Pastor Archive

Mid-Week Bible Study

Posted November 7, 2023 By admin

Our Mid-week Bible study has resumed with the topic of Scriptural Retirement. Join us as we explore what retirement means for life in the church. The study is adapted from a Bible study written by Pastor Brad Hales, Director of the NALC Aging Ministries. All are welcome. Mid-week Bible study meets at 9:30a.m. on Wednesdays in the church office.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8.
Early in his first epistle, John states clearly to the Church that, although through Christ our sins are forgiven, no Christian lives without sin. Salvation is not found through moral perfection, but through the sacrifice of God’s only Son. This truth is realized when the children of God strive to walk in the light of Christ.
Sometimes we bear grudges. We remember the sins committed against us and are wary of the sinner lest they repeat the offense. Other times we fail to realize how our actions hurt someone else. John teaches us that people who practice such behavior really do not understand the concept of grace. If we claim forgiveness through Jesus, but cannot forgive others or confess our sin, we are not walking in the light of Christ. The best we can do is stumble in the darkness.
John reminds us of who we are, people who have known the Father. Knowing the Father means knowing the Son, through whom we are forgiven. So too are we to forgive as we have been forgiven. Christ died for our sake and also for the sake of those who sin against us. Through him only is their salvation. This is the truth in us.
Prayer: Holy God, help us to live in the light of Christ, forgiving others as you forgive us. Amen.

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted October 9, 2023 By admin

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13
At the time of this writing, it is still the middle of September, but October is on the horizon. October! It seems summer has simply flown by. Yet, even as I prepare to travel to England, for a much-anticipated vacation, I can’t help but reflect upon all we shared the past few months, while un derstanding that there is much to plan and prepare for during the months ahead. Our church calendar is filling up with activities, least of which is our annual Homecoming Sunday and recognition of St. Jacob’s Golden Agers. Trunk or Treat, Reformation Sunday, and All Saints Sunday are also coming very soon. Yes, it will be a busy time in the church. As you begin making room for the many opportunities for your church and family in October, let me ask a direct question: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day?
Each morning, Christians wake up to the opportunity to show the love of Christ Jesus to others, have compassion for the weak and vulnerable, and forgive where someone has done wrong. We are to re-present Christ especially to those who may not realize God’s activity in their lives. As God’s people we also wake up to the Christian responsibility to thank God for the many blessings He showers upon us, and to offer Him the finest of what we can offer of ourselves.
When a child of God begins each new day with such emphasis, the life of discipleship begins to take hold and we live into the calling God has for each one of us. So again, this begs the question: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day? In my asking this twice, I hope you are not simply waiting for my answer. I hope you are not expecting me to offer a directive for the church that challenges you to do your part as I see it, for such is not my intent.
I am asking this question because as followers of Jesus Christ, we each respond to His call to follow in different ways. Some are able to engage in the life of the congregation more regularly than others. Some have time enough to come to the church and serve on committees, provide services such as lawn care and cleaning, others may even show up every time the doors are open.
Others among us have different responsibilities. Within our church family, we have parents with small children, members who work not just one, but two jobs, and still others who may have health related issues that prevent them from participating as they once did. Yet, no matter where we may fall in this broad spectrum, as God’s people, each one of us shares the Christian responsibility to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We all share Jesus’s calling to go into the world and make disciples by sharing with them the good news of God’s salvation. So, understanding this, I’ll ask one last time: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day? As Pastor, I will do my best to help you discern the answer to this question. I will do what I can to help you pray, study God’s Word and live among God’s people so that you might hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit who is calling you to a life of discipleship.
I will continue to pray for you and your family, preach to you the gospel of Christ Jesus, lead you in worship and teach you and your children the faith in which we baptize. In turn, I pray that you too will help me to further discern the answer to our question, for even pastors need to learn to take time to enjoy their relationship with our loving heavenly Father.
Yes, October signals the beginning of a busy time for the church. It is one filled with opportunities to worship God, love our neighbor, and enjoy the fellowship of God’s people. Take a good look and identify those opportunities where you and your family can grow in faith and discern your answer to the question of discipleship. Choose to take time each day to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, seeking God’s kingdom first. Then be sure to share His blessings of grace, mercy and peace with those whom God places within your midst. Soon, you will realize you are living the life of discipleship, and the question will have its answer.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

Read: Matthew 4:17-22

What was it that Jesus noticed about Simon and his brother Andrew? They were merely simple fishermen casting their nets. The same might be asked of James and John. They were not doing anything out of the ordinary. They were going about the work of fishermen also, mending their nets. Why did Jesus choose these four out of the crowd? We can only speculate, but Jesus surely knew more about their character than we, or they ever could have known.
Upon hearing Jesus’s call, Simon and Andrew, and James and John immediately left their nets and their lives behind. Following Jesus, they learned from their teacher what it means to love God and to love their neighbor. They followed Jesus doing the things he taught them in the way he showed them.
Jesus continues to call ordinary people into his service. In fact, Jesus calls all Christians to be his disciples. He calls Christians to follow him, learn from him, and do the things as he has shown them to do. What has Jesus noticed about you? Why did he choose you out of the crowd? The truth remains, if you are a baptized follower of Christ, he has called you, an ordinary person, to follow him and be his disciple. How will you respond?
Prayer: Give me the will and desire to follow you, Lord Jesus, that I may be your disciple. Amen.

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted August 13, 2023 By admin

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Well, here we are at the beginning of August, the month that signals a change in the lives of people. With the impending conclusion of summertime, plans are being made for children to return to the classroom, vacation times are drawing to an end, and even for the church, we plan for the coming autumn months.

At St. Jacob’s, we find ourselves in the same pattern of life as so many other congregations. We have had a wonderful summer season. Our volunteers planned and hosted an amazing Vacation Bible School. Several of our children participated in the Solid Rock Day Camp. Sunday school attendance and participation has greatly increased. The Journey Sunday School class worked diligently in completing improvements to our church office building. Angela led another great time of Musical Mondays for our youth hand bell group. And on a personal note, I was able to participate in an amazing mission trip to Congo.

All in all, the 2023 Summer season at St. Jacob’s found our congregation quite actively engaged in the mission God has set before us. But now, it is time for a change in seasons. The author of Ecclesiastes, in his wisdom, reminds the people of God that there is a time and a season for every matter under heaven. Even as congregations conclude their summer programs, there are still many opportunities to serve our loving God. In the pattern of Christian life, there truly is a time and a season for everything.

Many of us enjoy hearing the words of Ecclesiastes 3 that speak of the times and seasons. Perhaps this is so because we remember the song that came out of the 1960’s that quoted these verses. But keeping the passage in context, the real blessing of the wisdom shared by King David’s son (also identified as “the Preacher”) comes to us in the verses following the identification of the times and seasons for all matters under heaven.

In Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 we read further: “What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.” The Preacher’s observations on life convinced him that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). Man’s fate, the Preacher maintains, does not depend on righteous or wicked conduct but is a mystery that remains hidden in God (Ecc. 9:1). All attempts to unravel this mystery and thereby gain the wisdom necessary to secure one’s fate are “vanity,” or futile. In the face of such uncertainty, the author’s counsel is to enjoy the good things that God provides while one has them to enjoy, for man does not know his own time.

So what does this mean for the people of God today. Well, the same thing it meant for God’s people of all time. We are to live lives of thanks and praise to the God who supplies all that is
needed for daily life. We are to love God with our whole being, and our neighbor as ourselves. All the worries and cares of this life are placed well within the hands of the One who created and
sustains humanity and all that is captured within this world. Living as thankful people, we can find joy in learning from God’s Word together, while exploring the richness and blessing of the
relationship we share together in Christ Jesus.

For everything there truly is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. There is a time for us to worship together, a time for us to laugh and cry as a family of faith; a time for us to play, and a time for us to work in mission and ministry for the sake of others. There is a time to cherish our life together and a time to grow and share all these blessings with the community around us.

As the season of summer draws to its eventual close and the autumn of 2023 breaks in upon us, let us all give thanks to God for the times and seasons we have together in this place, and let us pray that God would continue to bless our congregation well into the future with a vibrant life together, inviting and welcoming others to become members of the family of St. Jacob’s here in Chapin.
Grace and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

2023 Congo Mission Trip

Posted August 9, 2023 By admin

With Pastor David and Pastor Stephane Kalonji’s return from Africa, the Most recent Congo Mission Trip is now complete. This year’s trip was a successful mission of the Gospel. With God’s help and the support of so many people, we were able to feed well over 400 children, and free nearly two dozen mothers and their babies from detention in hospitals. We distributed will over 200 pairs of eyeglasses, led Christian education seminars in three locations, and worshipped with the people of Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi. Thank you to all who supported our mission with your donations and prayers. Plans are already being made for our 2024 trip. We pray that God will continue to bless the Congo Mission as we take Christ’s great commission seriously and go into the world sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This year’s NALC Lutheran Week completes a six-year focus on the Holy Trinity, concluding now with “God the Father Creates…in His Image,” as the theme for the Braaten-Benne Theological Lectures. However, it seems appropriate to conclude this cycle with the theme, Mission Dei, as we celebrate the fact that everything we do as a mission-driven Lutheran body comes from God and His mission—that we are to go into all the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preaching the good news of salvation in and through Jesus Christ—to the whole creation!

This year’s Mission Convocation will indeed be a mission-oriented and mission-driven gathering! While there will be necessary times dedicated to reports, actions and elections—including the election of a bishop—highlights will be the several “On Fire for Mission” sessions, focusing on domestic mission, international mission and mission related to congregational life. These will begin with brief Bible study and devotional periods, followed by presentations on the theme, with extended time for table talk, reflection, breakouts, and strategies for “taking it home!”

There will also be a Faith Formation Festival (“Everything You Want to Know About Youth & Family Ministry”) and the Gathering of the Women of the NALC (“Using Our Gifts to Serve”) earlier in the week.

The hope and prayer of all involved is that this will light a spark or fan the flame for mission, that we return home inspired and excited about Mission Dei—the work and mission of God in our local congregations, in North America and throughout the whole creation!

Larry Shull will serve as St. Jacob’s lay delegate to the convocation.

Pastoral Devotion for August – Rely on God

Posted August 4, 2023 By admin

Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Read Matthew 6:25-34

How often do you wake up today and you are already worried about tomorrow? If that is the case, it is likely you went to bed already feeling the pressure of a certain circumstance or the ill effects of something you perceive to be a looming problem. And so it goes for so many in our world.

Our Lord Jesus teaches us that we should not worry. We should not worry about clothing, food, drink or anything else under the sun. When we worry or become anxious about things we have or don’t have, we rely upon ourselves to alleviate the problem.

Yet, truthfully, we are to put our trust in God who provides all we will ever need for life. As our Lord Jesus says, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us his kingdom.

Worrying about tomorrow’s problems today only causes them to become stumbling blocks for
today’s opportunities. Lift up your worries and cares to God in prayer. Commend them to the Lord. As you do, you will soon realize his presence in your life each day, and the anxiousness for
tomorrow will be replaced with the joy of Christ today.

Prayer: Lord, I put my trust in you, knowing you will provide all I need. Amen.

As [Jesus] drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Read Luke 18:31-43

Jesus told them plainly; once they reached Jerusalem, he would be turned over to the Gentiles, be beaten and then killed. Yet on the third day, God would raise him from the grave. Even as we know this to be true, the disciples had difficulty accepting Jesus’s words. The prophets foretold it; Jesus affirmed it, but the disciples simply couldn’t face the truth that all Jesus said would certainly be accomplished.
Sometimes, when presented with the truth, we have difficulty accepting it. An adverse diagnosis, news of a tragedy, financial woes, or simply owning up to our own failures; each of these can cause us to discount the present reality. Too often, denial leads to disbelief. Even as we know the truth, we are apt to turn a blind eye hoping everything will pass.
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man called out to him. Those lining the streets tried to stifle his voice, yet he called out all the more. Though blind, he had vision; he knew Jesus was the Christ, the one promised from God, the one who would redeem Israel, the one who had the power to restore his sight. Facing the truth, he called upon the Son of David, and his sight was restored. The truth remains today, Jesus, the Son of David is the one who has mercy and restores the people of God.
Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, restore our sight, so that we may accept the truth of your grace. Amen.

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted July 11, 2023 By admin

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1:22-24

At first thought, when I began writing this installment for the newsletter, I thought it seemed a bit selfish of me. What God placed on my heart was an aspect of ministry that I very much love but seem to have less and less opportunity to engage in. I’m speaking of youth ministry and ministry to children.
Throughout my career as a pastor, I have seen both sides of the coin. In my first call, there were few children, but the church was one with a heart for mission and an outward focus. My second call was much different. There were many children and youth members but the focus of the congregation was more inward than outward. One common factor between the two was that the youth and children enjoyed doing projects for the sake of other people. As pastor and people, we planned outreach mission projects, and the youth of the church naturally gravitated toward the activities along with their pastor, parents, and grandparents. Eventually, many more congregation members joined in and enjoyed the fellowship that went along with activity.
In Charleston, we took field trips to food pantries, gave away sausage biscuits, juice, and coffee to folks who walked by our church on Sunday mornings. We provided a monthly grocery distribution out of our fellowship hall for those who were economically challenged. All the while the children of the church were alongside watching, learning, and doing.
In Salisbury, the children and youth would shop for warm coats, hats, gloves, and backpacks for kids in the elementary and middle schools near our church. They had a lot of fun doing so and learned how to apply Jesus’ teaching about loving our neighbors to their every day lives. Certainly, young Christians love getting involved in the mission of the Gospel.
This evening, following the first night of our VBS, I was reminded of the time when I was the leader of the first Carolinas NALC Campfirmation Cluster. Each summer, nine of our congregations would join together in sending their youth to camp with their pastor. Volunteers from the various congregations provided lunches and other kinds of support. We engaged in all the usual camp activities. Campfire, songs, skits, crafts, hiking, and even cookouts in the national forest. You might think these activities were the highlights for the kids, but you would be mistaken. Each year, we would read the evaluations from the campers in which they said the worship services each day (matins and vespers) were their favorite part of the day. The next favorite camp activity was the service project we did.
Our group had a relationship with a facility for adults with special needs. Each year we would enlist all our youth members and put on a carnival for the clients. We painted bird houses, played musical chairs, had face painting, and all sorts of other games. Oh yes, we also had plenty of music. Singing with the clients was a treat and everyone enjoyed the smiles and laughter.
So why is this on my heart? Well, it’s mainly due to the declining numbers of young people we have within our midst, and the few volunteers within our congregation actively engaged in outreach mission. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very pleased with the response of our church family when it comes to supplying for the needs of others, and our Mercy Bag ministry is a blessing for many. But when is the last time our congregation rolled up our sleeves and pitched in at a local facility that helps others? When is the last time we scheduled an outing or mission project and brought our youth along to help out? Truly, it has been quite a while since St. Jacob’s has engaged in such activities.
Truth be told, young people love getting involved, especially with older members of the congregation. And as they do, they invite their friends. When this happens, the Holy Spirit breathes a fresh breath of life into congregations that are in need of renewing ministries. As I said to one of our young adult members last week,” Please invite your friends to come worship with us, we could use more young people among us.” But even if they come, we will need to have something to keep them here. Serving others provides purpose and meaning to their young lives.
Yes, youth ministry is much more than playing games, watching movies and going bowling. It is teaching the youth how to be disciples of Jesus Christ, by doing the work of the Gospel and inviting them to accompany us as we do it. As older members of congregations sometimes grow content with being hearers of the Word only, and not being doers of the Word, the younger generation falls away because the message from the pulpit is not compatible with the life of the those who gather. Jesus came “as one who serves, not as one to be served.” (Mark 10:45). The key is for able bodied Christians to actively engage the mission of the Church, inviting children and youth to be a part of the activity.
Yes, being hearers and doers of the Word of God is attractive to young people who want to make sense of the message they hear from church. It’s imperative that we give them that chance to become hearers and doers. Those who are hearers only fall away after a time, or at best, become lethargic in their faith. We are all called by Christ to be servants for the sake of others in need. Our response to Jesus’s command makes all the difference.
I am deeply appreciative of the small number of church family members who do regularly volunteer engaging the mission of the church. Thank you also to Lynn and Susan Shealy for taking the youth shopping for Mercy bag items during VBS. That was a wonderful way to get them engaged. Of course, to be even more effective and to become a congregation known as one with a heart for mission, there is plenty of room for more volunteers who would take up their cross and follow our Lord Jesus. Please consider how you might respond to this call to mission.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila