St. Jacob’s Youth

Posted February 1, 2025 By admin

We kicked off a new year of youth activities in January with a campfire, games, and most especially smores. We had a great turn out with 14 kids participating. We celebrated Jesus as the light of the world. We roasted hotdogs over the fire, held an epiphany themed scavenger hunt by flashlight, shared devotions around the fire and finished up making smores.

Youth group will be the last Sunday of each month. In February, we will celebrate the month of love by sharing the love of Christ throughout the world. Along with Pastor David, we will host the chili cook-off on February 23rd at 5:00 PM to raise money for Congo International to allow our pastor and Pastor Kalonji to take the Word of God to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Come out and support our youth and this important ministry of our church.

Isabelle and Daniel will represent our youth members this year on the Youth Council. The Youth Council will meet on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 PM in the church office to plan activities for the upcoming year.

Youth Retreat

Posted February 1, 2025 By admin

From Your Pastor’s Heart

Posted February 1, 2025 By admin

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

Each and every one of us has been there at some point. We have all experienced moments of disillusionment at one time or another. Sometimes we are just plain weary or feel disappointed and we cannot put our finger on the reason why. It’s at times such as these when your relationship with God might even feel cold or distant. You try to pray but you just can’t find the right time or the words. Sometimes your love for God’s Word might give way to doubt. So, you don’t read it as much as you used to if at all.

So many Christians simply go through the motions of spiritual activity, hoping to rekindle their passion for faith, yet much like the long cold winter months, this dreary season hangs on until you wonder if you’ll ever feel close to God again, to feel the awe of the burning bush or to yearn for the sound of God’s still small voice.

Because we live in a world fallen into sin, there are so many things that might contribute to such feelings, all of which can slow down a Christians drive to greater faith and desire for Christ. The weight of the world is more than enough for us to bear, in fact, it is too much! God knows this and that is why he sent his only begotten Son into the world to bear the burden of our sin.

As we come to worship, fresh on the heels of the Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, Christians find themselves immersed in the early stages of Jesus’s earthly ministry. This month we will read of Jesus’s calling his first disciples. We will hear of his first miracle and the beginning of his teaching on the Kingdom of God. Yet, as Christ’s fame grows, so too does his opposition. Why? That’s simple. The devil doesn’t want the world to know about God’s plan for salvation made possible through the presence and faithfulness of the long awaited Christ.

Instead, the devil would rather we focus on the flaws in our churches, or perhaps the failures of civil leaders who were once admired. It might even be the infighting and arguing between family members whom God would rather they be known for the love they share instead of the jealousy and envy so frequently displayed. Then there is the devil’s favorite trick, attacking you personally. “No, you don’t measure up. You aren’t good enough. No one really likes you.”

No, in all of these there is but one remedy, one cure for the sin-sick soul. Pray. Even if you cannot find the words, pray. Even if you feel that it won’t help, pray. It doesn’t matter if the words don’t come, the Holy Spirit will intercede for you, as scripture says, “with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26). God loves you so much that he will certainly hear your prayer.

Rekindling the flame of faith is as easy as that. Like the slogan for Nike points out, “Just do it.” If you want words to say but can’t recall any, turn to the old spiritual hymn found in our WOV hymnal #777 and pray the title: “Give me Jesus.” Surely there is no better prayer. God, I feel down today. Give me Jesus. Father, I feel lonely today. Give me Jesus. Lord, I feel like I let you down. Give me Jesus.

As the month of February gives way to March, the season of Lent will quickly follow. No time is the perfect time to rekindle the flame of faith that was started within you at the time of your baptism. Look to God’s Word for reassurance. Gather with the congregation for worship. Feel the closeness and love of God as we give Him thanks and praise for all He has accomplished for us through Christ. Come join your church family as we pray with one voice of faith. “O God, give me Jesus.”

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

Good Things at St. Jacob’s for December

  • Christmas Eve Service was well attended.
  • Christmas Caroling was a huge success.
  • Congregational Christmas Dinner was very nice.

Treasurer’s Report

  • Total 2024 Budget was $279,507.84 and total giving was $272,704.00. Leaving us $6,803.84 short against the approved budget.

Pastor’s Report

  • Pastor to announce changes in Wednesday evening schedule in weeks to come.

Ministry Teams Safety: Robert Wessinger / Kevin Pharis

  • Emergency information has been posted in the Narthex, Fellowship Hall and Office.
  • Security cameras are scheduled for installation in the last week of January.

Discipleship: Lynn Shealy / Julie Stuck

  • On December 1 – 18 Mercy Bags were filled for a total of 298 pounds.
  • On December 22 – Up and Going filled 9 Mercy Bags totaling 190 pounds.

Property: Barry Rice

  • Parking lot update – Danny Shealy will be at February Council meeting to update progress on project. Information will be given once supplied.

Sanctuary Update

  • Conversations are happening to decide scope and needs of project. Julie Stuck is leading this endeavor, information will be given when supplied.

Reminder From Council

  • All team leaders need to submit a monthly report to their assigned Council Rep prior to each month’s meeting. Council meets the first Tuesday of each month.

New Business

  • Council is being diligent on planning for St. Jacob’s 250th anniversary. Plans are being crafted for a wonderful year of events and special guests.
  • The Stewardship Team is without a leader. Council asks the congregation to pray and see if God is leading you to this ministry.
  • Next scheduled Council Meeting is Tuesday, February 4th @ 6:45 PM in the church office.

Midweek Bible Study

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

Midweek Bible Study resumes this coming Wednesday, February 5th beginning at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. Everyone is invited to participate. Our topic will be “In the Holy Land with Jesus.” We will discuss Jesus’s activities and ministry in several places, including Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, and the Temple in Jerusalem. Join us for study, conversation, and fellowship. No special materials are needed, just your Bible and a desire to study Scripture. Won’t you join us?

Into the Liturgy, part 5

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

The Offertory

The Offertory is a eucharistic sacrifice of praise, first fruits, and all God has provided. We sing God’s praises in thankful response to what God has done for us. The offering of the sacramental elements of bread and wine are the chief items brought forward to be consecrated and shared among God’s people as Christ comes to us through this blessed Sacrament. Our offerings are also presented to God to be blessed and distributed in such a way as to enhance the Church’s proclamation of the Gospel. The Offertory, and Offertory prayer conclude the service of the Word, giving thanks to God for the blessings of time, talent, and treasure.

 

Men’s Bible

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

Our Men’s Bible study will resume on Monday, February 3rd beginning at 6:45 PM. All men of St. Jacob’s, friends and neighbors are welcome to attend. We will gather in the church office Sunday school room.

Experiencing the Heart of Jesus

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

For those who are taking up the fifty-two week study by Max Lucado, there will be a gathering in the church office Sunday school room on Tuesday, February 11th beginning at 6:30 PM. We will gather and have a conversation about the things we may have discovered in the study, along with some thoughts and reflections. Bring your book along so you can share some of the notes and answers to reflection questions asked by the study. Anyone who is curious about this study is welcome to join us.

Lutheran Men

Posted January 30, 2025 By admin

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER – Gather with your church family on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. St. Jacob’s Lutheran Men sponsor the event and there will be plenty of good food and fellowship. Our Pancake Supper begins at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall as we enjoy a wonderful meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage and more all prepared by our Lutheran Men.

COUNTRY SAUSAGE SALE – The Lutheran Men will be making Country Sausage on Monday, March 3rd, 2025. If you would like to purchase BULK sausage at $5.00 per pound, please place your order in advance. See a member of the LM or contact Gerald  on or before Sunday, February 23rd. The sausage can be picked up between 3:00 and 6:00 PM on Monday, March 3rd in the Fellowship Hall.

Up and Going

Posted January 4, 2025 By admin

Nineteen members and guests gathered in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate Christmas and enjoy our annual Christmas Party. Helen Lindler, Team Leader, welcomed everyone. She read an article on the history of the candy cane. Each person had a candy cane at their place. She also read a Christmas message entitled “A Christmas Bicycle”. Both articles were from Our Town magazine.

Devotions came from Luke 2, The Christmas Story. We then prayed together The Lord’s Prayer. Elf Tommy played his guitar and led us in singing some of our favorite Christmas hymns and songs.

The group presented Helen with a lovely Christmas wreath in appreciation for all she does for the Up and Going. Thank you all for this very special and gracious gift!

Gerald offered grace for our meal. We then enjoyed a delicious meal of party foods and desserts.

After the meal, lead by Leon, we sorted and packed more than 30 complete meals for the Mercy Bags Project. Special thanks to everyone who brought food items for our contribution. Extra special thanks to all who so willingly clean up and leave everything in its proper place.

The January meeting will be on Thursday, January 9th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. This is our annual Soup Pot Lunch and BINGO party. Please bring an item for the soup pot and 3 Bingo prizes. Helen and Ann will cook the pot of soup. Please sign up on the sheet on our bulletin board.

Helen

Team Leader for

Up and Going