Archive for December, 2022

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Pastoral Devotion for December – Remaining Faithful

Posted December 20, 2022 By admin

Read Genesis 45:1-28

It goes without saying, Joseph is a model of faithfulness for anyone who faces trouble in their life. His brothers became jealous and angry that their youngest brother was their father Jacob’s favorite. So intense was there jealousy, they cast Joseph into a pit leaving him for dead. Later he would be sold into slavery, and finally, he would be falsely accused and imprisoned for crimes he did not commit.

In each instance, Joseph could have cried out in anger. He could have turned away from the God of his ancestors or, he could have completely given up. Yet in every instance, Joseph remained faithful and relied on God.

The story of Joseph teaches us that within this fallen and broken world, God can use all things for the good of his people. Our lives are filled with challenges to our faith yet, there is no one person who is so lost that God cannot find them. There is no one so grief stricken that God cannot bring consolation. There is no one person so sick, suffering, or in peril that God cannot deliver them from that which holds them captive.

During this time of Advent, the story of Joseph reminds us of God’s grace. We are reminded of the lengths in which God will go to deliver his people from sin. Our Lord is willing to go even unto the cross in order to redeem that which was lost. Yes, bad things do happen, even to God’s people. But our Lord and God is stronger than any powers of this earth. Ours is to remain faithful and to fully rely on God in our times of need.

Prayer – O God our Savior, in times of despair, keep us faithful through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

From the Pastor’s Heart By Pastor David Nuottila

Posted December 15, 2022 By admin

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

 

This week, many congregations took time to decorate their churches for the coming Christmas celebration. These symbols of Christmas bring us joy and delight as the Church waits in hopefulness and prepares to receive the good news yet again. Through the birth of the Christ child, God fulfilled his promise of the long-awaited Messiah. Ever[1]greens, poinsettias, wreaths in the windows and even trees filled with Christian symbols help us to proclaim this good news. Their symbolism reminds us of God’s long ago promise and opens our eyes and our hearts to God’s perfect and unconditional love. When connected to God’s Word in Holy Scripture, these symbols, in their own way, share the good news of Christ Jesus with us. Yet, these decorations are not the object of our focus. However pleasing it may be, the beauty of our churches during Advent and at Christmas, the music of beloved songs and the joy that tradition brings, are not the good news. For Christian joy and celebration is not rooted in decoration, rather, it is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel literally means, “good news.”

In the first chapter of Luke, the evangelist tells us of a young girl receiving good news from the angel Gabriel. The good news of Christ is first brought to Mary, and upon receiving it, her heart’s desire becomes doing as the Lord commands. Later in Luke’s gospel, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting a child and shares this good news with her. The sharing of good news leads to even greater joy and celebration. As Mary sings her “Magnificat,” this humble young woman from Nazareth sings praises to God as his promise for salvation begins to unfold. Mary’s song speaks of how God’s grace and mercy will bring joy and celebration to even the most lowly on earth.

Mary sings, “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1: 50-53

Mary sings as if God has already done these things, because in her heart, she knows God will keep his promise. So, she celebrates this good and wonderful news. So too, the Church celebrates with joy and thanks[1]giving. But it doesn’t stop there. As the good news is to be shared and celebrated, it is also to be lived out in the mission of the Church.

The good news of Christ comes with blessing and the promise that wrong will be made right, and oppression will give way to compassion. The outcast will be made welcome, and the hungry will be fed. The joy of Mary and her beautiful Magnificat is a joy meant for all people; the joy of a young unwed mother to be, whose heart’s desire is to do as God wills.

Mary’s journey began in earnest when she embraced the promise of God as brought to her by Gabriel, the promise that says “…nothing is impossible with God.” In joyous refrain Mary answers, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:37-38.

Throughout our Advent journey, may our hearts also be drawn to the day God came with blessing unto Mary and shared with her the good news of Christ Jesus. An angel brought the good news to Mary, who in turn shared it with the Church for all time. Today this good news comes to us once again; the good news of a young woman suddenly expecting a child, who is Christ the Lord. As Mary heard the good news from Gabriele, her heart was drawn to God’s message of hope, and she gave of herself according to God’s call.

I pray that during this season of Advent, as our churches are beautifully decorated and we take delight in the long-standing traditions of our congregations, we do not lose our focus on what God wills us to do. May our hearts be drawn to give something of ourselves according to God’s call. May we continue to serve our neighbors and welcome the strangers among us.

Good news is news to be celebrated with great joy. Yet it is also to be lived out through the lives of God’s faithful people. As we welcome others into our churches, I pray that the beauty of these decorations is pleasing in their sight, and that their symbolism of God’s love and grace for all people is proclaimed, so that all may experience the joy and celebration at Christmas.

Most Holy God, we thank you for the beauty of the world which you have created. We give you thanks and praise for the beauty of your Church on earth, especially as churches are adorned with symbol of our faith during this holy time of year. Continue to grace with your presence, lead us and inspire us to go into the world and share the truth of your Gospel, the saving power of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. For it is in his name we pray. Amen.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

Filed in Bible Study, From the Pastor’s Heart, Other Happenings, Pastor

Choir Notes

Posted December 12, 2022 By admin

Still, Still, Still,

Thy heart with joy I’d fill.

I’d sing thee a song and watch by thy manger,

Guard thee from harm and keep thee from danger.

Still, Still, Still,

thy heart with joy I’d fill.

As I am rushing around making sure everything is “perfect” for our family Thanksgiving celebration, this carol is running through my head. It is one that our choir will sing on Christmas Eve. I can just imagine the mother Mary singing this lullaby to her precious baby Jesus in the still of the night. The peacefulness and love she must have felt as she quieted her baby and sang him to sleep is a beautiful image.

But as I sing this carol I realize nothing in life feels still at the moment. There are so many bulletins to help prepare and proofread, a newsletter article to write, music to choose for bells and children and choir besides the fact that my house is a wreck. I am hardly prepared to welcome my family for Thanksgiving let alone the Christ child. But reflecting on the other meaning of still, not just peacefulness and calm but continuing, I realize that Christ still chooses to come to me in my chaos even though I am not deserving. He is still willing to come to me with forgiveness and grace and everlasting life. And suddenly all the chaos doesn’t seem to really matter anymore.

 

During this Advent season I recognize my need to be still and spend time with Jesus in my bible read[1]ing and in prayer. To meet him on “my road to Emmaus” on Sunday mornings as he opens the scriptures for me and feeds me with his precious body and blood that Mary once sang over. And in response I sing praise and thanksgiving that Jesus still comes to me.

Still, Still, Still,

Within thy holy will.

To thee, great God, my voice I’d raise,

With awe and wonder sing thy praise.

Still, Still, Still,

Within thy holy will.

We would love to welcome you to the choir for the Christmas Eve service. If you can’t commit full time to the choir but would like to add your voice of praise on Christmas Eve, we will be rehearsing on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 after the Advent mid-week service.

Filed in Choir Notes, Other Happenings, Worship and Music

Christmas Caroling

Posted December 7, 2022 By admin

Tis the season! Please plan to join the members of our church family as share an evening of fellowship with our shut in members. We will go Christmas Caroling in the late afternoon of Sunday, December 11th. We will gather at the church at 3:30PM and caravan to several of our church family member’s homes and provide some Christmas cheer with songs and well wishes for a blessed Christmas.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Worship and Music

Advent at St. Jacob’s

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

At St. Jacob’s we will celebrate Advent in traditional ways. Sunday worship services will focus on the lessons prescribed by our lectionary. Our mid-week services will feature dramatic readings and the Vespers liturgy from the Lutheran Book of Worship.

On Wednesday, December 21, we will include a special prayer and candlelight hymn as we worship on the Longest night of the year. Traditionally called “Blue Christmas” worship on the longest night reminds us that through Christ, light has come into the world, and the darkness shall not overcome it.

Advent service begin each Wednesday in December at 6:30PM. Further information will be shared in the weekly worship bulletins. Note: There is no Holy Communion shared as we use the Vespers liturgy.

Filed in Other Happenings, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Welcome Our New Administrative Assistant

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

St. Jacob’s gives a warm welcome to Jean who begins her employment with St. Jacob’s on Thursday, December 1st. Jean is our new Administrative Assistant. Please welcome Jean as you are able. We give thanks to God for leading us to this point in our congregation’s ministry and look forward to having Jean as a part of the St. Jacob’s family.

Filed in Other Happenings

An Advent Message from Pastor David

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

Have you seen something wonderful today? Have you noticed the beauty of God’s creation all around you? The world we live in is filled with beautiful things, trees, lakes, rivers, animals; the list goes on. All of these and everything is the result of the creative love of God. Sometimes I wonder if we can even imagine the conditions before God said “Let there be…” We humans cannot begin to understand the formlessness and void of creation in the beginning. Yet God said, “Let there be…” And it came to be.

As Christians all over the world begin to observe the Advent of our Lord Jesus, we do so by recalling the history of our salvation through Christ, which begins of course, in the beginning. As we read Holy Scripture, we believe Christ was present in the creation of all there is. The opening verses of the Gospel according to John teach us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1- 4).

The Creation narrative teaches us that apart from God there is no life or light. Still, even today so many continue to discount God’s creating love. Many people also deny the presence of God in the world or even in their lives. Yet, the simple fact remains, without God there is nothing. Without God humans have no purpose. Without the love of God in Christ Jesus, the people of the world walk in the darkness of their sin and their reality is such that they have no hope for salvation.

Jesus is the light of the world; he is the one in whom we find hope. Through Christ, God’s Word incarnate, the people of God are able to walk in the light of God’s mercy and grace. Our lives are no longer formless, they are not void, rather, they are filled with the purpose of proclaiming the gospel and the vocation of love for our neighbor. Today, as we find ourselves at the beginning of Advent, we find ourselves as sinners awaiting the celebration of our Savior’s entrance into earthly life in order to rescue God’s people from sin and death. In Advent, we find ourselves at the beginning, the beginning of new life in Christ. We believe that Christ’s presence at the beginning of Creation proves the creative nature of God’s faithful and redeeming love.

People of God, Christmas is just around the corner. As a disciple of Jesus, invite someone to worship with us at Christmas, and in the beginning of the new year, perhaps God will work the miracle of faith within their hearts and minds so that, they too may experience a new life in Christ; a life that was meant for them from the beginning.

Thank you God, for this beautiful world in which we live. Thank you for each person you have created in your image. Most of all, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Pastor, Worship Service

Council Briefs for November 2022

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

Good Things for October 2022

  • The Up and Going trip to the Newberry Museum.
  • Golden Ager’s Sunday (10/23/22) was a great success!
  • Trunk or Treat Halloween party and lock-in

Council Briefs for November 2022

  • The Council received the Pastor’s report. Pastor David is continuing to do the administrative duties in addition to his regular duties, as the search for an Administrative Assistant continues. The Pastor will be on vacation Nov. 14 – 19, 2022.
  • Bob provided the treasurer’s report. The church has spent 74% of the 2022 budget. The Council has established an ‘Estate Gifts’ account. A decision to for appropriation/ distribution of these funds will be determined at a later date.
  • All ministry team reports were received by the council. Notes of interest were as follows:
    • Staff Support: The Administrative Assistant position remains open. If you know of an interested candidate, please speak to a Council Member or Staff Support Committee member
    • Congregational Care: St. Jacobs will provide pound cakes for the Thanksgiving meal at The Hub. Volunteers will be needed following the Thanksgiving Eve ser[1]vice to assist in cutting and packaging the cakes.
    • Discipleship: Bags to replace Mercy boxes should arrive before Thanksgiving.
    • Property: The person who purchased the Church bus has reimbursed St. Jacob’s for the citations received prior to him re-tagging the bus.
    • Stewardship: The Audit team met on Oct. 21, 2022 to review the 3rd quarter records for the General Fund. All records were accepted as presented.
    • Worship and Music: New Chrismon trees and other decorations have been purchased for the Advent and Christmas season.

 

  • Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit: A handout will be distributed to the congregation during the Congregational Meeting on December 4, 2022.
  • The Administrative Assistant position remains open.
  • The Council has approved the final budget proposal for 2023. This budget will go before the Congregation for final approval at the Congregational Meeting on Dec. 4, 2022. A handout will be available for members to pick up two weeks prior to the Congregational Meeting. These copies will be made available in the Narthex.
  • The Council is seeking interested members to fill 5 vacated seats for the 2023/2024 term. Election for these seats will be held at the December Congregational meeting. Any members interested in filling a Council representative seat should notify one of the current Council members.
  • A decision was made to delay further discussions regarding the purchase of a small bus.
  • The Pastor shared a thank-you note from the AA group that meets at St. Jacobs, thanking the Church for the use of the building. Also, a note was received from Sherry Floyd for the gift from St. Jacobs in honor of her retirement.
  • The Agenda for the Annual Congregation[1]al Meeting was set as follows:
    • Election of Council Members for 2023
    • Approval of 2023 Budget
    • Handout for Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit

 

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings

News from St. Jacob’s Up and Going‘s

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

On a bright and sun shining November 17, 2022, twenty-two Up and Going members and guests gathered to enjoy an Old Timey Thanksgiving Meal together. The weather was cold, but the Fellowship Hall was warm and toasty, inviting all into the cheerfully decorated space. Fall items filled the room with color. Everyone was welcomed and encouraged to participate with others. Devotions given by Helen were from the book “Redeemer” entitled “Our Daily Bread” closing with praying together The Lord’s Prayer.

Business was conducted before we enjoyed a bountiful and delicious traditional Dutch Fork Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving memories were shared. Before leaving each member was given an Up and Going Cookbook. Hope you enjoy your Cookbook. Food stuff was collected to be taken to We Care. Thank you for helping with this project.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring finger food for sharing and 3 pairs of men’s socks that will go to the Oliver Gospel Mission. Have a Blessed and wonderful Holiday Season…Remember: Jesus is the reason for the season.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Up and Going

The NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit

Posted December 5, 2022 By admin

Many congregations struggle with decline in attendance and income, transitioning neighborhood and context, lack of coherent and appropriate vision for mission. Time and time again congregational leaders make efforts to re-tool and re-shape the congregation’s life and ministry, only to find resistance to change, lack of commitment and little positive result. One of the challenges to renewal and re-formation is our closeness to our congregation’s history, culture and current practices. As with any family system, we can be so involved that we are blinded to the reality of our situation, unable to see clearly God’s will for new direction and transformation.
In ongoing reflection and conversation, leadership of the North American Lutheran Church have been seeking an integrative approach to congregational assessment, evaluation and renewal. Working together, several member’s of the NALC Executive staff have developed such an approach, appropriately titled, the “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit.
The goal of the summit is to involve appropriate leadership in the NALC, together with congregational pastor and leaders, praying first, “Lord, let our eyes be opened!” We then trust that the Lord will give participants fresh eyes to receive new insight and understanding, all aimed at new or renewed direction for mission and ministry as the congregation seeks to follow Jesus firmly and faithfully.
On Monday evening, November 21st, several members of St. Jacob’s met with Pastor David Wendel, NALC assistant to the bishop for ministry, to explore the prospects of our congregation participating in the “Fresh eyes for Mission Summit.”
One need only look around to see that St. Jacob’s is not the congregation we once were. In these days of declining church attendance and membership, the Fresh Eyes Summit is designed to help congregations such as ours take a critical look at how their ministry is going and what key factors should be addressed. Congregations engaging in the summit look at the community’s growth and other factors, and weigh their giftedness to determine the capacity each church has for mission and ministry.
Several NALC congregations in the Carolinas (including local congregations such as Holy Trinity in Little Mountain) have participated and come away with renewed energy and excitement about their church’s Ministry.
More information will be shared during our Congregation Meeting on December 4th.

Filed in Bible Study, NALC, Other Happenings, Pastor, South Carolina Mission District, Worship and Music
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