On 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.
Worship Service Archive
The Vocation of Marriage Sunday
Posted July 1, 2025 By adminInto 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.
Easter Divine Services
Posted April 14, 2025 By adminOur traditional Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for 7:00 AM on Easter Sunday, April 20th. A Festival Service of the Resurrection will commence at 10:00 AM. This service will include a full processional, Gospel Procession and Trumpet accompaniment as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Please invite family members, friends and neighbors to join us on Easter Sunday.
Into the Liturgy, part 7
Posted April 7, 2025 By adminThe Sanctus
As the divine service continues, it reaches its peak in the singing of the Sanctus (pronounced Saanktoose). This singing is the highest form of praise to the God who created all that is seen and unseen, saves his people from sin, and grants believers eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. In the singing of the Sanctus, heaven and earth collide as the saints on earth are gathered at the table alongside the saints in heaven. Christians join their voices with the singing of the Seraphim Cherubim around the throne of God. We also join the cry of God’s people as Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem. The Sanctus (Latin for Holy) is the Church’s own canticle of praise as she greets the crucified and risen Lord who comes to us through the Sacrament of the Altar. For this reason, the Sanctus is to be sung boldly, with loud music and voices.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Eucharistic Prayer is a thanksgiving prayer that is said in the consecration of the bread and wine during the Christian Eucharistic liturgy. This prayer includes the Word of Christ’s institution of the Sacrament (Verba) declaring his divine presence in, with, and under the elements of the bread and wine. Jesus says, “This is my body, given for you; this is my blood, shed for you.” Jesus’s words are spoken by the one agent whom he has called to preside at the table. His words connect the sacramental elements to his promise of forgiveness and eternal life. These are the means through which the elements are consecrated. This particular bread, and this particular cup, consecrated before this particular assembly are the means through which God extends grace. Received through faith, the body and blood of Christ are eaten and drunk for the forgiveness of sin. The Verba concludes with the Lord’s Prayer.
Holy Week – April 13th-19th
Posted April 6, 2025 By adminHoly Week this year begins as always on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Saturday, the eve of the Resurrection of our Lord. Palm Sunday worship will commence on the sidewalk in front of the church (weather permitting) with the Blessing and Procession of Palms. It is Christian tradition that on Palm Sunday, the Passion narrative of Christ is read before the assembly. A brief sermon my precede the reading of the Passion, but preferably the preaching clergy allow the Passion of Christ to speak for itself.
Divine service will resume with the Great Triduum (Three Days) beginning on Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Christ’s giving “a new commandment” (Mandatum). Through his washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus gives the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” which takes the form of selfless service to others. The service reaches its climax as God extends his table through the receiving of the Sacrament of the Altar. In remembrance of Jesus’s betrayal and arrest, the altar and church nave are stripped of their worship appointments as the cantor sings Psalm 22, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” The service includes no benediction (Good Words), and the congregation departs in silent reflection on Christ’s passion and his approaching crucifixion.
The Divine Service resumes on Good Friday with the traditional Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows). Worshippers gather in silent reflection, pondering the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf. The service includes the confession of sin, solemn reproaches and seven readings concerning the crucifixion and death of Jesus. With each reading, light is diminished until the church is shrouded in darkness. Once more, at the conclusion of the service, the congregation departs in silence as it awaits the good news of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
