Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” Mark 1:10-11
This text from Mark’s gospel should be a familiar one for most of us. It comes from the Gospel lesson we had on June 13th. During the weeks following Holy Trinity Sunday, in the year in which we primarily read from Mark’s Gospel, we hear several parables from Jesus concerning the seed of God’s Word. This text teaches us that no matter the situation we might find ourselves in, God’s kingdom is bursting forth all around us. It may not always seem like it, for we all know there is plenty of trouble and misfortune to go around. Still, since Christ took the weight of humanity’s sin to the cross, those who believe and are baptized are blessed with the peace of Christ, in that our sins are forgiven, and we have the promise of everlasting life.
God’s kingdom is so vast, so wide, the Word of the Lord will fill the hearts and minds of people no matter where they may stand. So why might it be that today’s Christians are not as apt in sharing God’s word with others? Why are so many Christians reluctant to do the work of evangelism? Well, to borrow a word from Jesus, truly, I say to you that it is likely because we live in a culture base on individuality rather than community. Humanity has wandered so far from God’s precepts that even those who desire to have a relationship with the Lord desire to have one defined by their own human standards and not God’s standards.
Case in point, take a look at how much our society has tried to redefine sin so that it doesn’t seem so shameful. At nearly every turn, traditional expressions of Christian faith have become viewed as offensive and exclusive. So, what is a Christian to do when it comes to living in the world but not of the world? What does it mean that we are to be dwellers and proclaimers of God’s kingdom as
Christ continues to establish his reign on earth? The short answer to this question is, “share the Gospel.”
The world is filled with problems, issues and distractions that grab our attention and attempt to fill our hearts and minds with worry, doubt, and anxiety. It is so easy to focus on the headlines of our lives and forget that we do in fact have good news that satisfies the hunger deep within our hearts and souls. Everywhere we go, there are people who have a hunger and thirst for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. As children of God, we are called to proclaim this good news, even when we think people don’t want to listen. The power of the gospel is such that once the seed is planted, growth will occur. We may not realize how or when the good news takes root, but God assures us that even as we plant the seed of his Word, the Holy Spirit will most certainly cause it to grow.
Sharing our faith with others, especially those who have not heard the Gospel of Christ, is the calling of every Christian. God gathers us in worship, shares his Word through song, reading and preaching, and then feeds us from his table of grace, so that we are enabled and equipped to tell others about Christ. God sends us out as witnesses to the power of God’s love and the abundance of his grace.
It doesn’t matter if one turns away when you share your faith with them. The seed is still planted. It doesn’t matter if another shuns you as you bring God’s message of salvation. What matters is that each one of us takes up the cross of Christ, and bears witness to our Lord Jesus whose mercy and forgiveness is eternal and whose kingdom meant for all people. Only when we do this will we bring the good news to those who long to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom.
As you ponder this message, think about those instances when you might share the Gospel with a stranger. Then pray for confidence and clarity in your proclamation. Pray for those with whom you share your faith. God’s Word will not return empty, of this you can be sure.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11
Mark does not tell us exactly where John was located while he was baptizing, except that he baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. Many people went out into the wilderness to hear John preach his message of repentance and to be baptized by him. This ritual washing was their means of declaring their turning from sinful behavior in order to live a more godly life. When Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, he had no need to repent. Jesus did so to “fulfill all righteousness” and to completely identify himself with those whom he came to save. As he came up out of the water, Jesus heard the voice of his Father; “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
How many children long to hear such words from their father? These words of love and acceptance are words each child craves, yet many never hear such words from their father’s lips or feel the warmth of their father’s embrace. Many others grow up living with the absence of their father. Yes, some fathers turn from family responsibilities, but for so many children, love isn’t so plainly expressed simply because fathers are apprehensive to show their compassionate side. All too often, fathers feel they must be seen as strong and unwavering. Indeed, I will say the reality is that it takes even more strength to overcome such stigma and show the tenderness of a father’s love.
For so many people, the world seems a lonely place, one in which there is little love shown toward others. As we make our way through the trials and pitfalls of earthly life, we do so searching for love. Especially when times are difficult and it seems the world is against us, we long to hear the words Jesus heard from his Father; “You are my beloved [child].” For the baptized, this is a reality that cannot be overlooked.
Through his Son Jesus Christ, God has demonstrated the lengths he will go to save his people, rescuing them from the powers of sin and death. There is no other love that is greater than the love of the Father in heaven. There is no greater value than that the Father places upon his children, those whom he has claimed in baptism to be his own forever.
God desires to have a relationship with all people; he desires to save all people from their sin. As we hear the message of the gospel, the Holy Spirit moves us toward the waters of Holy Baptism. Through the waters connected to God’s Word and promise, our heavenly Father reaches out to us and holds us in his loving embrace. In a discussion during our annual Pastor’s Conference, it was presented to the ministerium that in Holy Baptism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. While participation in the Spirit entails a variety of blessings, the Spirit is the promise. The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. He cleanses us of sin and brings us into that divine relationship. Our life within the church is inseparable from this fellowship with God. The Baptized are joined to the Son, in spirit filled anticipation of the kingdom, such that, with Christ, we may call God “Father.” (Yoder, 2021)
As we emerge from the waters of the baptismal flood, we are greeted with the very words God spoke to Jesus, “You are my beloved [child].” Living in the bonds of the Father’s love, the baptized enjoy a relationship like no other. It is the forever assurance that no matter what happens in this temporary world, the Father, whose kingdom has no end, will love us and cherish us forever.
God bless the men of St. Jacob’s who are both, loving fathers and examples of fatherly love for the children of our congregation. And God bless us all as we live together in the Father’s love.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila