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Pastoral Devotion for June

Posted June 1, 2022 By admin

Rely on God

Read Matthew 6:25-34

How often do you wake up today and you are already worried about tomorrow? If that is the case, it is likely you went to bed already feeling the pressure of a certain circumstance or the ill effects of something you perceive to be a looming problem. And so it goes for so many in our world.

Our Lord Jesus teaches us that we should not worry. We should not worry about clothing, food, drink, or anything else under the sun. When we worry or become anxious about things we have or don’t have, we rely upon ourselves to alleviate the problem. Yet, truthfully, we are to put our trust in God who provides all we will ever need for life. As our Lord Jesus says, it is the father’s good pleasure to give us his kingdom.

Worrying about tomorrow’s problems today only causes them to become stumbling blocks for today’s opportunities. Lift up your worries and cares to God in prayer. Commend them to the Lord. As you do, you will soon realize his presence in your life each day, and the anxiousness for tomorrow will be replaced with the joy of Christ today.

Prayer: Lord, I put my trust in you, knowing you will provide all I need. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

Ninety Day Bible Reading Challenge

Posted May 25, 2022 By admin

Once again, we present the challenge to our congregation to read the Bible in ninety days. As it was last year, the challenge is to read the entire Bible, chronologically, every day for three months. We will use the New Living Translation (NLT) Chronological Study Bible which can be purchased through Amazon.com or ordered from most Bible bookstores. Our challenge will begin on Wednesday, June 1st and continue through August 29th. Reading plans will be shared with all who take up the challenge.

Several who took the challenge last year found the NLT Chronological Bible to be a wonderful Bible reading and study aid. Helping them to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. I would invite you to participate again this year.

Small groups will meet on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall beginning on June 5th . We will encourage one another, talk about confusing passages and use some guided questions to facilitate conversation and learning more about what we have read. A brochure is located on the table in the church nave adjacent to the offering plates. It contains information about what to expect as we take up the challenge to read the Bible in 90 days. Even those who took the challenge last year will find it to be a rewarding experience. Order your Bible today, and let’s read the Bible together in ninety days.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings

Tuesday Evening Family Ministry

Posted May 25, 2022 By admin

Matt, our Director for Youth and Family Ministry, has begun a new Family ministry here at St. Jacobs. Families share a time together exploring the depths of the Christian faith and growing in their relationship with Christ as his disciples. We gather on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall, enjoying games, music, snacks and learning more about how we can grow together as children of God. Please plan to join us. You can reach out to Matt via email at matt@st-jacobs.org or speak with him on Sunday morning.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, Other Happenings, Youth and Family Ministries, Youth Director

Vacation Bible School

Posted May 25, 2022 By admin

Sparks Studios 2022

VBS is back! Kids for Pre-K to 8th grade and their friends are invited to join us for a week of fun games, music, snacks, lessons, crafts, and much more. This year we will be diving into the awesomeness of God the Father, our Creator and Designer. The overwhelming joys of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit as He helps us throughout our lives.

VBS will begin with a light supper served at 5:45 PM and will conclude each evening about 8 PM. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors as we offer praise and thanks to God for all he continues to do in the lives of his people. Mark it on your calendars starting on Monday, June 20th to Thursday, June 23rd at 5:45 PM.

We are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of roles, including:

Games coordinator

Lesson teacher

Meal provider

Craft makers

Volunteers for each age group Pre-K, 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-8th,

If you are interested in helping us or have any questions, please reach out to: Matt, Sherrie McTeer or the Church office,

In Christ,

Matt Burt

Filed in Bible Study, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Worship Service, Youth and Family Ministries, Youth Director

Mid-Week Bible Study

Posted May 25, 2022 By admin

Mid-Week Bible Study continues in the Fellowship Hall each Wednesday morning at 10 AM. We are reading the book of Acts and learning more about the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ and the men whom Christ chose to establish it. No previous study is required, and the lessons are presented in such a way that it really doesn’t matter if you are joining in at the middle of our study or if you have attended each week. We have a very lively discussion and look forward to more church family members joining. (We will not have class on June 1st while Pastor is on vacation.)

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila

Posted May 15, 2022 By admin

What follows is a copy of an essay shared with me by a friend who received it from one of his former students. I found this to be a powerful witness coming from one who felt he had to share his experience upon reading the narrative of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the first time. My friend edited some parts to preserve the student’s anonymity. Permission has been given for my sharing it with you.
Prior to attending this class, I had not been exposed to Christianity. I hadn’t read the Bible before. I knew a famous story about the Last Supper and I had seen paintings that depicted it. A few weeks ago, I went to a church for the first time. I felt a little amazed about it. The church was just like a big, warm family. Christians greeted others, gave hugs, prayed to Jesus by singing songs. They even prayed for people who were suffering diseases and disaster even though they were strangers to them. Then I saw some Christians holding out their arms and weeping when they were emotionally moved. They were so faithful when they were praying that I couldn’t believe how great was the power of their belief had I not seen it myself.
I was given a small piece of bread and a little cup of red wine which represented Jesus’ body and blood to eat. A Christian told me it was given according to Jesus’ promise to sinful human beings. But I didn’t understand that until I read Luke’s story today.
Jesus healed so many people who were sick and troubled by evil spirits before he went to Jerusalem, but he didn’t do anything for himself, even though he had anticipated his death many times. He kept calm in the face of death, comforted women who wept for him as he carried his cross. He even forgave one of the condemned criminals dying with him.
What a graceful man! Now I know why Christians are so faithful to him. A man who could devote himself to ease others’ sins should be honored and praised forever!
But still there is one thing that puzzles me. If Christians can be so moved by their faith in their Lord and Savior, why do so many take salvation for granted? Why do so many Christians refrain from attending church services on Sunday?
Being welcomed into this big warm family has brought me ever-closer to the God whom I did not know. But once I began reading the Bible and learning more about Jesus, I have become intrigued with his life, and especially his death. I have come to believe that Jesus truly is my Lord and Savior and that having been forgiven of my sins, I will one day enter the gates of his kingdom. If this is what Christians believe, why is it that an overwhelming number of them stay away?
I’ve heard some say it is because they don’t like the music. Others have said it’s because they don’t care for the pastor. I’ve even heard Christian parents complain that there are not enough things to keep their children busy. This is what I don’t understand. Are we supposed to come because we like the music? Are we supposed to come because we feel the pastor is a terrific preacher and perfect gentleman? And are we supposed to bring our children so they can participate in games and programs? No, what I have come to believe is that Christians are to come to church because living on our own terms is why Jesus went to the cross in the first place. He died because humans are stubborn in their thinking, because they only want life measured by the way they think it should be. Although I am sure few would admit this, not even to themselves, I have to admit this was me, at least until I took this class and was invited to church by one of my classmates.
I am so thankful that I have met Jesus. I am thankful that a church filled with sinners welcomed me into their warm family. I am thankful that the imperfect pastor of their church believes Jesus died for the sake of everyone, and that he is so willing to tell others how God saves us from our sin through the death of Jesus.
Not before I took this class, not before I read the Gospel of Luke, not before I went to church with my classmate, did I realize what I had been missing my whole life. And now, I want this for everyone. Thank you, Jesus, for opening my eyes.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

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

Ninety Day Bible Reading Challenge

Posted May 5, 2022 By admin

Once again, we present the challenge to our congregation to read the Bible in ninety days. As it was last year, the challenge is to read the entire Bible, chronologically, every day for three months. We will use the New Living Translation (NLT) Chronological Study Bible which can be purchased through Amazon.com or ordered from most Bible bookstores. Our challenge will begin on Wednesday, June 1st and continue through August 29th. Reading plans will be shared with all who take up the challenge.
Several who took the challenge last year found the NLT Chronological Bible to be a wonderful Bible reading and study aid. Helping them to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. I would invite you to participate again this year.
Small groups will meet once per week for encouragement; but unlike last year, there will be some guided questions to facilitate conversation and learning more about what we have read. A brochure with more information will be included as an insert for those who would like to know more and sign up for the challenge. Even those who took the challenge last year will find it to be a rewarding experience. Order your Bible today, and let’s read the Bible together in ninety days.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings

Director Of Youth and Family Ministries

Posted May 1, 2022 By admin

Dear St. Jacob’s Families,
I want to share the Holy Spirit’s burden on my heart. Let us look to the calling our heavenly Father has given us through Christ Jesus. To make disciples of all nations, teaching them all He has taught us. (Mt 28:18-20).
That vision I have for families at St. Jacob’s is to dive headfirst into the surpassing knowledge of the love of Christ for sinners and sufferers. And to become lights to their families and the world around them. (Mt. 11:28-30, Eph 3:17-19, Jn 6:37, Mt 5:14-16)
My goals are for the families, with the power of the Holy Spirit:
• To learn from the Son that they may see and glorify the Father. (Mt 11:28-30)
• To endlessly search for the riches of their identity in Christ. (Eph 3:17-19)
• To rest entirely in the never-ending promise to never be cast out. (Jn 6:37)
• To go into the world and be a light that draws others to Christ. (Mt 5:14-16)
With that as the foundation, I would like to invite families, both parents and their children, to join us for a weekly meeting where we might allow Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith, being grounded in love—comprehending with all the saints of God what are the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that the Holy Spirit would fill us with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:17-19)
Would you join us for a night of worshiping our Father through songs, teaching, fellowship, games, and more?
Brothers and Sisters, how wonderful would it be if we as a church might come to desire and delight in the calling of Christ Jesus. Our Friend, our Elder Brother, our Lord and Master, our Savior and Redeemer.
We will be meeting every Tuesday night from 7 PM—8:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, starting on May 10th . If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to me and I can get you plugged in!
In Christ,
Matt Burt
Youth and Family Director
matt@st-jacobs.org

Filed in Bible Study, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Youth and Family Ministries, Youth Director

Pastoral Devotion for May

Posted April 29, 2022 By admin

God Will Help
Read Luke 16:19-31
He is dirty, has a long scraggly beard and holds a sign in his hands that simply said “Hungry. Anything will help.” His name is Lazarus.
Does this sound familiar? Likely you have driven past him as you entered the parking lot at the shopping center or fast-food restaurant. Responding to his predicament is a tough call. On one hand, Jesus teaches us that we are to care for the needy, feed the hungry, and offer help to the poor. On the other hand, we don’t know if the person begging from us is truly in need, or if they are trying to take advantage of a person’s generosity.
Street corners and parking lots are a haven for beggars. For some, it is food for their children. With others, gas for the car, or medicine for a particular ailment. Today, Jesus teaches us that we should be kind to those in need, sharing what we have for the sake of the poor and hungry without judging them. The question is, do we help?
Focusing on the man we drove by as we entered the parking lot consider this, in Hebrew, the name Lazarus means “God will help.” No, not every beggar is in such need. We won’t always be willing to let go of those precious dollars we worked so hard to get. But we can act in good faith, for we have Moses and the prophets to teach us. We have God’s commandments and we have the parables of Jesus. The truth is, God will help. He helps Lazarus, and he will help us too.
Prayer: Father in heaven, give us hearts for compassion, and the will to be generous to those in need. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor

Monday And Wednesday Bible Study

Posted April 29, 2022 By admin

Wednesday Morning Bible Study has resumed at 10 AM each Wednesday morning. In response to the sample survey sent out earlier in the year, Pastor David is also offering a new Bible Study on Monday evenings at 7 PM. The topic for our study will be “Walking Together: The Importance of Fellowship for Disciples of Christ.”

“Walking Together” will include nine lessons presented in a “come as you are” level requiring no previous study or homework. Each lesson will be presented in such a way that it will be easy to invite a friend or neighbor to join in for a single lesson or for the entire study. Each lesson will cover a primary reading from the Bible and ask open ended questions concerning our life together as the people of God. All are welcome to participate. No special materials are required. Just bring your Bible and a willingness to study God’s Word together.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Pastor
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