As in the past, an altar flower sign-up sheet will be posted in the Narthex on Sunday November 29th and will remain until Sunday, December 27th. Many times, members wish to provide the altar flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. If there is a particular Sunday YOU would like to furnish the altar flowers for the worship service, please indicate your choice by signing up for that Sunday. If you are not currently attending in-person worship services at the church, you can email Robin to request a Sunday. All open dates will be assigned to other members of the congregation. 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.
Worship Service Archive
St. Jacob’s Is Getting Ready For 2021—Sign Up For Altar Flowers Today
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminLiturgical Worship in November
Posted October 30, 2020 By adminNovember is a month of remembrance, celebration, and transition. From the first day of the month until the final Sunday, we offer our thanks and praise to God for his saving grace that comes through his Son Jesus Christ. The celebrations of November complete the liturgical cycle of one year and lead us into the next. Please join us as you are able, either in person or online each Sunday as we observe these three significant dates.
All Saints Day
All Saints Day is a time of remembrance and a time of thanksgiving. We remember all who have entered the Church Triumphant and now rest peacefully in Christ. We also give thanks for all the saints within the Church Militant who strive to share the Gospel of Christ and extend the ministry of the church throughout the world. Join us on All Saints Day, November 1stfor worship. As is customary, we will have a prayer for our church family members who passed away since our All Saints celebration last year. All Saints Day is November 1stand traditionally observed on the first Sunday in November.
Christ The King Sunday
The earliest Christians identified Jesus with the predicted Messiah of the Jews. The Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the Greek word “Christ,” both mean “anointed one.” They refer to the expected king whom God promised would deliver his people from all earthly powers. Holy Scripture reveals Jesus of Nazareth to be this long-awaited Messiah. Unlike the Messiah most Jews expected, Jesus came to free all people, Jew and Gentile, and he did not come to free them from the Babylonians, Assyrians, or Romans, but from sin and death. Thus, the King of the Jews, and of all people, does not rule over a kingdom of this world. Christ the King Sunday is the final Sun-day of the Christian Church year and focuses on the return of Christ at the end of the age. This year, Christ the King Sunday is celebrated on November 22nd.
First Sunday Of Advent
The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year for the Christian Church. The word “advent” literally means “coming.” Coming on the heels of Christ the King Sunday, Advent is the season when Christians prepare for the coming of our King Jesus Christ. There is actually a two-fold meaning of this coming. When the Church celebrates Advent, we look toward Jesus’ second coming by remembering his first coming to earth. We ponder again the great mystery of the incarnation when our Lord humbled himself, taking on our humanity, and entered our time and space to free us from sin. All the while, we recall in the Creed that our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to greet him. This year, the First Sunday of Advent is November 29th.
Weekly Bible Study on Zoom
Posted October 29, 2020 By adminBible study continues to be held each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM on Zoom.com. We are continuing our study of the book of James. There are no special materials that you must purchase. All you need is a computer and access to the internet to join in the conversation. Weekly study guides are emailed to the congregation on Tuesday afternoon. Even if you have not provided an email address our study’s such that you can join in and participate in the conversation. Why not make Bible study a part of your week? If you have any questions, please contact Pastor David or Rachel.
In Person and Online Sunday School
Posted October 29, 2020 By adminIn person Sunday School will begin on Sunday, November 1st. We will begin with two classes. The first class will be for children up to middle school. The class will be taught by Rachel and Sherrie and will meet in the Sunday School wing downstairs. The second class will be for Adults and high school students. This class will be led by Pastor David and will meet in the Fellowship Hall. This will be the format through December 31st. In person Sunday School will begin at 9:40 AM each week.
For those who are not yet returning to in person worship or Sunday School, the online lessons will continue on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page. These lessons are posted at 8:00 AM on Sunday morning. The current list of lessons focuses on several familiar Bible stories of the Old Testament. Please enjoy these and other St. Jacob’s online offerings such as Bible studies and devotions as you are able.
Fellowship In The Shade
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminChristian fellowship is an important aspect of congregational life. Yet during this time of pandemic, fellowship has been difficult. As a way of making time for this important part of our life, everyone is invited to a time of visiting each Sunday following our 10:30 AM worship service. Bring your lawn chairs and gather underneath the shade trees in the lawn in front of the church office. While social distance must be observed, we can meet and share.
Online Sunday School
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminIn order to provide Christian education for our children and families during this time of pandemic, several of our church family members have begun producing recorded video lessons to be used as an online Sunday School. These lessons are uploaded to our church website weekly and are also shared on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page. The current list of lessons focuses on several familiar Bible stories of the Old Testament. Please enjoy these and other St. Jacob’s online offerings such as Bible studies and devotions as you are able.
Welcome Our New Organist
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminOctober 1st is a wonderful day in the life of our church as we welcome Dr. Sarah Masterson to St. Jacob’s. Sarah is on the faculty of Newberry College serving as Associate Professor of Piano and Music Theory. She also is the Director of the Department of Social Media and the W. Darr Wise Piano Competition. Please be sure to introduce yourself to her as you are able. We look forward to Sarah sharing her musical gifts with us in worship.
The Blessing Basket
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminBefore the COVID-19 virus caused us to suspend in person worship, children would come forward for a brief children’s sermon with me. As they came, they would bring their offerings and put them in what you have known as the “Pickle Jar.” The premise was that the monies collected could be used for people who find themselves “in a pickle.” During the past several months, I have thought about what we might be teaching our children concerning providing for those in need. To make this more memorable and to apply bible teaching for our children, I have retired the Pickle Jar and replaced it with the “Blessing Basket.”
You will recall that as Jesus fed the 5000 multiplying the loaves and fishes, twelve baskets full were collected after everyone had eaten their fill. These baskets teach us about the abundance God provides even through the smallest of gifts.
Our children’s offerings resemble those loaves and fish. They are modest offerings to be sure. To think such a small amount can make a difference in someone’s life just doesn’t add up. But you know what? God’s math never adds up…it multiplies!
On October 4th, we will resume children’s sermons during the 10:30 AM service. I will use the Blessing Basket to collect the children’s offering as they come forward. Each month there will be a specific ministry that the children’s offering will support. At the end of the month, we will add it all up and see just what God has multiplied. October’s ministry will be We Care. Together, we can teach our children how God provides loaves and fishes and how his disciples distribute them to those in need of God’s blessing.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminWelcome Sarah Masterson
I’m excited to announce our first fellowship event post COVID-19. As you all know, we will be welcoming our new Organist, Sarah, on October 4th. In order to welcome her to our Church family, please join us for a cookout following the 10:30 AM service. We will all have the opportunity to meet Sarah and fellowship with one another after being apart for so long. All food and drinks will be provided and social distancing will be observed. Thank you for joining me in welcoming Sarah to St. Jacob’s. I look forward to seeing you there!
Trunk Or Treat
Our new youth committee met together for the first time in September. Moving forward, we will work together to plan events and share ideas for the advancement of our youth and family ministries. While planning for the remainder of the year, we have decided that October would be a great time to start meeting again as a church family! I would love to invite you to join us on October 31st from 5—7 PM for TRUNK OR TREAT at ST. JACOB’S! Anyone participating needs to be at the bus shed parking lot between 4 and 4:30 PM. Come, decorate your car, and fill it with candy.
Grace & Peace,
Rachel
Volunteers Still Needed
Posted August 30, 2020 By adminVolunteers are needed for Sunday morning to serve as communion assistants, ushers and lay readers. We could also use a few volunteers who would help for a few minutes to wipe down and set-up the church for worship following the 8:30 AM service. Anyone who would like to help in this capacity should contact Pastor David.
