Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Up and Going members and guests boarded the St. Jacob’s Express, with Gerald driving, to spend the day at the SC Farmer’s Market. Helen gave the devotions based on the surprising gifts from the farm.

A short business meeting was held before we left for the Market.

Arrangements were made by Tracy for us to visit the labs at the Consumer Protection Lab and Metrology Lab located at the Market. The laboratories are under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

At the Consumer Protection Lab, we toured the Petroleum Lab, the Pesticide Residue Lab, The Seed Lab, Planting and Germination Rooms, the Dog, Cat, Horse Feed Lab and the Food Lab. Each individual lab provided a knowledgeable person to explain the workings of the lab and to answer any questions.

The tour continued to another building which houses the Metrology Lab, there we visited the Precision Weights Lab, the Grain Lab, Small Volume Lab, the Large Volume Lab and Small Mass Lab. These are the most fascinating labs. These labs ensure that the food items, animal foods, fuels, seeds and other items are the correct weights, items as listed, germinations of seeds are correct and in general are as labeled on the pack. Gas Station fuel pumps are checked for weight per gallon and contents as marked. The fuel pumps are labeled with a sticker stating the month and year that it was inspected. Each gas station should be checked once per year. We were overwhelmed with information but thankfully assured that someone was checking things that we all consume. We left the Labs with a huge appreciation for the work that these wonderful people perform daily. A special thank you to all who made this trip so enjoyable.

Lunch was enjoyed by all at the Market Restaurant. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. We spent a few minutes in The Tea Room browsing around and checking out all of the items made in SC.

Our tour of the Farmer’s Market concluded with a walk-on bus tour with Brad. We toured the fruit and vegetable sheds, the commercial sheds, the out of state vendors shed and other sheds in that area. Gerald then took us into the fruit/vegetable shed, parked the bus and gave us time to shop. Favorite items purchased were tomatoes, peaches, watermelons and cantaloupes. We stopped at the flower sheds and some purchased flowers. What a wonderful day we enjoyed together!

The August meeting will be the 4 Churches Meeting. It will be held on Thursday, August 22nd at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New Life Center at 11 AM. We each are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. The meat, drinks, etc. will be provided by Holy Trinity. Please arrive at Holy Trinity by 11am. This is surely to be an enjoyable meeting.

Fourteen members and guests gathered on Thursday, June 13th in the Fellowship Hall for the monthly Up and Going Meeting. Devotions were given by Helen Lindler on Pentecost. An interesting note from the devotions was information on the Holy Ghost Hole. In the Middle Ages, many Catholic churches had what was called a “Holy Ghost Hole”. This was an opening in the ceiling, which allowed a dove and red rose petals to be dramatically released on Pentecost Sunday, during the Gospel about the first Pentecost. We enjoyed a bountiful and delicious meal of salads and such. Thank you to all that provided such tasty food. The program was provided by Mrs. Amanda. She and her husband have a small farm in Prosperity with an emerging goat farm business. They have 5 Nubriun milk goats. From the milk gathered each day, Amanda is making goat milk soap, cheeses, yogurt and other products. She brought cinnamon, lavender and black raspberry soaps for us to admire and purchase. We enjoyed hearing about her farm and the many facts about her goats and the many process steps and facts about cheese and soap making. We sincerely appreciate Amanda sharing with us. We came away knowing more than we did before and that is always a good thing. The July Meeting will be a trip to the SC State Farmers Market on July 11th (2nd Thursday). Gerald will drive the bus and a car will also go for those who can’t ride the bus. We will leave St. Jacob’s at 9 AM and return between 2-3 PM. Hope to see you then.

May 9th was a gloriously beautiful day, just right for the Up and Going meeting. Twenty members and guests gathered in the Fellowship Hall for a covered dish lunch and a painting party.
Devotions were led by Helen and based on springtime gardening which reminded us of how dirt from our gardening is similar to sin and the need for cleansing. The business portion of the meeting followed with the Treasurer’s report and plans for the June meeting were discussed.
Our resident artist, Nicki, provided the pro-gram. She taught us about art, and we got to try our hands at painting a picture. After getting setup with our aprons, canvases, paints, and brushes, Nicki revealed that we would be painting a picture of a bumble bee. She instructed us on mixing colors and different brush strokes. She demonstrated each brush stroke, and we attempted to follow her instructions. Somehow, our bumble bees did not look anything like hers. Our bumble bees were quite interesting and had unique personalities. We laughed and had a great time. Nicki suggested that our art work could possibly become the next white elephant Christmas gift. We all have a new appreciation for art and Nicki’s talent and patience in art. Thank you Nicki for making this such a fun meeting. We really enjoyed painting and spending time with you.
The June meeting will be held on June 13th (2nd Thursday) at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone attending is asked to bring a salad or such that you wish to share. The program will be presented by Mrs. Amanda. She owns and operates an emerging goat farm and goat products business. Helen will provide devotions. Hope to see you there.

The January Up and Going Meeting was our annual “Soup Pot Lunch”. Eighteen members and guests gathered at 11AM on Thursday, Jan 10th to cook and enjoy a pot of soup. Each person brought something for the soup pot or sandwiches, cornbread, crackers, pimento cheese or a dessert. Once the beef and vegetable soup was ready, the business was conducted with the Treasurer’s report given. Frances gave the devotions; topic was new year, new beginning. We then enjoyed our soup lunch after which Bob quizzed us with several games on new testament trivia. He sent us home amazed with what we knew or thought that we knew. Thank you to all who brought canned goods for We Care. Good food, good fun and good fellowship.
What a wonderful way to start the New Year and spend a cold, windy day.
The February Meeting will be held on Feb 14th at 11AM in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be Turkey Stew and trimmings.

Ray will have devotions and a program on Gardening. We will be making bows for our Hospice Bags.

Up and Going members and guests gathered on Thursday, Dec 13th, in the Fellowship Hall at 11AM to enjoy the annual Christmas Party. Business was conducted. The Treasurer’s Report was received.
Juliette offered prayer for Gloria Livingston, a long time traveler with the Up and Going. Gary read Christmas Bible verses and the group sang responding Christmas Hymns. Joan lead in playing several Christmas Carols with each of us playing chimes. This music was very pretty and all enjoyed playing the Chimes.
Gary gave the meal blessing. The food tables were heavily laden with containers of delicious Holiday foods and desserts. Each person brought their special dish for our enjoyment. Thanks to each of you for this special meal.
Gary and Joan passed out BINGO cards and we played until each person had won a “white elephant” gift and
candies. Much laughter and many comments were made as each won in bingo and then opened their chosen gift; especially if one tried to steal another’s gift. So much fun for us all!
The January Meeting will be held at the home of Bob and Gloria on Thursday, January 10th at 11AM. We will cook a pot of soup. Sign up on the Bulletin Board your choice of soup item to bring. Frances will have devotions and Gloria will have the program. Each person is asked to bring 3 cans of food for We Care. This is a good way to start the New Year since We Care’s pantry will be low.
Love,
Helen

Please make plans to attend our soup pot luncheon on Thursday, January 10th at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Everyone is asked to bring 3 can goods per person for WE CARE.