15Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:15-17
Over the years, one of the greatest joys I have found in being a pastor is watching the children of the church grow in their faith. It is a tremendous blessing for congregations to have children among them as part of our life together. As I write this monthly message, we are getting ready to begin Vacation Bible School. It will be a week filled with children’s learning, laughter, singing, and energy. VBS is always a highlight for the summer months. It is a time when adults can reflect on days gone by when we were the children experiencing much of the same things as the kids today. That’s how life in the church goes.
Jesus was quite clear in his rebuke of those who tried to keep children from coming to him. His words carry a weight and authority like those of no one else. “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Imagine the sight, a kingdom filled with the laughter and wide eyes of children as they flock to the one who embodies the love of God, promising to keep them near to him forever. If we only watch and pay attention, we can see this reality unfold right before our eyes.
The truth be told, children love to be among their church family. When the children of the church are present, they find themselves in the midst of a community that shares equal joy and wonder in the presence of Christ the Lord. Maybe that’s because, as we welcome the children into our midst and
shower them with love and attention, God takes delight and showers us with the blessing of the children’s love, energy, and excitement.
If you have ever been a part of a congregation without children, you will know just how quiet life in the church can be. As children of God, we are to be ever thankful for all of God’s blessings. We are to be filled with the joy of knowing that, just as Christ welcomed the children and blessed them, our heavenly Father also welcomes and blesses us. Sadly, we adults sometime forget this as we find ourselves burdened with the weight of our fallen broken world upon our shoulders. Finding joy in presence of children helps us put such hindrances in their proper place.
We can learn so many lessons from the children of the church, all we need to do is watch them and let them be children. First, we can learn what it truly means to have a child-like faith. To believe and fully trust God in all situations. When circumstances in life cause us fear or anxiety, we can curl up in the lap of our Father, seeking his peace and comfort just as a child seeks the same from a loving parent or grandparent. When we feel that we are lacking something or find that we have a particular need, we can ask God with assurance of a small child when he or she receives that which would bring fulfillment.
As I said at the onset, it brings me great joy to see the children each week in worship. Each one brings tremendous gifts to our church family just by their presence among us. Watching the many children that I had the privilege to baptize grow, and take their place in the community always brings to mind God’s blessings and promises that we find in his peace, power, and presence.
Parents, please continue to bring your children to church. Grandparents, bring your grandchildren. Share their lives with those whom God has called and gathered here at St. Jacob’s. Let them all come to Christ, do not hinder them. They serve as living, breathing reminders to all of us of the joy we experience in the presence of Christ our Lord. They also help us continue in a child-like faith as we await the great and glorious day when our Lord comes to take us to where he is, the place he has prepared for all the children of God.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Bible Study Archive
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted July 4, 2022 By adminPastoral Devotion for July
Posted July 1, 2022 By adminPray; God Will Hear
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
It seems these days there are so many people calling for prayer. After all, there is so much for which to pray. All around the world we hear of people struggling with poverty, hunger, and disease. Even as I write this, I received a prayer request. With so many prayers, how can we be sure God hears them?
The scriptures are filled with passages declaring God’s hearing and answering the prayers of his people. In the book of Jeremiah we read, “You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” Jeremiah 29:12 In Mark’s Gospel Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
These are but two of many passages in the Bible that point us to the power of prayer and the assurance that God hears them. We know our God is one who keeps his promises, especially the promise to save people from their sin. With that, the apostle Paul encourages God’s people to pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray for your neighbor. Pray for your loved ones as well as your enemies. Give thanks in all circumstances. God is faithful. He will surely answer your prayer.
Prayer: O Lord, listen as I cry to you. Hear my prayer. Amen.
Mid-Week Bible Study
Posted June 29, 2022 By adminMid-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.
First Communion Classes
Posted June 29, 2022 By adminPastor David will hold First Communion classes for those children who have not yet received this instruction. Anyone who feels their child in first grade or older is ready to begin receiving Holy Communion should contact Pastor David. Classes will be held during the Sunday School hour in the Children’s Choir Room downstairs. A parent or guardian must accompany their child during each class period. Classes will be held each Sunday morning beginning on July10th. Children completing instruction will receive their first Holy Communion on Sunday, July 31st.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted June 15, 2022 By adminDuring a recent session of Wednesday morning Bible study, our small group read the account written by Luke in the book of Acts, of the time when God poured out his Holy Spirit upon all those who were gathered in the upper room. Peter was there, along with the remaining apostles, Jesus’ mother, and nearly 120 other witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. They were in the room together worshiping God and praying. That’s when it happened.
A sudden sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the room just as tongues of fire danced over the heads of the faithful. God’s Holy Spirit made his entry into the lives of those who would build the Church of Jesus Christ. What happened next is nothing short of astounding.
Peter, and the remaining disciples of Jesus took to the streets of Jerusalem and began proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. They did it in many languages, even though none of them had knowledge or training in the tongues in which they spoke. It was God’s working of a miracle so that people would know the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb who takes away the world’s sin. Scripture records that 3,000 people were added to the church on that day, and in the next few days, another 5,000 were added to the number of believers in Christ.
Reading this narrative of the birth of the Church of Christ, and then considering the recent history of the Church, one might get the sense that the Holy Spirit no longer moves among the faithful. This would be a completely false statement. The power of the Holy Spirit is unchanging. It is the same today as it has always been since the beginning. What has changed, however; is humanity’s response to the power of the Holy Spirit.
The powers in the air, as Paul puts in Ephesians (Ephesians 2:2-4), continue to lull Christians into a spiritual slumber, of which they find it difficult to awaken from. We at St. Jacob’s are no better off than many congregations when it comes to a lack of response to the Holy Spirit’s calling. There appears to be a condition of spiritual lethargy permeating the lives of congregations throughout the Church.
During the recent Mission Region Convocation, I was a part of a conversation among several pastors who compared notes about the goings on within our churches. We soon discovered we are walking on common ground. There seems to be little hunger within several of our churches for Spiritual growth. Bible study attendance is at an all time low, as is Sunday School attendance. Participation in mission projects seems lacking and worship attendance among young families is becoming a rarity in many places. We all scratched our heads and wondered what the cause of these trends might be.
One thing we realized is that, as it was in the upper room, the people of God do not seem to gather in large numbers for prayer. Prayer seems to be something we turn to when we want something or have a particular difficulty. Christians today do not seem to be plugged in to the available power of the Holy Spirit God provides. Instead, we tend to listen to those “powers in the air” and our faith becomes distracted. This spiritual lethargy causes congregations to shrink within themselves and experience decreasing joy as numbers of worshipers begin to dwindle.
It is my prayer for St. Jacob’s that we would make a strong commitment to living a life together in the power of the Holy Spirit. That we would experience increased life together in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and that we would rediscover the joy and fruitfulness of reading Scripture with one another as a community of believers. May the God who first brought forth the Lord Jesus Christ from death and the grave give us the will and the desire to do these.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion for June
Posted June 1, 2022 By adminRely 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.
Ninety Day Bible Reading Challenge
Posted May 25, 2022 By adminOnce 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.
Tuesday Evening Family Ministry
Posted May 25, 2022 By adminMatt, 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.
Vacation Bible School
Posted May 25, 2022 By adminSparks 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
Mid-Week Bible Study
Posted May 25, 2022 By adminMid-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.)
