Read: Revelation 19:11-16
If you were asked to describe Jesus how would you? What physical attributes could you mention? John takes up the task in the nineteenth chapter of Revelation. I would imagine, however, that our descriptions of Jesus would likely fall seriously short of John’s. Who among us could capture the true essence of Christ better than John?
Christians are one week removed from celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord. This celebration lends itself to peaceful images of shepherds, angels and a baby lying in a manger. Yet, the power and purpose of this child is captured in John’s vision of the one sitting atop of a white horse whose name is Faithful and True. He commands armies of angels. From his mouth comes a sharp sword which cuts down evil and rules the nations with a rod of iron. His name? The Word of the Lord.
Our Lord Jesus, God’s Word made flesh remains faithful and true. Christ is the same yesterday, today and always. He is Lord and Savior. He came to save we who are neither faithful nor true. His mercy is revealed through the truth of his Word and his grace is sufficient in all circumstances. Turn to the Lord. Call upon his name and receive the free gift of salvation through the one who is King of kings, Lord of lords.
Prayer: Most holy God, keep us in faith, that we would be ever thankful for your mercy and grace. Amen.
Other Happenings Archive
Pastoral Devotion for January: Faithful and True
Posted January 29, 2021 By adminWe Care
Posted December 30, 2020 By adminPlease continue to bring your donations of nonperishable items for We Care. You may bring your donations to worship with you on Sunday morning, or drop them off at the church office Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. When the list changes, it will be posted on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex.
Annual Report Information
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminPlease be sure and forward your 2021 schedules and 2020 reports to Sherry in the church office by December 31st so your information can be provided in the report booklet. Auxiliaries that have checking accounts, please send that information to me as soon as you receive your statements. Thank you in advance.
2020 Year End Closing
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminFinancial Year End information is due by December 31st. If you have any paperwork (reimbursement requests, receipts to back cash advances, and any leftover cash, etc.) for 2020, please turn your information into Walt Shealy so he can close out the year. If you have any questions, please see Walt.
Epiphany
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminNot too long ago, Congregations would set aside time each January 6th to worship and observe the Epiphany of Our Lord. These days, the tradition of an Epiphany service is not one that is too widely kept. Rather than celebrate the occasion when the Magi from the East (three wise men) came to visit the child Jesus, congregations and other Christian groups conveniently include these “three kings” in the narrative of Jesus’s birth. (We are just as guilty). As a result, the story of the Magi is largely misunderstood. Younger generations are not learning the significance of the Epiphany and older generations are not taking the time to share it. This is a sad reminder of how the world has encroached upon the Church.
It isn’t often that the day of Epiphany actually coincides with a congregation’s regular worship schedule. With people having such busy schedules, adding a service outside the regular worship schedule seldom happens. And so, it is not often when we hear the gospel text of the Magi visiting the child Jesus read and preached in its proper context.
This year, the Epiphany of Our Lord does fall on a day when we have a regularly scheduled worship. Rather than being wedged into a children’s Christmas pageant or other similar Christmas celebration, the narrative of the Magi will be read in context. You are invited to worship in person on the day of the Epiphany. If you have not attended worship on a Wednesday evening, this would be a good opportunity. Plan to join your church family on Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00p.m. for worship celebrating the Epiphany of Our Lord.
20+C+M+B+21
Upon the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th), many Christians (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics) chalk their doors with the pattern you see above. The numbers refer to the calendar year (2021), and the crosses stand for Christ. The letters have a two-fold significance. C, M, and B are the initials for the traditional names of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar). They also are an abbreviation of the Latin blessing Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means, “Christ bless this house.”
In many places, the chalk used to write the Epiphany pattern is blessed by a Pastor or Priest. It is then used to write the pattern above the doors of Christian households. This Christian custom of chalking the door has a biblical precedent as the Israelites in the Old Testament marked their doors in order to be saved from death at the Passover in Egypt. In keeping this Epiphany tradition, Christians ask God’s blessing and protection for their family and home until the next Epiphany Day, at which time the custom is repeated. Families also perform this act because it represents the hospitality extended by Mary and Joseph to the Magi (and all Gentiles); it thus serves as a house blessing to invite the presence of God in one’s home.
During our Epiphany service of worship on January 6th, I will take time to bless the chalk and offer it for families to observe this Epiphany tradition. During the month of January, I will also be happy to come bless your house in this traditional way. Just let me know and I will schedule a day and time. May God bless us all and bless our homes with is peace and presence.
St. Jacob’s Altar Flower Sign-Up
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminDon’t forget to sign up for Altar Flowers this year. The chart is hanging in the Narthex. NOTE: During Advent/Christmas Seasons only one vase of flowers is needed. Also, artificial flowers are never to be used in the altar vases and pot plants are to be used to enhance services on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday and Christmas Services – not as altar flowers.
Reading The Bible In One Year
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminWith the new year comes the opportunity to renew your commitment to reading the Holy Scriptures every day. The simplest way to accomplish this is to commit to reading the Bible from cover to cover in one year. It only takes fifteen minutes or so each day. Before you know it, you are well on your way to meeting your goal. Even if you get a late start, you can read just a little extra and it won’t take long before you’re are caught up.
Several of our church family members have taken up the challenge and succeeded. Other have begun but have not quite made it. No matter. Just keep reading. God takes delight in those who grow in their faith through reading His Word. Reading plans are in the narthex. Pick one up today.
Continuing Covid Response
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminIn our continuing effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, St. Jacob’s will continue our current protocols for social distancing and protection.
Please remember these simple steps.
• Entrance to the church on Sunday morning is through the Fellowship Hall doors. This is to prevent groups from gathering in the narthex as others come in to find their seat.
• Use hand sanitizer as you enter the church nave. Sanitizer is provided on the table at the narthex doors.
• Although masks are not required to enter the building, they are required when the congregations sing liturgy or hymns. It is also a best practice to wear your mask while sitting in the pews. For this reason, everyone is to have a mask in their possession.
• Please remember to fill out a record of worship card and place it in the tray on the table at the narthex doors.
• Upon conclusion of the worship service, everyone is to depart the building. The aisle and hallways are to be kept clear. Conversations may be held outside.
These protocols are in place to ensure the health and well-being of our church family and visitors. The Pastor and Church Council will revise them as necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
Meet the Team!
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminThis month is our wonderful Council President, Sherrie! She has served this year with passion and faithfulness and we have been so lucky to be led by her. Although it has been a year unlike any other, under her leadership (along with the Church Council) many great things have been accomplished!
1. What is your favorite bible verse & why? Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse has always been comforting and reassuring. God has a plan for each of us – a purpose. Those plans are to give us hope and a future. Knowing that God has a plan for me and that he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is only a hello away. As a child of God, I know there is love, hope, a plan and a future. And if God is for us who can be against us.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? To be you! Take every opportunity to help others.
3. If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go? It’s a tie – Alaska and return visit to Hawaii
4. What movie can you watch over and over again and not get tired of? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 5. What is your favorite thing about St. Jacob’s? Our church family.
Council Briefs – November
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s Church Council met for its regular meeting on December 8, 2020.
Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for November:
• Service music has been great; Sarah is wonderful
• TV installed in Fellowship Hall for overflow capacity
• 258 lbs of food donated to We Care for Thanksgiving
• Sunday School has been a pleasure to have again
Important Notes and Dates:
• Congregation voted to approve Parking Lot/Portico Addition as presented, details to follow. Construction is slated to begin late January to early February 2021, permits and weather permitting.
• Children’s Program has been cancelled due to Virus
• Christmas Caroling has been cancelled due to Virus
• Dec. 21 – Blue Christmas Live Stream, no in person service; online only
• Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve worship (2 services); sign up sheets in Narthex, only 50 people allowed per service
• Dec. 25 – Christmas Morning Worship
• Dec. 27 – Council installation
• Jan 8-9; proposed Council Retreat
• Please check Facebook page and/or Website for updates to church activities and functions
Next regularly scheduled Council meeting is proposed for 8-9 January 2021; verification to follow. Respectfully submitted,
Andrew J. (A.J.), Secretary St. Jacob’s Church Council
