As we continue to return to pre-pandemic activities, one of the final steps for our worship services is to restore the choir to singing each Sunday. Choir rehearsals are held each Wednesday evening following our mid-week worship service. If you have not ever considered being a part of the choir, please consider this to be your invitation. You don’t need to have the most splendid singing voice. All you need is a desire for enhancing the worship of our congregation as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord on Sunday mornings. Anyone who is interested should contact Angela for more information.
Other Happenings Archive
St. Jacob’s Chancel Choir
Posted October 10, 2021 By adminPastoral Devotion for October
Posted October 5, 2021 By adminBe Content
Read 1 Timothy 6:1-10
Songwriter, Harry Chapin spun a tale of a man named Mr. Tanner, a dry cleaner who was very good at his work. He was content with his chosen profession and loved his customers. Tanner was also a baritone who loved singing. Chapin said of Tanner, “He did not know how well he sang, it just made him whole.”
As the song goes, Tanner’s friends convinced him he should give up dry cleaning and pursue fame and glory. He would be able to leave his business behind, become famous and enjoy a prosperous life. Yet, it was not to be; his debut proved that public performance was not his calling. Dejected, Tanner gave up singing and his life was not the same.
God blesses his people with many gifts and talents. Used for God’s purposes, they bring much joy. Humbly sharing our gifts for the sake of others glorifies God through whom such gifts come. Of course, there is always the temptation to seek fortune and glory for ourselves, especially when swayed by others.
Just as Jesus teaches there are people of the world who would lead us astray, so too Paul teaches us that we are to be content with all God provides. Worldly influences may tempt us to seek glory for ourselves, but loving God and using our gifts to his glory brings joy and makes us whole.
Holy God, make us content with all you have provided, that it may be our joy to serve others. Amen.
Council Briefs
Posted October 4, 2021 By adminGood Things at St. Jacob’s for August:
• Carroll and Sherrie did a great job filling in for Pastor
• Good attendance at the “farewell reception” for Rachel
• Good to have choir back in the service, welcome to new member Tommy
Council Briefs:
• Building Team received the final drawings on the Parking Lot Project along with estimate of cost increases, and recommends that Council bring the new estimated costs to the congregation.
• New Confirmation Class begins Sept. 12th, 2021 with two confirmands.
• Carolinas Mission Region Annual Convocation will be September 24th -25th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia, NC.
• Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, President of NALS ,will be visiting with us and will preach on Sunday, September 26th. He will lead a discussion in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour.
• Homecoming Sunday is October 10th, with Pastor Marty Ramey as our guest preacher. There will be NO meal on Homecoming Sunday.
• Pastor Nuottila will be on vacation October 11th through October 25th.
• On Sunday, October 3rd, there will be one Sunday School class for all ages in the Fellowship Hall.
• There will be only one usher on Sundays, and the offering plate will be placed on the table at the entrance of the Sanctuary.
Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
Choir Notes
Posted September 30, 2021 By adminMark your calendars for 3 PM October 10th!
It’s Homecoming, and as we gather to worship God with a guest pastor and beautiful music, we will also celebrate the family of faith we have all found at St. Jacobs. Unfortunately, there are members of our congregation who are no longer able to attend Homecoming in person. So, let’s take Homecoming to them.
We will meet at the church at 3 PM and caravan to the homes of our shut-in members. Think Christmas caroling, only in October, and sharing some of the favorite songs and hymns of our faith. Join us in taking St. Jacobs home for these cherished members of our family.
Homecoming 2021
Posted September 30, 2021 By adminOur annual Homecoming celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 10th. Having missed out on Homecoming in 2020 due to the pandemic, we can all look forward to a day of wonderful fellowship. Please invite members of St. Jacob’s past and present to join us. Our Homecoming guest preacher will be our old friend, Pastor Marty Ramey. Later that afternoon, church family members are invited to go sing for St. Jacob’s members who are not able to attend worship. We will share time with them singing some of those good old hymns that everyone loves to sing while visiting folks whom we have not seen for a while. Join us on October 10th at 3 PM. We will travel in cars and share the gift of the church’s music making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Please circle the date on your calendars and be sure to come enjoy this day of celebration.
Seminary President Visit
Posted September 30, 2021 By adminThe Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, President of the North American Lutheran Seminary, joined us on Sunday September 26th and led a small group discussion on the NALC Seminary network. Following his presentation, Pastor Riesen served as our guest preacher for the day. Pastor Riesen wanted to pass along his regards to everyone and say that he noticed the congregation at St. Jacob’s is one that certainly shares the warmth and welcoming nature of God’s love. We are thankful for the opportunity to greet Pastor Eric and ask God’s continued blessings upon him and our North American Lutheran Seminary.
90 Bible Fitness Challenge
Posted September 30, 2021 By adminWe are nearing the finish line for our 90 Day Bible Fitness Challenge. The truth be told, a few of our participants have already finished. Several others will finish a few days early. What a joy it has been to read the entire Bible, one verse at a time, and complete it in 90 days. The challenge seemed at first to be quite a lofty goal, and it is. But nineteen of our church family members have made it this far. Certainly, meeting once per week in small groups has enhanced our mutual endeavor, and the conversations have been amazing. Now the question remains, what will these folks do now that the challenge has been met? Most have said they really enjoyed the NLT Chronological Study Bible and plan to go through it again, taking a long look at all the study notes and illustrations. Another question that has been asked by several who have not participated is, “Will we do this again?” The answer is “Yes, we will, but the time hasn’t been determined yet.” Thanks be to God for revealing his Word to his people and guiding us with the Holy Spirit as we read the Bible in 90 days. Congratulations to all who took the challenge. Well done, good and faithful servants!
Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings
St. Jacob’s Homecoming 2021
Posted September 15, 2021 By adminOur annual Homecoming celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 10th. Having missed out on homecoming in 2020 due to the pandemic we can all look forward to a wonderful service. Please invite members of St. Jacob’s past and present to join us. Our Homecoming guest preacher will be our old friend, Pastor Marty Ramey. Please circle the date on your calendars and be sure to come enjoy the celebration.
Seminary President Visit
Posted September 10, 2021 By adminThe Rev. Dr. Eric Riesen, President of the North American Lutheran Seminary will visit St. Jacob’s on Sun-day, September 26th. As you may recall, Dr. Riesen was scheduled to visit with us in July but due to a family issue his visit needed to be rescheduled. Dr. Riesen will lead a group discussion on the structure of the NALC’s seminary network structure, the need for congregations to be involved in the development of pastors for the future and also will help us to understand what we can do to support the seminary network. Be sure to attend and welcome Pastor Riesen to St. Jacob’s.
Pastoral Devotion for September
Posted August 30, 2021 By adminLet Your Light Shine
Read Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket.” God blesses the Church with the most precious treasure there is, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every Christian is therefore filled with the light of Christ and called to give witness to the wonders of God’s mercy and grace.
Often, it is said to the newly baptized person, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our light shines when we love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. Shining our light, we share the love of Christ Jesus with all whom we meet.
Jesus of Nazareth is light and life for the world. Baptized into his death and resurrection, the light of Christ dwells within God’s people. May you always feel the presence and power of our Lord Jesus. And may your light shine through the darkness of this world, that those within your midst may finally see the glory of the Father and enter the gates of our eternal home.
Prayer: Shine the light of your love, O Lord, and fill me with the power of your love. Amen.
