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From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted June 1, 2020 By admin

by Pastor David Nuottila
As the day of Pentecost approaches, it seems to be a somewhat bitter-sweet occasion for us to celebrate this year. Bitter in that we are not all gathered in one place for worship. All of us at St. Jacob’s (and most other congregations) have been separated for quite some time now. When you think about it, we suspended in person church activities in just the third week of Lent. Holy Week services, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, and the entire Easter season played out to an empty church building. Only through technology were we able to gather spiritually for worship during this time.

Yet, the day of Pentecost is a sweet moment in time for us as we remember God’s outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon the apostles and ultimately the church. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed to those gathered in the streets of Jerusalem by the very men who just weeks before were afraid to even go out in public. The fear of those who crucified our Lord kept Jesus’s closest companions from giving witness to the greatest miracle of all, the resurrection of our Lord. That is, until the day of Pentecost.
These days, it is the COVID-19 virus that attempts to quiet the Gospel and stifle the church. Surely, many live in fear today; fear from a virus they cannot see. People are afraid to come into close contact with others. They are fearful of gathering in crowds of even the most modest numbers. And quite honestly, even those who say they are not fearful go about their daily lives having changed the ways they interact with others. Yes, we are fearful, but the church is anything but quiet.
Again, since the third week of Lent, so many pastors and teachers of the faith have embraced technology and used these marvels to proclaim the resurrection of our Lord, and the good news of God’s grace through faith in Christ. And in true Pentecost fashion, many pastors have noticed a large number of people “attending” worship as online services are provided. Here at St. Jacob’s we have had a significant ground swell of people viewing our weekly worship.
As we continue to find ways to reach out to people with the saving Gospel of Jesus, we must also realize the day is coming when we will once again open our doors to the congregation and community. In that day, we will no longer look to technology as our primary means of sharing faith with our community and world. Just like the apostles of old, the members of St. Jacob’s must take to the streets and tell others about the love God has for His people and the forgiveness that comes through Christ.
And so, even as we might see this year’s celebration of Pentecost as a bitter-sweet day in time, it is actually a rekindling of our mission and ministry. As God’s people, we must recognize the power of the Holy Spirit poured out upon our congregation and Christ’s call for us to use this power to grow His church on earth. Whether socially distant or gathered in one place, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel, share our faith, and grow as disciples of our Lord. This was, is. and always shall be the mission of the church of Jesus Christ, and the mission and ministry of we His people gathered here.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

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

Pastoral Devotion For June

Posted June 1, 2020 By admin

What Is Fear?
Psalm 46:1-11
What is fear? That is perhaps a question that most of us have not pondered. Certainly, we have asked ourselves why are we afraid and what is it that we fear? But when is the last time you asked yourself, “What is fear?”

Everyone is afraid of something. When Abram went to Egypt, he was afraid Pharaoh would kill him and take his wife Sarai to be his own. When Moses was called to lead the Hebrews from bond-age, he was afraid he would be ineffective and rejected. He begged God not to send him. And when Jesus’s twelve disciples were threatened by a storm on the sea, they feared for their lives, even while Jesus was sleeping in the boat. Given these examples, I believe we have an answer to our question.

Fear is the absence of trust in God that he will act according to his promises. When we have complete trust in God to provide for us and protect us, we have no need to be afraid. With so much going wrong in our world, so many instances of violence and disease, our trust belongs in the Lord. Only God has the power to overcome the evils that surround us. He is our refuge. God is our ever-present help. Therefore, do not be afraid. Be still. Trust God.

Prayer: Give me faith to place my trust in you, O Lord, that I may not be afraid.
Amen.

From Pastor David’s blog –
In The Beginning

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

Bible Study

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

Pastor David and Rachel Shelton continue to host an online Bible study at our regular time each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. The lesson is sent out via email the day before if we have an email address for you so you can prepare. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. Participate by making comments in the comments section. Please give Facebook a try so you can participate. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor, Youth Director

Supporting We Care

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community and especially as members of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s can and should consider becom-ing a strong supporters of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
All members of our church family are encouraged to make regular donations of non-perishable items that can be brought to the church and collected in the fellowship hall. During the suspension of church activities, donations can be brought to the church office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in our partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.

 

Chapin We Care webpage

 

Pantry Needs

Donations of all food items are appreciated.

Listed below are some of the things that are in constant need.

•Peanut butter/ Jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Dried Beans
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna/Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip/Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, ie Toothbrushes, Toothpaste

Filed in Other Happenings, Outreach

Grace Notes

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

Members of our church family and several of our friends have received, either in their email or U.S. mail, a copy of our newest means of communication. On the 15th of each month, we will be sending out a mini newsletter entitled “Grace Notes.” It is just one more way through which we can keep the congregation updated on the ministries and mission of St. Jacob’s.

Filed in Other Happenings

Honoring Our Graduates

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

St. Jacob’s honors this year’s high school graduates, Nicholas and Anna Grace. Nicholas is a graduate of Spring Hill High School. Anna Grace is a graduate of Chapin High School. We wish them both success as they begin a new chapter in their lives and pray that God continues to bless them with the gift of his love and grace through Jesus Christ.

Filed in Other Happenings

Youth Director & Family Ministries

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV)
I have taken many lessons out of quarantine, a few examples: always having hand sanitizer on hand, gratefulness for face-to-face conversations, and many new meals that I can cook; but the most important lesson I bring out of this is the importance of the Word of God. I have always loved reading scripture, from early on in my life to studying it in college courses. It has always fascinated me and given me so much. With so much uncertainty in our world today, we should be clinging to the Truth. Our only source of life, peace, and comfort—Jesus. With all of the extra time, I was excited to be able to read some books that have been on my shelf for a while and to also revisit some of my old favorites; but I had to remind myself that although those commentaries and stories are great and helpful, they cannot take the place of Scripture in my daily routine. My daily worship has looked a lot like Psalm 119:105-112, which we studied last Wednesday, a prayer for a person who wants to dedicate themselves to the Word of God. It’s no secret that there is a lot going on right now and this is to be expected – since sin entered the world. God has given us the tools to have strength and hope even during times like these. In Lamentations Chapter 3, Jeremiah is sit-ting in a cave overlooking Jerusalem. If you know the story (or if you don’t, check it out), he is sitting in the ruins of the city amongst death and destruction. Jeremiah is at an all-time low, and similar to many of the Psalms we have read over the past two months, feels like even God has turned against him. BUT, the best part is found in Verse 21, “but this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” It goes on to say “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compas-sions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him…” Jeremiah shifted his thinking from himself to thinking about God. He remembered the promises of God. The only thing that was able to carry him through. Even though it didn’t look like it at that moment, he knew that God was merciful, compassionate, and faithful. We have the same option every day to believe this to be true or not. Jeremiah kept the Word of God at the forefront of his mind and recalled it during times of trouble. I want to reach for God before I reach for anything else, when I’m bored, when I’m uncomfortable, when I need answers or entertainment, and when I’m lonely. Help us, God.
Miss you all,
Rachel

Filed in Other Happenings, Youth Director

Church Family Reminder

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

Even as orders are beginning to be lifted by our Governor, please continue to care for each other. We may still have members who need errands run, medications picked up, or grocery needs. In order to keep those who are still at a high health risk for getting the virus, you can contact Sherry in the church office. Let’s continue to look after our church family at this time.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted May 1, 2020 By admin

by Pastor David Nuottila
At the time of this writing, we are in the midst of stay at home orders, social distancing and the closure of many other public places. Sporting events are cancelled; concerts, theaters and many other forms of entertainment are also shut down. Even our houses of worship are affected by government guidelines for gathering in large crowds. All of this due to the novel coronavirus outbreak that has caused a world-wide pandemic.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway; in all of this I miss my church family. As a pastor, I thrive on the personal interaction we all share here at St. Jacob’s. I suppose I should consider myself blessed in that, from time to time, I do get to see and speak with members of our congregation, albeit at a distance. Still, it is no substitute for the conversation, smiles, handshakes and hugs we would normally share on a frequent basis. Perhaps this is why I am choosing to focus on community as a theme for my writing this month.
Our God is one who has always gathered his peo-ple into community with one another. Ever since his creating of the first human beings, our Father has called his people into relationships to be shared among the faithful. Our Lord Jesus even assures us that as even two or three gather in his name, there he is among them. Our God is close to his people. God’s people are to be close with one another. The community in which we live is a gathering in the mystical body of Christ himself.
Who among us has not missed the gathering of our church family? Who is it that has enjoyed this time of separation between family members, friends and loved ones? No one, no not one. Just as a pastor thrives on the social interaction of his flock, so too does the flock thrive as we share in our life together. I have heard from several that they cannot wait until this current crisis passes so that we can all gather again. I have heard from several others that they didn’t realize just how much they
have taken our Sunday morning gatherings for granted. Yet, for the time being, we will have to endure as we have been doing.
I am very thankful for those who have helped during our online worship services. Certainly, our worship is enhanced by the addition of music and the presence of those who have participated as readers, singers and musicians. We worship as we are able in a way that I hope is reaching beyond our congregation. I pray that as we continue to seek ways in which to strengthen the sense of community among our church family members, we strengthen the relation-ships we share as well.
Until we are able to gather as one congregation in worship, I will continue to pray for God’s guidance and inspiration as I seek ways to foster the relationship we all share as family members of St. Jacob’s. Yes, this will mean continued morning and evening check-ins and devotions. It will mean the posting of jigsaw puzzles on our Facebook page for families to work on together. And most certainly, it will mean a continued effort to hold each one of you in prayer as we remain separated by state and federal guidelines.
I pray that you all remain safe and healthy. I pray that you take the time to enjoy the relationships you share with those who are closest to you. And I pray, most of all, that in this season of Easter, the joy of Christ’s resurrection, the power of God’s love for his people, and the love that binds us together in faith remains first and foremost in your hearts and minds. God bless you and keep you in his grace.

Blessings,
Pastor David Nuottila

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

Pastoral Devotion For May

Posted May 1, 2020 By admin

Community In Christ
Read Acts 2:42-47
Each year, the National Geographic Channel airs a series in which ten competitors are deposited in a wild and desolate location somewhere around the globe. The purpose of the journey is to find out which of them is able to survive the longest in the wild while being totally, as the title would describe, Alone. The competitors have no contact with anyone. Only if they radio for assistance would they hear another human voice, but such a call means their odyssey comes to an end.

Being alone is contrary to the life God would have for his people. In the beginning, God created Adam but soon afterward made for him a helper and companion. Throughout the ages, God has blessed the human family that people may live in communi-ty with one another. In his book, “Life Together”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that, for believers, community is a gift of God’s grace.

Not all live in such community. Many believers are dispersed throughout the world and live among those who have not believed Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Yet, our God calls some Christians to love and even live among their enemies. Speaking the Gospel of Christ to those who do not believe provides the building blocks of faith, which in turn serve as the seeds that sprout and grow into the fellowship of faith.

God does not intend for his people to live alone. Filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers have what is needed to introduce others to Christ. Hearing the Gospel bring others to faith, and through faith, Christ establishes the community of believers.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Pastor
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