In order to provide Christian education for our children and families during this time of pandemic, several of our church family members have begun producing recorded video lessons to be used as an online Sunday School. These lessons are uploaded to our church website weekly and are also shared on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page. The current list of lessons focuses on several familiar Bible stories of the Old Testament. Please enjoy these and other St. Jacob’s online offerings such as Bible studies and devotions as you are able.
Lutheran Church Youth Archive
Online Sunday School
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminThe Blessing Basket
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminBefore the COVID-19 virus caused us to suspend in person worship, children would come forward for a brief children’s sermon with me. As they came, they would bring their offerings and put them in what you have known as the “Pickle Jar.” The premise was that the monies collected could be used for people who find themselves “in a pickle.” During the past several months, I have thought about what we might be teaching our children concerning providing for those in need. To make this more memorable and to apply bible teaching for our children, I have retired the Pickle Jar and replaced it with the “Blessing Basket.”
You will recall that as Jesus fed the 5000 multiplying the loaves and fishes, twelve baskets full were collected after everyone had eaten their fill. These baskets teach us about the abundance God provides even through the smallest of gifts.
Our children’s offerings resemble those loaves and fish. They are modest offerings to be sure. To think such a small amount can make a difference in someone’s life just doesn’t add up. But you know what? God’s math never adds up…it multiplies!
On October 4th, we will resume children’s sermons during the 10:30 AM service. I will use the Blessing Basket to collect the children’s offering as they come forward. Each month there will be a specific ministry that the children’s offering will support. At the end of the month, we will add it all up and see just what God has multiplied. October’s ministry will be We Care. Together, we can teach our children how God provides loaves and fishes and how his disciples distribute them to those in need of God’s blessing.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminWelcome Sarah Masterson
I’m excited to announce our first fellowship event post COVID-19. As you all know, we will be welcoming our new Organist, Sarah, on October 4th. In order to welcome her to our Church family, please join us for a cookout following the 10:30 AM service. We will all have the opportunity to meet Sarah and fellowship with one another after being apart for so long. All food and drinks will be provided and social distancing will be observed. Thank you for joining me in welcoming Sarah to St. Jacob’s. I look forward to seeing you there!
Trunk Or Treat
Our new youth committee met together for the first time in September. Moving forward, we will work together to plan events and share ideas for the advancement of our youth and family ministries. While planning for the remainder of the year, we have decided that October would be a great time to start meeting again as a church family! I would love to invite you to join us on October 31st from 5—7 PM for TRUNK OR TREAT at ST. JACOB’S! Anyone participating needs to be at the bus shed parking lot between 4 and 4:30 PM. Come, decorate your car, and fill it with candy.
Grace & Peace,
Rachel
The Bud and Lottie Sites Scholarships
Posted August 30, 2020 By adminThe Bud and Lottie Sites Scholarships are for high school graduates and continuing higher education students who are members of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church. There are two types of scholarships being offered – $1,000 and $250 for the Fall semester. Continuing higher education includes college, technical college, trade school, etc.
Please contact Sherrie McTeer or Sherry Floyd in the church office for the application and requirements! Applications are due by October 1, 2020. Don’t forget to apply!
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted August 30, 2020 By adminAs a church, we are proud to support Chapin Middle School as they provide their students the best education possible. As the school year begins, we want to ensure that all students have the tools and resources they need in order to succeed, as well as anything they may need to remain safe and healthy in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The theme for the school year is “Shine Your Light” and what better way for us to show Jesus’ love in our community by shining our light and loving our neighbor. I am excited to announce SUPPLY SEPTEMBER, for the month of September. We will be collecting donations in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays or in the church office during the week from 9 AM-2 PM. All supplies will be delivered to CMS on September 27th. I have attached a list of supply items that students have been asked to bring this year. I am so excited to partner with you all in assisting students and their families, as we are able. Also, if you are unable to go make a purchase, we will have a box on the table for any monetary donations and we will gladly purchase more supplies.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
#2 Pencils
Composition Notebook (Not spiral)
Colored Pencils
2-Pocket Folders
Dry Erase Markers
8 ½ x 11 Spiral 3 Subject Notebook
Earbuds/Headphones
Tissues Hand Sanitizer
Glue Sticks
Lysol Spray
Pens
Disinfectant Wipes
Highlighters
Mini Deodorant
3×3 Post It Notes
Small Toiletry Kits
Calculators (Ti 30X & Ti 84 Plus)
Toothbrush Kits
Loose Leaf Paper
$5-$10 Gift Cards (Fast food, Walmart, etc.)
Graph Paper
1 inch Poly Binders
3-Ring Binder with Dividers
Five Notebook Divider with Pockets
On behalf of Chapin Middle School, we appreciate your continued support! Thank you for “Shining Your Light” on our students. -Lacey Hallman, CMS School Counselor
Grace and Peace, Rachel
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted July 29, 2020 By adminTo be completely honest, I am not always the most patient person. I have a tendency to rush things, to get stressed out, to take on more than I can handle in order to get something done. I have never felt the excitement of waiting, only the anxiety. I am noticing it more and more within our world today. What I have noticed is that our perspective on waiting does not necessarily align with the biblical view. Waiting has never been easy. All of those centuries waiting for a Messiah to come, it wasn’t easy for those who have gone before us, but they seemed to be more at peace with it, welcoming the wait with goodness and potential. Even after Jesus had come, the waiting was far from over. We wait as much as ever, called to live in the shadow of His return; and when He does, He will “save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28). In the Old Testament, the psalmist celebrates waiting patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40:1), and Isaiah promises that those “who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). In these times of waiting, it is important to make sure we check our focus. We have to take the focus off of ourselves and remember that even though we may feel a delay or a pause, God is still working. Waiting is never a waste in God’s economy. So what should we do in the meantime? Well, how do we take the focus off of ourselves and realign our hearts with God? We all know this. We worship, we wait, and we worship. I was listening to an interview the other day and they were talking about how ‘waiting on the Lord’ looks different for everybody. One guy explained it as “the sustained adoration that is filled with subjection waiting for a directive from the Lord” and went on to say that the key to this is remembering that even though we wait, we wait IN His presence; we don’t have to wait FOR His presence. When we worship, we remove ourselves and we are satisfied, fulfilled, blessed with peace, with the joy of His presence. It is unlike anything else. In this time of waiting right now, it doesn’t matter if you are waiting for something, someone, direction, provision, or simply waiting for time to pass. Nothing is wasted. Take the time to collect yourself and realign your heart in worship. I know for me personally, I cannot fully surrender if my mind is elsewhere. If I am worried, doubtful, fearful, scared then it’s just not possible. It is human nature to try to do it ourselves; and we know that no matter how hard we try, we cannot. It’s okay to want something. It’s okay to dream. It’s okay to long. Sure, you’ll get frustrated, anxious, eager; but you’ll continue to be patient. Keep waiting. Keep praying. We can trust God, knowing He is in control of all things and that is more than enough for me.
Grace and Peace,
Rachel
Youth Workday
Posted April 1, 2020 By adminThe youth and other volunteers had a workday on March 7th. During this time, we were able to clean and organize the entire Sunday School wing downstairs. This is just the beginning of many projects we have planned to reboot our Sunday School program. We are grateful for all who came and served. Thank you for your willingness and support of our Youth ministry.
Keep an eye out for other opportunities to serve in the future, and join me in praying for all the children who will reap what we sow.
KFC—Kids For Christ
Posted April 1, 2020 By adminKids for Christ “KFC” is off to a great start! In March, we had our first service project. We colored pictures, wrote notes, and decorated crosses to add to the Up & Going hospice bags! During this time, we were able to talk about the season leading up to Easter and why our church sends gifts to people in hospice care. Thank you to the Up & Going for including us. It was a lot of fun, and they turned out great!
Lower Elementary Class
Posted April 1, 2020 By adminThe lower elementary class made “faith eyes” in their study of The Presentation of Jesus at the temple with Simeon and Anna. “The Holy Spirit gives us faith to see Jesus.”
Lutheran Women News
Posted April 1, 2020 By adminWe have decided to postpone the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th. We will have an event for the children at a later date.
We will have our Lutheran Women Brunch on May 23rd and our theme is “Reflection of Gods Love. Tickets will go on sell the first Sunday in May. We want to say THANKS to everyone for your continued support.
