During the season of Lent, our Wednesday morning Bible Study will focus on the Psalms we read during the season. We will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, taking a look at Psalm 51 as King David prays to God for mercy.
Our Wednesday mornings are filled with great discussion concerning scripture and the impact it has on our daily life. Consider joining us each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Invite your friends and neighbors too.
Below is an article that someone shared with me a while ago. As it brought me to tears, I thought about how important this reminder is to not only our congregation, but to all people, to remember the responsibility that we all carry to raise up the next generation in the faith that we all share.
Article: Take your kids to church. Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the fancy hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s belongings and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in one hand and your make-up bag in the other. Give those babies a poptart and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church. You know why? Because Jesus is there. He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too. He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.
So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Tell them of His greatness – His power – His faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.
Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure.
Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the dance studio. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void. I promise it’s worth it.
“But Jesus said, let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Grace & Peace, Rachel
As we begin the discernment of our music program and embark on a search for a new Music Director, it should go without saying that our two Sundays during which our congregation sang everything without benefit of the organ or piano were simply wonderful examples of our ability to sing. St. Jacob’s is filled with people who, when all singing together, are able to make a very joyful sound as we sing God’s praises.
We are blessed in that we do have supply organists scheduled for our upcoming weeks. Our services of worship will be enhanced by each one. I do pray that, even as we welcome musicians to accompany us, our singing will continue to be cheerful and bold. For me as your pastor, as I stand in the Chancel each week, there is no sound so sweet as the sound of the congregation singing the hymns and liturgies of the church.
In the times ahead, I will do all I can to keep the congregation up to date as to the progress of our search for a new music director. In the meantime, pray for the Staff Support Team, our choir and other musicians as we all work together to identify the one God has chosen to lead us musically.
In 2020, I made it my goal to try to do new things, to get out of my comfort zone. I want to encourage you all to do that as well. One of my favorite things about St. Jacob’s is Sunday School. I love that we take the time to be together, study scripture, and prepare our hearts and minds for Worship. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage; then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8
We all have different gifts, perspectives, and experiences to bring to the table. I would love to encourage you that if you are not in a Sunday School class, consider joining one. If your child does not regularly attend Sunday School, bring them, I guarantee they will benefit greatly from it. The first leap is always the toughest; but in the long run, you will thank yourself.
“Are you and your family involved in Sunday School classes? If not, why not give it a try? Sunday School provides a structure for teaching God’s Word to specific age groups. As a parent, you teach your children in your home and they learn not only from the Scriptures you teach them, but they learn from your actions. In a Sunday School class, they can hear the same teaching from others and that builds their trust in what you say and teach them and helps them to build trust in the teachers and pastor. And Sunday School classes give all of us, regardless of the age group, a time of fellowship with other believers, an opportunity to share our faith with each other, and we learn to pray with and for others. It helps us to become disciples of Jesus whether we are three or onehundred and three years old. If you will only give it a try, you might find that you get more from it than you ever imagined. Come and see.” Larry Shull
“Come join us as we JOURNEY together in FAITH and FELLOWSHIP. The Journey Class meets in the church office conference room each Sunday beginning at 9:15 AM for fellowship and our lesson begins at 9:30 AM. We are a group that enjoys lively discussion and a deep desire to understand God’s Word and its application to our lives. Our current study is focused on the Lessons and Gospel that are read as part of our worship each week. A strength of this class is the friendship and prayerful support that has developed among the members as we journey through life’s challenges and obstacles together. We welcome ALL to come and experience this JOURNEY with us!” Susan S. Shealy
“I like Sunday School because it’s not just one activity. We play games and crafts and learn about God.” Cora Wallace
Sunday School classes for children and teens is located downstairs starting at 9:15 AM. We look forward to seeing some new faces!
Grace & Peace,
Rachel
The St. Jacob’s Church Council met December 3rd for its regular meeting.
Important Notes and Dates:
Ongoing Project Updates: No updates this reporting period
Next Scheduled Meeting: Council Retreat January 10th and 11th
December was a busy month, as usual. But amidst all the hustle and bustle, there are those magical moments where one can sense the presence of God. The Christmas program, presented by the Children’s Choir, was one such moment. Others were found in the Wednesday Advent services, the Blue Christmas service, the Christmas Day service, Lessons and Carols on the 29th and of course in the Christmas Eve service.
I want to thank everyone who provided music for any of the December services; your willingness to share your musical talents for the enrichment of worship services is truly appreciated, both by the congregation and by me.
We come now to the beginning of a new year and a new opportunity to become involved in some way with the music ministry at St. Jacob’s. God has given us all unique gifts and talents to use for His glory and to bring His word to a world in need. Please prayerfully consider using those talents in our music ministry.
Happy New Year and Soli Deo Gloria, Laurie
All members of our St. Jacob’s church family and friends are invited to keep Christ in Christmas as we worship on Christmas Morning. This service is “come as you are.” Children in pajamas, adults in relaxed and casual dress are all most certainly welcome. Come make a joyful noise and share in the blessing of Christmas with your church family. Worship on Christmas morning begins at 10 AM.
Our Christmas Eve Service of Worship will be held on Tuesday, December 24th beginning at 7 PM. Come worship the new born King! Join us and invite your friends and neighbors for our traditional candlelight service as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Christmas is not always a joyous time for everyone. Each year, there are some who will experience the Christmas celebration for the first time without a cherished loved one. There are also others who will find themselves facing difficult circumstances in life or loneliness. Still, the love of God out shines even the darkest night.
Once again, on the longest night of the year, we will gather for worship and give thinks for the light of Christ, especially as He comes to us at Christmas. Our entire church family, friends, neighbors and community is invited and encouraged to attend this candlelight service. Please be sure to tell others about this worship opportunity of prayer, peace and the power of God’s love. Worship for Blue Christmas begins at 6:30 PM on Saturday, December 21st.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to come worship with us each Wednesday evening in December for Advent Vespers. The focus of our worship will be our Need for Redemption, God’s Promise of a Savior, and the Fulfilment of the Promise through Jesus Christ. In keeping with the worship time of our Wednesday Evening Light, Advent Vespers will begin at 6:30 PM.
