Love Yourself
[One of the scribes asked him] “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 3The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
Next to the commandment to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength, this is the second greatest commandment. Which begs the question, when is the last time you considered what it means to love yourself?
On the surface, I am sure we would all say we love ourselves. But if that were truly the case, why is it that so many people suffer from low self-esteem or have an unhealthy self-image? We live in a society of comparisons. When one person is judged against another, someone must fall short. The world cannot wait to push you aside. The devil is always ready to steal away whatever remains of your good character. So, how does one who suffers this fate learn to love their self? First, remember the greatest commandment. Love God.
Love the God in whose image you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Love him for his mercy and grace. Love God for the blessing of each new day and for the life he has given you. Love the God who first loved and will always love you. Through him you will find love not only for yourself, but your neighbor as well.
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the love you have for me. Help me to share such love with others. Amen.
Archive for February, 2021
Pastoral Devotion for February
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminWe Care
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminPlease continue to bring your donations of nonperishable items for We Care. You may bring your donations to worship with you on Sunday morning, or drop them off at the church office Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. When the list changes, it will be posted on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex.
Mid-Week Worship
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminPlease remember that St. Jacob’s offers a mid-week worship service with Holy Communion each Wednesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. For those who have been easing back into presence in public places and making extra care during the pandemic, this service might be a welcome addition to your weekly schedule. The gathering on Wednesday even is fairly small and there is ample room for physical distancing. The sacrament of Holy Communion is shared each week. This service is also streamed live on our congregation Facebook page. Anyone with questions or concerns may contact Pastor David Nuottila.
Mid-Week Bible Study
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminWednesday morning Bible study will resume on February 10 at 9:30 A.M. Our topic of study will be an in depth reading of The Lord’s prayer. As with prior online studies, we will meet via zoom.com. Anyone within our church family who desires to participate should contact Pastor David Nuottila for more information. Log in information for Bible study will be sent to each participant by way of email the day before each session.
St. Jacob’s Online Campus
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminWith all the difficulties surrounding the current pandemic, a new ministry opportunity has presented itself. Beginning with the season of Lent, Pastor David will launch a new format to our Christian Education ministry: the St. Jacob’s Online Campus for Christian Education. Initially, this online campus will be a place for Bible Study, small group discussions, and other learning opportunities. The online campus will include pre-recorded lessons uploaded to YouTube and will also have classes that meet live on Zoom.com. The online campus is open to anyone who would like to participate.
Our first online class will begin on Monday, February 22nd beginning at 7:00 p.m. Our study will be based on a SOLA Publishing Lenten Bible study entitled “Why Did Jesus Have To Die.” The materials are available through the church office at a price of $8.00. Everyone who wishes to participate should contact the church office or Pastor David to secure their copy and receive further information.
Mid-Week Lenten Series
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIt’s hard to believe but the season of Lent is nearly upon us. Our mid-week series will include a set of dramatic readings from characters from the Passion of our Lord Jesus. From the widow who donated her two pennies to the temple treasury to the man who provided Jesus with a donkey to ride on Palm Sunday these unique readings are presented in such a way that we might ponder the “Gifts of Lent.” We look forward to your attending our mid-week Lenten series. Those who would wish to participate in the readings should contact Pastor David.
Daily Devotions
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIt has been my pleasure to share daily devotions with the congregation and our friends on Facebook the past nine months. This has been an unexpected blessing for me in our current condition of the COVID-19 pandemic. So much so that it has become an enjoyable part of my daily routine. As we flip the page to 2021, I plan to continue this time of devotions and prayer throughout the year. I pray that more of our church family members will make these devotions a part of their morning routine. Please, feel free to share these devotions with your friends and family on Facebook as you are able.
Pastor David
Continuing Covid Response
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminIn our continuing effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, St. Jacob’s will continue our current protocols for social distancing and protection. Please remember these simple steps.
• Entrance to the church on Sunday morning is through the Fellowship Hall doors. This is to prevent groups from gathering in the narthex as others come in to find their seat.
• Use hand sanitizer as you enter the church nave. Sanitizer is provided on the table at the narthex doors.
• Although masks are not required to enter the building, they are required when the congregations sing liturgy or hymns. It is also a best practice to wear your mask while sitting in the pews. For this reason, everyone is to have a mask in their possession.
• Please remember to fill out a record of worship card and place it in the tray on the table at the narthex doors.
• Upon conclusion of the worship service, everyone is to depart the building. The aisle and hallways are to be kept clear. Conversations may be held outside.
These protocols are in place to ensure the health and well-being of our church family and visitors. The Pastor and Church Council will revise them as necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
Reading The Bible In One Year
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminWith the new year comes the opportunity to renew your commitment to reading the Holy Scriptures every day. The simplest way to accomplish this is to commit to reading the Bible from cover to cover in one year. It only takes fifteen minutes or so each day. Before you know it, you are well on your way to meeting your goal. Even if you get a late start, you can read just a little extra and it won’t take long before you’re caught up.
Several of our church family members have taken up the challenge and succeeded. Other have begun but have not quite made it. No matter. Just keep reading. God takes delight in those who grow in their faith through reading His Word. Reading plans are in the narthex. Pick one up today.
St. Jacob’s Altar Flower Sign-Up
Posted February 1, 2021 By adminYou can still sign up for Altar Flowers. The chart is hanging in the Narthex. NOTE: During Advent/Christmas Seasons only one vase of flowers is needed. Also, artificial flowers are never to be used in the altar vases and pot plants are to be used to enhance services on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday and Christmas Services – not as altar flowers.
