22 members and guests gathered at 10 am on Thursday, April 13 in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a Chair Yoga class led by Ms. Cindy Smith. For 30 minutes, she relaxed our minds and strengthened our bodies. She taught us new techniques and reminded us that stretch techniques learned long ago can easily by converted into chair exercises rather than floor exercises. All enjoyed our chair yoga class. Devotions were given by Helen L. Lindler. They were based on Psalm 51- “Create in me a clean heart”. She read this writing by Henry Van Dyke. “Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. Business was conducted. Thanks were given to all from Lutheran Hospice and SC Hospice for the beautiful Easter Bags. They were distributed by Hospice workers to Hospice patients as a tribute of God’s love for them.
Lunch consisted of a variety of salads, with lots of side dishes and delicious desserts. The next Up and Going Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 11th at 11am. We will meet at the Cha pin Community Theater for a tour of the facility, then go to the Fellowship Hall for Lunch. Lunch will con sist of sandwiches, side dishes and desserts. Bring whatever you would like for sharing. Time for additional planning for the August 4 Churches Meeting, hosted by St. Jacob’s. Bring your ideas. Please pray for our members as many are sick or have family sickness. Thank you.
Other Happenings Archive
UP AND GOING
Posted May 3, 2023 By adminPastoral Devotion for May – The Emmaus Road
Posted May 1, 2023 By adminRead Luke 24:13-35
The road to Emmaus, as traveled by two disciples, was one of abandoned hope and broken hearts. Early in the week they greeted Jesus as their king. Days later, Jesus was crucified. Instead of their King’s triumph, they witnessed a horrible defeat. And so they walked home heartbroken, yet they were not alone. Many of us have experienced such a road. We know heartbreak and grief. Some can recall wondering if they would ever again experience joy. This is precisely the point when we ought to recognize that feeling that we too are not alone. Jesus is near.
As the two disciples walked together, the risen Christ joined them and taught them that God’s intent went far beyond the pain of the present day’s cross. Jesus helped them recognize that out of darkness, God brings light. Out of despair, God gives hope. Through the risen Christ, God raises the dead to life. Then finally, as the reach their destination, Jesus is revealed to them in the breaking of the bread.
For us today, Jesus is revealed in the very same way. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ opens our minds that we might encounter him. Through the bread that is broken and the wine that is poured, the risen Lord Jesus comes to us with God’s forgiveness and love. At some time, we all experience the grief of the Emmaus Road. Yet, we know Christ is near. This is the Easter message, the resto ration of hope, the forgiveness of sins and the joy of salvation. It is the assurance that in Christ, life conquers death and we are never alone. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Prayer: Holy God, we thank you for your grace, which comes through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mercy Bags Ministry
Posted April 29, 2023 By adminSt. Jacob’s provided 41 Mercy Bags (123 meals!) to We Care during the months of March and April! We Care has expanded its mobile delivery and now serves the Jenkinsville area. Please continue to shop for food using the list that is provided in the narthex and leave the food in the fellowship hall near the We Care donation box. You can also make a monetary donation designated to Mercy Bags and place it in the offering plate. Thank you for your continued support of this meaningful ministry!
Mercy Boxes for We Care – Mobile Delivery
Meal 1
Spam
Large can of green beans
Large can of sweet potatoes
Meal 2
2 DelMonte spaghetti sauce with meat
1 lb pasta
2 cans corn
Meal 3
3 Vienna sausage
1 large can baked beans
Jar of apple sauce
Meal 4
2 cans of cooked chicken
Can of lima beans
2 pouches of instant mashed potatoes
Meal 5
3 cans of tuna
Mac and Cheese Complete box
Can of mixed fruit
Meal 6
Large can of beef stew
Instant Rice
2 cans of peas / carrots
Meal 7
2 cans of cooked chicken
Jar of Alfredo sauce
Noodles
Additional items
Grits or oatmeal or box of cereal
Peanut butter and jelly
Salt
Saltines/crackers
Council Briefs for April
Posted April 29, 2023 By adminMeeting Good Things at St. Jacobs:
• Easter Egg Hunt for Children was enjoyed by all
• A “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit” – Good information and attendance
Pastor will be on vacation May 8-13.
Confirmation of Isabelle Peeples is May 21. Council voted to approve a luncheon in her honor after service on that day.
Based on a recommendation from Pastor, Council voted to name Pastor Andy Eargle as Pastor Emeritus of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church. He will be notified and invited to Homecoming on October 15.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Music Ministry Report – Musical Monday Youth Handbell Camp tentatively scheduled for Monday mornings during the summer.
• Christian Education – Curriculum for VBS was approved by Council. Dates have not been con firmed.
• Safety – A trainer has been contacted for the Medical Emergency Training.
• Discipleship – 24 Mercy Bags of food was delivered to We Care. Lynn Shealy has been named to the board of We Care.
• Worship and Music – New green paraments and fair linen cloths have been received.
• Property Team – Plans for the parking lot renovations continue.
Old Business:
• The following vision points were discussed from the NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit. Spiritual Awareness Outreach Visibility Care Connections
• Improvements to church property Congregation will vote by paper ballot on the recommended business office improvements on April 30.
New Business:
• Brief discussion on potential safety hazards caused by the old copings in the cemetery.
2023 Ministry-Mission Update #4 – 4/17/23
Posted April 28, 2023 By admin“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21)
Worship – Attendance is up in our new church building; We had 53 on Easter Sunday and 45 this past Sunday, and we received a new member by Baptism on Easter Sunday! If you are in the area and have a chance to stop by for a visit, please do. God has been so good to bless us with this new space for worship, fellowship, and discipleship. We will have a service of dedication and thanksgiving one Sunday afternoon, most likely in June and will keep you posted.
Fellowship – Our folks enjoy spending time together! We have coffee and fellowship time each Sunday between Sunday school and the worship service and had a wonderful breakfast together on Easter Sunday. We are hoping to have a fish fry in the next couple of months and will be hosting an open house appreciation drop-in for the folks from Thompson Funeral Home as a way of saying “thank you” for their years of generous hospitality.
Discipleship – Sunday school and Wednesday Bible study continue in Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. Mon day Bible study meets twice a month and is currently studying Hebrews. Lutheran Men of Joy meet monthly and have been working hard to get the church property and grounds in order. Prayer ministry and Senior Ministry also continue to meet monthly, though we did not visit with our friends at Lakeside in March. Our April ministry of the month is Medicine Mart of Lexington. We are assisting them in providing prescriptions to our neighbors in need. Our May ministry of the month will be the Carolinas Mission Region NALC Disaster Response flood bucket build at Advent, Kings Mountain on May 20th. We hope to see you there!
Continue to pray for us as we adjust to our new home. It is definitely a process. Please also pray for God to show us opportunities to engage with our community. We appreciate your partnership. Thank you and God bless you!
In Christ’s service and to His glory,
Pastor Paulette D. McHugh
Pastor, Joy Mission Church (803)767-7231 pdmchugh@mac.com, www.joymission.church
OUR NEW ADDRESS: 179 Midway Rd. Lexington, SC 29072
CHURCH PHONE NUMBER: 803-399-8183
We Care Most Needed Items
Posted April 17, 2023 By adminCorn Muffin Mix
Boxed Pasta
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Ramen Noodles/Soup
Canned Tomatoes
Soup
Chili Beans
Canned Chicken
Jello
Instant Potatoes
We also always need toiletries paper products and cleaning supplies.
THANK YOU!
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.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted April 9, 2023 By admin[Peter and the other disciple] were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20:4
Recently while looking through some old Bible study material, I stumbled upon a video that made me pause for a while. It is a video of a skit portrayed by two men called “The Skit Guys.” In the video, they are enacting the events of the first Easter morning. Peter and John (The Skit Guys) are told by some women that they have seen Jesus. In response, they run to the empty tomb. John runs much swifter and much more sure footed than Peter. Their faces display the anticipation and even perhaps a bit of fear concerning what they might find. John reaches the tomb first, but he won’t look inside or enter. Then Peter arrives, huffing and puffing, but he enters the tomb without stopping to think. As I replay this video in my mind, this is the point where I have to hit the pause button.
I wonder to myself, upon hearing the reports of the women saying they have seen Jesus very much alive, would I be bold enough to charge into Christ’s tomb? Even as I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was beaten, whipped and crucified, would I have the where with all to enter the tomb where they laid his body only to find it empty? Thinking about that for a while, I finally decided that, yes I would. Having walked with Jesus for three years as a disciple, having witnessed his many miracles, and having come to believe Jesus is who he says he is; I would have to enter the tomb.
I suppose the question I have for you, my church family, is much the same that I faced when watching this video. If someone came to you early in the morning, excited and out of breath, and told you that they had seen Jesus and he is very much alive, you would run to the tomb in order to see for yourself? Would this amazing news of Christ’s resurrection stir your emotions so deep that you would simply have to wit ness the event with your own eyes? I suspect that it would. I suspect that given such extraordinary news, you too would run to the tomb of Jesus in wondrous expectation. We would likely do this because of the same reason Peter and John did; we are his disciples and we love him.
Through the reading of Holy Scripture, worship and prayer, we are witnesses to the many amazing miracles of Jesus. We are students of his teaching and recipients of his grace. Following Jesus through out his mission and ministry, we too have come to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord, through whom we have forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life. Throughout the past twelve months, since Easter of last year, I pray that in my preaching and teaching, you have heard the gospel of Christ and the reports that Jesus is indeed alive!
Even as we have traveled the Lenten Road once more, even as we are about to once again mark the event of Christ’s Passion, and come to the realization that yes, Jesus did give up his life for our sake. Soon, the sun will rise on yet another Easter morning. Yes, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus died and was buried, but still the reports of his resurrection persist. Jesus is alive! We have seen him! How sweet this news is to the ears of the people of God.
At the conclusion of the video, Peter finally emerges from the tomb to meet John who is still standing outside. Peter, holding the burial garments of Christ in his hands, can only look at John with a stare of complete amazement. As the two disciples take in the meaning of what they have witnessed, all they can do is laugh through their tears of joy. Jesus is alive. He is risen! It happened just as he said it would.
People of God, as Easter Sunday is upon us, I invite you to run to the empty tomb and see for yourself. Come hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection once more. If you have not been in worship for a while, what a great time to come! I invite you to run to the tomb, charge right in and behold the glory of God in the resurrection of our Lord. It happened just the way Jesus said it would. I invite you to be a part of the Easter story and to be a part of the celebration among your church family. Come hear the good news of Christ Jesus. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Looking With Fresh Eyes
Posted April 7, 2023 By adminOur Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit with Pastor David Wendel was a great success. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy discussing our current reality and prayerfully discerning a vision for our future here at St. Jacob’s. We came up with four vision points that will be shared with the congregation as soon as time allows. In order that we do not lose momentum, Susan and Sherrie were chosen to serve as “Trail Bosses” to keep us on the pathway toward renewal of our mission. Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to Pastor Wendel for his visit and leadership through the summit. Below are a few pics of our time together.
Up And Going
Posted April 5, 2023 By adminThe March 9th meeting of the Up and Going was held in the Fellowship Hall at 11 am. Devotions with prayer was given by Team Leader, Helen. Devotions were on The Purim Holiday from the book of Esther, also a reading, Be Open to Giving and Receiving Grace, with verses from Ephesians.
A covered dish meal was enjoyed by all. Members gathered at the worktables to assemble Hospice Easter Bags for area Hospice patients. We might be older but not slower workers.
In about one hour, our 14 members and guests assembled 100 Easter bags consisting of a pretty cello bag with a layer of Easter grass, then filled with wrapped candies, nuts, cookies, etc. then tied with a beautiful multi-colored ribbons and bows holding a handwritten Easter Blessing.
They were so pretty. Gary and Joan Marco will deliver the bags to the appropriate distribution facilities for delivery by hospice workers before Easter. Thank you all for a job well done.
The April Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13th at 10am (NOTE TIME CHANGE) in the Fellowship Hall. We will have an hour chair yoga class for our information and enjoyment. Lunch will follow. Please bring a salad, side item or dessert for sharing. Please plan to attend and enjoy this class. Dress is comfortable pants and shirts so you will be comfortable.
