Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
October is a month that brings along several seasonal changes. Most notably, the hot tempera-tures of summer give way to more comfortable days and cooler nights. Leaves on the trees begin turning color and even animals begin the work of winter’s preparation. Look around you. The season is changing.
October is also a month that brings opportunity, and dare I say the word “change” here at St. Jacob’s. For once, I can put away language of the coronavirus and not even mention Covid-19. No, the opportunity and possible change I speak of is something that happens every October. Yet, this year it is more noticeable than most.
Each October, the Stewardship Team wrestles with helping to build a budget, inspire everyone to be cheerful givers and look out for the financial well-being of our congregation for the coming year. They also wrestle with building ministry teams and seeking volunteers in the hopes of rekindling the flames of ministries that were once vibrant but now seem somewhat stalled. This is a concern I share, especially this year.
As it is with many congregations, we have ministry team leaders that have been at their post for quite a while. Most of our team leaders are ready for relief. Others have completed their “tour of duty” so to speak and are ready to “step down.” For this to happen, they need someone to “step up.” Here is where my concern enters the picture.
Now is the opportune time for St. Jacob’s to earnestly become involved within our community and greater church. Now is the opportune time for us to take the Word of God to those who do not
have a home church but need to hear a word from God. Now is the time for more workers to enter the vineyard, plant the seeds and nurture those that sprout. However, as I read over the list of those who actively engage in this sort of ministry, Jesus’s words ring true. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Now is the opportune time for our ministry teams to be refreshed with new ideas and dare I say younger leaders. God has blessed St. Jacob’s with many talented and gifted people. Yes, several work hard as they make a living and provide for their families. But the same is true of those who have served so well and for so long. As disciples of Jesus, we all are to be aware of our giftedness. We are all to be made aware of our calling from Christ to take up our cross and follow him. We all are to be good stewards of the time and talent God provides.
Each one of us is gifted by the Holy Spirit. Each one of us is enabled and empowered to grow the body of Christ using the gifts of the Spirit. My prayer for St. Jacob’s is that we don’t miss this opportune time. I will be intentional in my prayers for our church family. I will be intentional in my assisting the Stewardship Team in seeking team leaders. I will be intentional in helping team leaders build vibrant and enthusiastic ministry teams ready to begin working toward the harvest. Will you be intentional in your prayers? Will you be willing to use your spiritual gift? Will you be willing to enter the vineyard and work alongside other disciples as they plant the seeds of God’s word? Now is the opportune time. Let’s not let it go by.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted October 1, 2020 By adminStewardship Month at St. Jacob’s
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminWell, what a strange year this has turned out to be. Who would have ever thought that we would be forced to remain in our homes and not be allowed to come to St. Jacob’s each Sunday to worship our Lord and fellowship together? If anyone would have told you that this could happen, would you have ever believed them? After all, we live in a country that cherishes freedom in every aspect of our lives. That is especially true of our freedom to worship freely.
That loss of freedom also extended to our workplaces, hindering our ability to work and be paid in order to feed and care for our families. But it did happen! And thanks be to God, we are now slowly being allowed back to our places of work, and back to our places of worship, and back to at least some feeling of normalcy in our lives. We are all profoundly grateful.
October is Stewardship Month at St. Jacob’s, and your Stewardship Team has been considering how we might approach Stewardship Month in such a strange time. We still need to consider the how to serve with our Time, Talents, and Treasures, and making a commitment to serve by filling out a Time and Talent sheet, checking off the areas of service where we feel called and comfortable to serve. And we will do that, just as we always do. But we feel that there is some-thing special that we need to do for this strange and trying time.
Our congregation has been stepping up during these trying months with extra effort to support the “We Care” ministry in the community of Chapin. After some discussion within the Stewardship Team, we all agree that we should make our theme for this year, “We Care,” and put our stewardship emphasis on just that, because we care.
John 21:15-17 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “feed my sheep.”
We have chosen John 21:15-17 as our guiding Scripture during Stewardship Month. In these verses, Jesus asks Peter a simple question, “do you love me?” He asks Peter this three times, and each time Peter responds, and Jesus says to him, “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep. “Feed my sheep.”
The message is clear. One who loves Jesus is expected to care for His sheep, for they are His children. Let us show our community how much Jesus loves them by being good stewards of His kingdom. Let us show them that “we care.”
The Lutheran Women
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminThere will be a meeting on Oct. 18th at 4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall with social distancing. Devotions to be presented by Joan. Several items to be discussed. Please bring an item or items for We Care. Looking forward to seeing each of you again.
Fellowship In The Shade
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminChristian fellowship is an important aspect of congregational life. Yet during this time of pandemic, fellowship has been difficult. As a way of making time for this important part of our life, everyone is invited to a time of visiting each Sunday following our 10:30 AM worship service. Bring your lawn chairs and gather underneath the shade trees in the lawn in front of the church office. While social distance must be observed, we can meet and share.
Weekly Bible Study On Zoom
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminBible study continues to be held each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM on Zoom.com. We are continuing our study of the book of James. There are no special materials that you must purchase. All you need is a computer and access to the internet to join in the conversation. Weekly study guides are emailed to the congregation on Tuesday afternoon. Even if you have not provided an email address our study is such that you can join in and participate in the conversation. Why not make Bible study a part of your week? If you have any questions, please contact Pastor David or Rachel Shelton.
Online Sunday School
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminIn order to provide Christian education for our children and families during this time of pandemic, several of our church family members have begun producing recorded video lessons to be used as an online Sunday School. These lessons are uploaded to our church website weekly and are also shared on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page. The current list of lessons focuses on several familiar Bible stories of the Old Testament. Please enjoy these and other St. Jacob’s online offerings such as Bible studies and devotions as you are able.
Welcome Our New Organist
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminOctober 1st is a wonderful day in the life of our church as we welcome Dr. Sarah Masterson to St. Jacob’s. Sarah is on the faculty of Newberry College serving as Associate Professor of Piano and Music Theory. She also is the Director of the Department of Social Media and the W. Darr Wise Piano Competition. Please be sure to introduce yourself to her as you are able. We look forward to Sarah sharing her musical gifts with us in worship.
We Care
Posted September 30, 2020 By adminAs 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.
