Don’t forget our Wednesday Morning Bible Study that is being held each week. All information will be emailed to the congregational members no later than Tuesday afternoon. If you have trouble logging on to Zoom, please contact Rachel Shelton or Pastor David for assistance.
Fellowship Archive
Bible Study
Posted July 29, 2020 By adminPastoral Devotion For July
Posted July 1, 2020 By adminGrace without Limit
Read 1 John 1:1-10
The speed limit sign says 55 mph, but everyone knows you can go a little faster without being pulled over. The blue lights flashing in your mirror suggest otherwise and you can’t argue with the person wearing the uniform. The truth is you’re guilty. Thankfully, the officer has authority to extend grace and let you off with a warning.
How much is our earthly life like that of exceeding the speed limit? Bending the rules, pushing the limits or those little white lies we tell seem harmless at first glance. But when we go too far the burden hardly seems worth it. As sinners, we have to face the fact that we do not always do as we should. Neither can we hide our shortcomings from the one who calls us to obedience. We’re guilty and God sees it all. Yet, there is grace.
As John writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” God’s law is the authority that convicts us. We can’t argue; we know we are guilty. Even so, through faith in Christ, the law also drives us to the cross where we confess our sin. God’s grace is given freely without limit. Yet, unlike the example of the officer above, there is no warning. Instead, grace comes with the promise of everlasting life in God’s kingdom through Christ the Lord.
Prayer: Forgive me Lord, pour out your mercy and grace upon me. Amen.
Church Family Reminder
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminEven as orders are beginning to be lifted by our Governor, please continue to care for each other. We may still have members who need errands run, medications picked up, or grocery needs. In order to keep those who are still at a high health risk for getting the virus, you can contact Sherry in the church office. Let’s continue to look after our church family at this time.
Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings
Pastoral Devotion For May
Posted May 1, 2020 By adminCommunity In Christ
Read Acts 2:42-47
Each year, the National Geographic Channel airs a series in which ten competitors are deposited in a wild and desolate location somewhere around the globe. The purpose of the journey is to find out which of them is able to survive the longest in the wild while being totally, as the title would describe, Alone. The competitors have no contact with anyone. Only if they radio for assistance would they hear another human voice, but such a call means their odyssey comes to an end.
Being alone is contrary to the life God would have for his people. In the beginning, God created Adam but soon afterward made for him a helper and companion. Throughout the ages, God has blessed the human family that people may live in communi-ty with one another. In his book, “Life Together”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that, for believers, community is a gift of God’s grace.
Not all live in such community. Many believers are dispersed throughout the world and live among those who have not believed Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Yet, our God calls some Christians to love and even live among their enemies. Speaking the Gospel of Christ to those who do not believe provides the building blocks of faith, which in turn serve as the seeds that sprout and grow into the fellowship of faith.
God does not intend for his people to live alone. Filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers have what is needed to introduce others to Christ. Hearing the Gospel bring others to faith, and through faith, Christ establishes the community of believers.
Video And Phone Updates
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminPastor David continues to post morning and evening video updates and church information each week day at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM (approximately) on Facebook live. The church staff also continues to reach out by telephone and U.S. Mail to our church family members, especially those whom we know do not use the internet.
Filed in Fellowship, Pastor
Bible Study
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminPastor David AND Rachel Shelton will be hosting an online Bible study at our regular time of 9:30 AM, on Wednesday mornings. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. You may participate by making comments in the comments section. Please, even if you are new to Facebook or have not used it before, give it a try. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.
Community Care
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s is blessed to be a part of the community of Chapin. In communities such as ours, people have relationships that go way back in time. Families have put down deep roots and truly have grown up with the surrounding area. Even as new people are welcomed into the community, they experience all the small town qualities that have been central to the lives of so many. This closeness, this sense of togetherness is something that should draw St. Jacob’s into greater mission and ministry among our neighbors.
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community, and especially as a member of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s, can and should consider becoming a stronger supporter of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
Our Lutheran Women have been supporters of We Care. Beginning today, I would like to invite all of our church family members to begin supporting our local food pantry. Canned food and other non-perishable items can be brought to the church and collected in the Fellowship Hall. For now, donations can be made by contacting the church office and we can open the Fellowship Hall for
you. Perhaps two or three folks could volunteer once or twice a month to help deliver these goods to We Care. Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.
It’s Time To Come Home
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminHave you been away from St. Jacob’s for a while? Has it been weeks, months, or even years? Well, now is the time to consider your return. Thanks to COVID-19, everyone has been away. No one has been in worship on Sunday except for watching in their own homes. Perhaps you too have been watching. If so, that means you have been a part of the community gathered around the Gospel each week. Or perhaps you have been watching the morning or evening devotions, and Pastor’s check-in. If that’s the case, I am very grateful for your presence online; and I hope to see you in person when we can open our doors to everyone.
Now is the time to come home. No matter the reason you have been away, now is the time to re-connect. You don’t have to worry about questions about your absence. You don’t need to be concerned about having been away for any specific period of time. Like I said, we have all been away. When we resume our regular worship activities just come be a part of them. Come home to St. Jacob’s. Come and hear the Gospel and enjoy our shared life together.
Upon Our Return
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminThe following is a list of things, I (Pastor David) will be working on and suggesting upon our return to activity at St. Jacob’s.
Continued live streaming of our worship services – This will require St. Jacob’s to purchase further licensing so that we can have permission to include music and liturgies in their fullest form for our live and recorded services.
Online Bible studies – I will be looking for ways to share a more interactive Bible study once a week. Possibilities include internet services such a Zoom TM or possibly conference calls.
Safer and healthier practices for worship – I will be working with the Worship and Music Team to explore ways of keeping our congregation safe by limiting the possibility for transmitting coronavirus, flu and other germs.
More congregational focus on our home bound members – This could include the development of a lay visitation team made up of volunteers who check-in on our shut-in members frequently.
Daily video check-in and devotions – This will likely take place in the morning sometime around 9:00 AM on our Facebook page.
These are just a few of the things that have been running through my mind during our time of social distancing. The goal is to strengthen our sense of community among our church family and to begin providing a more consistent witness to the Gospel to Chapin and the surrounding area.
Lutheran Women Mother/Daughter Brunch
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminDue to social distancing, the Lutheran Women are cancelling the Mother/Daughter Brunch scheduled for May 23rd .
Also, please remember to pick up some items for We Care. We Care sent us a card in the mail thanking us for the 690 pounds of food we supplied for the month of February. Please see the listing of their food needs below.
•Peanut butter / jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna / Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip / Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, Toothpaste
