This is a follow-up to the devotion shared in February’s newsletter. Read Matthew 19:13-15
Welcome the children who are brought to church. Share with them the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor, make room for them here.
If they offer you a goldfish cracker, accept it with joy.
If one of their parents must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them, offer to help.
Even when it’s hard. Even when you seem bothered.
When your pew looks like it was hit by a tornado, smile and remember your youthful days
Be glad they are in church. Even when you feel like staring, look at them with love, don’t let your frustration get in the way.
Be thankful they are in church and give them room to grow comfortable with your presence
Make room for them in your pew. Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil doesn’t want them here. He will teach them to stay away, provide something else to do.
The devil will try to distract you with a child’s curiosity.
The devil will want you to feel bothered.
The devil will convince you that the children are better off left in the nursery.
Don’t let the devil separate the children from the faithful in worship.
Satan will have you so far off course and disturbed and put out that you won’t hear the message of hope in the Lord. You will only feel angst.
The world won’t teach the children about Jesus, that’s your job.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness, that’s yours to embody.
The world won’t teach them about grace, that’s yours to offer.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
But Jesus said, unless you have the faith of a little child, you won’t see it either.
It begins with parents and young children feeling loved and welcomed in church.
So, welcome the children. Welcome the whole family.
A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it need be.
So, welcome the little children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring the children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the adults of our congregation. Make room in our hearts to welcome little children and find joy in them as they grow in faith. Amen.
Sunday School Archive
Pastoral Devotion for March – Welcome the Children
Posted February 27, 2026 By adminPastoral Devotion for February – Bring Your Children
Posted February 3, 2026 By adminRead Matthew 19:13-15
Bring your children. Bring them to church. Saturate their lives with the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor.
Even if they need a sippy cup and a pack of goldfish crackers to keep them occupied.
Even if you must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when your pew looks like a small hurricane just came through.
Bring them to church. Even when you feel the glares and stares of others, don’t let that stop you.
Bring them to church and give them room in your pew.
Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil will teach them it’s not a priority.
The devil will teach them it’s okay to lay out.
The devil will teach them not to pick up their Bibles.
The devil will convince them to just skip worship all together.
Satan will have them so far off course and confused and misinformed that they will believe just being “good” is enough.
The world won’t teach them about Jesus.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness.
The world won’t teach them about grace.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
That’s your job.
It begins by bringing them to church.
So, bring your children. A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it needs to be.
So, bring your children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring your children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the little children of our congregation. Bless us with their presence as we worship you and praise your name. Amen.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Confirmation Instruction to Begin
Posted August 25, 2025 By adminCatechetical instruction for our youth members in grade 7 and above who have not been confirmed will begin on Sunday, August 31st beginning at 3:00 PM. Parents are asked to attend this initial meeting for the year. We will meet in the church office and share information and scheduling for the coming Fall session. Please make a note on your family calendars and plan to attend.
Easter 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.
Confirmands Working Hard
Posted October 15, 2024 By adminOur current confirmation class is currently studying the Old Testament Scriptures with Pastor David on Sunday afternoons. This is the largest class we have had in quite a while, and the kids are learning how to read the Bible and use the many tools it provides for discerning the Good News of God’s Word. Please continue to pray for our confirmands as they grow in faith together.
St. Jacob’s Youth have a Real “Moo”ving Time
Posted April 15, 2023 By adminIn March, Lynn and Susan Shealy invited the Youth members of St. Jacob’s to visit with their newly born calves. Feeding the herd and getting to know these beautiful animals was a highlight of their time together. We may even have a few future cattle farmers in our midst. A great time was had by all and we look forward to another fun “pastural” visit.
Time and Talent
Posted November 4, 2022 By adminHow might you participate in the life and ministry of St. Jacob’s? It is the time of year when all church family members are asked to ponder this very question. As you consider ways in which you might become or continue to be involved, please be sure to fill out the Time and Talent Sheet for 2023. Every member of St. Jacob’s (all ages) is encouraged to fill out a time and talent sheet.
Blank sheets will be included as an insert to the worship bulletin each Sunday through November 13th. Begin with prayer and then check the ways in which you are willing and able to serve our Lord and his church.
Fall Back One Hour on November 5th
Posted October 31, 2022 By adminIt’s that time of year again, time to turn our clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end. To be on time for worship on Sunday, Nov. 6, be sure to set your clocks back before going to bed on Saturday November 5th. If you forget, well then you will have plenty of time to participate in Sunday school.
It is also a good time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors, emergency radios and flashlights. In this way we also prepare our homes and families for the long winter nights.
Youth and Family Ministry
Posted October 2, 2022 By adminYouth and Family Ministry
Dear Church Family,
As we look forward to the rest of 2022. We look forward to what our heavenly Father has planned for our continual growth in Him. With the summer over, we will have exciting new plans for the rest of the year. The Children’s Sunday school class will start a new Bible curriculum focused on seeing Jesus Christ through the entire Bible. The youth Sunday school class will dive into their relationship with our Savior, asking the question, “Why does Jesus Christ matter to me?” Anyone who would like to participate in this ministry would be more than welcome!
Regarding the youth and family program:
We are starting a new discipleship ministry with parents as they seek to be equipped for God’s calling through scripture. And will be starting to have fun Christian events for the youth and their families to fellowship with one another, creating a safe environment for an authentic kingdom community for the glory of God.
We would love for families and the whole congregation to get involved in this ministry; please feel free to reach out to get plugged in! Thank you, and please continue to pray for the Family ministry here at St. Jacobs; if you have any questions or would like to get involved, please reach out!
Blessings,
Matt Burt
Youth and Family Director
Welcome Matt Burt
Posted February 28, 2022 By adminSt. Jacob’s will welcome our new Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Matt Burt, on Sunday, April 3rd during our Sunday service of worship. Matt is a graduate of Columbia International University with a degree in Youth and Family Ministry and Culture. He and his wife Kaily have served as missionaries to China.
