Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.
Matthew 25:14-15
The parable of the talents is one that we have heard many times. It comes to us towards the end of the church year and often serves as a text concerning our stewardship. Believe it or not, the parable of the talents is not about money. To think so is to miss the point of this passage. This parable is given by our Lord as he teaches us about preparing for his coming again, Yet, as it is in so many churches, we read this parable and immediately focus upon the talents rather than the servants to whom they have been entrusted.
Two of the servants quickly go to work using the talents they have been allotted to produce even more talents. The third servant does not. He is afraid of the master and so he buries the talent he has been provided and sits idle while awaiting the master’s return. Upon the master’s return, the two who have used these talents for their intended purpose are rewarded and enter into the master’s joy while the idle servant is stripped of his talent and sent away.
Jesus teaches us that as we await his coming again, we are to continue to carry on the mission he handed to the apostles so long ago. We do not know when he will return, but we do know that he has entrusted much into the hands of his people. As stewards of what God has entrusted to us, the mission is not to focus on growing the wealth of the church; it is to continue the mission and work God has given his people to do until Christ comes again.
Have you ever wondered why churches with the least amount of money seem to do the most in the way of mission and ministry? Attend a mission region or church-wide convocation and you will see what I mean. Among the many presentations given one will notice these efforts of small congregations that are busily and cheerfully engaged in the mission of the Gospel. It is because their focus is not on the money, but on the servants doing the work of the Master.
St. Jacob’s is not unlike any other congregation. God has called people with various gifts and talents to this place in order that we too would be engaged in his mission. With the many gifts and talents shared among us, we too are called to worship, learn, build up the faith of one another as we also minister to the needy within our community and world. God also expects that we would be busy in the growing of his church, that is the body of Christ on earth, by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. That seems like a long list of things to do, one that would require many talents. The good news is that God has provided everything we need.
Rather than explain the rest of the parable, I would simply encourage you to discern the talents God has placed within your grasp. I also invite you to ponder how you can use these, along with the gifts of others within our church family to bear fruit for God’s kingdom. It is stewardship time. We have all been provided with time and talent sheets. Look them over. See where you might become engaged in the mission of the church. God has entrusted every member of St. Jacob’s with gifts and talents. How shall we use them? If you are uncertain, please contact me and I will pray with you. Together we can share the Master’s joy as we share his goodness and mercy with others.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila