Worship Service Archive

Worship and Music News

Posted February 4, 2019 By admin

So many wonderful things to talk about from the last month! The weeks leading up to Christmas are always rather hectic for a church musician no matter how much advance planning is done; but looking back at everything we did together as a church family in December and early January, I am amazed at the depth of spirituality that came out in every worship service.

A huge thank you: to Angela for all her hard work with the children for the Christmas program; to the youth who read the scriptures for the program; to the parents who brought their children to all the practices and to those who helped with costumes and props. “Come Let Us Adore Him” was a beautiful presentation of the Christmas story made possible by everyone working together.

To Wade, Kathy, David, Evan and John for the instrumental music on Christmas Eve – it adds so much to the service and brings joy to the congregation. To all those who attended the Christmas morning service – what a blessed, holy time that service was; a moment to take a deep breath and reflect on the birth of our Savior.

Many, many thanks to Pastor David and to Pastor James from New Hope for the guidance and support for our combined choirs’ Epiphany cantata. I’ve had so many positive comments from both choir members and parishioners, as well as suggestions for doing similar presentations in the future.

And now, I look forward to what the year 2019 will bring to the music program at St. Jacob’s.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(To God alone the glory!)
Laurie

Filed in Other Happenings, Worship Service

The Power of Prayer

Posted January 9, 2019 By admin

by Pastor David

The author of the book of James, Jesus’ very own brother, writes an epistle to the Church in which he exhorts believers in Christ to encourage one another in their faith. James teaches us to pray for those for whom there is genuine concern. James writes, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” James 5:16.

Here at St. Jacob’s, we have so many who believe in the power of prayer. I have been with folks praying for healing, for peace of mind and for calming of fear. I have also been with others to offer thanks to God in a variety of situations. I enjoy those times when I am able to pray with members of our church family and hear the petitions they bring to our Lord.

We also have a congregation that cares very much for the people whom they love, folks who are known to them, but perhaps not to the congregation as a whole. Each week, as we say the Prayers of the Church, I offer the congregation time to pray for those, who are on their hearts and minds either out loud or in the silence of their hearts. There were very few, at first, who would actually speak a name of a loved one aloud. I have noticed, lately, that more have become comfortable doing so. I also am convinced that many more people are praying in the silence of their hearts. Truly, at this point in our worship, we are a community in prayer.

Each month, the narthex prayer board becomes filled with names. I understand it has been the practice in recent years to recite each of these names during the Prayers of the Church. Given the length of this list, and our growth as a community in prayer, it is time that we offer the opportunity for others to speak the names of those loved ones on our prayer board in prayer, either out loud, or in silence. As James teaches us, it is not the voice of the one who recites the prayer, it is the faith through which the prayer is offered.

As pastor, I will continue to speak out loud the names of our church members appearing on our prayer list. I will also continue to allot time for the congregation to offer to God the prayers for those whom they love. I would also suggest that we continue to list on the prayer board, the names of those for whom there is genuine concern. Be sure that you have the person’s permission before hand, so that we may continue to list them in our worship bulletin while ensuring personal privacy. Be certain, the prayers offered by the community at worship are powerful as they are working. God knows the needs of those for whom we pray, just as he knows the faith in which you offer your prayers in love toward your neighbor. May the Lord bless you as you pray for those whom you love.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Pastor, Worship Service

New Communion ware and Assistant Training

Posted January 9, 2019 By admin

In November, the Altar Guild purchased two new pouring chalices and a new wine flagon for use during Holy Communion. With these new vessels, St. Jacob’s will be better stewards of the communion elements shared during our worship. All those who serve as communion assistants are asked to attend one of the scheduled training sessions in January. Holy Communion assistant training will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 6th and Sunday, January 13th.

Filed in Outreach, Pastor, Worship Service

Worship and Music News

Posted January 9, 2019 By admin

On December 2nd, the Children’s Choir sang “O Promised One, O Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, Messiah, come. May we see your Light and walk your way.” The adult choir followed by singing “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”, “Waiting for a King”, and “Waiting for the Promise” on the Sundays of Advent and “The Birthday of a King” on Christmas Eve.

The ancient prophesies that we read in the season of Advent tell us that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. That great light, the light of the world, was born as a helpless baby in a lowly cattle stall in the tiny village of Bethlehem. No one knew the significance of that birth, except a few shepherds to whom the angels appeared. It wasn’t until later, 12 days later according to the calendar, that a visit from three men, who had studied the ancient prophesies and followed the guiding of a strangely bright star, revealed that this child Jesus was indeed the promised one … Emmanuel … the King of kings … the light for whom the dark world had been waiting.

On January 6th, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates the arrival of the Magi and the giving of their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the holy child. The combined choirs of St. Jacob’s and New Hope Lutheran Churches will present a mini-cantata at 9 a.m. at New Hope and 10:30 a.m. at St. Jacob’s. Following each of the scripture readings, a special anthem will be sung to tell the story … from ancient prophesy … to the birth of Jesus … to the Epiphany, which is the revealing of the Christ child as God incarnate, the light and salvation of the world.

Advent – waiting for the light and preparing for the second coming of Christ

Christmas – the birth of the light as a humble baby who would walk with us in this world

Epiphany – the revelation to the world that Jesus IS the light for whom we have waited
Soli Deo Gloria!
(To God alone the glory!)
Laurie

Filed in Worship and Music, Worship Service