St. Jacob’s is still collecting donations of new unused hot pads and new unused dish towels for the Carolinas Mission Region Disaster Response Warehouse Kitchen Kit Project. This project is a great opportunity for congregations to partner together. Kitchen Kits will be assembled at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman, NC on October 28th. St. Jacob’s will be collecting these hot pads and dish towels until October 22nd. We would also like as many members of St. Jacob’s as possible to volunteer in this activity. As always, it will be a time of fun and fellowship as we work together to share the compassion of Christ for those in need. The project is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th. Members of St. Jacob’s who attend may carpool together and make a day of it.
Archive for October, 2023
NALC Disaster Response
Posted October 24, 2023 By adminLutheran Women
Posted October 20, 2023 By adminThe Lutheran Women would like to give a big THANK YOU to all of you for your support and contributions to our Congregational Fundraiser Luncheon on September 24th. It was a great success and we will be able to help those in need.
The Lutheran Women will be sponsoring a Halloween Trunk/Treat on Sunday afternoon October 29th from 4-6 pm. If anyone in the congregation would like to participate, please call Phyllis for details.
Choir Notes
Posted October 16, 2023 By adminYouth Handbell Retreat
The youth handbell choir worked hard each Monday through the summer learning new handbell techniques, music reading skills and practicing new music. To celebrate all their hard work, we took a trip to Union Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC for a handbell retreat.
We loaded up a 15 passenger van with all our gear on Saturday August 26th and headed north. Once at Union we met up with the members of Union’s youth handbell choir for a weekend of bell ringing, games and swimming. After some team building activities the two choirs got busy working on music and music skills. We rehearsed an anthem to play as a joint choir the next day in worship.
While not working on music the kids had a great time playing four square, ping pong and board games. Union church provided a great supper after which we went swimming at a church member’s house.
One more rehearsal and then we had vespers in the Union prayer chap el. After blowing up air mattresses and unrolling sleeping bags we had a late night movie and tried to get a bit of sleep in the fellowship hall.
Sunday morning we had an early morning rehearsal after breakfast and attended the joint summer Sunday school. The joint choir played the anthem All Creatures of our God and King arranged by Linda Lamb during worship as well as random ringing during the hymns.
After lunch together we headed to Albemarle, NC to see the Raleigh Ringers concert. Everyone was amazed by the number and size of the bells being rung. Bryleigh won one of the door prizes, a fleece blanket and each of the kids got a pair of tye-dyed Raleigh Ringer handbell gloves. After the concert the audience was invited on stage to meet the members of the Raleigh Ringers. We got to ring huge and tiny handbells. Emma received one on one instruction in the four in hand technique. We then loaded up the van and headed back home. It was an incredible trip. Friendships were formed and new skills were learned.
Christmas Cantata
Christmas cantatas have been an important part of the history of St. Jacob’s and we are bringing back the Christmas cantata this year to be presented Sunday, December 17th during the worship service. We need lots of assistance to put together this gift to God. We need volunteers to sing with the choir. This is a short term commitment to learn the cantata music. Please consider giving this gift of time and talent. We also need readers. I will be reaching out in the coming weeks to ask for your help. Please prayerfully consider how you can help make this service of praise a success. We will begin rehearsal in October.
Mid-Week Bible Study
Posted October 14, 2023 By adminOur Wednesday Morning Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, October 18th at 9:30a.m. The Bible Study will meet in the newly renovated Church Office. The topic of study will be announced at least one week prior to the beginning. All are welcome to join in. Please invite others who may enjoy reading and learning more about the Scriptures while discussing them in fellowship with others. No special materials are needed, just you, your Bible, and a desire to meet with others while hearing of God’s promises and love for his people.
Pastor Emeritus
Posted October 12, 2023 By adminWith special recognition and thanksgiving for his many years of ministry in Christ’s Church and his ongoing relationship with so many members of our Church family, St. Jacob’s will confer the title of “Pastor Emeritus” (Pastor for Life) to the Rev. Andy Eargle during our Homecoming celebration. Pastor Eargle’s contributions to the life and witness of St. Jacob’s are many and central to who we are as a congregation. Through his preaching and teaching, pastoral care and leadership, Pastor Eargle will always be a part of the fabric that God has knit together here at St. Jacob’s. We give thanks to God for his life of witness and care for the children of St. Jacob’s and beyond. Congratulations Pastor Andy!
Homecoming Sunday
Posted October 9, 2023 By adminOur annual Homecoming celebration will be held on Sunday, October 15th. We will also be recognizing our “Golden Agers” (those 80 years and older) with a special prayer and gift. A fellowship meal will be provided immediately following our worship service and the congregation is asked to bring desserts. Please plan on attending and invite friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us.
Pastoral Devotion for October – The Truth in Us
Posted October 9, 2023 By adminIf we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8.
Early in his first epistle, John states clearly to the Church that, although through Christ our sins are forgiven, no Christian lives without sin. Salvation is not found through moral perfection, but through the sacrifice of God’s only Son. This truth is realized when the children of God strive to walk in the light of Christ.
Sometimes we bear grudges. We remember the sins committed against us and are wary of the sinner lest they repeat the offense. Other times we fail to realize how our actions hurt someone else. John teaches us that people who practice such behavior really do not understand the concept of grace. If we claim forgiveness through Jesus, but cannot forgive others or confess our sin, we are not walking in the light of Christ. The best we can do is stumble in the darkness.
John reminds us of who we are, people who have known the Father. Knowing the Father means knowing the Son, through whom we are forgiven. So too are we to forgive as we have been forgiven. Christ died for our sake and also for the sake of those who sin against us. Through him only is their salvation. This is the truth in us.
Prayer: Holy God, help us to live in the light of Christ, forgiving others as you forgive us. Amen.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted October 9, 2023 By adminPut on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13
At the time of this writing, it is still the middle of September, but October is on the horizon. October! It seems summer has simply flown by. Yet, even as I prepare to travel to England, for a much-anticipated vacation, I can’t help but reflect upon all we shared the past few months, while un derstanding that there is much to plan and prepare for during the months ahead. Our church calendar is filling up with activities, least of which is our annual Homecoming Sunday and recognition of St. Jacob’s Golden Agers. Trunk or Treat, Reformation Sunday, and All Saints Sunday are also coming very soon. Yes, it will be a busy time in the church. As you begin making room for the many opportunities for your church and family in October, let me ask a direct question: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day?
Each morning, Christians wake up to the opportunity to show the love of Christ Jesus to others, have compassion for the weak and vulnerable, and forgive where someone has done wrong. We are to re-present Christ especially to those who may not realize God’s activity in their lives. As God’s people we also wake up to the Christian responsibility to thank God for the many blessings He showers upon us, and to offer Him the finest of what we can offer of ourselves.
When a child of God begins each new day with such emphasis, the life of discipleship begins to take hold and we live into the calling God has for each one of us. So again, this begs the question: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day? In my asking this twice, I hope you are not simply waiting for my answer. I hope you are not expecting me to offer a directive for the church that challenges you to do your part as I see it, for such is not my intent.
I am asking this question because as followers of Jesus Christ, we each respond to His call to follow in different ways. Some are able to engage in the life of the congregation more regularly than others. Some have time enough to come to the church and serve on committees, provide services such as lawn care and cleaning, others may even show up every time the doors are open.
Others among us have different responsibilities. Within our church family, we have parents with small children, members who work not just one, but two jobs, and still others who may have health related issues that prevent them from participating as they once did. Yet, no matter where we may fall in this broad spectrum, as God’s people, each one of us shares the Christian responsibility to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We all share Jesus’s calling to go into the world and make disciples by sharing with them the good news of God’s salvation. So, understanding this, I’ll ask one last time: How do you plan to be a disciple of Jesus Christ each and every day? As Pastor, I will do my best to help you discern the answer to this question. I will do what I can to help you pray, study God’s Word and live among God’s people so that you might hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit who is calling you to a life of discipleship.
I will continue to pray for you and your family, preach to you the gospel of Christ Jesus, lead you in worship and teach you and your children the faith in which we baptize. In turn, I pray that you too will help me to further discern the answer to our question, for even pastors need to learn to take time to enjoy their relationship with our loving heavenly Father.
Yes, October signals the beginning of a busy time for the church. It is one filled with opportunities to worship God, love our neighbor, and enjoy the fellowship of God’s people. Take a good look and identify those opportunities where you and your family can grow in faith and discern your answer to the question of discipleship. Choose to take time each day to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, seeking God’s kingdom first. Then be sure to share His blessings of grace, mercy and peace with those whom God places within your midst. Soon, you will realize you are living the life of discipleship, and the question will have its answer.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Council Briefs for September Meeting
Posted October 9, 2023 By adminGood Things at St. Jacob’s:
• Open House for newly renovated church office
• Kids handbell choir trip
• Disaster Warehouse
Plans Pastor’s Report – Doug Sullivan will be received by Affirmation of Baptism into St. Jacob’s membership.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Congregational Care – Homecoming is October 15th. This will also be Golden Agers Sunday. Congregation will be asked to provide desserts.
• Worship & Music – Youth handbell retreat to Salisbury, NC was a success.
• Safety and Security Team – Council approved purchasing smoke detectors and installing them throughout the building.
Old Business:
• There will be a church wide workday on September 30th. We will start at 8:00a.m. Lunch will be served.
New Business:
• Lawn Maintenance Contract – Council approved a proposal from C&E Landscaping to provide maintenance services on the cemetery side of Columbia Avenue. Annual cost will be $6,960. St. Jacob’s volunteers will continue to be responsible for area around the Sanctuary and Church Office. In the 2024 budget, Lawn Maintenance will be a line item. Members wishing to offset the cost of this service can contribute to the Cemetery Fund.
• Heat Pump Replacement – Council approved to replace the heat pump for the Fellowship Hall at a cost of $31,000. A waiting period of four months for delivery can be expected.
Up And Going – Annual Apple Run
Posted October 9, 2023 By adminSeptember 14th was a beautiful day as 21 members and quests loaded the vans for Hendersonville, NC. We started our day off with the Lord’s Prayer and headed off. Lunch was enjoyed at Harry’s BBQ and Miss Piggy’s Ice Cream Parlor. We continued our trip at Granddad’s where we selected apples, cider, cabbage, and apple fritters from the bakery. Special thanks to our drivers. The next meeting will be October 12th, we are going to Shealy’s BBQ for lunch.
