The 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.
Kids 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!
The 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.”
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The youth and I had such a great time at the Carolina’s Mission District retreat. It was held at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island- many of you may be familiar with this camp from events you have attended in the past. A special thank you to Margaret Kleckley for attending with us as a chaperone. In the midst of all the uncertainty, we were grateful for the opportunity to attend and make the best of it. The retreat theme was “Fear Not” based on Isaiah 41:9-10 ‘”you whom I took from the ends of the Earth, and called you from it’s farthest corners, saying to you, “you are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”’ fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This was so timely because although we are going through a season of uncertainty and fear, we can have peace and rest in the fact that God is there for us and we are ready. There were times of fun, silliness, games, campfires, amazing food, and fellowship but there were also times of listening, sharing, confession, reverence, worship and learning. I want to share what was shared with us during our night session. We looked at Matthew 8:23-27, which is the story where Jesus is asleep on the boat with the disciples when the storm comes. Fear begins to drown and overwhelm the disciples and through this, Jesus teaches them to trust Him and to cry out for His help. Though we fear many things, we have the assurance that Jesus will carry us through – therefore that should bring us to our knees to pray. The Lord uses the storms we go through so that we can find Him mightier than the storm. We know that Jesus saved Noah in the flood, rescued Joseph from the pit and cleared him of all false accusations, saved Daniel from the hungry lions, and saved those three men from the fiery furnace. Jesus understands our fears, weakness, temptation, and sadness. In this story, we are shown that an all-powerful Being is in control of His creation. He doesn’t take our storm away, but he steps into the boat with us and the great calm that the disciples experienced after the storm was just a sample of what all those who be-lieve will relish in the new creation. I would love to share more about our trip once we are all back together again. If you get a chance to talk to any of our youth members, ask them what they learned or what their experience was. I’m sure they would love to share it with you. During this time of uncertainty, set your hope on God, set your hope on the One who is above it all. He gives peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) and is with you in the storm of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. He is our peace and He will deliver us.
Grace & Peace, Rachel
On Sunday, February 16th, the youth of St. Jacob’s led our congregation in worship. They did everything from leading the confession and forgiveness to the children’s sermon, to assisting Pastor David serve communion. They all did a wonderful job; and we, as a congregation, should be very proud of the giftedness of our younger members!
As Vacation Bible School approaches, we want to get ahead on planning and equipping those who will be teaching. If you would like to volunteer to serve, check the sign-up sheet on the youth bulletin board by the fellowship hall. VBS will be June 22nd-25th. Continue to watch your newsletter and worship folders for more details.
Everyone is invited to a workday on Saturday, March 7th from 9 AM-12 PM. We will be cleaning and organizing the Sunday School wing downstairs. All supplies will be provided. There is a lot to do and many hands make it go much faster (and more fun too!). There will be jobs for all ages and abilities. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you in advance for serving.
First Communion classes are scheduled for Sundays, March 15th, 22nd, and 29th. Parents or guardians who feel their child is ready should plan to attend classes with their child. Classes will be held during the Sunday School time in the Sanctuary. Children participating will receive their First Communion on Palm Sunday, April 5th.
Below is an article that someone shared with me a while ago. As it brought me to tears, I thought about how important this reminder is to not only our congregation, but to all people, to remember the responsibility that we all carry to raise up the next generation in the faith that we all share.
Article: Take your kids to church. Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the fancy hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s belongings and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in one hand and your make-up bag in the other. Give those babies a poptart and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church. You know why? Because Jesus is there. He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too. He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.
So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Tell them of His greatness – His power – His faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.
Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure.
Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the dance studio. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void. I promise it’s worth it.
“But Jesus said, let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Grace & Peace, Rachel
The Youth will be leading the worship service on Sunday, February 16th. Please watch your worship folders for more information about upcoming practices if you are going to be participating.
