The Youth Bible Study learned about the Church Year that begins with Advent. We spent some time in the sanctuary and learned about the significance of the Chrismons and other Christian symbols found throughout the church. During Advent, the youth are reading an Advent devotion together that Cora Wallace is sharing with them daily via their text group. Please encourage these youth as they continue to grow in their faith and enjoy time spent together!
Other Happenings Archive
Youth Bible Study
Posted December 27, 2024 By adminYouth Christmas Party
Posted December 27, 2024 By adminOn December 8th the youth had a Christmas party. In addition to lots of pizza, snacks and Christmas movies, they baked cookies and made treat bags for Christmas caroling.
Music Notes
Posted December 27, 2024 By adminChristmas Caroling
Christmas caroling was lots of fun this year. We had 26 carolers! We filled J.L. and Janet’s house. What fun. The youth baked cookies and made treat bags to take to each person we visited. We gathered for a soup lunch after church on Sunday and set out to sing to 9 people. We were all a little hoarse by the time we arrived at Todd and Joanie’s house to sing to Papa Joe and enjoy a delicious spread of Christmas treats and fellowship. Maybe next year we can have 36 carolers!
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Briefs
Posted December 27, 2024 By adminDecember 3, 2024
Good Things at St. Jacob’s for November
- 300+ pieces of pound cake for The Hub for Thanksgiving
- Angel Tree
- Successful surgery results for Pastor David
- Pastor Rawl leading worship
- Chrismon Trees and being ready for Advent
- Two new doors in the Fellowship Hall
- Thank you to AJ for hanging the TVs downstairs
Pastor’s Report
- Pastor is recovering from surgery, but returned to lead worship on December 1st.
- Pastor expressed his thanks to our elders who led worship in his absence, as well as Pastor Leon Rawl for his availability to serve as supply pastor.
- Pastor thanks everyone who sent get well cards and messages and to those who brought over delicious suppers following his return home from the hospital.
Ministry Teams
Staff Support: Susan
- Staff Support will meet with each staff member in early January, 2025, to sign annual employment agreements.
Safety: Robert / Kevin
- January, 2025, install the emergency phone numbers inside the main entrance to the church.
- January, 2025, plan to install security cameras as discussed by Council in 2024 and approved in the 2025 budget.
Christian Education: Sherrie
- Women’s Bible Study meets the second Monday of each month and will begin a new study in January.
- Pastor has moved the Men’s Bible Study to 6:30 PM on the first Monday of each month and will start back up in 2025.
- Planning a birthday party for Jesus for the children’s Sunday school class on December 22nd.
Congregational Care: Billy / David
- Assisting families with various travel needs.
- Provided 300 slices of pound cake along with half and whole cakes for the Hub’s Thanksgiving Community Meal. Many thanks to our bakers!
- Provided meal for the family of Letha Sites.
- Assisting with Lutheran Men Christmas Congregation Meal on December 8th.
Discipleship: Lynn / Julie
- Delivered 8 Mercy Bags to We Care.
- 1200+ people were served a Thanksgiving Meal by We Care on November 26th.
- Angel Tree: St. Jacob’s provided toys and clothes for 30 children.
Property: Barry
- Replaced two exit doors: one in the kitchen hallway and one in the Fellowship Hall.
Stewardship: Doug
- Doug requested information about contacting the NALC website team. Brandon Slice will assist Doug with the website project.
Worship and Music: Marie
- Purple paraments have been ordered and will arrive mid-January.
Old Business
- Church Sanctuary: Susan Shealy / Julie Stuck
- Consultant currently working on color and fabric selections.
- 2025 Budget accepted.
New Business
- Designate Memorial Fund: Currently $1015.00.
- AJ strongly suggested that we need to replace the Latin Processional Cross.
- The Stewardship Ministry Team needs a Team Leader.
- All other ministry teams have a Team Leader in place for 2025.
- Staff Support: Susan
- Safety: Robert
- Christian Education: Sherrie
- Congregational Care: Billy
- Discipleship: Lynn
- Property: Gerald and Danny
- Stewardship: OPEN
- Worship and Music: Marie and Julie
Church Office Closed at Christmas
Posted December 26, 2024 By adminAs is our custom, the church office will be closed beginning on December 24th through January 2nd. Anyone requiring pastoral services can reach Pastor David on his cell phone (803-604-6227) or by email (revdavidwn@gmail.com).
Into Liturgy, part 4
Posted December 21, 2024 By adminIn this installment of our look into the liturgy of the church, we make the shift to the main purpose of Divine Service, that is to receive God’s good gifts for his people.
The Word
The initial act of God in service to his people is to share his saving Word with his people. Through the carefully selected readings of the church’s lectionary, the voice of our Good Shepherd comes to us through the reading and preaching of the Scriptures. The Lord speaks to his people through his Law and Gospel, calling sinners to repentance and assuring believers of God’s mercy and grace through Christ alone.
The Creed
The Lutheran Church confesses her faith using the three ecumenical creeds (statements of faith). With these three creeds, (Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian) fellow believers confess the truth of the Triune nature of God, and the truth of God’s creating, redeeming, and sanctifying love. This is the confession made throughout the generations of the one, holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church.
Up and Going
Posted December 15, 2024 By adminThe 2nd Thursday in November, November 14th, was the scheduled day for the Up and Going Thanksgiving Lunch and Meeting. The day was windy and rainy but as soon as the group gathered in the Fellowship Hall, the smiles and laughter turned the atmosphere to happy and sunny. Twenty-four guests and members attended. Helen, Team Leader, welcomed everyone. The treasurer’s report was given by Gary. Helen gave the devotions. The Bible reading was Ephesians 6:18 – never stop praying, especially for others. The devotions encouraged us to pray and to call others by name in prayer. The next reading was an article from Irmo-Chapin Life magazine entitled “Mighty Big Footsteps” by David Clark. Mr. Clark wrote about the events as Hurricane Helene hit in Cochron, Ga. His article included references to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” song which Helen read. She concluded with prayer and our blessing for our meal.
Bobbie Clark gave us a wonderful presentation of her recent trip to Italy, with pictures and postcards for us to enjoy. Thank you, Bobbie, for sharing your good times with us. We all enjoyed hearing about your trip.
Time now for lunch. Extra tables were brought in to hold all of the food. We enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with turkey, dressing, gravy, lots of veggies, salads and desserts. Everything
was SO good. We enjoyed our time together so very much. Our Thanksgiving Giving Project was socks and underwear for The Oliver Gospel Mission. Our members gave 103 pairs of socks and 51 underwear items. I am so proud of each of you and your willingness to give. Thank you!
The December meeting will be Thursday, December 12th, at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is asked to bring party foods for lunch and one or more days’ food for the Mercy Bags Project. Please put each day’s food in a bag with contents marked on the bag. The list is posted on the bulletin board. Tommy Faulk will lead us in a Christmas song fest. January is soup pot and BINGO meeting. Start gathering your prizes now.
Helen
Team Leader for
Up and Going
Christmas Worship Services
Posted December 10, 2024 By adminWe’ve all seen the signs, billboards and bumper stickers: “Keep Christ in Christmas!” The truth is, without Christ, it simply isn’t Christmas. Christians everywhere urge others to remember The “Reason for the Season.” But you know, even some churches find it difficult to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Just take a look at the many churches standing idle and empty on Christmas morning.
St. Jacob’s offers everyone an opportunity to “Keep Christ in Christmas” beginning December 24th at 5:00 PM with our annual candlelight service. The service will certainly be beautiful and inspiring. Then all are encouraged to “come as you are” on Christmas morning at 10:00 AM for an informal family Christmas celebration. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and are invited to bring a gift they received for Christmas. Each child may share with all of us the joy this gift brings. Plan to attend these wonderful services of worship with your church family. Join us and “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
Pastoral Devotion for December – The Prince of Peace
Posted December 4, 2024 By adminRead Isaiah 9:2-7
It is difficult to imagine living in a world of peace. From the time Adam and Eve took a bite from the forbidden fruit, the world has been anything but peaceful. The struggle of human disobedience brought with it conflict between families, communities and nations. Everywhere we turn we see the result of sin and the powers that defy God. The only cure for this sickness is God’s divine mercy and grace. When the kingdom of God is fully revealed to believers, only then will we understand what it means to live in a world of peace. This does not mean, however, that God’s people cannot receive His peace while living in a fallen and broken world.
Long before the birth of Christ, the prophets of God announced the coming of the Messiah who would rule God’s kingdom with power and might, bringing justice and righteousness to those who believe. The prophet Isaiah says his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. When he comes in his fullness and glory, his kingdom will have no end. Yet, even as the people of God await the forever coming of their king, God entered our earthly realm born as a human child unto Mary and Joseph. This Prince of Peace would first take upon himself human flesh, live among his people and offer his life as sacrifice to atone for the sin of the world.
Throughout our history, the Church has longed for the peace of God’s kingdom to be revealed in all its glory. Until such time when Jesus comes again, the Church has the assurance of God’s mercy and grace. We live with the peace of knowing that through Christ our sins are forgiven. As followers of our Lord and Savior, we strive to share the good news of the gospel with all whom we meet. We hear Jesus’ command to love one another, to feed the hungry, care for the sick, bring shelter to the poor and welcome the stranger into our midst. As we do these things, we ask our Father in heaven to continually strengthen us in faith and give us the will to do them, so that all people might one day live in the peace of Christ.
O Prince of Peace, come to your people and fill our hearts with gladness. Bring your peace to our world forever. Amen.
Music Notes
Posted December 4, 2024 By adminDecember 15th we will go Christmas caroling and take the joy of Christmas to all our members who are unable to attend worship. We will have a soup lunch in the parish hall immediately following worship and then go caroling. Mark your calendars and plan to join us. Contact Susan Shealy or Angela Nuottila to let them know that you will attend and if you are able to provide a pot of soup or a pan of cornbread.