For those who are engaged in the Max Lucado Bible Study, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks, our next quarterly gathering will be held in the church office Sunday school room on Monday, April 21st beginning at 6:30 PM. Don’t worry if you have fallen a little behind, everyone is on a different schedule. The discussion will include various parts of the study according to how much has been read. Please plan to join us.
Fellowship Archive
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus
Posted April 17, 2025 By adminEaster Divine Services
Posted April 14, 2025 By adminOur traditional Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for 7:00 AM on Easter Sunday, April 20th. A Festival Service of the Resurrection will commence at 10:00 AM. This service will include a full processional, Gospel Procession and Trumpet accompaniment as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Please invite family members, friends and neighbors to join us on Easter Sunday.
Solid Rock Day Camp
Posted April 10, 2025 By adminSolid Rock Day Camp is looking for faithful young adults to work as day camp counselors this summer! Counselors lead bible time, crafts, games, devotions, and tons of good ol’ kid fun with elementary age children at various locations across the southeast. It’s not only a job, it’s an amazing experience! Check our website for more information: https://www.carolinas-nalc.org/home/youth/.
Lutheran Women – Easter Egg Hunt
Posted April 7, 2025 By adminThe Lutheran Women will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There will be crafts to make and games to play and a light lunch will be served. There will be lots of eggs to hunt so please come and bring your Easter basket! Invite some friends as well.
Older kids are welcome to come and help hide the eggs. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Holy Week – April 13th-19th
Posted April 6, 2025 By adminHoly Week this year begins as always on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Saturday, the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord. Palm Sunday worship will commence on the sidewalk in front of the church (weather permitting) with the Blessing and Procession of Palms. It is Christian tradition that on Palm Sunday, the Passion narrative of Christ is read before the assembly. A brief sermon my precede the reading of the Passion, but preferably the preaching clergy allow the Passion of Christ to speak for itself.
Divine service will resume with the Great Triduum (Three Days) beginning on Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Christ’s giving “a new commandment” (Mandatum). Through his washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus gives the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” which takes the form of selfless service to others. The service reaches its climax as God extends his table through the receiving of the Sacrament of the Altar. In remembrance of Jesus’s betrayal and arrest, the altar and church nave are stripped of their worship appointments as the cantor sings Psalm 22, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” The service includes no benediction (Good Words), and the congregation departs in silent reflection on Christ’s passion and his approaching crucifixion.
The Divine Service resumes on Good Friday with the traditional Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows). Worshippers gather in silent reflection, pondering the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf. The service includes the confession of sin, solemn reproaches and seven readings concerning the crucifixion and death of Jesus. With each reading, light is diminished until the church is shrouded in darkness. Once more, at the conclusion of the service, the congregation departs in silence as it awaits the good news of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Music Notes
Posted April 5, 2025 By adminIt’s hard to believe that we are almost through our Lenten journey, but with all the pollen in the air, it must be time for Palm Sunday and Easter. Our younger choristers have been learning the history and words of the hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor.” This beautiful hymn that we sing every Palm Sunday as we process into the church waving palm branches was written by St. Theodulph. Theodulph was a priest and writer and was appointed the bishop of Orleans, France by Charlemagne in 781. When Charlemagne died, his son, Louis the Pious, imprisoned many people in fear of rebellion including Theodulph who wrote this beloved hymn while in prison. Wrongly accused of treason, Theodulph clung to his faith and praised his redeemer. May we all show such faith in the challenges we face throughout our lives. Please talk to the children about Theodulph and what it means to you to know that Christ is your redeemer.
Choir rehearsals will return to Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM at the end of Lent.
The children’s choir is currently working on an anthem based on the Lord’s prayer and our making their own prayer book.
Youth News
Posted April 3, 2025 By adminGet ready for Stars and Strikes! Join us for laser tag, bumper cars and the video arcade on Sunday, April 27th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The fun begins right at 3:00 PM so be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before time. The cost is $22 per youth and includes pizza and a drink. Please let Angela Nuottila know if you will be attending.
The youth group met at the end of February to host the chili cook-off. It was a great success and of course June Lindler took home the award for best chili. We have also been busy planning worship for the end of March and taking part in the Cross Walk on the Palmetto Trail. Pictures of the Cross Walk will be included in next month’s newsletter.
Up and Going
Posted April 2, 2025 By adminEighteen members and guests gathered in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy the March Up and Going meeting. A delicious covered dish meal consisting of salads, meats, vegetables, sides and desserts was enjoyed by all. Everything was so tasty. Thank you to all of our cooks.
After the meal, Helen, Team Leader, gave the devotions from Our Daily Bread entitled “Seeing God In Creation.” The Bible reading was from Job 42: 1-6. She then read an article “The Signs of Spring” from Irmo Chapin Life magazine written by Keith Kneeshaw.
We then gathered at the work tables to write greeting cards and make beautiful bows which will be attached to the Hospice Easter Bags that we will make at the April meeting and deliver to Lutheran Hospice for distribution.
The April Up and Going meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch is a covered dish meal. After lunch, we will assemble Easter Bags for Hospice. Please bring Easter items to put in these bags.
Helen
Team Leader for Up and Going
2025 Congo Mission Trip
Posted February 15, 2025 By adminAs we all will remember, I was not able to make my mission trip to Congo last summer due to health reasons. Well, thanks be to God, I am finally able to resume my mission work with my partner Pastor Stephane Kalonji in Congo.
Our trip is scheduled to commence on Monday, June 30th. We will fly from Houston, TX to Kinshasa and arrive there on Tuesday evening, July 1st. Our mission work will include a visit with the Lutheran congregation in Mbuji Mayi where we will be able to see the progress of construction of the new parish building we are making possible through grants and donations. While in that province, we will again visit the village of Merode where, last summer, the children learned a song in English to serenade me with. I can’t wait to hear these children raise their voices to God in a language I can understand.
My portion of the mission trip will conclude on July 14th and I will return to Chapin on July 15th. As always, I will take your prayers with me and be surrounded by the love and support of so many who have supported the Congo Mission over the years.
The Great Chili Cook-Off
Posted February 14, 2025 By adminIt’s been a while since we crowned June Lindler St. Jacob’s Chili Cook-Off Champion. Now she has the opportunity to defend her title. On Sunday, February 23rd at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall, Pastor David and the St. Jacob’s Youth will host another Great Chili Cook-Off to raise funds for his upcoming mission trip to Congo. Everyone is invited to participate, the more the merrier. The winner will be determined by the number of “Congo Bucks” raised by that particular pot of chili. Everyone who would like to cast their vote may exchange their good old American greenbacks for a fist full of “Congo Bucks.” The winner of the challenge will receive the coveted Chili Champion trophy, a championship apron, and bragging rights as St. Jacob’s Chili Champion for 2025. Come join the fun and enjoy some wonderful fellowship and delicious chili.
