In the March newsletter, I provided a six point vision for our near future ministries here at St. Jacob’s. This month, I would like to update the congregation concerning each of these ministry vision points.
Create an Intentional Disciple Making Culture
I have met with our Discipleship Ministry Team leader Lynn Shealy, and we are working on a congregational activity to help us begin growing a culture of discipleship and mission. We hope to invite the congregation to be a part of this at some point during the summer.
Growing the Christin Education Ministries of our Congregation
The goal of this vision point is to enhance our Christian Education Ministry for all ages. The beginning steps are working with the children. Progress toward this goal is happening through the efforts of Angela Nuottila and Rachel Shelton and their plan for Musical Mondays. Children will learn what it means to praise God throughout their life. I am also dedicated to continue posting daily morning devotions and conducting Bible studies using our St. Jacob’s Online Campus on Zoom.com.
Raising up Leaders for the Church I have had an initial meeting with a small group of church family members to help in discernment concerning St. Jacob’s as an NALC internship site. The cost of internship is steep, but there is assistance available through the Carolinas Mission Region. We will continue to meet and discuss the possibilities of hosting an NALC intern in the future. I am also in the process of inviting the president of the North American Lutheran Seminary to come visit with our congregation and provide more insight concerning the need to raise up candidates for ordained ministry within the NALC. Team members for discernment are: Susan, Judy, Michael, Danny, John.
Grow in our Focus on Mission and Outreach
In May, Rachel and I took a tour of the NALC Disaster Warehouse and spoke with the administrators and our NALC Bishop. We will be planning ways for our congregation to become greater supporters of this ministry as the need continues to grow.
Develop a Welcoming and Inviting Culture
This is something that St. Jacob’s has been good at throughout the years, but we need to remain very intentional in inviting others to join us for worship and to become a part of our life together. I hope to meet with the Worship and Music Team soon so, we can plan an “Invite a Friend Sunday” when we welcome friends and extended family members to come worship with us.
Grow our Sense of Christian Fellowship
Perhaps the greatest challenge for us is to overcome the sense of social distance following the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions are eased and more people are vaccinated against the virus, we are able to open up our congregation to more activities. I am hoping that our auxiliaries (Men, Women, Up and Going, Youth) will resume monthly meetings and enjoy time together.
Archive for May, 2021
Six-Point Vision Update
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminMid-Week Bible Study
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminOur morning Bible study has resumed meeting in person each Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Our topic for study through the end of June is I AM WHO I AM – A Study of the Holy Name of God. Everyone is invited to attend as they are able. There are no special materials required and no experience necessary. All you need is a desire to gather with members of our church family as we learn more from God’s Word together. Bring your Bible with you and enjoy this time of study and reflection.
Sunday School Teachers
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminIf you’ve ever thought about teaching Sunday School, now is your chance! We are now opening our classrooms again to new volunteers. There is only one class for our younger members, and it is a great opportunity to serve and have some fun! The lessons will be given to you two weeks in advance so you will have plenty of time to look over them before your scheduled date. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are currently scheduling through the end of the year, so there are many dates available. If you have any questions, contact Rachel or Sherrie. We would love to assist you in any way that we can.
VBS
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminCome and explore a world of concrete and cranes, rivets and rebar, bulldozers, and backhoes, and learn to build your faith on Jesus as we uncover the truth that ‘He who began a good work will be faithful to carry it on to completion’! St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church will host Vacation Bible School Monday, June 21st – Thursday, June 24th from 6:00-8:00 PM each night. Join us at 5:45 PM for a shared meal before we kick off each night learning about God through games, lessons, crafts, and music! There are classes for all ages, even adults! Come, fellowship, and learn about how to build a STRONG FOUNDATION of love, forgiveness, worth, and promises of Jesus! We cannot wait to see you there. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, reach out to Rachel at rachelshel10@outlook.com.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminLast week, Pastor David and I were able to travel to Kings Mountain, NC to tour one of the two disaster response warehouses in the Carolinas Mission Region. We were able to see what items were needed and how they facilitate collection and distribution. The flood buckets and health kits even grew in quantity while we were there. This was also very special because we were joined by the NALC Bishop, Dan Selbo, and many other CMR Pastors. We have many ideas for our congregation to partner with the warehouse and Mission Region in the future. We are collecting cases of bottled water over the next month. This was the biggest need that we saw while we were there, and we would love to help where we see a need. If you would like to help, you can place the case(s) on the specified table in the Fellowship Hall. We will collect over the next couple of weeks and delivery will be announced at a later date.
Thank you in advance,
Rachel
Musical Mondays
Posted May 19, 2021 By adminMusical Mondays starts June 28th, we are so excited to offer singing, handbells, games, and crafts, all praising God through music. This is open for all children who have completed first grade and up. Sign up on the Narthex bulletin board by May 22nd so that we can purchase music and supplies. We will meet each Monday from June 28th -August 9th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM with lunch included. Due to the NALC Convocation, there will be no meeting on August 2nd. Musical Mondays will conclude with an evening presentation, more information will follow.
Small Steps Toward Normal
Posted May 19, 2021 By adminIn the wake of Governor McMaster’s removal of the state-wide mask mandate, face masks are no longer required for singing at St. Jacob’s during worship. Those who wish to continue to wear facemasks are welcome to do so. As we continue our journey toward resuming our pre-pandemic practices for worship, we will enjoy singing hymns and liturgy without the wearing of facemasks. We will also resume standing while singing during the appropriate times of our service (during singing of hymns and liturgy). Also, facemasks will not be needed by children during the Children’s sermon.
Hand sanitizer will remain available on the table near the entrance to the church nave as will a supply of disposable facemasks for those who wish to wear one. Thank you to all for your understanding throughout the time of our COVID-19 response during the past year.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Posted May 19, 2021 By adminOur Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume on May 26th, the Wednesday between Pentecost Sunday, and Holy Trinity Sunday. Considering the timing of our schedule, our topic will be I AM WHO I AM. A Study of the Holy Name of God. This will be our first in-person Bible Study since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
All who desire to participate should meet in the fellowship hall on Wednesday, May 26th at 9:30 AM. No special materials are necessary, just bring along your favorite Bible and a desire to study God’s Word with your friends and church family members. Facemasks are not required but anyone who feels they should wear one is welcome to do so. It will be a good opportunity to resume the fellowship that we have been missing since last March. Join us, won’t you?
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted May 4, 2021 By admin“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21
In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate the day of Pentecost. Of course, this is the day when God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It is also known to Christians as the birthday of the Church. There is no way the remaining eleven apostles could have understood that their proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, made to the people of Jerusalem, would be such a defining moment and set in motion a mission and ministry that would endure throughout the world for over two-thousand years. But here we are, that far removed from the day the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered together in prayer waiting, as Christ commanded, for “power from on high.” The power received by the apostles is the greatest power known to the earth. No other powers can stand against the power of God’s Holy Spirit nor can any earthly power take away the promise of God’s salvation, made certain and true, through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
Surely, the powers that defy God continue to attempt to undo what God has done through Christ. The devil and his minions will hurl their fiery weapons at believers, but God will not allow those unto whom he has poured out his Spirit to falter. Even the COVID-19 pandemic that fell upon the whole earth was not strong enough to silence the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One year ago, as you will recall, St. Jacob’s like so many congregations throughout the country had ceased meeting in public for worship. Our very first gathering since halting our weekly in person worship services was on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. We gathered outside in the parking lot, heard God’s Word, sang our thankful praises, and celebrated Holy Communion. As we participated in our service, a number of cars, vans, and trucks passed by. Our worship service on that beautiful sunny day served as a visible reminder of God’s love for his people and that the proclamation of the Gospel cannot be silenced even by a world-wide pandemic. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news anyone could ever hope to receive. It is our story to tell, our life to share, and our hope for everlasting life in God’s kingdom of glory.
My prayer this Pentecost is that God would stir our congregation to such faithfulness that we cannot help but share the gospel of Christ Jesus, and that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we experience the disciples’ joy, living in the fullness of God’s grace, loving our neighbor and extending our Savior’s love to all who are in need. Like the apostles who first proclaimed this wonderful news of God’s grace, we must continue to provide such a faithful witness to the world and community around us. Who knows? In keeping with the rich tradition of the Church of Jesus Christ, as begun by those twelve ordinary men whom our Lord called to be apostles, the Good News we share just might live on in the hearts and minds of our neighbors here in Chapin, and become a power that not even the devil himself can oppose. This is the Pentecost message. That God has poured out his Holy Spirit upon all who are Baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Spirit will move as he will, transforming those who hear and respond to the Gospel.
Nearly two-thousand years ago it all began with twelve ordinary men whom Christ had chosen. And now it continues, for Christ has chosen you to be his witness to the world around you. God bless you as you live out your calling to be his disciple, sharing the Good News with all whom you meet.
Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit. Stir up the hearts of your, faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion for May
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminThe Great Deception
Read Matthew 28:11-15
From Galileo to Columbus, the world has had difficulty accepting things that challenge long held belief. The earth is the center of the solar system and the world is flat. When challenged, these long held truths found support by kings and emperors. Pope Urban VIII even had Galileo stand trial because he dared question these perceived realities. One might think that the Church would be open to new possibilities, especially since it is the Church which was born out of such a discovery. After all, once crucified and buried, dead men do not escape the grave.
After making their report to the authorities, the guards assigned to Jesus’ tomb were paid to keep the story from spreading. After all, if the resurrection were real, then everything Jesus said and taught would also be true. The priests and Pharisees would have some explaining to do. Better to keep it quiet.
Since that first Easter day, the world has tried to do just that; keep news to the resurrection quiet. All sorts of stories and theories have been offered, the oldest one being concocted by the temple authorities claiming the disciples stole his body. Some asserted that Jesus did not die, and when he was taken from the cross was revived. Still others say Jesus wasn’t crucified at all; it was an imposter who hung on the cross. Try as they might, such claims cannot be substantiated because they are not true.
God sent his Son into the world to save people from their sin and that’s just what he did. All who believe and are baptized are saved. Just as the world is PASTORAL DEVOTION FOR MAY round and the earth revolves around the sun, God’s people are raised to new life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There really can be no point in raising new questions, defending old assertions and supporting the notion of life without Christ, unless one intends to live apart from God.
Prayer: Almighty God, fill us with your truth, that we may tell others the news of Christ’s victory.
Amen.
