Pastor David and Rachel Shelton continue to host an online Bible study at our regular time each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. The lesson is sent out via email the day before if we have an email address for you so you can prepare. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. Participate by making comments in the comments section. Please give Facebook a try so you can participate. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.
Archive for May, 2020
Bible Study
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminSupporting We Care
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminEven before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community and especially as members of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s can and should consider becom-ing a strong supporters of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
All members of our church family are encouraged to make regular donations of non-perishable items that can be brought to the church and collected in the fellowship hall. During the suspension of church activities, donations can be brought to the church office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in our partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.
Pantry Needs
Donations of all food items are appreciated.
Listed below are some of the things that are in constant need.
•Peanut butter/ Jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Dried Beans
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna/Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip/Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, ie Toothbrushes, Toothpaste
Filed in Other Happenings, Outreach
Grace Notes
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminMembers of our church family and several of our friends have received, either in their email or U.S. mail, a copy of our newest means of communication. On the 15th of each month, we will be sending out a mini newsletter entitled “Grace Notes.” It is just one more way through which we can keep the congregation updated on the ministries and mission of St. Jacob’s.
Filed in Other Happenings
Honoring Our Graduates
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s honors this year’s high school graduates, Nicholas and Anna Grace. Nicholas is a graduate of Spring Hill High School. Anna Grace is a graduate of Chapin High School. We wish them both success as they begin a new chapter in their lives and pray that God continues to bless them with the gift of his love and grace through Jesus Christ.
Filed in Other Happenings
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted May 28, 2020 By admin“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV)
I have taken many lessons out of quarantine, a few examples: always having hand sanitizer on hand, gratefulness for face-to-face conversations, and many new meals that I can cook; but the most important lesson I bring out of this is the importance of the Word of God. I have always loved reading scripture, from early on in my life to studying it in college courses. It has always fascinated me and given me so much. With so much uncertainty in our world today, we should be clinging to the Truth. Our only source of life, peace, and comfort—Jesus. With all of the extra time, I was excited to be able to read some books that have been on my shelf for a while and to also revisit some of my old favorites; but I had to remind myself that although those commentaries and stories are great and helpful, they cannot take the place of Scripture in my daily routine. My daily worship has looked a lot like Psalm 119:105-112, which we studied last Wednesday, a prayer for a person who wants to dedicate themselves to the Word of God. It’s no secret that there is a lot going on right now and this is to be expected – since sin entered the world. God has given us the tools to have strength and hope even during times like these. In Lamentations Chapter 3, Jeremiah is sit-ting in a cave overlooking Jerusalem. If you know the story (or if you don’t, check it out), he is sitting in the ruins of the city amongst death and destruction. Jeremiah is at an all-time low, and similar to many of the Psalms we have read over the past two months, feels like even God has turned against him. BUT, the best part is found in Verse 21, “but this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” It goes on to say “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compas-sions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him…” Jeremiah shifted his thinking from himself to thinking about God. He remembered the promises of God. The only thing that was able to carry him through. Even though it didn’t look like it at that moment, he knew that God was merciful, compassionate, and faithful. We have the same option every day to believe this to be true or not. Jeremiah kept the Word of God at the forefront of his mind and recalled it during times of trouble. I want to reach for God before I reach for anything else, when I’m bored, when I’m uncomfortable, when I need answers or entertainment, and when I’m lonely. Help us, God.
Miss you all,
Rachel
Filed in Other Happenings, Youth Director
Church Family Reminder
Posted May 28, 2020 By adminEven as orders are beginning to be lifted by our Governor, please continue to care for each other. We may still have members who need errands run, medications picked up, or grocery needs. In order to keep those who are still at a high health risk for getting the virus, you can contact Sherry in the church office. Let’s continue to look after our church family at this time.
Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted May 1, 2020 By adminby Pastor David Nuottila
At the time of this writing, we are in the midst of stay at home orders, social distancing and the closure of many other public places. Sporting events are cancelled; concerts, theaters and many other forms of entertainment are also shut down. Even our houses of worship are affected by government guidelines for gathering in large crowds. All of this due to the novel coronavirus outbreak that has caused a world-wide pandemic.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway; in all of this I miss my church family. As a pastor, I thrive on the personal interaction we all share here at St. Jacob’s. I suppose I should consider myself blessed in that, from time to time, I do get to see and speak with members of our congregation, albeit at a distance. Still, it is no substitute for the conversation, smiles, handshakes and hugs we would normally share on a frequent basis. Perhaps this is why I am choosing to focus on community as a theme for my writing this month.
Our God is one who has always gathered his peo-ple into community with one another. Ever since his creating of the first human beings, our Father has called his people into relationships to be shared among the faithful. Our Lord Jesus even assures us that as even two or three gather in his name, there he is among them. Our God is close to his people. God’s people are to be close with one another. The community in which we live is a gathering in the mystical body of Christ himself.
Who among us has not missed the gathering of our church family? Who is it that has enjoyed this time of separation between family members, friends and loved ones? No one, no not one. Just as a pastor thrives on the social interaction of his flock, so too does the flock thrive as we share in our life together. I have heard from several that they cannot wait until this current crisis passes so that we can all gather again. I have heard from several others that they didn’t realize just how much they
have taken our Sunday morning gatherings for granted. Yet, for the time being, we will have to endure as we have been doing.
I am very thankful for those who have helped during our online worship services. Certainly, our worship is enhanced by the addition of music and the presence of those who have participated as readers, singers and musicians. We worship as we are able in a way that I hope is reaching beyond our congregation. I pray that as we continue to seek ways in which to strengthen the sense of community among our church family members, we strengthen the relation-ships we share as well.
Until we are able to gather as one congregation in worship, I will continue to pray for God’s guidance and inspiration as I seek ways to foster the relationship we all share as family members of St. Jacob’s. Yes, this will mean continued morning and evening check-ins and devotions. It will mean the posting of jigsaw puzzles on our Facebook page for families to work on together. And most certainly, it will mean a continued effort to hold each one of you in prayer as we remain separated by state and federal guidelines.
I pray that you all remain safe and healthy. I pray that you take the time to enjoy the relationships you share with those who are closest to you. And I pray, most of all, that in this season of Easter, the joy of Christ’s resurrection, the power of God’s love for his people, and the love that binds us together in faith remains first and foremost in your hearts and minds. God bless you and keep you in his grace.
Blessings,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion For May
Posted May 1, 2020 By adminCommunity In Christ
Read Acts 2:42-47
Each year, the National Geographic Channel airs a series in which ten competitors are deposited in a wild and desolate location somewhere around the globe. The purpose of the journey is to find out which of them is able to survive the longest in the wild while being totally, as the title would describe, Alone. The competitors have no contact with anyone. Only if they radio for assistance would they hear another human voice, but such a call means their odyssey comes to an end.
Being alone is contrary to the life God would have for his people. In the beginning, God created Adam but soon afterward made for him a helper and companion. Throughout the ages, God has blessed the human family that people may live in communi-ty with one another. In his book, “Life Together”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that, for believers, community is a gift of God’s grace.
Not all live in such community. Many believers are dispersed throughout the world and live among those who have not believed Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Yet, our God calls some Christians to love and even live among their enemies. Speaking the Gospel of Christ to those who do not believe provides the building blocks of faith, which in turn serve as the seeds that sprout and grow into the fellowship of faith.
God does not intend for his people to live alone. Filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers have what is needed to introduce others to Christ. Hearing the Gospel bring others to faith, and through faith, Christ establishes the community of believers.
