Our Wednesday morning Bible study will resume on September 7th with a study of Jesus’s parables. From the parable of the Mustard Seed to the Parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus, we will look closely at the teaching of Jesus as he shares what it is to live the life of a person of faith. No materials are needed except your Bible and a willingness to read along with the members of your church family. We have enjoyed many wonderful discussions during our Wednesday Morning Bible studies and pray that more church family members will join in. Bible study will begin at 9:30 AM each week in the fellowship hall.
Other Happenings Archive
Mid-Week Bible Study Resumes
Posted September 1, 2022 By adminUp And Going News
Posted August 26, 2022 By adminOn a beautiful Thursday Morning, Sept 18th, nineteen members and guests of St. Jacob’s Up and Going gathered at Macedonia Lutheran Church (Church on the Lake) to enjoy the 4 Churches Annual Meeting hosted by the Macedonia Goldies.
Upon arrival each person signed in and received a beautiful handcrafted bulletin with a prize ticket attached. We then gathered in the Sanctuary for the Program. Sandy Bennett, president of the Goldies, warmly welcomed us to Macedonia.
She invited each of us to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Terry Hundley then opened with prayer. Pastor then gave a short program on the Blessings of Every Day with Christ. He encouraged us to enjoy each day with Christ and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow but to concentrate on our work for Christ today. He encouraged us to read the book “Win The Day” for more on this subject.
Ms. Michelle Hancock entertained with beautiful songs that she had selected to sing for our enjoyment. Her singing was so beautiful and touched our hearts. Pastor Terry then gave the Blessing for our meal. We then gathered in the Fellowship Hall for our Meal and prize drawings.
The meal was so, so delicious. There was such a selection to choose from. Much more than you could get a taste of everything …your plate just wouldn’t hold it.
After the meal, we excitedly enjoyed the drawings for prizes. Beautiful handmade items made by the Goldies members were given out as prizes. There were aloe plants potted in precious tea and coffee cups. These were for everyone to have one.
We then visited with old friends, near and dear to our hearts. This was the first time that we had met since COVID. What a pleasure to see our friends from Holy Trinity, Mount Tabor, Macedonia and St. Jacob’s gathered together for fellowship and fun.
St. Jacob’s will host the next 4 Churches Meeting in August of 2023.
The next Up and Going Meeting will be the Annual Apple Run on Thursday September 15rh. Please let Helen or Ann know by September 1st if you plan to go. We will enjoy lunch in Hendersonville, NC. Seats are limited so notify one of them soon.
Director of Youth And Family Ministries
Posted August 26, 2022 By adminI have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)
Why would the God of all deem us worthy to speak such sweet words?
This past month we have opened up the question of why. Starting in the beginning and working our way through the Bible, seeing how His plan of redemption unfolds. I can’t thank you enough for continuing to think of the family ministry through your prayers and support. May you pray that the family’s here at St. Jacob’s would grow in their intimate, personal, and authentic relationships with the God of all.
This past month, we also had the opportunity to join the youth group at St. Peter’s, Lexington, for their annual youth week! The week was full of fun activities like going to a driving range, a family night, serving, and ending with a laser-tag lock-in and hearing about God’s mission for us.
As we look forward, please pray for our youth’s upcoming lock-in during Labor Day weekend and the continual ministry God has planned for St. Jacob’s.
As always, we would love you, the congregation, to get involved in the lives of youth. If you are interested, please feel free to reach out any time!
In Christ,
Matt
Youth and Family Director
Youth Lock-In
Posted August 26, 2022 By adminOn Friday, September 2nd St. Jacob’s youth from grades 5 – 12 are invited to participate in a lock in here at the church. Pastor David and Matt will be leading the evening’s activities. We will have plenty of snacks and games. As a ministry project, we will have materials on hand for each youth member to assemble a mercy box to be delivered to We Care of Chapin. Parents may begin dropping off their children in the fellowship hall at 7 PM on Friday, September 2nd. Pick up will be at 8 AM on Saturday, September 3rd. St. Jacob’s participants are encouraged to invite a friend to participate as well. Please contact Matt to let him know if your child will be attending.
Church Council News
Posted August 25, 2022 By adminGood Things for July 2022
• Mercy boxes are still being received and delivered
• Columbia Fireflies baseball game for youth and families
Council Briefs for August 2022
• The Church has received $49,837.60 from the Addy Estate. This money has been placed in a separate designated estate funds account. There were no restrictions or specifications by the family as to how these funds should be used.
• The Church has spent 55% of the budget for 2022.
• The Council is considering 2 dates for Homecoming – October 2nd or October 9th, 2022. The date will be determined upon availability of a guest Pastor.
• The Council received the resignation of Sherry Floyd with her anticipated retirement of August 31, 2022. The Administrative Assistant job description was updated by the Staff Support Committee and has been reviewed and approved by the Council.
• The Finance Committee presented a recommendation to the Council to update the insurance on the Church buildings. The valuation by Brotherhood Mutual determined that St. Jacobs was underinsured on the Church Building by $852,250. The Finance Committee reviewed the content valuation of each building and made the necessary changes, as well as recommending additions to several areas of general liability. The premium will increase from $9,623 to $11,623. The Council approved these updates to the insurance coverage.
• The Stewardship Committee was asked by the Council to meet and prepare to distribute Time and Talent sheets.
• The Council has requested that Council liaisons meet with Team Leaders regarding their budget requests for 2023.
• The Up and Going presented plans for the annual apple orchard trip. It is scheduled for September 15, 2022.
• The Council received a thank-you note from Sherry Floyd in appreciation for her time of employment with St Jacobs. Her last day of employment is planned for August 31, 2022.
Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
We Care Needs for This Month
Posted August 20, 2022 By adminVienna sausages
Canned Fruit
Collard greens/turnip greens,
Chili beans
Boxed Pasta
Spaghetti noodles
Jello
Dry beans
ALWAYS need Laundry detergent, Paper products, and Personal toiletries.
Filed in Other Happenings, Outreach
Lutheran Men
Posted August 15, 2022 By adminWe will have our monthly meeting on Sunday, August 21st at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you all there.
End of Summer Lock-In
Posted August 10, 2022 By adminPastor David and Matt are planning a lock-in for our youth in grades 5-12. We will enjoy plenty of games and activities as well as evening and midnight worship by candlelight. Please contact Pastor David or Matt to let them know that your child(ren) will be attending. A list of items children should bring with them will be published at least one week before the lock-in takes place. One activity during our lock-in will be to engage the mission of the Church by assembling Flood Buckets for the NALC Disaster Response Warehouse. Anyone who would like to donate items for the Flood Buckets may do so. A list will be published in the Mid-August Grace Notes and also included in the worship bulletins prior to the lock-in.
Women’s Bible Study
Posted August 5, 2022 By adminThe Women’s Bible Study group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month. We will begin a new study using the book written by Shannon Bream, The Women of the Bible Speak. The book can be purchased online, Hobby Lobby, Costco and other retailers for $15.99. Please join us as we study this exciting topic beginning on Thursday, August 18th. The group meets from 9-10:30 AM at the home of Susan. At each meeting, we ask that people try to bring canned goods or an item to be donated to We Care. Please let Susan know if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.
Pastoral Devotion for August
Posted August 1, 2022 By adminShow Us Your Ways
Once while on vacation, my wife and I were enjoying the scenic back roads of North Carolina. We planned our day using the road atlas I had owned for several years. The plan was to get from point “A” to point “B” in time for dinner. Unwittingly, we ran into a problem. The paved road we were traveling, marked on the map as a state road, gradually became a gravel trail leading deep into the woods. I had confidence in my outdated map, but it wasn’t long before we were faced with a decision; follow the map or listen to the voice inside our heads encouraging us to turn around.
Paul reminds the people of God that once dead in our sinfulness, all have traveled the road of disobedience and selfishness. It is a familiar road, and if left to ourselves, we would choose this road most often. Along this road the “prince of power in the air” strives to lead humanity away from God. All too often those who follow such a road are confident in their decisions and become convinced it is the right path.
Paul is clear; God rescued us from earthly powers through Christ. Through the teaching of the apostles, Christians are afforded the example of Christ like living. Jesus himself provided the example for all to follow. Turning to Scripture, which is our unfailing guide and never outdated, we can recognize the path of righteousness. Even as we find it difficult to follow such a path, God promises to strengthen us and lead us by the power of his Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Show us your ways, O God, and lead us on the path to righteousness. Amen.
