Pastor David and Rachel Shelton continue to host an online Bible study at our regular time each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. The lesson is sent out via email the day before if we have an email address for you so you can prepare. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. Participate by making comments in the comments section. Please give Facebook a try so you can participate. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.
Other Happenings Archive
Bible Study
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminSupporting We Care
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminEven before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community and especially as members of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s can and should consider becom-ing a strong supporters of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
All members of our church family are encouraged to make regular donations of non-perishable items that can be brought to the church and collected in the fellowship hall. During the suspension of church activities, donations can be brought to the church office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in our partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.
Pantry Needs
Donations of all food items are appreciated.
Listed below are some of the things that are in constant need.
•Peanut butter/ Jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Dried Beans
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna/Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip/Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, ie Toothbrushes, Toothpaste
Filed in Other Happenings, Outreach
Grace Notes
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminMembers of our church family and several of our friends have received, either in their email or U.S. mail, a copy of our newest means of communication. On the 15th of each month, we will be sending out a mini newsletter entitled “Grace Notes.” It is just one more way through which we can keep the congregation updated on the ministries and mission of St. Jacob’s.
Filed in Other Happenings
Honoring Our Graduates
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s honors this year’s high school graduates, Nicholas and Anna Grace. Nicholas is a graduate of Spring Hill High School. Anna Grace is a graduate of Chapin High School. We wish them both success as they begin a new chapter in their lives and pray that God continues to bless them with the gift of his love and grace through Jesus Christ.
Filed in Other Happenings
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted May 28, 2020 By admin“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV)
I have taken many lessons out of quarantine, a few examples: always having hand sanitizer on hand, gratefulness for face-to-face conversations, and many new meals that I can cook; but the most important lesson I bring out of this is the importance of the Word of God. I have always loved reading scripture, from early on in my life to studying it in college courses. It has always fascinated me and given me so much. With so much uncertainty in our world today, we should be clinging to the Truth. Our only source of life, peace, and comfort—Jesus. With all of the extra time, I was excited to be able to read some books that have been on my shelf for a while and to also revisit some of my old favorites; but I had to remind myself that although those commentaries and stories are great and helpful, they cannot take the place of Scripture in my daily routine. My daily worship has looked a lot like Psalm 119:105-112, which we studied last Wednesday, a prayer for a person who wants to dedicate themselves to the Word of God. It’s no secret that there is a lot going on right now and this is to be expected – since sin entered the world. God has given us the tools to have strength and hope even during times like these. In Lamentations Chapter 3, Jeremiah is sit-ting in a cave overlooking Jerusalem. If you know the story (or if you don’t, check it out), he is sitting in the ruins of the city amongst death and destruction. Jeremiah is at an all-time low, and similar to many of the Psalms we have read over the past two months, feels like even God has turned against him. BUT, the best part is found in Verse 21, “but this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” It goes on to say “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compas-sions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him…” Jeremiah shifted his thinking from himself to thinking about God. He remembered the promises of God. The only thing that was able to carry him through. Even though it didn’t look like it at that moment, he knew that God was merciful, compassionate, and faithful. We have the same option every day to believe this to be true or not. Jeremiah kept the Word of God at the forefront of his mind and recalled it during times of trouble. I want to reach for God before I reach for anything else, when I’m bored, when I’m uncomfortable, when I need answers or entertainment, and when I’m lonely. Help us, God.
Miss you all,
Rachel
Filed in Other Happenings, Youth Director
Church Family Reminder
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminEven as orders are beginning to be lifted by our Governor, please continue to care for each other. We may still have members who need errands run, medications picked up, or grocery needs. In order to keep those who are still at a high health risk for getting the virus, you can contact Sherry in the church office. Let’s continue to look after our church family at this time.
Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings
Phone Scam Update
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminDear Family of St. Jacob’s,
The following is a message I shared on our Facebook page but I believe it needs to be shared through our newsletter as well.
ATTENTION ST. JACOB’S: If you received a text from someone saying it is me needing gift cards, IT IS A SCAM. I DO NOT need “EBay gift cards for women battling cancer in the hospital.” PLEASE KNOW, I would never send out a text asking for such a favor. The scammer is using my name and title and texting individuals by name. I have no idea how they might connect me to anyone. Please private message me if you get a strange text from someone claiming to be me and let me know the phone number that texted you.
I am sorry this is happening, but several other pastors have been dealing with this same issue.
Hopefully, it can be resolved quickly.
Blessings,
Pastor David
Filed in Other Happenings
Community Care
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s is blessed to be a part of the community of Chapin. In communities such as ours, people have relationships that go way back in time. Families have put down deep roots and truly have grown up with the surrounding area. Even as new people are welcomed into the community, they experience all the small town qualities that have been central to the lives of so many. This closeness, this sense of togetherness is something that should draw St. Jacob’s into greater mission and ministry among our neighbors.
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community, and especially as a member of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s, can and should consider becoming a stronger supporter of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
Our Lutheran Women have been supporters of We Care. Beginning today, I would like to invite all of our church family members to begin supporting our local food pantry. Canned food and other non-perishable items can be brought to the church and collected in the Fellowship Hall. For now, donations can be made by contacting the church office and we can open the Fellowship Hall for
you. Perhaps two or three folks could volunteer once or twice a month to help deliver these goods to We Care. Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.
Upon Our Return
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminThe following is a list of things, I (Pastor David) will be working on and suggesting upon our return to activity at St. Jacob’s.
Continued live streaming of our worship services – This will require St. Jacob’s to purchase further licensing so that we can have permission to include music and liturgies in their fullest form for our live and recorded services.
Online Bible studies – I will be looking for ways to share a more interactive Bible study once a week. Possibilities include internet services such a Zoom TM or possibly conference calls.
Safer and healthier practices for worship – I will be working with the Worship and Music Team to explore ways of keeping our congregation safe by limiting the possibility for transmitting coronavirus, flu and other germs.
More congregational focus on our home bound members – This could include the development of a lay visitation team made up of volunteers who check-in on our shut-in members frequently.
Daily video check-in and devotions – This will likely take place in the morning sometime around 9:00 AM on our Facebook page.
These are just a few of the things that have been running through my mind during our time of social distancing. The goal is to strengthen our sense of community among our church family and to begin providing a more consistent witness to the Gospel to Chapin and the surrounding area.
Lutheran Women Mother/Daughter Brunch
Posted April 30, 2020 By adminDue to social distancing, the Lutheran Women are cancelling the Mother/Daughter Brunch scheduled for May 23rd .
Also, please remember to pick up some items for We Care. We Care sent us a card in the mail thanking us for the 690 pounds of food we supplied for the month of February. Please see the listing of their food needs below.
•Peanut butter / jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna / Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip / Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, Toothpaste
