Bible Study Archive

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent

Posted February 8, 2024 By admin

As always, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday as we pray David’s words of Psalm 51.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51:10-12).

David’s prayer is our prayer too. Only through Christ are we saved. Even as we are reminded of our mortality, through God’s grace, mercy and love, Christ extends the promise of God’s kingdom to all who believe.

Our Ash Wednesday service will begin at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 14th .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Christmas Morning Worship

Posted December 15, 2023 By admin

We’ve all seen the signs, billboards and bumper stickers: “Keep Christ in Christmas!” The truth is, without Christ, it simply isn’t Christmas. Christians everywhere urge others to remember The “Reason for the Season.” But you know, even some churches find it difficult to “Keep Christ in Christmas”. Just take a look at the many churches standing idle and empty on Christmas morning.

St. Jacob’s offers everyone an opportunity to “Keep Christ in Christmas” beginning December 24 at 5:00P.M. with our annual candlelight service. The service will certainly be beautiful and inspiring. Then all are encouraged to gather on Christmas morning at 10:00 for an informal family Christmas celebration. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and are invited to bring a gift they received for Christmas. Each child may share with all of us the joy this gift brings. Adults may “come as you are” and enjoy time for family and fellowship. Plan to attend these wonderful services of worship with your church family. Join us and “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

Up and Going

Posted December 13, 2023 By admin

The Lord blessed us with a perfect Fall day for the Up and Going members and guests to enjoy our annual
Thanksgiving luncheon. Twenty people excitedly gathered in the Fellowship Hall carrying wonderfully tasty
Thanksgiving dishes for our Enjoyment; and Enjoyed we did! The food was delicious. Helen Lindler, Team Leader, gave the devotions from the booklet entitled “God’s Little Devotional Book For Women”. The Bible Reading was from Psalm 77 and we closed with prayer and the Blessing of Thankfulness for Our meal.
After Lunch, Lynn spoke to us about the “Mercy Bags” project. He graciously answered our Questions and Informed us about “WE CARE” and the urgent need the “Mercy Bags” provide.
Lynn spoke of the needs and benefits of “Mercy Bags”. Relating to neighboring communities. There is a big request for helpers to assemble bags and shop for needed items. Please check your schedule and see if you can help out. Let Lynn know if you can help.
Up and Going made a contribution to the “Mercy Bags” Project as our Thanksgiving Project. A Special Thank you to Lynn Shealy for graciously taking the time to inform us of this most worthwhile project.
The December meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec 14th at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be party foods so bring a favorite for sharing. As our Christmas gift, please bring paper goods, cleaning supplies, and/or Personal hygiene items for WE CARE. A sign-up sheet will be posted on our Bulletin board.
Helen, Team Leader