Whoohoo! It has begun!

Whoohoo is not as good as “Hallelujah, but it translates pretty close. Whether we use Hallelujah or Whoohoo, let’s get excited. The renovation of the kitchen started Monday, April 13! I find myself going back there every 30 minutes or so just to see the progress. I never knew deconstruction could be so exciting and look so good.

From now until the project is finished, we will probably have the kitchen doors locked off to most of us. There is really not much in there now you can use…it has been emptied out. No ice, no sinks, no pans, no spoons…no nothin’! It is one big beautiful empty box. I get more and more excited with every new thing the construction workers do.

Now for the challenging work. We are trying to continue on with Wednesday Night Dinners. The menu will be basic, but delicious. The Wednesday Night dinners will rotate between hamburgers cooked on the grill, pizza from our two favorite pizza joints, and hotdogs cooked on the grill. Thanks to our Grill Master Todd and our every faithful Kitchen Krew! Again, it will be a basic menu until completion. We are hoping the project will be over on Wednesday, May 13. You know what our welcome back meal will be…oh yeah! Fried Chicken, mac-n-cheese, a great salad and a few other items filled with deliciousness.

This no Kitchen Zone will also affect our Celebrate Recovery Meal on Sunday evenings. They will likewise just work from a very basic menu for a few weeks. It will be worth it all when we get back to our full schedule!

Until then, see you Sunday, good Lord willing!

Pastor Tom

PRAY CHARLESTON 2026

“I urge, then, first of all, that petition, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Pray Charleston, 2026 is not just a good idea, it is a “God” idea! The Apostle Paul, moved by the Holy Spirit, records our Father’s heart when it comes to praying for the city where you work, live, play and learn. We waited until Easter Sunday to roll out this prayer mission. It was our hope to present it to as many people as possible and to influence as many as possible to join us in Pray Charleston 2026. We made available prayer materials that will help you know “what and who” to pray for. Of course, you do not have to use these materials. You may already have a plan in place. Great! If you need a little guidance, we have it available. By the way, if you were not here Sunday with the other 414 of us (insert Hallelujah right here!), we do have it available. You can find it right outside the office door. Or text us, and we can make sure you get it. If you are homebound or live away and would like to participate, we will mail it to you and show you where you can get it on line. Anyway we can, we want to lead our church family and friends to Pray for Charleston.

Jeremiah 29:7 says to us, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have called you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” We also have some postcards if you would care to write a note to someone you are praying for. Your first responder might like to hear that someone is praying for them…I suspect their families would be thankful as well. Let your government officials know you are praying for them. (Please, do not use the JIBC post card to write negative comments)

“Who’s your one?” Who is that one person that is near to you but far from God? Would you ask Father to reveal a name to you and then commit to praying for that person. It can be someone who is dear to you or someone who is near to you. They are also dear to God but may not be near to Him. Let’s pray for them this year. Please let us know when your one comes to know Him. We would love to celebrate with you!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing!

Pastor Tom

MISSION: PRAY CHARLESTON 2026

Pray Charleston 2026 is really a part two, a follow-up of Pray Charleston 2025. We joined over 60 different church families of various denominations and non-denoms, to cover Charleston in prayer 24 hours a day for the entire year of 2025. This year, JIBC is taking a little different route. We are inviting and equipping our church family to pray for our beloved cities on a regular basis, not just on the 10th of every month. We will have hand-out materials and on=line material to help you have options on who and what to pray for this year. Some will pray daily, some will pray regularly, but maybe not daily. I always thought half a loaf is better than none. So, no matter how often you pray, you are a part of the Mission: Pray Charleston 2026.

Two key Bible Verses to be familiar with. Jeremiah 29:7 says “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

The second verse is 1 Timothy 2:1-2. “I urge you, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers , intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness.”

AN ACT OF WORSHIP

Each year we invite our church family and friends to “flower the cross” on Easter Sunday. You may bring flowers from your own yard (or a neighbor’s yard!) or purchase flowers to share. You bring them to the worship center before the 9:00 and the 11:00 services. We will have volunteers there to help place them on the cross. It really is a beautiful way of viewing the old rugged cross. It is transformed into that “wondrous attraction to me”.

AN ACT OF SERVICE

Our JIBC family has several ministries that are in need of volunteer servant and leaders. Would you pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He would send forth workers? (Luke 10:2)

First, we have a wonderful opportunity to reach young adults college and career ages. This demographic is attending JIBC but we do not have a Connection Group for them. Perhaps you are the one. Let’s talk.

Second, our preschool ministry is growing and we need a few extra hands. The particular age group is the 2 and 3 year old classes. Best case scenario involves three people for the 10:00 hour and three people for the 11:00 hour. The current leaders will try to get you on a rotation so you will serve once every month or so. Great opportunity for a Connection Group to serve together.

Third, we need two workers, this one is a paid position, to keep the nursery for Celebrate Recovery. There are many times when there are no children. But when there are, we want to provide for the preschooler so the parent/s can attend Celebrate Recovery.

Fourth, our beloved Kitchen Krew is falling apart! Bless their hearts, they have served faithfully for many years. They hit a streak when all of them were down and out at the same time. The kitchen renovation is coming at a perfect time for the Kitchen Krew to recover. If you have ever thought of helping in the kitchen and literally serving the church family, they could use your help.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom