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.
Worship Service Archive
New Communion ware and Assistant Training
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminWorship and Music News
Posted January 9, 2019 By adminOn 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
Christmas Morning at St. Jacob’s
Posted November 27, 2018 By adminOn Tuesday, December 25th, we will be having a Christmas Service at 10 AM. All are welcome to come and celebrate the birth of our Lord.
Filed in Fellowship, Worship Service
O Come Let Us Adore Him – Christmas at St. Jacob’s
Posted November 27, 2018 By adminOur celebration of the Nativity of our Lord will be held on Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve beginning at 7:00 p.m. Invite your friends, neighbors and family members to join us for Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion on this holiest of nights. All are welcome to come sing praises unto the New Born King.
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Advent at St. Jacob’s
Posted November 27, 2018 By adminThe season of expectation and waiting is finally upon us. Advent invites Christians into the time of longing for our Savior’s return in glory, to take us unto himself and the place which he has prepared. In this faithful waiting, we express our joy and wonder, marveling once more at the miracle of Jesus’s birth. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Services of Advent here at St. Jacob’s and hear once more the foretelling of God’s gift of salvation through Christ the Lord. The following is a schedule of our Advent observance.
• 7:00 p.m. Wed., Dec. 5th – The Prophecy of John the Baptist
• 7:00 p.m. Wed., Dec. 12th – The Annunciation unto Mary
• 7:00 p.m. – wed. Dec 19th – The Annunciation unto Joseph; Worship on the Longest Night
Children’s Choir Christmas Message
Posted November 27, 2018 By adminThe children’s choir is working hard learning music to help lead worship. We are talking a lot about Jesus as the light of the world. In Advent the children will call to Jesus, Prince of Peace, Messiah, to come show us the light that we might follow. At Christmas the children will ask us if we are ready for this light. Will we see Jesus as he comes to us? Will we see the person who needs our help? Will we reach out to those who are hurting? Will we be ready to follow wherever God leads us? And finally during Epiphany the children will announce, “Arise and shine, your light has come!” As we celebrate the seasons ahead we pray we will all be ready to let Jesus’s light shine through us. I encourage you all to talk to our children about ways in which you see Jesus in your day to day life and ways that we can all shine Jesus’s light on others.
Merry Christmas from the children’s choir.
Worship and Music News
Posted November 27, 2018 By adminDecember 1st is the beginning of Advent. It’s hard to believe 2018 is nearly over; I’m sure I only blinked a couple of
times! There are many worship opportunities in the coming weeks, including:
• Sunday services
• Wednesday evening Advent services, including a Longest Night service on December 19th (keep reading for information
on this special service)
• the Children’s Christmas program on December 16th (reception following)
• Christmas Eve Service at 7 pm
• Christmas Day Service at 10 AM
• a Service of Lessons and Carols on December 30th
• a Feast of the Epiphany special musical presentation by the combined choirs of St. Jacob’s and New Hope on January 6th
From Sola Publishing – Service for the Longest Night: The Seasons of Advent and Christmas can be a terribly lonely and difficult time for those who have lost loved ones. This service of the word and prayer is meant to provide a safe place to grieve and be comforted by God’s eternal love and light. It is often used on the night of the Winter Solstice, December 21st, the longest night of the year.
While the Children’s Program isn’t a worship service in the traditional sense, it is a time which allows the youngsters of the congregation to share the story of Christmas. “Come, Let Us Adore Him” promises to be a wonderful evening.
On Christmas Eve, you’re invited to arrive early – we will be singing carols starting at 6:45 as the pre-service music this year. The Children’s Choir will also be singing during the service. The Sunday after Christmas, December 30th, will feature even more carols as we respond to scripture with song.
And finally, we are very excited to partner with the choir from New Hope Lutheran to present a mini-cantata for the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s not often that the Day of Epiphany (January 6th, 12 days after Christmas and the commemoration of
the visit of the Magi) falls on a Sunday, so we hope that you will plan to join us for this special gift from our two choirs.
Please join us as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior this Advent and Christmas season.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Laurie
Filed in Worship and Music, Worship Service
Children’s Christmas Program
Posted October 31, 2018 By adminThis year’s Children’s Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 16 at 6 pm with a short reception following the performance.
The program, “O Come Let Us Adore Him”, is based on the hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
All children from kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to participate.
Practices will be on the following Sundays from 4 – 4:45 (immediately after Children’s Choir rehearsal): November 11th & 18th and December 2nd & 9th, with a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 15th at 10 am.
Adult volunteers are also needed; please contact Angela or Laurie if you would be willing to assist us with this program. The deadline is to let us know is November 4th if your child(ren) will be participating; it will help us greatly in our
preparations for the first practice.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Posted October 31, 2018 By adminOur annual Thanksgiving Eve service of worship will be held on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. Join members of your church family as we lift our thanks and praise to God for all the blessings poured out upon His people. Invite your friends and neighbors and together we will make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
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All Saints Sunday
Posted October 31, 2018 By adminThe celebration of All Saints is Sunday, November 4th. During the Prayers of the Church, we will remember those members of St. Jacob’s who have joined the Church Triumphant since last All Saints Day. During the prayers, as each name is read, a candle will be lit in memory of our loved ones. We welcome the opportunity to remember those who have gone before us in faith, and look forward to the day when Christ reunites all of his people in glory.
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