The church office will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of MLK Day.
Filed in Other Happenings
Other Happenings Archive
Church Office Closed
Posted January 14, 2026 By adminSt. Jacob’s 250th Year-long Celebration
Posted January 10, 2026 By adminThe year 2026 has come and with it, St. Jacob’s will celebrate our 250th anniversary of ministry of the Gospel within this community. The team appointed by the church council last year has worked faithfully to plan for the year’s activities, including welcoming several guest preachers who have played a significant role within our church family. The schedule of events during this year of celebration is listed below.
- January 18th – Guest preacher Rev. Dawn Rister; (SCMD Dean) congregation dinner following worship.
- February 15th – Congregation Outreach Event to support NALC Disaster Response.
- March 15th – Guest preacher Rev. Henry Pawluk; congregation dinner following worship.
- April 19th – Decades Day; worshipers dress from past eras and use a historic liturgy from our collective past.
- May 17th – Guest preacher Rev. Marty Ramey; congregation dinner following worship.
- June – Vacation Bible School
- July 19th – Guest preacher Rev. Randy Drafts; congregation dinner following worship.
- August 16th – Congregation Outreach Event; blankets for residents at Generations.
- September 20th – Guest preacher Rev. David Tholstrup (former SCMD Dean), congregation dinner following worship.
- October 25th – Homecoming and Anniversary Sunday, guest preacher NALC Presiding Bishop Dan Selbo; special catered congregation dinner following worship.
- November TBD – Golden Agers Recognition and celebration.
We give thanks to God for the long history of our congregation, and especially for the life and witness of so many who have been a part of our proclamation and now take their rest in Christ. Thanks be to God for the life we share together.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Posted January 7, 2026 By adminPastor David has put together an updated One Year Bible Reading Plan for members of St. Jacob’s, friends and family. This reading plan begins on January 1st and has listed scripture readings for each day of 2026. Dedicating only about fifteen minutes a day, you will read the entire Bible in one year. It is suggested that those participating in the plan find a regular time each day (each morning is best) and with pencil, pen, or highlighter in hand to identify passages for later study.
Lutheran Men Country Sausage Sale
Posted January 5, 2026 By adminThe Lutheran Men will be making Country Sausage on Monday, February 16th. If you would like to purchase BULK sausage for $5.00 per pound, please place your order in advance. See a member of the LM or contact Gerald on or before Sunday, February 8th. The sausage can be picked up between 3:00 and 6:00 PM on Monday, February 16th in the Fellowship Hall.
Tithing Envelopes for 2026
Posted January 5, 2026 By adminThe 2026 Tithing Envelopes and 2025 Giving Statements will be available at the church until January 25, 2026. Please make plans to pick up your envelopes and statement and those for any other family member, friend or neighbor who may be unable to get to the church. Following the January 25th service, the remaining statements will be mailed, and the envelopes will be removed. You will need to contact Robin or the church office to schedule a time to pick up your envelopes.
Filed in Other Happenings
Up and Going
Posted January 5, 2026 By adminOn a bright and beautiful morning, 18 members and guests gathered in the festively decorated Fellowship Hall at 11:00 AM to celebrate Christmas at the December Up and Going meeting. A bountifully set table provided by attendees awaited our enjoyment. And, enjoy we did. The food was delicious. Thank you to all for providing such a wonderful meal with desserts. Gerald gave the meal blessing. Helen Lindler thanked everyone for attending and a short business session was held. Gary gave the Treasurer’s Report. Prayers for the sick…Pastor Eargle, Leon and Ramonia and praises for O’Neal and Damon and Mrs. Miriam that their health has improved.
Gary read from “The Message” the precious story of Jesus’ conception and birth events. We then sang songs telling this story in song with Joan Marco, pianist, and Tommy Faulk on guitar. These beloved Christmas songs were enjoyed by all. Special thanks to Joan, Gary and Tommy.
Helen, Team Leader, gave the devotions from Our Daily Bread entitled “Grace Now,” reminding us that it makes no difference how busy or irritated we become, we should always be filled with God’s love. God’s love is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Helen reported seeing the most beautiful rainbow that appeared to be right over St. Jacob’s Church on the afternoon of Stanley Slice’s visitation. We discussed God’s promise of the rainbow and God’s speaking to us through the rainbow; the how and why they appear.
Our Christmas gift of food and other items for We Care totaled 96 pounds. Oliver Gospel Mission was thrilled to receive our gifts last month. I am so proud of each of you. You have given so generously to these projects.
January is our annual Soup Pot Lunch and Bingo. Please sign up and list your contribution to the soup pot or a dessert or sandwiches, crackers or cornbread. Please bring items early or previously cooked. We will begin cooking soup at 10:00 AM. Don’t forget to bring repurposed Bingo items. We will play as long as the prizes last. We wish each of you a blessed New Year.
Helen
Team Leader for
Up and Going
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Briefs December 9, 2025
Posted January 5, 2026 By adminGood Things at St. Jacob’s for November
- Providing pound cakes for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and for helping package
- Great turnout to decorate and put up Chrismon Trees
- Providing Christmas to all the children on the Angel Tree
- Sausage sales and making
- Sherrie and David leading worship services
Pastor’s Report
- Pastor highlighted activities for the month and significant upcoming dates. Also, reminded us of the Wreath Laying for Veterans at the cemetery on Saturday, December 13th at 1:30 PM. We have 65 veterans.
- Two more congregations applying to NALC – Macedonia and St. Paul’s Columbia.
- Peter Chapin is voting on their call for a Pastor on Sunday, December 14th.
- Pastor will supply at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 28th.
- John Riser will be replacing Carroll Lindler as an Elder.
Ministry Teams
Staff Support: Susan
- Staff will sign employee agreements for 2026 with the updated salaries.
- Many thanks to Kevin for communicating the needs and interests of our staff with Council.
Christian Education: Sherrie
- Christian education opportunities continue for everyone with Sunday School and various bible studies.
- Split the Sunday School Class into two classes – 5th grade and under and 6th grade an up. Looking for volunteers to teach on a regular basis.
- Waiting on book of 2026 VBS themes for us to select for next year.
Congregational Care: Billy
- Provided 300 slices of pound cake to the Community Thanksgiving Luncheon. Many thanks to our bakers and for those that stayed for our annual cake cutting and packaging after Thanksgiving Eve service.
- Served bereavement meal for family of Stanley Slice.
- Assisted with setting up and decorating Fellowship Hall for our December 7th Christmas Luncheon after service.
Discipleship: Lynn
- Angel Tree – Gifts for 40 children which included clothes, toys, and wish list items.
- Mercy Bag Donations:
- Twenty-five mercy bags were delivered to We Care in November.
Property: Gerald Lindler / Danny Shealy
- Contract for HVAC and Ice Machine to perform bi-annual service maintenance on our HVAC units and Ice Machine is being coordinated with Wilson Refrigeration and Air.
Worship and Music: Marie Slice / Julie Stuck
- Chrismon Trees and Advent Wreaths were put up.
- Poinsettias have been ordered.
- Request to purchase a piece of Lexan to cover the altar to protect the fair linen and to provide a flat surface was received and approved by Council vote.
- Poinsettias will be placed in sanctuary. New Fair Linen will be placed on altar.
Team Leaders for 2026:
- Christian Education – Sherrie
- Lynn volunteered to help recruit teachers. We would still like a team to work on VBS for 2026.
- Congregational Care – Billy
- Discipleship – Don
- Finance – Judy
- Property – Gerald and Danny
- Safety – Robert
- Staff Support – Susan
- Stewardship – AJ
- Worship and Music – Julie
Council Officers for 2026:
- Vice President – Tracy
- Secretary – Nicki
Council Ministry Team Assignments for 2026:
- Contact Team Leader for monthly report prior to Council Meeting and provide updates/approvals back to Team Leader
- Christian Education – Marlene
- Congregational Care – Ann
- Discipleship – Judy
- Property – Adrian
- Safety – Eddie
- Staff Support – Tina
- Stewardship – Nicki
- Worship and Music – Brandon
** Next scheduled meeting is Saturday, January 10th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the church office. **
**We are looking for nursery helpers – please contact Sherrie or Laurie.**
Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
Midweek Bible Study
Posted January 4, 2026 By adminMidweek Bible Study meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. We are currently studying the Gospel According to John. This study is a traditional chapter and verse study where we will read and learn more of the message John has to teach all who hear his Gospel and come to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the true Son of God. We will read and compare John’s writing with that of the other Gospel writers. We will also explore the connections between John’s Gospel and the Old Testament. Everyone is invited to join us as they are able.
Youth Bible Study
Posted January 4, 2026 By adminThe Youth Bible Study will meet at Davis and Sandra Brown’s home on Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM to tour Christmas decorations and have a pizza party. Come enjoy the fellowship, food and decorations. Families are welcome! Please let Susan know how many will be attending.
It’s time to update the Church Roster
Posted January 4, 2026 By adminAll members are asked to provide updated contact information for the church roster. We especially need to know if you no longer have a landline and if your cell number, email or mailing addresses have changed in 2025. You can provide the information to the church office or directly to the Membership Secretary, Robin. Our Ministry Teams, Auxiliary Groups and members of the congregation use the information from the roster to ensure everyone is made aware of important happenings at St. Jacob’s. Thank you for taking the time to help keep our church roster and membership records accurate and up to date.
Filed in Other Happenings
