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Reading The Bible In One Year

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

With the new year comes the opportunity to renew your commitment to reading the Holy Scriptures every day. The simplest way to accomplish this is to commit to reading the Bible from cover to cover in one year. It only takes fifteen minutes or so each day. Before you know it, you are well on your way to meeting your goal. Even if you get a late start, you can read just a little extra and it won’t take long before you’re are caught up.
Several of our church family members have taken up the challenge and succeeded. Other have begun but have not quite made it. No matter. Just keep reading. God takes delight in those who grow in their faith through reading His Word. Reading plans are in the narthex. Pick one up today.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings

Continuing Covid Response

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

In our continuing effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, St. Jacob’s will continue our current protocols for social distancing and protection.
Please remember these simple steps.
• Entrance to the church on Sunday morning is through the Fellowship Hall doors. This is to prevent groups from gathering in the narthex as others come in to find their seat.
• Use hand sanitizer as you enter the church nave. Sanitizer is provided on the table at the narthex doors.
• Although masks are not required to enter the building, they are required when the congregations sing liturgy or hymns. It is also a best practice to wear your mask while sitting in the pews. For this reason, everyone is to have a mask in their possession.
• Please remember to fill out a record of worship card and place it in the tray on the table at the narthex doors.
• Upon conclusion of the worship service, everyone is to depart the building. The aisle and hallways are to be kept clear. Conversations may be held outside.
These protocols are in place to ensure the health and well-being of our church family and visitors. The Pastor and Church Council will revise them as necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

Filed in Other Happenings

Online Bible Study

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

Plans are being made to resume our weekly Bible study on Zoom.com. There are also a few ideas concerning an evening Bible study to be held either online or in person. Of course, the in-person Bible study will include a few social distancing requirements, but it will be a way forward as we continue to resume on site church activities. Please keep an eye on the weekly worship bulletin announcements as well as the mid-month Grace Notes for further information.

Filed in Bible Study

Daily Devotions by Pastor David

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

It has been my pleasure to share daily devotions with the congregation and our friends on Facebook the past nine months. This has been an unexpected blessing for me in our current condition of the COVID-19 pandemic. So much so that it has become an enjoyable part of my daily routine. As we flip the page to 2021, I plan to continue this time of devotions and prayer throughout the year. I pray that more of our church family members will make these devotions a part of their morning routine. Please, feel free to share these devotions with your friends and family on Facebook as you are able.

Filed in Bible Study, Pastor

Meet the Team!

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

This month is our wonderful Council President, Sherrie! She has served this year with passion and faithfulness and we have been so lucky to be led by her. Although it has been a year unlike any other, under her leadership (along with the Church Council) many great things have been accomplished!
1. What is your favorite bible verse & why? Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse has always been comforting and reassuring. God has a plan for each of us – a purpose. Those plans are to give us hope and a future. Knowing that God has a plan for me and that he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is only a hello away. As a child of God, I know there is love, hope, a plan and a future. And if God is for us who can be against us.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? To be you! Take every opportunity to help others.
3. If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go? It’s a tie – Alaska and return visit to Hawaii
4. What movie can you watch over and over again and not get tired of? Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 5. What is your favorite thing about St. Jacob’s? Our church family.

Filed in Other Happenings

Council Briefs – November

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

St. Jacob’s Church Council met for its regular meeting on December 8, 2020.

Good Things @ St. Jacob’s for November:
• Service music has been great; Sarah is wonderful
• TV installed in Fellowship Hall for overflow capacity
• 258 lbs of food donated to We Care for Thanksgiving
• Sunday School has been a pleasure to have again

Important Notes and Dates:
• Congregation voted to approve Parking Lot/Portico Addition as presented, details to follow. Construction is slated to begin late January to early February 2021, permits and weather permitting.
• Children’s Program has been cancelled due to Virus
• Christmas Caroling has been cancelled due to Virus
• Dec. 21 – Blue Christmas Live Stream, no in person service; online only
• Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve worship (2 services); sign up sheets in Narthex, only 50 people allowed per service
• Dec. 25 – Christmas Morning Worship
• Dec. 27 – Council installation
• Jan 8-9; proposed Council Retreat
• Please check Facebook page and/or Website for updates to church activities and functions

Next regularly scheduled Council meeting is proposed for 8-9 January 2021; verification to follow. Respectfully submitted,

Andrew J. (A.J.), Secretary St. Jacob’s Church Council

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings

From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

I seldom make New Year resolutions, but this year I believe I will be making an exception. As we begin our fourth year together and look forward to continuing our ministry of the Gospel, I’m personally looking forward to working with our ministry team leaders and their respective teams. I believe we have reached a point in our time together where God is calling us to a wider vision and to a greater purpose as a congregation and church family.
For starters, it will be interesting to find where God is leading us in our worship and music program. The COVID pandemic will not last forever and soon it will be time to reassemble our choirs. We might ask, “Where do we encounter the risen Christ and how do we make his presence known through the music of St. Jacob’s?” “Where is God in our Children’s and Adult choir rehearsals and anthems?” How will we glorify God through hand bell choirs, guitars and other instruments?” These are good questions, and our Worship and Music ministry team will play an important role in listening for God’s answers.
And what of our Outreach Ministry team? There are important questions surrounding our love and care for our neighbors in their physical and spiritual needs. It is time to discern the ways in which we might make Christ known in the lives of others. Are we following Jesus as he leads us into the world? How is it that each one of our church family members is actively participating in the ministry of St. Jacob’s? Feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, giving aid to the poor and welcoming the stranger are all everyday tasks within the Christian vocation. It is what Jesus means when he says “take up your cross and follow me.”
What is the goal of our Christian education program? God calls us to go into the world making disciples, teaching all that he has commanded. Is this the Great Commission we understand when we gather to make plans for the next Vacation Bible School or Sunday school curriculum? Or are we simply satisfied to maintain the status quo and do things we have always done them? Where is God when we offer Bible studies or workshops? Is he calling you to greater participation? God calls us all to grow in faith through hearing His Word. Perhaps some might consider (and I hope you will) becoming a teacher of the faith or a disciple in training.
Then we have our youth program. Where is God as we raise our youngest members in faith? Certainly, God calls each one of us to be mentors for our children, and we promise we will do these things as we baptize. We are all called to be teachers of the faith, mentors helping them grow and supporters of their mission and efforts as they find their purpose in God’s kingdom. Where is God as we help our children grow as disciples?
Finally, how do we acknowledge God’s presence as we do the work of leadership within our congregation? When we make decisions that involve our time, talent, and treasure, are we making them with God’s purposes in mind? Or are we simply trying to figure out the best way of doing things as simply as possible without causing too much disturbance while keeping a close eye on the budget? As we perform maintenance and repair, make plans for future upgrades or simply preserve that which we already have, we are to accomplish our work while understanding every corner, nook and cranny of St. Jacob’s is the temple of God set aside for worship and prayer. How do we use every inch of what we have, on both sides of the street, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen? Truly I tell you, it makes a difference. Asking “Where is God in all this?” brings all of us to the point of realizing that nothing we have actually belongs to us. God is the Creator and Owner. Our gracious God blesses his people with everything imaginable to accomplish the task he sets before us. Asking “Where is God in all this focuses people on the very point that our mission is to do God’s mission.
It is the beginning of a new year, the onset of another chapter in the life of our congregation. More than this, it is time to begin preparing St. Jacob’s for a greater purpose and presence in the life of Christ’s church on earth. I’m looking forward to seeing these days unfold. I’m excited at the possibilities we have before us. Where is God in all this? He is right here in our midst. God is the one equipping and empowering us with gifts beyond measure, that we might show others the wonders of his love in Christ Jesus. Happy New Year everyone, and may God continue to bless us as his servants of the gospel. Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

Filed in Bible Study, From the Pastor’s Heart, Other Happenings, Outreach

Come & Join

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

You’re invited to come and be a part of Sunday School (ages 13 and below) as we venture through John and the book of Revelation beginning in January! We will be learning a different “I AM” statement each week talking about the names and attributes of Jesus and what He meant by each symbol! You’re not going to want to miss this! If you haven’t been back to Sunday School yet- now is a great time to do so- starting the new year and starting a new series. There are exciting things planned and all we need is your participation! We meet downstairs starting at 9:40. We’ll see you there!

Filed in Bible Study, Lutheran Church Youth, Sunday School

Youth Director & Family Ministries

Posted December 29, 2020 By admin

Last month, I was reading a blog and it sparked an idea within me. It really hit home as I was trying to think of a schedule and plan for the next year. With so much uncertainty, it almost seemed impossible to put anything on the calendar but after praying about it, something popped into my mind and I wanted to share that with you. It is the idea that smaller groups of people meeting together for fellowship and Bible study isn’t a new concept in churches. In fact, we see in Acts chapter two that the first-century church relied on it “every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). Most churches today allow people to be a part of some version of a small group. Here at St. Jacob’s we have many options: discipleship groups, Sunday school, Wednesday morning Bible study, Lutheran men/women, Up + Going, KFC, etc. No matter what the group is called, the goal has primarily stayed the same from the early church: to disciple fellow believers to be more like Christ through Biblical community and the study of God’s Word. We’re now at a turning point in history where one major shift must happen for churches to be able to thrive in the “new normal.” As you know, churches can no longer offer large events or even in our case, one worship service due to capacity restrictions. Even as restrictions lift, we may never be the same as we once were- packing into the pews on a Sunday morning. One good thing to come of this is the fascinating idea that the church can be brought back to what she was designed to be. We can use this circumstance as an opportunity to disciple and equip people for ministry- more than ever before. I have a passion for small group ministry not only is it what I am used to but I really do believe that it is the history and the future of the Church! I believe that God has each of us in an auxiliary or on a ministry team for a reason and I feel like this is the time to utilize that group. This is the time to really press into that small group and invest your time, service, and heart. I promise it will not return void. I want to encourage you that as these small groups begin to meet again, if you’re comfortable, please attend. I believe that there is so much that can come of this “down time” whether it be joining Bible study for the first time (and maybe reading a book you’ve never gone through before), finally joining that ministry team that you feel God has gifted you to serve on, or finding a need and helping to meet it alongside a few others. There are so many ways to utilize this time and we can do so remembering the fact that, God wastes nothing.

Grace + Peace, + a Happy New Year!

Rachel

Filed in Bible Study, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Lutheran Men, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings, Up and Going, Worship and Music, Youth Director

Sharing The Peace

Posted December 3, 2020 By admin

Over a period of time, several of our church family members have asked me about the sharing of the peace within our worship. When the COVID-19 virus came upon us, several asked if we would refrain from engaging in the practice. In recent conversations, the sharing of the peace of Christ has come up again. I truly want everyone here among us to understand this element of our liturgy and why it is positioned as it is. And so yes, here is a second article I’ve written for this month’s newsletter.
Sharing the peace during worship is not simply a moment when we say a quick hello to those around us. It is not a time to catch up or for brief conversation. It serves a much deeper function. Primarily, we share the peace for biblical reasons. The first comes to us from the fifth chapter of Matthew. Jesus said, “if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there, you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24). Within the early Church, sharing the peace was a way for people in the Christian community to be reconciled to one another before making their offering at the altar. It is for this reason that sharing the peace always comes before the offering and receiving Holy Communion. We are first reconciled to our brother or sister. Then, at peace with one another, we share the Lord’s Supper in communion with the people of God.
We also share the peace because during the Last Supper, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Again, when Jesus him-self appeared to the disciples after his resurrection,
he greeted them by saying, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 26). We bring these two together: just as Jesus shared his peace with us, so we should share peace with one another.
Sharing “peace” with one another is an ancient Christian tradition, not only in the words of Jesus, but also in the practices of the Christian community. Paul begins every one of his letters by saying, “Grace to you, and peace” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, etc.). This suggests that in the early Church, “Grace to you and peace” was the way Christians greeted one another. Many pastors, as do I, begin their sermon with this greeting in the peace of Christ. His is the Word preached, and so the sermon is brought to the con-gregation in the peace of Christ.
So why are there so many questions regarding the sharing of the peace? The truth be told, the tradition was either lost or reduced to a few simple words in the hymnal’s liturgy many decades ago. As progressiveness crept into the church, much of the symbolism and tradition faded into the background. Instead of traditional expressions of faith, programming and relevance welled up to the surface. Thankfully, several denominations are reforming or renewing and returning to the rites and tradition of Christian worship.
The surprising thing is not that we share the Peace during our services; it is that we lost the tradition for so long. In some ways, it was lost for centuries. Sure, it was there, in the midst of the Communion service, but it was reduced to a simple sentence from the pastor at the altar, and a plain response given by the congregation. What followed was a time for handshakes, hugs and hellos, and that was that. It had lost its meaning.
When fully understood, sharing the peace is a spiritual practice that brings congregations and individuals together in faith. Ideally, we would do this not simply with words, but also employ our usual handshakes and hugs. Sadly, as current conditions dictate a necessity for physical distance, handshakes and hugs are out of the question. Still, with smiles and the words of Christ’s peace, we can continue this traditional practice of our faith. I look forward to the next time we can share the peace of our Lord Jesus. Until then, these words will convey my heartfelt desire for you.

Grace to you and PEACE,
Pastor David Nuottila

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor, Worship and Music, Worship Service
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