Animals Speak
As the youngest of three daughters, one Christmas little Rebekah found herself underfoot. Hoping to provide her youngest child a distraction befitting the Christmas season, Mama explained to Rebekah that one of the gifts of Christmas Eve is that we can hear the animals speak if only we listen closely and patiently. Eager to
Animals Speak
As the youngest of three daughters, one Christmas little Rebekah found herself underfoot. Hoping to provide her youngest child a distraction befitting the Christmas season, Mama explained to Rebekah that one of the gifts of Christmas Eve is that we can hear the animals speak if only we listen closely and patiently. Eager to receive this special gift, little Rebekah ran to find her Grandmother Bouye’s milking stool, seated herself on it, faced her dog Penny, stared deep into her pet’s eyes, and watched Penny blink in tandem with her, hoping to hear her dog talk.
Rebekah says she has always imagined what Christmas must have been like with the animals in the barn surrounding the manger. “Christ was born around animals. I love that He was born in a simple place to simple people.” This vision and her childhood wish to hear animals speaking on Christmas Eve sparked in Rebekah a desire to capture the sweet humble nature of Christ’s birth. In the same way the Holy Spirit gently woos us, Rebekah says the writing of the annual Christmas play is a labor of love that cannot be forced. Instead, next year’s story begins formulating in her mind on the drive home immediately following each year’s performance and unfolds throughout the next year while Rebekah weeps, prays, and often writes late into the night or early morning as the Holy Spirit reveals the story to her.
“I have been writing these stories for over 30 years, and I love every minute of it. Each story is unique and special in its own way. My favorite is the one Peter Crawford narrated as the voice of God from backstage and the imperfect angel is chosen for the Christmas night job of leading us to the barn because the angel fulfills that most special task despite her imperfection. That story captures the truth that Jesus came into an imperfect place to save all of us imperfect people.”
Thank you to all of the parents who bring your children to play practice, all of the kids (many of whom are now adults) who dutifully memorize their lines, and all of the many people who work behind the scenes to make the annual Christmas play a success, allowing the animals to speak.
Written and submitted by Christie Cook
©Mt Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2023
Clodhopper
The proud owner of off-white mules with chunky heels, 15-year-old Summer Gambrell couldn’t wait to wear her new shoes to church, despite her father’s advice that they were not the best choice for an acolyte. The next Sunday, she reverently bowed and stepped up to the altar when her right “clodhopper,” as her father had labeled t
Clodhopper
The proud owner of off-white mules with chunky heels, 15-year-old Summer Gambrell couldn’t wait to wear her new shoes to church, despite her father’s advice that they were not the best choice for an acolyte. The next Sunday, she reverently bowed and stepped up to the altar when her right “clodhopper,” as her father had labeled the new shoes, fell off her foot. The noise reverberated throughout the quiet sanctuary. Summer regained her balance, but when she turned around to collect her shoe, she caught sight of Fred Vallejo laughing hysterically and her father giving his all-knowing “I told you so” look from the pew. Needless to say, she never wore those clodhoppers to church again.
Summer’s church family has sustained her during the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Despite her faux pas on the altar, Summer’s embarrassment was short-lived due to the sense of love her church family members have always provided, walking alongside her in her journey of faith. At 16, Summer had a heart procedure at MUSC. She can clearly remember Fred Carter calling to check on her and Bob Addy writing a letter of encouragement, as he too shared the same condition. She fondly remembers the valuable lessons she learned from the Willyerds in Sunday School, which were sweetened with an endless supply of Bubblicious Bubble Gum. She will never forget Ann Spainhour beaming with pride as Summer and her dad stood at the back of the church before she walked down the aisle at her wedding. She healthfully weathered her dad’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing steeped in an outpouring of love and support from the entire church family. Summer lovingly remembers when both of her children were baptized at Mt. Tabor and was overjoyed when she dropped her daughter, Everly, at Lutheridge, reminiscing about her own childhood spent there with church friends.
Summer has lived in Charleston for 25 years, but still calls Mt. Tabor home because it set the foundation for her faith. “Returning to Mt. Tabor is like going to my grandparents’ house - that warm, familiar, and inviting place where everyone is always happy to see me and wants to hear all about what I’ve been up to.” Growing up surrounded by her Mt. Tabor family shaped the person she is and what she is passionate about today.
The care, concern, and loving-kindness provided for children and youth at Mt. Tabor helps them form strong foundations of faith that sustain them throughout their lives. By accepting responsibility for accompanying them on their faith journeys, promising to keep them in your prayers, teaching them the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed, and reminding them of their baptisms, you fulfill the promises you make at their baptisms to be a sign of God’s love for them.
Written by: Whitney Glass; edited by Christie Cook
Copyright @Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024
A Lifetime of Serving
For many years, if you attended a service at Mount Tabor on a Sunday morning, you would have been greeted by a smile and friendly hello from Paul Jacobs.
Paul was fortunate that his mother, a member of a Pentecostal Holiness congregation, compromised with his father, who was a Lutheran. Since the family made their new
A Lifetime of Serving
For many years, if you attended a service at Mount Tabor on a Sunday morning, you would have been greeted by a smile and friendly hello from Paul Jacobs.
Paul was fortunate that his mother, a member of a Pentecostal Holiness congregation, compromised with his father, who was a Lutheran. Since the family made their new home in The Avenues of West Columbia, they became members of Mount Tabor.
Paul always felt the need to serve his church and its members in many ways, eventually finding his niche as Worship Coordinator for the early service on Sundays. You would find him arriving at 7:30 to open the doors and get everything ready, and often not leaving until after noon.
Through his service, he created a second family built by mutual faith and what would become more than just friendships. Through prayer and acts of kindness, this church family helped to carry Paul and his wife when they were at their lowest point. Paul says, “The church members delivered many meals, took me to doctor’s appointments or the hospital, or simply called to chat and check-in.”
“I have always believed in the power of prayer, but when you are on the receiving end of those prayers, you feel something truly amazing and a peace you have never experienced before,” Paul affirms.
Paul found that the church he had spent a lifetime serving was now ready to serve him. Paul’s experience at Mount Tabor is a reflection of the generosity, love, and servitude freely offered to all who make their home at Mount Tabor. Martin Luther attested that “we should be guided in all our works by this one thought alone - that we may serve and benefit others in everything that is done, having nothing before our eyes except the need and advantage of the neighbor.”
Author: John Matthews
Editor: Grace Fuson
Copyright @Mt.Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024
Whole
For as long as she can remember, music has been the single constant in Mary’s life, through highs and lows, through traumas, and through celebrations. After becoming a mother, that part of her life fell the way of most adult pastimes once children enter the scene, but Mary came to realize “the longer that music was not an intentional
Whole
For as long as she can remember, music has been the single constant in Mary’s life, through highs and lows, through traumas, and through celebrations. After becoming a mother, that part of her life fell the way of most adult pastimes once children enter the scene, but Mary came to realize “the longer that music was not an intentionally active part of my life, the harder it was to feel like I was whole…it’s like I was missing out on who God created me to be.” Over time, Mary’s children became involved in the music-related activities at Mt. Tabor, and watching their joy reminded her of her own passion, so Mary expanded her involvement from the adult choir to also learning handbells. And then one day, she heard members of the handbell choirs talking about a camp called Lutheridge that hosted an annual handbell retreat – “I had never even heard of it but decided it might be fun.”
It was more than just fun for Mary. She found a connection, not only to others in Mt. Tabor’s choirs, but to everyone who appreciates that worship and praise via music is a holy and intimate connection to God. Mary’s experience at Lutheridge has drawn her back to the hills of Arden multiple times since that inaugural trip a decade ago. “Those weekends at Lutheridge not only create a bond with fellow choir members,” Mary beamed, “but they serve as a reminder that scores of other ringers have found their spiritual missing links through music as well…Music has been one of God’s greatest gifts to Creation, so it’s only natural that we do all we can to use that very gift to worship and praise Him.”
Finding a sense of belonging and purpose made Mt. Tabor feel like home for Mary, who says “it was worth every step in my journey.” Like Mary, we all have gifts to offer. We thank the musicians and all the others who work tirelessly to share their gifts with Mt. Tabor, gifts that raise us up in our faith and bring us closer to God.
Written by Tex Davis; edited by Joyce Riley
Copyright @Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024
JUMP
Tony came to them at five months old and stole their hearts. Megan Lyons and her husband Cory took in the sweet baby boy through a fostering program, and ultimately adopted him. Originally from Indiana, Megan wasn’t familiar with churches around Columbia, SC, but friends who are members of Mt. Tabor encouraged her to visit our chur
JUMP
Tony came to them at five months old and stole their hearts. Megan Lyons and her husband Cory took in the sweet baby boy through a fostering program, and ultimately adopted him. Originally from Indiana, Megan wasn’t familiar with churches around Columbia, SC, but friends who are members of Mt. Tabor encouraged her to visit our church and bring Tony to Sunday school. While watching Tony thrive with other children, Megan discovered it was also a great pathway for her to meet new people. Megan found herself engaging more, thanks to the children’s programs and attending the Sunday services, along with the other programs offered throughout the week. The connection that Megan felt through our worship services and the pastor’s sermons solidified her regular attendance. She could be found most Sundays front and center on the pulpit side of the sanctuary, with Tony beaming at everyone seated around them. Megan shared that “Pastor Wade’s sermons can radiate into anyone’s heart to help them through so many difficult walks in life. From first-time moms going through constant diaper changes, exhaustion, and days without time to even shower, to the parents fraught with fear, sending their now grown babies off to college, his sermons speak to everyone.” When Megan welcomed her second child in 2018, a precious little girl named Emma, it became clear to her that joining this church was the right move for her growing family.
After bouncing back from Covid, adjusting to being a mom of two, and feeling the strong need for community, Megan jumped in with both feet. Tony, Emma, and Megan were all baptized and officially became part of the Mount Tabor family. Megan says she “is so grateful for the support system that is her church” and has expressed her belief in “giving everyone a chance, because that’s how deep-rooted relationships are made.” Megan took on the VBS program in 2023, and she is now full speed ahead. The program was a huge undertaking, and she is rightfully proud of its success. Megan believes “the achievements of VBS last year were because of YOU – our church family. Thank you for your faithfulness, dedication, and never-ending love.”
Megan’s can-do attitude is all her own, but you also can find your niche in our Mt. Tabor community. Thank you to all the members of Mt. Tabor, who share a deep history of graciously welcoming new members and encouraging them to grow their unique gifts with love and acceptance, and yes, to jump in with both feet!
Written by Anna Scyphers
Edited by Joyce Riley
Copyright @ Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, 2024
Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church has been serving the Cayce West Columbia community for over 130 years. We are only five minutes from lovely downtown Columbia and we are located near the Congaree River on the corner of B Avenue and 10th Street within the historic avenues of Cayce West Columbia.
Rev. Wade Roof
Senior Pastor
Rev. Rus Stilwell
Pastor of Visitation
Ms. Stella McGee
Parish Administrator
Mr. Kevin Davis
Director of Music & Arts
Jesus Christ is Lord of all life.
We are all sinners in need of God’s love and grace.
We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone, apart from our works. This is God’s love great love for us–his love poured out for us through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection to new life.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of the church’s proclamation, faith and life.
The church is the gathering and fellowship of those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and is the primary expression of God’s love on earth. This community is a people created by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative and redeeming work in the world.
In other words, we are an imperfect group of people surrounded by God’s perfect love and grace.
We celebrate two sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion, as the God-given means for penetrating our lives with love and grace.
All are welcome at Mt. Tabor!
Gathering, Serving, Spreading
Copyright © 2024 Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.