuvenation, rest; a period of time used to pray and study quietly, or to think carefully, away from normal activities and duties.
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Spring Retreat is scheduled for April 24th-26th at beautiful Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island, SC. Our theme is “Living and Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ.” Members and friends of St. Jacob’s are invited to study together, strengthening their faith while enjoying a time of rest and rejuvenation.
Camp St. Christopher offers participants a place where they can enjoy a private beach, watch dolphins swim and play, hike along wilderness trails, and enjoy a Friday night campfire.
Retreat topics will include: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? How do I share my faith? And “What does it mean to take up the cross?
The cost for the retreat is $150.00 per person. Further details are included on the registration form which is located in the narthex. You may also send an email to Pastor David or to the Church office requesting a registration form. Deadline for registration is February 2nd.
Read The Bible In One Year
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminWith the New Year comes an opportunity to once again read through the Bible in one year. Several members of our church family have taken up this reading plan already. If you have not yet done so, you may pick up a reading plan brochure in the narthex. If you have done this already, well, why not read the Bible again?
Beginning on February 2, Pastor David will lead an afternoon discussion and take questions on the first Sunday of each month from those members who are participating or anyone else who would like to attend. Come join the group. Encourage one another to deepen your knowledge of the scriptures. Read the Bible in one year. You will certainly be glad you did.
St. Jacob’s Church Facebook
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminEntering the new year, we wanted to remind everyone who uses Facebook, that St. Jacob’s has a page. We are becoming more active with photos, devotions, and reminders of events!
It is a great way to connect with our church family online. We post Pastor David’s Sunday sermons on there as well. You can search @StJacobs.Chapin to find us!
Up and Going
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminDecember 12th, we found beautiful Christmas decorations adorning the tables and other areas, setting the mood for the Up and Going December Meeting. Joan and Gary had been busy getting everything ready for us. At each person’s place, there was a Christmas card from Gloria Dugan (What a pleasant surprise). Helen brought bells for each of us to wear. We were now set for the Christmas Celebration. Joan’s reading from Luke, gave a timely devotion on Angels, especially Angels to help and guide us. She reminded us that there are many earthly angels that assist us when we are in need. We sang several of our favorite Christmas Carols accompanied on the piano by Joan. After the Blessing given by Gary, we enjoyed a wonderful meal. The tables were bountifully adorned with many delicious food and dessert items.
A short business meeting was held. Then it was time for Bingo. Joan and Gary had collected Bingo gifts and instructed us on the many ways to play Bingo. We played many games and all were winners. Some prizes were traded but all brought laughter and many comments. Helen passed out peppermint candy canes and read the origin of its many features. Nineteen members and guests departed laughing and smiling.
Our next meeting is January 9th (2nd Tuesday) at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Helen will have the devotions. Lunch will be chili; however, if you are not a chili fan, additional options will be available. We will be playing regifting Bingo. A sign-up sheet for lunch will be posted. Each person is asked to bring 3 re-gifting items that you have at home for Bingo prizes.
Council Briefs December 2019
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminThe St. Jacob’s Church Council met December 3rd for its regular meeting.
- Good things noted for the month of November:
- Thanksgiving Eve Service and cake for HUB
- New members and Baptisms
- Congregational Christmas Luncheon
- Children’s Choir singing
- All Saints Sunday
- Philip Sandi’s message, anthem and time with us
Important Notes and Dates:
- Wednesday’s in December – Advent Services
- December 8th – Christmas Caroling
- December 15th – Children’s Christmas Program
- December 21st – Blue Christmas Service
- December 23rd – Drop-in @ Office
- December 24th – Nativity Service @ 7pm
- December 25th – Christmas Service @ 10am
Ongoing Project Updates: No updates this reporting period
Next Scheduled Meeting: Council Retreat January 10th and 11th
Youth Director and Family Ministries
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminIt’s that time of year again. The time for New Year’s Resolutions. And the top resolutions, for most people, tend to revolve around the same three poles: money, health and family. We set goals to bring change, to improve our lives, and to obtain new habits and maybe even try to break some old ones. But what would a set of New Year’s resolutions look like for us and our church, your role as a leader, or simply as someone who wants to live a life of Kingdom investment? I want to offer some suggestions of things I have committed to in the past, and usually continue to grow each New Year:
- Spending more time in prayer
- Being more intentional about Evangelism
- Reading more books (There are so many great Christian books out there, and I would love to recommend some.)
- Seek out people in Church that you may have never spoken to and get to know something about them
- Find a need in the Church and try to meet it, whether it involves one person or the entire congregation, there are always things that can be done!
I always find it interesting to see what people declare as their New Year change, not as a test to see how long we can stick with something but to cheer each other on while learning about areas where people feel as though they fall short. So whether it’s eating healthier, serving the Church in a new way, or being a better friend; I would love to know. On my bulletin board in the hallway next to the fellowship hall, feel free to share what your New Year’s goal is. Once you have shared, join me in praying for each resolution to be brought to completion. Thank you, Lord for giving us a New Year ahead. Help us live the way we should in each new day we tread. Give us gentle wisdom, give us strength and courage as a shoulder we might lend. The year ahead is empty, help us fill it with good things. Each new day filled with joy and happiness it brings. Amen.
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours in abundance in the New Year, Isaiah 43:19.
Rachel
Worship and Music
Posted December 23, 2019 By adminDecember was a busy month, as usual. But amidst all the hustle and bustle, there are those magical moments where one can sense the presence of God. The Christmas program, presented by the Children’s Choir, was one such moment. Others were found in the Wednesday Advent services, the Blue Christmas service, the Christmas Day service, Lessons and Carols on the 29th and of course in the Christmas Eve service.
I want to thank everyone who provided music for any of the December services; your willingness to share your musical talents for the enrichment of worship services is truly appreciated, both by the congregation and by me.
We come now to the beginning of a new year and a new opportunity to become involved in some way with the music ministry at St. Jacob’s. God has given us all unique gifts and talents to use for His glory and to bring His word to a world in need. Please prayerfully consider using those talents in our music ministry.
Happy New Year and Soli Deo Gloria, Laurie
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted December 1, 2019 By adminAnd so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
Certainly we have arrived at the unfolding of a very busy time of year. The month of December gives way to frantic shopping trips, over extended schedules and plenty of last minute items to scratch off the list. Yet, this is nothing new. Year after year, people find it difficult to simply enjoy the warmth, peace and joy of the approaching Christmas season. As the days rush on toward December 25th, so many people tend to overfill their days with activity until the things “to do” end up spilling over into the evening hours. So much to do; so little time. Such is life during the month of December.
The Church is not immune to such commotion. Congregations large and small have calendars filled with events, choir rehearsals, extra services and plenty of other activities. It’s of little wonder that by the time the Christmas Day celebration is concluded, we are all ready for rest. Believe it or not, one of our most beloved Christmas songs was born out of such a frantic time.
In 1818, Father Joseph Mohr was preparing for the Christmas service at St. Nicholas’ Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Of course, plans had been made well in advance, choirs and musicians had rehearsed the special music selected for the festival worship and all appeared ready. Father Mohr decided to take a few moments for himself and enjoy playing some music on the church organ. Imagine his shock as he sat upon the bench and the organ would not play. After several frantic hours attempting to make repairs, Father Mohr came to the conclusion that other music would be needed, but there was no time to make such arrangements. That is when he experienced a moment of grace.
Years earlier, Father Mohr had written a simple poem for Christmas but never really shared it with anyone. He found the poem and took it to the church organist, asking if it were possible to come up with a tune that the choir could learn on very short notice. With no organ available, the organist, Franz Gruber, wrote a simple arrangement for the guitar. Neither of the two men could imagine this simple song, the words written years earlier and the tune at the spur of the moment would become one of the most beloved hymns of Christmas.
As our lives continue to be filled with seemingly endless activity and our world continues to spin out of control, the blessing of Christmas is instilled within the hearts of God’s people as we sing Father Mohr’s Silent Night amid the soft glow of lighted candles. Within the words of Mohr’s poem comes the Christmas proclamation that God has indeed kept his promise to send unto the people of earth a Savior.
Luke reminds us that even the sleepy town of Bethlehem was teeming with activity the night Christ was born. As Joseph and Mary struggled to find a place to rest following their journey from Nazareth, the town was bursting at the seams. A lowly stable became the only option as Mary gave birth to the baby who is Christ the Lord. Still, in the silence of the surrounding fields, angels sang unto lowly shepherds the glad tidings of Jesus’ birth.
As we make our annual sojourn into the Christmas season, it is my prayer that we all take time away from the urgency of life and all its activities. May we simply remember the gift of Christ our Lord. In the midst of so much activity, Christmas comes in its fullest sense during the quietest of moments. These moments declare to us the fullest measure of God’s love; especially as we sing, once more, the beloved words written by Father Joseph Mohr; “Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright.” May the joy of Christ be yours this Christmas and always.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
