Faithful Teachers
Read James 3:1-13
From the earliest of ages, even the most prolific pastors, theologians and Christian authors were first taught the faith by others. Parents, grandparents taught the faith in their homes. In churches, it is volunteer Sunday school teachers who engage in the faith formation of our youngest Christians. In my formative years, it was a teacher nurtured my faith and convinced me I should explore a career in ministry. Certainly, there is power and influence in the words of teachers.
James warns teachers concerning the power of words. Like the small rudder of a ship, the tongue has the power to steer the course of peoples’ lives. Especially in Church, the tongue can do insurmountable damage. A word misspoken from the pulpit can lead a congregation down the wrong path. Words spoken in confidence can wreak havoc if shared with others. Even words meant for encouragement can be misunderstood if spoken carelessly.
It goes without saying, even teachers of faith have their shortcomings; we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. All Christians, especially pastors and people in lay ministry are called to speak the truth concerning our lives as God’s children. Again, we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. Therefore, we must pray that our words remain true and that we speak this truth in love.
Prayer: God of mercy and grace; bless the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, that they may be fruitful in your sight. Amen.
Archive for September, 2022
Pastoral Devotion for October
Posted September 29, 2022 By adminLutheran Men’s Sunday
Posted September 29, 2022 By adminSt. Jacob’s Lutheran men led the congregation in worship on Sunday, September 25th. Thank you to all our men who participated and lent their gifts to the service of the church and sharing God’s Word among his people. Thank you also to St. Jacob’s Choir Director, Angela for assisting the men in their planning and participating in this service.
We are very thankful for the ministry of our St. Jacob’s men and pray that God would continue to bless them in their ministry among us.
Council Briefs for September 2022
Posted September 29, 2022 By adminGood Things at St. Jacob’s in August 2022:
Reception for Sherry Floyd
Trees removed in front of Administration Offices and stumps ground down
Sale of Church bus for $8800
Pastor provided a handout to the Council about “NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit”. The Council was asked to review the program for discussion at the October meeting.
The Pastor has stepped down as the leader of the Carolina Region Mission team. Pastor David plans to use this time to focus on the growth of St. Jacobs.
The Council interviewed and offered the Administrative Assistant position to a qualified candidate; however, she declined the offer due to personal reasons. The Administrative Assistant position remains open. If anyone in the congregation is aware of a qualified and interested candidate, please contact a member of Staff Support or a Council Member.
Staff Support Policy and Procedures draft was reviewed and approved by the Council.
The Congregational Care team provided an excellent reception for Sherry Floyd.
The team will be meeting for revision on the Bereavement Groups.
The Stewardship team met to complete plans for the upcoming Yard Sale on September 24, 2022, and to determine a date for the distribution of Time and Talent sheets.
The Church bus was sold on August 27, 2022, for $8,800. Many thanks to Nate Nickel for his work on the completion of this sale.
A copy of the 2022 Budget was distributed to the Council. The Council will be working on the 2023 budget at the upcoming meeting in October.
In lieu of Homecoming, it was decided to celebrate a “Golden Agers” Sunday on October 23, 2022. A meal is planned to follow the service, with the church providing fried chicken, b-b-q, hash, and rice. The congregation will be asked to bring covered dishes for sides and desserts.
The Up and Going Apple Run was planned for September 15, 2022. The Church will pay for the rental of 2 passenger vans, with the cost not to exceed $800. (The trip was completed at a cost of approximately $600)
The Safe Sanctuary Policy was reviewed by the Council with a lot of discussion and was tabled for later review.
Pastor David received a request from a local AA Women’s group, requesting space to meet on Sunday evenings.
The Council approved the request, allowing the group to meet in the Church Administrative Building.
Mercy Boxes
Posted September 14, 2022 By adminSt. Jacob’s is continuing to make Mercy Boxes for We Care. If you would like to participate, please take one of the yellow flyers off the table located at the Narthex doors which shows you what needs to be purchased to fill the box.
We appreciate all that you do to support our community.
We appreciate all that you do to support our community.
Stewardship News
Posted September 10, 2022 By adminThe stewardship team is excited to announce that we will be continuing our Annual Yard Sale this fall. The event will take place on September 24th in the Fellowship Hall. We encourage members to donate!
Please know that we will be accepting the following items:
• gently used children’s clothes/shoes (NO ADULT CLOTHES OR SHOES)
• Coats! (All sizes acceptable)
• household items (NO ELECTRONICS- NO TVS-NO COMPUTERS)
• Toys, strollers, baby gear, etc.
• Kitchenware
• Small furniture (NO MATTRESSES)
• Holiday and home décor
Please donate the above items that are in good condition as soon as possible to the STAGE AREA of the Fellowship Hall. We would like to thank the Lutheran Women for their support, they will be providing breakfast and lunch refreshments to be available for purchase. In the past, we have had several other groups that participated (bake sale, produce sale)
if you are a group or individual that would like to join, email Nicki Peeples(nickipeeples@gmail.com). Proceeds will be going towards the Congo Mission and internal church projects (TBD). We are excited to start this fundraiser back up and look forward to helping out missions and church efforts! Any help is welcomed and appreciated on the day of the sale! As we have done in the past, all unsold items will be donated to local charities.
Please help us spread the word to family and friends! “May the god of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Hope to see you all there.
Lutheran Women News
Posted September 8, 2022 By adminWe will have our monthly meeting on Sunday, September 18th at 4 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Lutheran Men News
Posted September 8, 2022 By adminWe will have our monthly meeting on Sunday, September 18th at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Choir Notes
Posted September 5, 2022 By adminPsalm 98:4-6
4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
There is no doubt that God loves our music. Throughout scripture we are told to offer songs to God. In 1Chronicles, we are told that after David’s armies had subdued Israel’s enemies, the people were able to settle and David assigned duties to the Levites, the clan chosen to be priests and care for all things related to worship. In 1Chronicles 23, David chooses 4000 men to be in charge of the music used in worship. David knew that our offering of music was pleasing to God.
In the book of Revelation, John is given a glimpse into heaven where he sees the heavenly host gathered around the Lamb of God singing. Verse 4 tells us that each of the elders holding a harp fell down before the Lamb and they sang a new song. Then angels numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand encircled the throne and sang. And finally John heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea singing. There is no doubt that God loves our music. The music of our worship service is an offering to God. Just as we bring our gifts of money, and offer prayers and praise to God each Sunday, we also give an offering of music to God. Some of the songs of our worship are old familiar hymns that we love. Some of the hymns are newer and we may not be as familiar with them. But all of the hymns are an offering of music to our God and we join those elders, and angels and all the host of heaven and earth singing new songs and much loved songs to our Lord. On Sundays, sing out with gusto. If you can’t carry a tune, sing out with gusto, God will hear the beauty of your voice in offering to Him. If you aren’t familiar with the song, sing out with gusto. God will accept your offering with pleasure. If you are afraid to sing, sing out with gusto and join your voice to all those voices in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea. God will hear your offering and there is no doubt that God loves our music.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted September 4, 2022 By adminRead John 17:1-26
As a part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples (John 13-17), Jesus prays what is known as his “High Priestly Prayer” (John 17) for the faithful men who have accompanied him throughout his three-year earthly ministry. He prays for these men who were once fishermen, or perhaps simple laborers, one was even a tax collector. In the three years they were with Jesus, he called these twelve ordinary men to be apostles; disciples sent into the world with a teaching for God’s people. Though one would later betray him, the apostles became Jesus’ closest friends and companions along the entire journey from Galilee, all the way to Jerusalem and the cross.
Through the prayer Jesus offered on their behalf, our Lord asked that the Father would continue to guide and protect those whom he entrusted to him. Jesus prayed that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles would be one with him, just as Jesus is one with the Father in a relationship of divine love. Not only did Jesus pray for the twelve, but he also prayed for you and me, and for all believers who would come to faith through the witness and testimony of the apostles.
Reflecting on the text of Jesus’ Farewell discourse and “High Priestly Prayer,” I can say with conviction that even as we have to say farewell to our Administrative Assistant and beloved friend, Sherry Floyd, we will continue to pray for her in her faithful service to our Lord Jesus. For over eight years, Sherry has been a partner with St. Jacob’s in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has been a faithful worker in the vineyard God planted here in this place, approaching her position each day, not simply as a job to do, but as a ministry she offers in thankfulness to the one who is Lord of all.
In the nearly five years that I have been blessed to know Sherry, she has become one of my most trusted co-workers throughout my pastoral ministry. Sherry and I have been through many wonderful experiences together as we have shared in the ministry of St. Jacob’s. Like it was with the apostles and Jesus, we have also seen our fair share of life’s challenges and emotional moments. I can empathize with the feeling Jesus had for the twelve in that saying farewell to one of my closest companions in ministry is not something that is simple to do. Still, as I know everyone at St. Jacob’s will, I pray for Sherry and Joe, that they will enjoy a time of renewal and restoration in their retirement together. May the Lord bless them and keep them. May the Lord’s face shine upon them and be gracious to them. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon then and keep them in peace.
Blessings,
Pastor David
Pastoral Devotion for September
Posted September 2, 2022 By adminWorship the One Who Saves
Read Mark 14:1-11
The chief priests and the scribes supposed him a threat, so they conspired to arrest him and have him killed. Judas Iscariot turned traitor and made arrangements to betray him, receiving a handsome reward for his dubious effort. Such is the backdrop of today’s text; Jesus will soon be handed over and crucified. Yet, one person stands out, showing her love and devotion for her Lord.
Rising above the stench of sin, the sweet fragrance of perfume danced through the air as she anointed the one who came to save her. Her devotion is unmistakable. She lives, as we do, in the midst of a world refusing God’s mercy and grace. Such a world does not stop to acknowledge the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. It does not receive the one through whom salvation comes. Yet, like the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet, even today, the Church offers Christ the sweet fragrance of her worship and thanksgiving.
Sing praises to the one who gives his life for you. Bow down and worship the God of your salvation. For in the midst of a fallen and sinful world, he continues to offer his mercy and grace.
Prayer: May the worship we offer be pleasing in your sight O Lord, for through you only do we have life everlasting.
Amen.
