Another choir year comes to an end this month, and as is our custom, we will give the choir members an opportunity to worship in the pews with their families. I thank all the choir members for their hard work and dedication this year. I cannot express how much I cherish each of you.
The music program will continue through the summer. We will continue with children’s choir and bell choir as members are available.
“…We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.” Luke 24:21
So, Easter Sunday has come…and gone. Like so many others, our congregation had an absolutely wonderful Easter celebration. The choirs, musicians, flowers, banners and pews filled with God’s people made the day truly memorable. Several of our young ladies came adorned in their new easter dresses. Young men were looking mighty dapper, wearing jackets, ties and bright clothing. And many of our older men and women came sporting their “Sunday Best” as we gathered for worship on this day of all days. Yes, Easter Sunday is a day to celebrate, especially as we gather with friends and some who are new to our community. We worship together as one and give thanks to God for the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. The Easter celebration is always beautiful and spiritually invigorating. But the question remains, “So now what?”
The day after Easter Sunday signals a return to normal. For many, the Easter dresses have been put in the closet. Men have returned their Sunday best to the hanger. The flower cross where families gather for Easter photos has wilted and must be put away for another year. Still, even as we find ourselves in the midst of the fifty-day Easter festival, the trumpets are packed in their cases, hand bells packed away and the special music has been concluded. It’s now a little over a week following the big celebration and even clergy members who have taken time off have returned to work and resumed their daily struggle against the world. Naturally, the question begs to be asked; “Has Easter made a difference?” Does Jesus’s resurrection still impact you in your daily struggle against the world?
It happened just as Jesus said it would. God kept his promise to redeem his people, in fact, God is still keeping it. Every day, God acts to save those who have wandered from his grace. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus brings forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life to all who believe. Even as the troubles and worries of earthly life weigh on the hearts of people, God’s promise of salvation and life in his kingdom is true and eternal.
Today, God’s people find themselves once again walking along the Emmaus road. Like those two disciples who encountered the risen Christ, we are still imperfect people with minds filled with doubts and hearts burdened with fear. We still live in a fallen and broken world where bad things happen to good people. Yet, in our conversations concerning Christ Jesus, our life together as God’s people, we are reminded through Holy Scripture that Jesus is indeed alive. As we walk the Emmaus road, living and learning the way of salvation, Christ walks with us. The good news of Jesus’s resurrection and victory over the grave gives hope to a world hungering and thirsting for God’s redemption.
Jesus makes himself known in so many ways; through the loving hands of someone providing food to the hungry, in the comfort of shelter provided to a homeless person, and through the presence of a loved one who consoles those who mourn. Jesus makes his presence known to the Church and to the world in his teaching, through his example of servitude, and most especially through the breaking of bread and pouring of wine at God’s table of grace.
Yes, the annual Easter events in our churches and families are concluded for another year. Yet, the hope and joy of Easter lives on in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Because Christ lives, every day is an Easter day for God’s people. Every day is filled with the promises of God’s mercy and grace. As we continue in our struggle against a fallen world, I pray the hearts of God’s people are burning with the hope and joy of Easter. May we all live in God’s grace and continue to proclaim the good news. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottil
For those who are working through the year long Bible study, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus” we will have a time for conversation and encouragement to review what has been learned this far. We will meet in the church office on Tuesday, May 13th beginning at 6:30 PM. Do not worry if you have fallen behind. Everyone does at one time or another. Everyone is pretty much on their own schedule and the discussions will focus on personal reflections.
On Thursday, April 10th, 2025 the Up and Going met in the Fellowship Hall for the monthly meeting and to prepare a very important yearly project, one of our favorite projects.
Team Leader, Helen greeted and welcomed everyone. The Fellowship Hall was pretty with spring and Easter decorations. Helen gave the devotions, reading the Easter story from Matthew, chapters 27 and 28. Devotions ended with prayers and thanksgiving for our meal.
A delicious covered dish meal was enjoyed by everyone. It is surprising the variety and wonderful tastes available for our enjoyment. Special thanks to our great cooks.
After lunch everyone jumped in to fill the Easter Bags for Hospice. Twelve members worked diligently and with amazing efficiency to fill each bag with approximately one pound of goodies. Special “Thank You” to all who brought goodies for the Easter Bags. At 2:00 PM, 144 Easter Bags were filled, everything cleaned up and put back in its place and the bags ready for delivery.
Fifty bags were delivered to Lutheran Hospice at White Rock and the balance to Prisma Hospice on Colonial Life Boulevard, Columbia. Both facilities were so excited to receive these Easter Bags for their Hospice patients, so often forgotten. Huge “Thank yous” were received by Ann Lindler and Helen Lindler as they made deliveries. What a grand and glorious day this had been!!! Sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this project such a wonderful success.
May meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be a covered dish meal. See you then.
Helen
Team Leader for Up and Going
Mark your calendars, the youth are planning a congregational picnic for Sunday, June 1st, immediately following the service. Before the weather gets too hot, we need to take advantage of the picnic shelter. The youth will provide more information at the beginning of the church services in May. Make plans to wear comfy clothes on June 1st and join us for an afternoon of food and fun.
The youth began April with a cross walk for Lent and ended with a trip to Stars and Strikes.
We will meet May 4th and May 25th from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall to work on plans for the picnic, share a meal and worship our Lord.
The Lutheran Women hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12th. Children young and old had a visit with the Easter Bunny, made crafts, hunted eggs, and had snacks. Thank you to all the volunteers and participants that helped make this year’s Easter Egg Hunt a huge success.
Good Things at St. Jacob’s for March
Ministry Teams
Christian Education: Sherrie
Property: Gerald / Danny
Church Sanctuary Renovation Update (including moving altar)
Next scheduled meeting is May 6, 2025 @ 6:45 PM in the Church office.
Read Matthew 28:16-20
When we hear our Lord give the Great Commission, we understand finally that our response to Christ’s resurrection is to go into the world and tell others the good news of God’s salvation. Most Christians can quote this passage from memory; those who cannot certainly know where to find it in the Bible. But when congregations hear Christ’s command, the reaction can be varied.
As the remaining disciples gathered on the mountain with Jesus, Matthew tells us they worshiped him, but some doubted. Rest assured, the same condition exists within the Church today. Jesus says, “Go.” Yet, some doubt they are strong enough in their faith.
Others doubt they have the necessary knowledge of the scriptures. Still others feel they lack the training and skill needed to make disciples. All this said, the command given by Jesus stands. Our Lord says, “Go.”
As followers of Christ, it is incumbent upon Christians to learn. As the body of Christ on earth, it is incumbent upon the Church to teach and equip. As those called, gathered and sent by our Lord, it is incumbent upon us all to encourage one another, remembering Christ is with us even to the end of the age.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we go in your name, overcome our doubts with your peace and presence. Amen.
I’m not sure how many folks have been paying attention to the news of the ongoing struggle in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but there have been some significant and terribly unfortunate events taking place. The neighboring country of Rwanda has sent and supported militaristic factions and groups over the border and seized several of the bordering cities and other areas. These incursions have led to violent protests in several parts of the country, including the capital city of Kinshasa.
Given these political and military actions, Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I have concluded that I should not travel to the Congo this summer. Pastor Kalonji is Congolese and can blend in with the population while staying with family and completing our planned mission. Our amended agenda is for Pastor Kalonji to accomplish all that he and I had planned, including overseeing the construction of the parish building in Mbuji Mayi, education for laity, feeding orphaned children, freeing mothers and their babies from clinics, and supplying Bibles for those with such need. The decision regarding my travel breaks my heart as I pray for those pastoral colleagues and friends whom I have longed to visit. Please keep this situation in your prayers and ask God for resolution, reconciliation, and restoration of all that has been affected.
Pastor Kalonji will travel to Kinshasa at the end of June and upon his return home will provide a full report on his work and also on the political and social climate of the area. I look forward to hearing his report and to seeing photos of friends within the Lutheran Church whom I have been closely associated with over the last ten years.
For 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.
