On Sunday, May 10, St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church held its final worship service before Pastor Angel Jackson departed for her sabbatical. She will return to the office Monday, Aug. 24, and conduct her first worship service following her return on Aug. 30.
Pastor Herb Garnes, who served as pastor at St. Jacob’s from 1970-2007, will lead worship services while Pastor Angel is away. Numerous lay members of the congregation also will contribute by sharing their faith stories in support of St. Jacob’s 2026 theme, “Telling Our Own Stories.”
Near the end of the May 10 service, following communion and before the benediction, Karen Drake, Chyme Burnham and the congregation conducted a “Liturgy of Sending and Blessing” for Pastor Angel.
Following that, Garnes was surprised by being named pastor emeritus of St. Jacob’s. Tom Dwenger, president of the St. Jacob’s Church Council, presented Garnes with a plaque reading: “Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herbert J. Garnes III, Pastor from 1970-2007. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.”…