Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Good Things for September 2022

• The Up and Going ‘Apple Run’ was a huge success.
• Men’s Bible Study is going well
• Lutheran Men’s Sunday was wonderful, especially, the choir!

Council Briefs for October 2022

• The Council received the Pastor’s’ report. Pastor David is continuing to do the administrative duties in addition to his regular duties, as the search for an Administrative Assistant continues.
• Matt Burt provided the Youth and Family Ministry report highlighting plans for October to include the Trunk or Treat Halloween Party and Lock-In, planned for October 28, 2022. Changes to the Sunday School curriculum are planned so that there will be two classes. These two classes will be divided as 4th graders and younger, and 5th graders and above. Also, included in Matt’s report was the Operation Christmas Child boxes. The last day to turn-in boxes is November 14, 2022.
• Bob provided the treasurer’s report. The church has spent 67.7% of the 2022 budget.
• All ministry team reports were received by the council. Notes of interest were as follows:
• Staff Support: The Administrative Assistant position remains open. If you know of an interested candidate, please speak to a Council Member or Staff Support Committee member.
• Christian Education: Sunday School teachers are needed to assist with children’s Sunday School classes. Interested parties should contact Donna Fulmer or Sherrie McTeer.
• Congregational Care: A meal was provided for the family of Mr. Jim Haack. Plans are in place for the Golden-Agers Sunday on October 23, 2022.
• Discipleship: 45 Mercy boxes have been delivered to We Care. The team is researching using bags instead of boxes, for easier handling.
• Stewardship: Time and talent sheets will be distributed in the bulletin for 3 weeks. The congregation is encouraged to fill out and return their time and talent sheets for 2023.
• The Council continues to review the NALC “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit” that was presented at the September Council meeting.
• The Council is seeking interested members to fill 5 vacated seats for the 2023/2024 term. Election for these seats will be held at the December Congregational meeting. Any members interested in filling a Council representative seat should notify one of the current Council members.
• The Property Committee is researching the need for a small (non-CDL) church bus. More information will be forthcoming.
• Jacobs has been designated as beneficiary of funds from two estates. These funds have no restrictions or pre-determined designations for expenditures. The Council is researching costs for needed property improvements to the Church Sanctuary and grounds as a possible use of these gifts.
• The Council has reviewed proposed 2023 budget requests from each of the Committees. A first reading was completed, and recommended changes have been made. At the November Council meeting, the Council will finalize the budget for 2023 in preparation for presentation and voting by the Congregation in December.

Good Things at St. Jacob’s in August 2022:
Reception for Sherry Floyd

Trees removed in front of Administration Offices and stumps ground down

Sale of Church bus for $8800

Pastor provided a handout to the Council about “NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit”. The Council was asked to review the program for discussion at the October meeting.

The Pastor has stepped down as the leader of the Carolina Region Mission team. Pastor David plans to use this time to focus on the growth of St. Jacobs.

The Council interviewed and offered the Administrative Assistant position to a qualified candidate; however, she declined the offer due to personal reasons. The Administrative Assistant position remains open. If anyone in the congregation is aware of a qualified and interested candidate, please contact a member of Staff Support or a Council Member.
Staff Support Policy and Procedures draft was reviewed and approved by the Council.

The Congregational Care team provided an excellent reception for Sherry Floyd.

The team will be meeting for revision on the Bereavement Groups.

The Stewardship team met to complete plans for the upcoming Yard Sale on September 24, 2022, and to determine a date for the distribution of Time and Talent sheets.

The Church bus was sold on August 27, 2022, for $8,800. Many thanks to Nate Nickel for his work on the completion of this sale.

A copy of the 2022 Budget was distributed to the Council. The Council will be working on the 2023 budget at the upcoming meeting in October.

In lieu of Homecoming, it was decided to celebrate a “Golden Agers” Sunday on October 23, 2022. A meal is planned to follow the service, with the church providing fried chicken, b-b-q, hash, and rice. The congregation will be asked to bring covered dishes for sides and desserts.

The Up and Going Apple Run was planned for September 15, 2022. The Church will pay for the rental of 2 passenger vans, with the cost not to exceed $800. (The trip was completed at a cost of approximately $600)

The Safe Sanctuary Policy was reviewed by the Council with a lot of discussion and was tabled for later review.

Pastor David received a request from a local AA Women’s group, requesting space to meet on Sunday evenings.

The Council approved the request, allowing the group to meet in the Church Administrative Building.

Good Things for July 2022
• Mercy boxes are still being received and delivered
• Columbia Fireflies baseball game for youth and families

Council Briefs for August 2022
• The Church has received $49,837.60 from the Addy Estate. This money has been placed in a separate designated estate funds account. There were no restrictions or specifications by the family as to how these funds should be used.
• The Church has spent 55% of the budget for 2022.
• The Council is considering 2 dates for Homecoming – October 2nd or October 9th, 2022. The date will be determined upon availability of a guest Pastor.
• The Council received the resignation of Sherry Floyd with her anticipated retirement of August 31, 2022. The Administrative Assistant job description was updated by the Staff Support Committee and has been reviewed and approved by the Council.
• The Finance Committee presented a recommendation to the Council to update the insurance on the Church buildings. The valuation by Brotherhood Mutual determined that St. Jacobs was underinsured on the Church Building by $852,250. The Finance Committee reviewed the content valuation of each building and made the necessary changes, as well as recommending additions to several areas of general liability. The premium will increase from $9,623 to $11,623. The Council approved these updates to the insurance coverage.
• The Stewardship Committee was asked by the Council to meet and prepare to distribute Time and Talent sheets.
• The Council has requested that Council liaisons meet with Team Leaders regarding their budget requests for 2023.
• The Up and Going presented plans for the annual apple orchard trip. It is scheduled for September 15, 2022.
• The Council received a thank-you note from Sherry Floyd in appreciation for her time of employment with St Jacobs. Her last day of employment is planned for August 31, 2022.

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for June:
• Up & Going resumed regular meetings
• Lutheran Men BBQ
• Recognition of Graduates
• Vacation Bible School
Briefs for July 2022
• Pastor David will start his Mission Trip to the Congo on August 1st. He will be away from St. Jacobs from August 1st – August 19th, 2022. During this time, the Elders of the church will conduct Sunday Services.
• Pastor David will be starting First Communion classes beginning July 10, 2022. First Communion will be July 31, 2022 for those who complete the class.
• Treasurer’s Report: The Church has spent 45.47% of the annual budget.
• Discipleship: The Church has delivered 20 Mercy Boxes to We Care.
• Stewardship: The Council approved September 24, 2022 as the date for the Church Yard Sale.
• Worship & Music: The Worship & Music Committee will be meeting to plan the annual Church Homecoming event.
• The Council approved the sale of the Church bus. If anyone is interested in purchasing the bus, please contact Michael Corley at mcorley0814@icloud.com for additional information or to make an offer.
• The problems that had been reported with the sound system in the church seem to be resolved at this time. The reported issues were related to Radio Frequency (RF), not the microphones.
• Matt has provided a spending plan for the Youth & Family Ministry to the Council, which was approved at the July Council Meeting. He will be given a debit card to use for the approved expenses from the youth account.
• The Council is planning to meet with the Staff Support Committee to update job descriptions.
• The Council approved to relocate the Music Director’s office from the Choir Room to the Church Office Building.

Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for May:
• Up & Going May Day Gathering
• Lutheran Men’s Ladies’ Night

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL BRIEFS:
• Pastor noted attendance at Generations has doubled since church worship program began.
• Youth and Family Minister making good progress. Bible School plans are progressing.
• Mercy Food Box Program is active and making progress.
• Council voted to sell the church bus. No active driver available at St. Jacob’s.
• Researching options to improve church sound system.
• Council voted to move forward with replacing nursery attendant.
• Council voted to approve Futrell Bookkeeping to assist in bookkeeping duties for St Jacob’s.
• Council approved providing more detailed Council Briefs each month and weekly fiscal information to the congregation.

Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for April:

• Sunrise Breakfast: good food and good attendance
• Nice reception for Matt Burt
• Good cemetery workday – thirteen workers spread 7.5 tons of topsoil
• Easter Egg Hunt

Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for April:
• Lutheran Men sold 700 pounds of sausage. Congregation was very supportive.
• Youth Choir
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was a success.
• Lenten Meals were excellent.
• Attendance is going up every Sunday.

Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for February:
• Attendance is up
• Lutheran Men and Lutheran Women making plans for Shrove Tuesday and Lenten Meals

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for January:
• Sunday attendance was up
• Bill Nuottila funeral service was beautiful
• Visitors from out of Chapin
• Record high of 16 views for on-line service

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for December:
• The Church decorations for Advent and Christmas were beautiful.
• Christmas caroling was enjoyed by all participants…those singing and those listening.
• There was good attendance for the children’s Christmas program; the program was wonderful.