Holy Week this year begins as always on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Saturday, the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord. Palm Sunday worship will commence on the sidewalk in front of the church (weather permitting) with the Blessing and Procession of Palms. It is Christian tradition that on Palm Sunday, the Passion narrative of Christ is read before the assembly. A brief sermon my precede the reading of the Passion, but preferably the preaching clergy allow the Passion of Christ to speak for itself.
Divine service will resume with the Great Triduum (Three Days) beginning on Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Christ’s giving “a new commandment” (Mandatum). Through his washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus gives the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” which takes the form of selfless service to others. The service reaches its climax as God extends his table through the receiving of the Sacrament of the Altar. In remembrance of Jesus’s betrayal and arrest, the altar and church nave are stripped of their worship appointments as the cantor sings Psalm 22, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” The service includes no benediction (Good Words), and the congregation departs in silent reflection on Christ’s passion and his approaching crucifixion.
The Divine Service resumes on Good Friday with the traditional Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows). Worshippers gather in silent reflection, pondering the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf. The service includes the confession of sin, solemn reproaches and seven readings concerning the crucifixion and death of Jesus. With each reading, light is diminished until the church is shrouded in darkness. Once more, at the conclusion of the service, the congregation departs in silence as it awaits the good news of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Worship and Music Archive
Holy Week – April 13th-19th
Posted April 6, 2025 By adminMusic Notes
Posted April 5, 2025 By adminIt’s hard to believe that we are almost through our Lenten journey, but with all the pollen in the air, it must be time for Palm Sunday and Easter. Our younger choristers have been learning the history and words of the hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor.” This beautiful hymn that we sing every Palm Sunday as we process into the church waving palm branches was written by St. Theodulph. Theodulph was a priest and writer and was appointed the bishop of Orleans, France by Charlemagne in 781. When Charlemagne died, his son, Louis the Pious, imprisoned many people in fear of rebellion including Theodulph who wrote this beloved hymn while in prison. Wrongly accused of treason, Theodulph clung to his faith and praised his redeemer. May we all show such faith in the challenges we face throughout our lives. Please talk to the children about Theodulph and what it means to you to know that Christ is your redeemer.
Choir rehearsals will return to Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM at the end of Lent.
The children’s choir is currently working on an anthem based on the Lord’s prayer and our making their own prayer book.
Pastoral Devotion for April – Because He Lives
Posted April 4, 2025 By adminRead John 11:30-44 Once, a Sunday school teacher showed her class a picture of famous people gathered around God’s table in heaven. The teacher then asked, “Where are you in this picture?” The children were puzzled. Finally, a boy spoke up saying, “We can’t be in the picture, we’re not dead yet.” Such an understanding presents the resurrection as a distant and future reality.
Jesus’s announcement, “I am the resurrection and the life,” teaches us that the resurrection is closer than we may realize. Because of sin, every moment of human life occurs in the face of death. Yet, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven and death has lost its sting. Therefore, the resurrection is not some far off point in time that we await; it is a future and present reality for those who know Christ as Lord and Savior. Because he lives, we too shall live.
In their grief, Mary and Martha see only the earthly picture, the one in which their brother Lazarus is missing. Jesus invites us to gaze upon the heavenly picture and to take our place at God’s table gathered with the saints of every time and space. This we do each time we come forward to receive the Sacrament of the Altar. As we profess our faith and belief in the communion of saints, we declare the reality of God’s table extending from the one heavenly dimension into the earthly dimension of Christ’s church on earth. See yourself in the picture. You are certainly there among those gathered at God’s table.
Prayer: Eternal God, we give you thanks for raising your people from death to life, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Youth News
Posted April 3, 2025 By adminGet ready for Stars and Strikes! Join us for laser tag, bumper cars and the video arcade on Sunday, April 27th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The fun begins right at 3:00 PM so be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before time. The cost is $22 per youth and includes pizza and a drink. Please let Angela Nuottila know if you will be attending.
The youth group met at the end of February to host the chili cook-off. It was a great success and of course June Lindler took home the award for best chili. We have also been busy planning worship for the end of March and taking part in the Cross Walk on the Palmetto Trail. Pictures of the Cross Walk will be included in next month’s newsletter.
Youth Members Leading Worship
Posted March 31, 2025 By adminOur St. Jacob’s Youth members in grades six and above lead the congregation in worship on the last Sunday in the months with five Sundays. This has been a blessing to our church and to these young people as they continue to study and learn more about the church’s liturgy. We are thankful for each of these faithful kids and look forward to having them lead us in worship.
Into the Liturgy, part 5
Posted January 30, 2025 By adminThe Offertory
The Offertory is a eucharistic sacrifice of praise, first fruits, and all God has provided. We sing God’s praises in thankful response to what God has done for us. The offering of the sacramental elements of bread and wine are the chief items brought forward to be consecrated and shared among God’s people as Christ comes to us through this blessed Sacrament. Our offerings are also presented to God to be blessed and distributed in such a way as to enhance the Church’s proclamation of the Gospel. The Offertory, and Offertory prayer conclude the service of the Word, giving thanks to God for the blessings of time, talent, and treasure.
Music Notes
Posted December 27, 2024 By adminChristmas Caroling
Christmas caroling was lots of fun this year. We had 26 carolers! We filled J.L. and Janet’s house. What fun. The youth baked cookies and made treat bags to take to each person we visited. We gathered for a soup lunch after church on Sunday and set out to sing to 9 people. We were all a little hoarse by the time we arrived at Todd and Joanie’s house to sing to Papa Joe and enjoy a delicious spread of Christmas treats and fellowship. Maybe next year we can have 36 carolers!
Into Liturgy, part 4
Posted December 21, 2024 By adminIn this installment of our look into the liturgy of the church, we make the shift to the main purpose of Divine Service, that is to receive God’s good gifts for his people.
The Word
The initial act of God in service to his people is to share his saving Word with his people. Through the carefully selected readings of the church’s lectionary, the voice of our Good Shepherd comes to us through the reading and preaching of the Scriptures. The Lord speaks to his people through his Law and Gospel, calling sinners to repentance and assuring believers of God’s mercy and grace through Christ alone.
The Creed
The Lutheran Church confesses her faith using the three ecumenical creeds (statements of faith). With these three creeds, (Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian) fellow believers confess the truth of the Triune nature of God, and the truth of God’s creating, redeeming, and sanctifying love. This is the confession made throughout the generations of the one, holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church.
Christmas Worship Services
Posted December 10, 2024 By adminWe’ve all seen the signs, billboards and bumper stickers: “Keep Christ in Christmas!” The truth is, without Christ, it simply isn’t Christmas. Christians everywhere urge others to remember The “Reason for the Season.” But you know, even some churches find it difficult to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Just take a look at the many churches standing idle and empty on Christmas morning.
St. Jacob’s offers everyone an opportunity to “Keep Christ in Christmas” beginning December 24th at 5:00 PM with our annual candlelight service. The service will certainly be beautiful and inspiring. Then all are encouraged to “come as you are” on Christmas morning at 10:00 AM for an informal family Christmas celebration. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and are invited to bring a gift they received for Christmas. Each child may share with all of us the joy this gift brings. Plan to attend these wonderful services of worship with your church family. Join us and “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
Music Notes
Posted December 4, 2024 By adminDecember 15th we will go Christmas caroling and take the joy of Christmas to all our members who are unable to attend worship. We will have a soup lunch in the parish hall immediately following worship and then go caroling. Mark your calendars and plan to join us. Contact Susan Shealy or Angela Nuottila to let them know that you will attend and if you are able to provide a pot of soup or a pan of cornbread.
