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From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted September 1, 2020 By admin

Acts 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

Filed in Bible Study, From the Pastor’s Heart, Pastor

Pastoral Devotion For September

Posted September 1, 2020 By admin

Let 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.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

Pizza With The Pastor

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

On 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!

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor, Youth Director

Volunteers Still Needed

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

Volunteers 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.

Filed in Other Happenings, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Introducing The NALC South Carolina Mission District

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

On Thursday, August 6, 2020, the Carolinas Mission District of the NALC met for its final convocation. As it was decided during the 2019 convocation, the Carolinas Mission District has become the NALC Carolinas Mission Region, made up of four smaller mission districts. Our SCMD dean is Pastor David Tholstrup from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Chapin. Pastor David Nuottila and Larry Shull have been elected as members of the Mission Region Executive Council. We give thanks to God for the growth and mission of His church in the Carolinas.

Filed in Carolinas Mission Region, NALC, Other Happenings

Bible Study

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

Don’t forget our Wednesday Morning Bible Study that is being held each week. All information will be emailed to the congregational members no later than Tuesday afternoon. If you have trouble logging on to Zoom, please contact Rachel Shelton or Pastor David for assistance.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Worship at St. Jacob’s During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

September marks the fourth month of our return to in-person worship services at St. Jacob’s. It is good to see the many faces of our church family members who are present each week. It is also good to know that those who are not yet to a point where they are ready to return have kept themselves healthy and safe during this pandemic. Thanks be to God that we are able to live stream and record our worship services for those who watch it from their homes. As time goes by, we continue to find ways to improve our online worship experience.

There is one thing that bears reminding. We do have a face mask policy that remains in effect. While masks are not required for entry into the building, they are required during those portions of our service that include singing. All persons in attendance should have a mask in their possession. Masks are available upon entry to the Fellowship Hall and Church Nave. Please pick one up if you did not bring your own to worship. We want to be respectful of others and keep a healthy environment, especially for our more senior church family members who are in attendance.

Filed in Other Happenings, Worship Service

The Courage Center

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

Council voted to open our doors to The Courage Center (TCC) so that they could establish a meeting place in Chapin. What is The Courage Center? The Courage Center provides a safe, supportive, recovery-focused setting for young people and families on their journey to recover from substance misuse or substance use disorder. There was a need for a meeting location in the Chapin area. Many families in the Chapin/Newberry to Chapin/Dutch Fork/ Irmo vicinities were traveling to Lexington. During the midst of the COVID crisis and the civil unrest, The Courage Center saw some real, tangible signs that there are families in greater need of support and assistance.
• Overdose incidents in Lexington County are higher than the state average at 15 per week.
• The Lexington County Coroner’s office shared that although there was a 40% reduction in fatal overdoses from March through May 2019 compared to 2018. During that same time period in 2020, there was a 200% increase.
• Fatal overdoes, of young people under 30 years old, have seen a 50% increase over 2019.
St. Jacob’s is meeting this tremendous community need. The Courage Center meets in our Fellowship Hall each Thursday at 7:00 PM. As we have posted, no one with symptoms in the past 24 hours or knowingly been in contact with anyone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, can enter into the building. They use a no-contact digital forehead thermometer, nitrile gloves, face masks, and hand sanitizers upon entrance into the fellowship hall. All participants have to complete the Safety Precaution Form to attend the meeting. They have plenty of room to social distance. All PPE supplies are provided by TCC. After the meeting, they wipe down and sanitize the chairs, doorknobs, etc. in the Fellowship Hall before leaving. We ask that you lift The Courage Center and families in prayer.
Thanks,
Sherrie McTeer
Council President

Filed in Church Council President, Other Happenings, Outreach

The Bud and Lottie Sites Scholarships

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

The Bud and Lottie Sites Scholarships are for high school graduates and continuing higher education students who are members of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church. There are two types of scholarships being offered – $1,000 and $250 for the Fall semester. Continuing higher education includes college, technical college, trade school, etc.

Please contact Sherrie McTeer or Sherry Floyd in the church office for the application and requirements! Applications are due by October 1, 2020. Don’t forget to apply!

Filed in LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings

Council Briefs

Posted August 30, 2020 By admin

The St. Jacob’s Church Council met August 4th for its regular meeting.
Good Things at St. Jacob’s for February-July:
• Return to Sunday Worship in person
• Online Bible studies and devotions
• New members joining streaming services
• New and Reinstated Members to the Congregation
• Courage Center is utilizing our facility to help local families

Thanks to Joan Marco, Angela Nuottila and A.J. Peeples, for assistance with services.
Current Events/News: Please check the churches Facebook page and/or Website for updates.
Ongoing Project Updates: Parking lot expansion is still under review.
Next Scheduled Meeting: Regular meeting – September 8th, at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings
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