In March, Lynn and Susan Shealy invited the Youth members of St. Jacob’s to visit with their newly born calves. Feeding the herd and getting to know these beautiful animals was a highlight of their time together. We may even have a few future cattle farmers in our midst. A great time was had by all and we look forward to another fun “pastural” visit.
Countdown to Congo
Posted April 10, 2023 By adminIt won’t be long before my annual mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo will commence. On July 2nd, following worship, I will fly to Houston to meet up with my mission partner, Pastor Stéphane Kalonji and we will depart for Africa the next day. Our itinerary for travel will take us from Houston to Newark, NJ, then to Brussels, Belgium, Luanda, Angola, and then finally to Kinshasa, DRC.
Once on the ground in Kinshasa we will visit with the bishop of the Congolese Lutheran Church before taking another flight to Mbuji Mayi in the central part of Congo. This will be new territory for me as I have never traveled this far into the Congo. It is the province where I would have served last year had I been able to make the trip. Still, God is smiling upon Stéphane and I and allowing us to serve together as we planned one year ago.
Even as this will be a new place, the ministry we will share is along the same lines as before. Our chief endeavor will be to lead worship with the Lutherans in Mbuji Mayi and provide continuing education for the pastors of the region. We will also lead Christian education seminars for the women, men, and young adults.
Other staples of our mission will also take place such as feeding orphaned children, providing pastoral care and Bibles for those in such need, and freeing mothers and their newborn babies from the local hospitals and clinics. Of course, none of this can happen without the blessing from God that comes to us through the support of congregations such as St. Jacob’s.
For five years, you have been faithful supporters of the Congo Mission and we are certainly grateful for the opportunity to share this ministry with you. As we travel to the Congo, your love and prayers go with us. The people of Congo are always joyful and thankful for their Christian brothers and sisters of St. Jacob’s in Chapin and St. Paul’s in Rosenberg, TX in that you share so much with them. You share more than simply your gifts and your prayers. You share your pastors as well, in love for so many children of God, people whom you likely will never meet.
God bless you as you continue to support the Congo Mission. As a congregation of the North Ameri can Lutheran Church, this is a very important part of the ministry that defines us as a mission driven church. I thank God for the opportunity to share this work with you. While I am away, Pastor Gary Blobaum will be our supply Pastor on Sundays and Pastor David Tholstrup will provide any needed pastoral care. Thank you all, especially for your prayers as Pastor Kalonji and I serve in Christ’s name. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Pastor David
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted April 9, 2023 By admin[Peter and the other disciple] were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 20:4
Recently while looking through some old Bible study material, I stumbled upon a video that made me pause for a while. It is a video of a skit portrayed by two men called “The Skit Guys.” In the video, they are enacting the events of the first Easter morning. Peter and John (The Skit Guys) are told by some women that they have seen Jesus. In response, they run to the empty tomb. John runs much swifter and much more sure footed than Peter. Their faces display the anticipation and even perhaps a bit of fear concerning what they might find. John reaches the tomb first, but he won’t look inside or enter. Then Peter arrives, huffing and puffing, but he enters the tomb without stopping to think. As I replay this video in my mind, this is the point where I have to hit the pause button.
I wonder to myself, upon hearing the reports of the women saying they have seen Jesus very much alive, would I be bold enough to charge into Christ’s tomb? Even as I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was beaten, whipped and crucified, would I have the where with all to enter the tomb where they laid his body only to find it empty? Thinking about that for a while, I finally decided that, yes I would. Having walked with Jesus for three years as a disciple, having witnessed his many miracles, and having come to believe Jesus is who he says he is; I would have to enter the tomb.
I suppose the question I have for you, my church family, is much the same that I faced when watching this video. If someone came to you early in the morning, excited and out of breath, and told you that they had seen Jesus and he is very much alive, you would run to the tomb in order to see for yourself? Would this amazing news of Christ’s resurrection stir your emotions so deep that you would simply have to wit ness the event with your own eyes? I suspect that it would. I suspect that given such extraordinary news, you too would run to the tomb of Jesus in wondrous expectation. We would likely do this because of the same reason Peter and John did; we are his disciples and we love him.
Through the reading of Holy Scripture, worship and prayer, we are witnesses to the many amazing miracles of Jesus. We are students of his teaching and recipients of his grace. Following Jesus through out his mission and ministry, we too have come to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord, through whom we have forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life. Throughout the past twelve months, since Easter of last year, I pray that in my preaching and teaching, you have heard the gospel of Christ and the reports that Jesus is indeed alive!
Even as we have traveled the Lenten Road once more, even as we are about to once again mark the event of Christ’s Passion, and come to the realization that yes, Jesus did give up his life for our sake. Soon, the sun will rise on yet another Easter morning. Yes, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus died and was buried, but still the reports of his resurrection persist. Jesus is alive! We have seen him! How sweet this news is to the ears of the people of God.
At the conclusion of the video, Peter finally emerges from the tomb to meet John who is still standing outside. Peter, holding the burial garments of Christ in his hands, can only look at John with a stare of complete amazement. As the two disciples take in the meaning of what they have witnessed, all they can do is laugh through their tears of joy. Jesus is alive. He is risen! It happened just as he said it would.
People of God, as Easter Sunday is upon us, I invite you to run to the empty tomb and see for yourself. Come hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection once more. If you have not been in worship for a while, what a great time to come! I invite you to run to the tomb, charge right in and behold the glory of God in the resurrection of our Lord. It happened just the way Jesus said it would. I invite you to be a part of the Easter story and to be a part of the celebration among your church family. Come hear the good news of Christ Jesus. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Looking With Fresh Eyes
Posted April 7, 2023 By adminOur Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit with Pastor David Wendel was a great success. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy discussing our current reality and prayerfully discerning a vision for our future here at St. Jacob’s. We came up with four vision points that will be shared with the congregation as soon as time allows. In order that we do not lose momentum, Susan and Sherrie were chosen to serve as “Trail Bosses” to keep us on the pathway toward renewal of our mission. Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to Pastor Wendel for his visit and leadership through the summit. Below are a few pics of our time together.
Filed in Other Happenings, Outreach
Up And Going
Posted April 5, 2023 By adminThe March 9th meeting of the Up and Going was held in the Fellowship Hall at 11 am. Devotions with prayer was given by Team Leader, Helen. Devotions were on The Purim Holiday from the book of Esther, also a reading, Be Open to Giving and Receiving Grace, with verses from Ephesians.
A covered dish meal was enjoyed by all. Members gathered at the worktables to assemble Hospice Easter Bags for area Hospice patients. We might be older but not slower workers.
In about one hour, our 14 members and guests assembled 100 Easter bags consisting of a pretty cello bag with a layer of Easter grass, then filled with wrapped candies, nuts, cookies, etc. then tied with a beautiful multi-colored ribbons and bows holding a handwritten Easter Blessing.
They were so pretty. Gary and Joan Marco will deliver the bags to the appropriate distribution facilities for delivery by hospice workers before Easter. Thank you all for a job well done.
The April Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13th at 10am (NOTE TIME CHANGE) in the Fellowship Hall. We will have an hour chair yoga class for our information and enjoyment. Lunch will follow. Please bring a salad, side item or dessert for sharing. Please plan to attend and enjoy this class. Dress is comfortable pants and shirts so you will be comfortable.
The Easter Cross
Posted April 4, 2023 By adminThe Easter Cross will be placed standing outside of the Narthex. We encourage everyone to bring some cut flowers to place on the cross on Easter.
Filed in Other Happenings, Worship Service
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Women
Posted March 31, 2023 By adminOn Saturday, April 1 from 10:00-12:30, we will be sponsoring our annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt for children ages infants to 12 years of age. Please bring your baskets or lots of eggs to hunt, crafts, and a light lunch will be served. You are also asked to bring a friend (s). Come and enjoy the fun.
On Saturday April 22, we will be sponsoring a Mother-Daughter/Friend Brunch at 11:00. The theme this year is “3 BLESSINGS OF LIFE”. Our guest speaker will be Mr. Glen Ward, Professional, Humorist, and Inspirational Speaker and prizes. Tickets go on sale beginning today, March 26 in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $10.00 for ages 4 and up and children 3 and under are free.
Council Briefs for March Meeting
Posted March 31, 2023 By adminGood Things at St. Jacobs:
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• Copeland Peeples Solo
• Lutheran Men Sausage Sale
Treasurer’s Report: Because of the volatile stock market, Council approved a Finance Committee recommendation to move the Sites Endowment Fund into a money market account for the short term. Council also approved moving the remaining funds in the Thrivent Account to a money market account.
Report of Ministry Teams:
• Safety Team is preparing medical emergency guidelines.
• Christian Education – Multi-Generational Sunday School Class has been discontinued.
• Property Team – A tankless water heater is being installed in the church office. A floor joist is also being repaired in the church office.
Old Business:
• Plans continue for the Fresh Eyes Mission Summit.
• Improvements to church property: Council discussed several items regarding improvements to church property. This includes improvements to the church office, Sanctuary, and parking lot. A plan to renovate the church office is complete. Plans for the Sanctuary and parking lot are continuing. Council voted to approve the plans for the church office. This plan will be presented to the congregation in the near future.
New Business:
• Council voted to add a monthly calendar to the newsletter.
Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
Join Us for The Celebration of Easter
Posted March 31, 2023 By adminHoly Week Schedule
Palm Sunday April 9 – 10:00AM
Maundy Thursday April 6 – 7:00PM
Good Friday April 7 – 7:00PM
Easter At St. Jacob’s
Sunrise Service April 9 – 7:00AM
Easter Breakfast Following Sunrise Service
Resurrection Festival Service April 9 – 10:00AM
Pastoral Devotion for April – Receive the Lord
Posted March 31, 2023 By adminRead Luke 22:14-23 In the hours before Jesus was lifted up upon the cross, he gathered his closest friends around the table and poured out the Spirit of God’s love. In the meal they shared, Christ made himself truly available to them, filling them with the hope of God’s kingdom.
The disciples could not yet understand, but Christ’s assurance was there; “This is my body which is given for you.” On the eve of Christ’s victory over sin and the grave, finally, reconciliation between God and man was at hand.
Today, we live as God’s redeemed people; through Christ, sin no longer has power over us. Nowhere is this made more visible than as we share the meal of our faith. The same assurance, the same spirit of love, the same Lord Jesus is present with us as he was present with the twelve.
As we approach God’s table of grace, we bring only that which we can truly call our own. With extended hands, the nakedness and shame of our sin is laid to bear at the foot of Christ’s cross. Yet, our Lord welcomes us to the feast. Our sin stained hands are extended – seeking refreshment, fulfillment, forgiveness. And like the disciples, we receive our Lord as we hear the words of Christ, “This is my body given for you.”
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for this bread and this cup, through which you fill us with your grace. Amen.
