As our Lord Jesus traveled the countryside of Galilee, he had compassion for so many people in their time of need and never failed to share God’s love with them. As disciples of Jesus, we have had that same opportunity here in Chapin. The response to our support for We Care has been very positive. Over the last few months, we have become regular donors of food and other personal items for those who are in need. As summer fades into autumn, the one thing that doesn’t fade is the fact that there are still so many in need. Please continue to provide your donations of non-perishable foods and personal hygiene items. Thank you again for all you provide in the name of Christ. Truly, St. Jacob’s is a congregation Serving Jesus, Loving Community. Supply listing is on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
The Blessing Basket
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminBefore the COVID-19 virus caused us to suspend in person worship, children would come forward for a brief children’s sermon with me. As they came, they would bring their offerings and put them in what you have known as the “Pickle Jar.” The premise was that the monies collected could be used for people who find themselves “in a pickle.” During the past several months, I have thought about what we might be teaching our children concerning providing for those in need. To make this more memorable and to apply bible teaching for our children, I have retired the Pickle Jar and replaced it with the “Blessing Basket.”
You will recall that as Jesus fed the 5000 multiplying the loaves and fishes, twelve baskets full were collected after everyone had eaten their fill. These baskets teach us about the abundance God provides even through the smallest of gifts.
Our children’s offerings resemble those loaves and fish. They are modest offerings to be sure. To think such a small amount can make a difference in someone’s life just doesn’t add up. But you know what? God’s math never adds up…it multiplies!
On October 4th, we will resume children’s sermons during the 10:30 AM service. I will use the Blessing Basket to collect the children’s offering as they come forward. Each month there will be a specific ministry that the children’s offering will support. At the end of the month, we will add it all up and see just what God has multiplied. October’s ministry will be We Care. Together, we can teach our children how God provides loaves and fishes and how his disciples distribute them to those in need of God’s blessing.
The Congo Mission
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminIt has been a while since I provided an update on the mission work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of course, the world wide COVID-19 pandemic has touched many lives in the Congo, just as it has around the world. In a place where medicine and medical services are much more difficult to receive, you can imagine the impact such viruses can have on a community. Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I remain dedicated to the ministry to which God has called us, and we are committed to leading Congo Mission International in order to support our sisters and brothers in Christ. Please be in prayer for our mission and especially for those to whom we minister. God’s love knows no borders. Sharing God’s love with those even so far away is a joy and a privilege. I thank God for this opportunity and also for your support.
Additional News From Council
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminHave you noticed anything different with our streaming services? Can you see the full altar? Is the view larger than a phone size view? Is the picture clearer? Is the sound better? Hopefully, you answered yes to all of these questions? Council approved the installation of a new audio/visual system which was installed September 10th and 11th.
We have installed two new fixed cameras that allow us to zoom in on activities in the front of the church and also to follow any church processionals from the back of the church. The new system is also hard wired (not wireless) which will provide uninterrupted streaming. Our streaming ministry service is one that we will continue in the future. We want to provide all of our streaming watchers a clear uninterrupted worship experience as if they were in the church. If you are not able to join us in person, join us online!
Church Council Reports
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminSt. Jacob’s Church Council met for its regular
meeting on September 8, 2020.
Good Things at St. Jacob’s for August:
- Attendance is improving
- Online Bible studies and devotions
- We Care Food Drive is going well
- School Supply Drive is also going really well
Important Notes and Dates:
- New A/V system was approved for installation for the sanctuary
- Building Team has met with engineers to get updated plans for new parking lot (s)
- New Organist Sarah Masterson has been hired for 1 year to fill vacancy
- All team budget requests for FY2021 are due no later than September 30, 2020
- Please check Facebook page and/or Website for updates to church activities and functions
Next regularly scheduled Council meeting is October 6, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminWelcome Sarah Masterson
I’m excited to announce our first fellowship event post COVID-19. As you all know, we will be welcoming our new Organist, Sarah, on October 4th. In order to welcome her to our Church family, please join us for a cookout following the 10:30 AM service. We will all have the opportunity to meet Sarah and fellowship with one another after being apart for so long. All food and drinks will be provided and social distancing will be observed. Thank you for joining me in welcoming Sarah to St. Jacob’s. I look forward to seeing you there!
Trunk Or Treat
Our new youth committee met together for the first time in September. Moving forward, we will work together to plan events and share ideas for the advancement of our youth and family ministries. While planning for the remainder of the year, we have decided that October would be a great time to start meeting again as a church family! I would love to invite you to join us on October 31st from 5—7 PM for TRUNK OR TREAT at ST. JACOB’S! Anyone participating needs to be at the bus shed parking lot between 4 and 4:30 PM. Come, decorate your car, and fill it with candy.
Grace & Peace,
Rachel
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted September 1, 2020 By adminActs 19:2 [Paul writes] “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
I remember reading a devotion written by my friend and fellow NALC Pastor Gemechis Buba concerning the above scripture passage. Within his devotion, Pastor Buba describes the fullness and richness of a life lived in through the power of the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit God pours out upon his people through their Baptism. With regards to their Baptism, Paul puts forward a simple question to the people in Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The people of the church in Ephesus were quite honest in their answer. They informed Paul that they had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. As I read this passage once more, I wonder how we at St. Jacob’s might address our receiving God’s Holy Spirit.
I don’t think Lutherans talk enough about the Holy Spirit, much less talk about being blessed with spiritual gifts. Yet as baptized people of God, we truly are blessed with this same Spirit of God that Jesus’ disciples, Paul and the saints at Ephesus received. Still, Lutherans tend to be more reserved when it comes to acting in what we perceive to be a “spiritual way.” But Pastor Buba is right when he wrote in his devotion that “the Christian life becomes powerless, meaningless, and dull” without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit evident in our lives. The Holy Spirit fills the hearts and minds of Christian people with the joy and hope of God’s amazing grace. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a tremendous blessing, a life giving blessing…a life SAVING blessing.
Think about it for a moment. As Lutherans, we have been taught that it is the Holy Spirit that brings us to faith. That faith enables us to believe in Jesus Christ. As sinful creatures we cannot, by our own power, come to believe, let alone have faith in the resurrected Lord. By its very nature, our sin seeks to drive us away from having a relationship with God. Yet, as we are baptized and the pastor lays hands on us (as Paul laid hands on the saints at Ephesus), God pours out his Holy Spirit upon us, cleanses us from the stains of our fallen humanity, and clothes us in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This, my friends, should bring us to loud shouts of thanksgiving. It is at this particular moment in time when we are brought to new life in Christ. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to live differently; He calls us to live as children of God. Such a Spirit filled life is both joyous and exciting.
Friends, as baptized children of our loving God, we are invited into a deep and rich relationship with the One who created all there is. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that each of us would always welcome more spiritual joy in our lives, especially in these times of the pandemic. Believe me, when you realize the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, your life will never be the same. Soon and very soon the joy of being redeemed by God in Christ Jesus and brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit will fill your heart.
Let us be honest with ourselves and admit we need to experience the love, hope, and peace the Holy Spirit brings to us. Let us all welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and not be afraid to show others just how joyful we are to be God’s children. I promise you that as you live in the power and love of the Holy Spirit, God will satisfy the hunger and thirst of your souls and pour out blessings upon you. Express this joy as often as you can so that others can see how God changes the lives of people.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion For September
Posted September 1, 2020 By adminLet your light shine
Read Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket.” God blesses the Church with the most precious treasure there is. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every Christian is therefore filled with the light of Christ and called to give witness to the wonders of God’s mercy and grace.
Often, it is said to the newly baptized person, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our light shines when we love God with all our heart, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Shining our light, we share the love of Christ Jesus with all whom we meet.
Jesus of Nazareth is the light and life for the world. Baptized into his death and resurrection, the light of Christ dwells within God’s people. May you always feel the presence and power of our Lord Jesus. And may your light shine through the darkness of this world, that those within your midst may finally see the glory of the Father and enter the gates of our eternal home.
Prayer: Shine the light of your love, O Lord, and fill me with the power of your love. Amen.
Pizza With The Pastor
Posted August 30, 2020 By adminOn September 6th , we will have our first KFC meeting after Children’s Choir practice enjoying pizza and fellowship with one another and talking about what’s to come for the remainder of the year!
Volunteers Still Needed
Posted August 30, 2020 By adminVolunteers are needed for Sunday morning to serve as communion assistants, ushers and lay readers. We could also use a few volunteers who would help for a few minutes to wipe down and set-up the church for worship following the 8:30 AM service. Anyone who would like to help in this capacity should contact Pastor David.
