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Congo Mission Update

Posted April 19, 2025 By admin

I’m not sure how many folks have been paying attention to the news of the ongoing struggle in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there have been some significant and terribly unfortunate events taking place. The neighboring country of Rwanda has sent and supported militaristic factions and groups over the border and seized several of the bordering cities and other areas. These incursions have led to violent protests in several parts of the country, including the capital city of Kinshasa.

Given these political and military actions, Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I have concluded that I should not travel to the Congo this summer. Pastor Kalonji is Congolese and can blend in with the population while staying with family and completing our planned mission. Our amended agenda is for Pastor Kalonji to accomplish all that he and I had planned, including overseeing the construction of the parish building in Mbuji Mayi, education for laity, feeding orphaned children, freeing mothers and their babies from clinics, and supplying Bibles for those with such need. The decision regarding my travel breaks my heart as I pray for those pastoral colleagues and friends whom I have longed to visit. Please keep this situation in your prayers and ask God for resolution, reconciliation, and restoration of all that has been affected.
Pastor Kalonji will travel to Kinshasa at the end of June and upon his return home will provide a full report on his work and also on the political and social climate of the area. I look forward to hearing his report and to seeing photos of friends within the Lutheran Church whom I have been closely associated with over the last ten years.

Filed in Missions, NALC, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Mission Trip Interest Meeting

Posted March 31, 2025 By admin

With all that has affected the lives of our neighbors in Western North Carolina, the opportunity for mission is greater than ever. In response to disasters, St. Jacob’s has taken up donations for flood buckets, health and hygiene kits, along with various foods and supplies for the sake of others. Now is a good time to put “boots on the ground” as they say.
In April, I invite our church family members to join me for a discussion to gauge the interest of any who might like to make a mission trip to North Carolina this summer in order to help with recovery efforts. It will take years for lives to be put back together, and any small contribution we could make I’m sure would be much appreciated. All who are interested may join me on Thursday, April 3rd in the church office beginning at 6:30 PM.

Filed in Carolinas Mission Region, Missions, NALC, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

March News Letter

Posted February 27, 2025 By admin

Filed in Bible Study, Choir Notes, Lutheran Men, Lutheran Women, Missions, NALC, Online Campus, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

2025 Congo Mission Trip

Posted February 15, 2025 By admin

As 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.

Filed in Fellowship, LCY, Missions, NALC, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

The Great Chili Cook-Off

Posted February 14, 2025 By admin

It’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.

Filed in Fellowship, LCY, Missions, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Adult Confirmation

Posted February 7, 2025 By admin

Several members of our congregation were not raised in the Lutheran Church and have asked questions regarding Lutheran tradition. Beginning on Monday, February 17th, Pastor David will offer an Adult Confirmation experience for anyone who is interested in growing their knowledge of Lutheran teaching and practice. We will meet in the church office classroom beginning at 6:45 PM for about an hour or so. Please contact Pastor David if you are interested in participating.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Pastoral Devotion for February

Posted February 3, 2025 By admin

Consider Jesus

Read John 2:13-22, Hebrews 3:1-11

Everyone has at least one bad habit, one particular vice that keeps us from getting the proper amount of rest, nutrition, or exercise. Left unchecked, such habits can lead us along a path of poor health, sickness, even death. We know better, but we just can’t stop. On New Year’s Eve, many people made resolutions so that they may resolve some of these detrimental habits. But now here we are at the beginning of February, and I wonder, how many of these resolutions are still kept?

The same can be said for the healthiness of our faith. As worldly powers pull and tug at God’s people, healthy habits of faith often succumb to unhealthy bad habits. Time for reading Holy Scripture is often replaced by work or play. Gathering with the faithful for worship often becomes less appealing than a social gathering with friends or the entertainment of some event. Soon, the people of God grow weak in their faith; it becomes difficult to articulate what it means that Jesus endured the tragedy of the cross for our sake.

The author of Hebrews calls Christians to spiritual revitalization. He encourages us to consider all that God has done and continues to do through Christ our Lord. John reminds us that even the temple needed cleansing. We may not need to turn over tables, but certainly there is room in each life for recommitment to faithful living. Through the power of prayer, it can be so.

Help us, O Lord, to overcome that which hinders our faith, that we might seek you always. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

St. Jacob’s Youth

Posted February 1, 2025 By admin

We kicked off a new year of youth activities in January with a campfire, games, and most especially smores. We had a great turn out with 14 kids participating. We celebrated Jesus as the light of the world. We roasted hotdogs over the fire, held an epiphany themed scavenger hunt by flashlight, shared devotions around the fire and finished up making smores.

Youth group will be the last Sunday of each month. In February, we will celebrate the month of love by sharing the love of Christ throughout the world. Along with Pastor David, we will host the chili cook-off on February 23rd at 5:00 PM to raise money for Congo International to allow our pastor and Pastor Kalonji to take the Word of God to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Come out and support our youth and this important ministry of our church.

Isabelle and Daniel will represent our youth members this year on the Youth Council. The Youth Council will meet on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 PM in the church office to plan activities for the upcoming year.

Filed in Bible Study, Choir Notes, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Outreach, Youth and Family Ministries, Youth Director

Midweek Bible Study

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

Midweek Bible Study resumes this coming Wednesday, February 5th beginning at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. Everyone is invited to participate. Our topic will be “In the Holy Land with Jesus.” We will discuss Jesus’s activities and ministry in several places, including Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, and the Temple in Jerusalem. Join us for study, conversation, and fellowship. No special materials are needed, just your Bible and a desire to study Scripture. Won’t you join us?

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Men’s Bible

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

Our Men’s Bible study will resume on Monday, February 3rd beginning at 6:45 PM. All men of St. Jacob’s, friends and neighbors are welcome to attend. We will gather in the church office Sunday school room.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Men, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor
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