The public school year is about to begin, and with that we will have a blessing of the backpacks and bookbags for students in all grades. Please bring your backpack or bookbag with you to worship on Sunday, August 3rd. We will pray for our students, teachers, and school administrators that they would have a safe and fruitful year in school.
Worship Service Archive
Blessing of the Backpacks
Posted July 30, 2025 By adminMusic Notes
Posted July 15, 2025 By adminIt’s time!
The new choir season starts August 27th with a covered dish dinner at 6:00 PM and a read through the music for the fall. Come join the choir family, enjoy fellowship, and praising God through song. We look forward to the new year of music. All are invited. No previous experience needed!
Thank you!
Over the last four years the congregation has sent me to the Chorister’s Guild Institute for training in leading choirs. Thank you for this tremendous opportunity. It’s been intense, exhausting, exhilarating and truly meaningful. For a week each summer, a group of students gather to learn conducting, music education methods, and choral skills along with a variety of other topics. The day begins with worship, classes and workshops, and ends with lots of homework in the evening. I have now completed the institute and can’t wait to share what I have learned with our choir, handbell choir and children’s choir.
VBS 2025!
Posted July 10, 2025 By admin
VBS 2025! Thank you for being part of a great week of VBS. We were reminded that when we are wandering, when we are alone, when we are powerless, when we need hope, and when we need a helper….we can always trust Jesus!
Thank you to all of our volunteers. Many thanks to Sandra, Davis, Gerald and Billy for preparing our meals. Thank you to Karla and Renee for crafts, Angela and Emma for Music, John, Tracy, Katelyn, Isabelle, and JT for games, and Julie Z, Donna, Raine, Judy, Patricia, Julie S, Lynn, and Kendra for shepherding our kids to each of the rotations and Pastor, Susan and David for sharing your time and lessons with the youth and adults. Thanks to all our participants too! You made VBS fun!
Sanctuary Renovation Update for July
You may have noticed already, but the pew refurbishing and the new pew cushions installation is complete! This is the first phase of the renovation and was completed the last week of June. If you were at worship on Sunday, June 29th, you have already had an opportunity to see the new blue color and try out the comfortable cushions!
We know you are wondering why some pews were left untouched. The simple answer is that these pews will be removed when the carpet is installed. It will look a bit odd for a brief time, but the pews will eventually be arranged in a way that allows for additional wheelchair seating toward the front and back of the sanctuary.
The next phase will involve carpentry work beginning in the narthex. This work will likely begin mid-August. We will keep you updated as the project progresses!
Midweek Bible Study Returns
Our Midweek Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd beginning at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. Our topic for study will be Recognizing Jesus in the Old Testament. This seven week study is for anyone who desires to learn more of how the Son of God is revealed to us through the books of the Old Testament. There are no special materials required. Just bring along your Bible and a desire to have a healthy and faithful conversation centered on the revelation of Jesus through the writings of Moses, the Psalms and prophets.
The Vocation of Marriage Sunday
Posted July 1, 2025 By adminOn June 13, 1525, Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, establishing a profound example of Christian marriage as a sacred vocation. Their partnership embodied mutual respect, faithful companionship, hospitality, and spiritual ministry. Luther emphasized marriage as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, calling couples to mutual love and support, grounded in God’s sustaining grace. As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin and Katie Luther’s marriage, the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) renews its commitment to strengthening the vocation of marriage and supporting families in their journey of discipleship and honoring marriage as a spiritual vocation shaped by grace, while prayerfully supporting those experiencing separation or divorce.
This year, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora was commemorated on June 13, 2025. Their marriage was an event that helped reform not only the Church, but the Christian household itself. Martin and Katie’s marriage became a living witness to faith, companionship, and the daily practice of grace.
To mark this historic anniversary, our congregation will join the NALC in observing a Vocation of Marriage Sunday during this Season after Pentecost. The NALC is inviting every congregation to take part in planning a special Sunday to honor the vocation of marriage, affirm the dignity of all Christian households, and strengthen the Church’s witness to covenantal love. St. Jacob’s is planning a unique Sunday service for July 6th, with special liturgical materials, Scripture reflections, prayers, and even a rite for affirming marriage vows during worship. Support and strengthening of Christian families is central to living in faith together. Therefore, whether you are young or old, married or unmarried, widowed or divorced, this Sunday is for you.
Into the Liturgy, part 9
Posted June 20, 2025 By adminThe Nunc Dimittis
As Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple, Simeon beheld the fulfillment of God’s promise to send his Messiah. Simeon, having remained in the temple throughout his advanced years, gazed upon the infant Savior, praising God. Like Simeon, the Church looks upon her Savior as she receives Christ’s body and blood through the Sacrament of the Altar. We give thanks to God, for through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ we receive the full measure of God’s forgiveness and grace. Therefore, in the words of Simeon, we can depart in peace, God’s Word has been fulfilled.
The Benediction
As God instructed the priest Aaron (Numbers 6), God calls his ordained servant to pronounce the LORD’s blessing upon his people. God imparts his name upon the congregation, sending them back into the world with his peace and protection. Worshipers return to daily life filled with the promise of God’s countenance (his presence and favor).
The Exhortation
With the Divine Service now concluded, the children of God are called to be living examples of Christ’s love engaged in his Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). As we return to daily living, Christians are called to “Go in peace to serve the Lord.” We serve God by sharing the good news of the Gospel with the world while loving and serving our neighbor.
St. Jacob’s Youth Leading Worship
Posted June 14, 2025 By adminOn Sunday June 29th, our St. Jacob’s Youth from grades 6 and higher will be leading us in worship. We are grateful for the many wonderful and talented kids we have in our church family. Please plan on attending and offer your prayers of support for our youth as they grow in faith and service to the greater church.
Vacation Bible School
Posted June 5, 2025 By admin
Come join our Alaskan adventure Monday, June 23rd through Thursday, June 26th. A light supper will be served each night starting at 5:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Instruction will begin at 6:30 PM and ends at 8:00 PM. There will be fun, fellowship, activities, games, crafts, science experiments, and music. We will study scripture that reveals that Jesus is a faithful friend that we can always trust. Be part of our adventure as we see majestic mountains, racing rivers, sparkling glaciers, and the northern lights. There are classes for all ages! Bring a friend! Don’t miss the fun. Pastor David will lead an adult class in the church nave. Join the members of our church family as we enjoy our time together learning more about the love God showers upon his people through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Anyone who is willing and able to help out during the week should contact Sherrie McTeer. There are plenty of opportunities to serve.
Welcome New Members
Posted May 29, 2025 By adminOn Sunday, May 25th we welcomed Ms. Amber Helms and her son James (Jace) into our church family. Amber and Jace come to us by way of transfer from Living Springs Lutheran Church in Columbia. We give thanks to God as we welcome them to St. Jacob’s.
Into the Liturgy, part 8
Posted May 14, 2025 By adminThe Agnus Dei
The Agnus Dei (Latin for Lamb of God) is a confession of the saving work of Jesus Christ acknowledging Christ’s true presence upon the altar in, with, and under the elements of the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The singing of this praise is directed exclusively to Christ, not in his being somewhere out there, but as he is truly and physically present for the assembly while he comes to feed his people the feast of his Body and Blood, the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing for the forgiveness of sin.
The Distribution
From the hand of the Pastor to the mouth of the communicant, Christ feeds his sheep with the heavenly food of his true body and blood. Those who are baptized eat and drink in faith, believing that what is proclaimed, “Given for you” is what is received; the true body and blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. In the sure and certain promise of salvation, the gift of eternal life is conveyed through the believer’s eating and drinking, for where there is forgiveness of sin, there is salvation through the divine sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son.
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus
Posted April 17, 2025 By adminFor those who are engaged in the Max Lucado Bible Study, Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks, our next quarterly gathering will be held in the church office Sunday school room on Monday, April 21st beginning at 6:30 PM. Don’t worry if you have fallen a little behind, everyone is on a different schedule. The discussion will include various parts of the study according to how much has been read. Please plan to join us.
