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The page on the calendar indicates the month of April is finally upon us, and the highlight for the Church will certainly be the Easter celebration that comes on April 17th. Yet, as I prepared to write this column and offer an Easter message, I realized that at the time of this writing, we are but halfway through our Lenten journey. As the children of God, we long to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord at Easter, but in order to be faithful, we cannot look past the lessons of Lent and the events of Holy Week. Of course, there are plans underway for our traditional Easter breakfast and Easter egg hunt. Yet, in the midst of all these plans for celebration, if we fail to consider the journey of Christ to the cross, suddenly the story loses much of its meaning.
Since Ash Wednesday, Christians the world over have focused on our need for repentance and our reliance on God’s mercy and grace. Lent is a season of penitence, a time for spiritual renewal and a time of dedication to discipleship and following Christ. Each Wednesday, our congregation, along with four other congregations, have been engaged in a series based on the prophet Joel’s call to “Return to the Lord.” As we consider what Christ endured on our behalf, we hear God’s call to turn away from our betrayal, bearing false witness, and denial. We have also heard the message that God calls us to return to him in prayer, seeking his kingdom first above all else.
Each Wednesday, we continue to hear the call to return to the Lord from neighboring pastors who have prepared messages for us according to our theme. These voices of repentance provide us with very real examples of how we are to respond to God’s grace. God meets us where we are and in our every need. He provides that which we need to live and calls us to share these good gifts with others. Just as Christ loves us, God calls us to love our neighbors and be as Christ to them.
Finally, as we prepare for the week the Church calls Holy, we look to Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem where he was greeted as king and called blessed. The Bible study we have shared concerning the Passion of Christ has focused attention to those events of Holy Week that have
been leading up to Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion. For me, it has been a particularly meaningful time of Bible study. I strongly encourage those who are able, come on Wednesday morning and join in. We will engage Scriptures as we read of Jesus before Caiaphas, Herod and ultimately Pilate. We will consider his passion as the ones whom he came to save. And finally, we will study and meditate on Christ words from the cross as he completes his earthly mission and wins the victory over the powers that defy God.
Many of you will come to the service of Palm Sunday and hear the passion narrative of our Lord Jesus. Many more of you will come to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and feel the power of God’s love, mercy, and grace. Still, I encourage you to attend the services of worship dur-ing Lent and especially Holy Week. This is the time to consider what God in Christ Jesus has done and continues to do for the sake of God’s people. This is the time to dedicate yourselves to deepening your relationship with God. This is the time to cast away those aspects of our lives that do us harm and give thanks to God for rebirth as children of God as we bathe in the waters of our baptism onto Christ.
The Easter celebration is not far off, but it is also not yet here. In order that we may fully and joyfully experience the wonders of Christ’s empty tomb, we must also hear and consider his journey to the cross. I look forward to seeing more and more of you as Easter approaches. I look forward to sharing the gospel story of Jesus with you and receiving the feast of Christ body and blood that God sets before us each week. And most certainly I look forward with great anticipation to sharing with you the Easter proclamation that Christ is risen, he is risen indeed!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
I can’t say why, but this year, more than most, the celebration of Christmas seems just a little bit nearer to me. Perhaps it is because that the past two Christmas celebrations have been somewhat curtailed by the pandemic. Maybe it is because the year 2021 presented a few challenges to my faith. Or perhaps it is due to a cloudy outlook into the future that many people envision because of uncertain times. Regardless, this year I find myself in earnest reflection of the Christmas narrative and the miracle surrounding the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Think of it, a young woman – a girl actually – pure and innocent, a virgin, suddenly finding herself “with child” by the power of the Holy Spirit. Dear Mary, whom the church would later recognize as “theotokos” or “the God-bearer” she would face so many challenges at a tender young age that most women would likely shy away from. Mary most likely faced harsh ridicule from those who knew her best. “How could you become pregnant outside of marriage?” How could you bring shame upon your family…upon Joseph with such behavior?” No, in these instances, young Mary was alone in her predicament. How could she convince people the child within her was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? Truly, how could she convince Joseph? Only because God sent the angel Gabriel to Joseph in a dream did he become privy to God’s plan to send his Son into the World through such humble means.
As servants of the Lord, Mary and Joseph submitted to the will and desire of our Holy and Mighty God. Perhaps because of their humbleness and willingness God found reason to choose them to be the instruments of his good will toward mankind.
Think of Joseph. He was a man who worked with his hands. Scripture tells us that he was a faithful and just man, one who took into consideration his love and concern for others. Joseph is a good example for today’s men to follow. When presented with challenges in relationships with others, we can look to Joseph, doing well to handle them quietly, faithfully, compassionately. When called to serve according to God’s will, even when the situation is difficult, we can see in Joseph a willing spirit and an eager obedience to follow.
And think of Mary, the things she had to experience for herself. There was no midwife to help her deliver and care for her child. No warm water in which to bathe the child. No light, no warmth, only a cold manger for a bed and rags in which to wrap the babe in so he wouldn’t shiver. Who showed this poor girl what to do in such circumstances? Who was there to guide her, encourage her? No one but God, and Mary placed her complete faith and trust in him.
I believe that such reflection upon the birth of our Lord serves us well as we look to God’s unfailing love for his people. Christmas is a time when we can take a long look at our faith and life. What sweeter picture can there be other than a young mother’s glance beaming down upon her first child even as he was born into such a harsh environment? Loving eyes looking upon a helpless child, dependent upon his mother for everything.
It is the same picture of love we see as we consider our heavenly Father’s glance beaming down upon his precious children whom he saved from sin and death through the miracle of this baby born of Mary. We sinful human beings are brought into a right relationship through the child conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. This truly is the greatest gift of all. God’s loving eyes looking upon his people who are helpless and powerless against the powers that would defy God’s goodness, mercy, and grace.
As we sojourn into the approaching Advent and Christmas seasons, I would pray that we all could do so in quiet reflection upon the images of Christ’s nativity. Take in the picture of the holy family. Make them a part of who we are as God’s people gathered here. May we all share the love, peace, and miracle of the Nativity of our Lord.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:4-5
As you begin reading this month’s article, I would ask you to first consider a few questions which I believe will provide perspective and a framework for reflection. When was the last time that you heard God speaking to you? Really, when was the last time you actually became still, and you were able to hear God’s voice? What was your response? In that instance when you felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit and heard God’s voice calling and inviting you to take part in his work, what did you do?
I am usually amazed at what God can do each time I am invited into difficult and stressful situations in the life of someone whom I am called to minister. Through-out my ministry, I have had my share of extraordinary and difficult moments. There have been many times when God called me to a place I’d rather not go. Suddenly, in those instances, I felt a bit like Moses when he saw the burning bush. My thoughts would sometimes turn into self-doubt. “What makes me so special that they should listen to me?” “What if I don’t have the ability to do what is required?” “What good can come out of my simply being there?”
We all know Moses as one of the central characters of the Old Testament narrative, yet before he became such a key figure, he could have been best described as someone who was lacking in confidence and filled with doubt. He was born a slave but raised in the house of Pharaoh and later rejected by even his own people. He had to flee Egypt because he killed a guard. When God finally got Moses’ attention, he was but a shepherd tending a flock that wasn’t even his own. God’s call wasn’t extended in dramatic fashion. There were no lightning bolts or loud claps of thunder. Instead, God used the sight of a burning bush.
This is where Moses gives us one of those great theological movements. Instead of sitting there with a puzzled look on his face, Moses turns aside. Turning aside is one of those things we learn about in seminary. Turning aside means dropping what you are doing, forgetting what you are thinking about so that you can look and listen for God. Moses turned aside in order to pay attention and noticed that this bush was not consumed by the flames. Moses turned aside and heard God. Yet, even turning aside isn’t always enough.
When God called Moses, his response was to the effect of “Who am I but a poor shepherd, uneducated in your ways and incapable of eloquent speech?” With each excuse Moses was able to conjure up, God promised to do more than simply meet his needs. Fast forwarding several thousand years, we may be quick to offer the same excuses when God calls us to ministry. “Who am I that I should be of help?” “I’m not qualified, send someone else.” “In this instance, I don’t believe I have what it takes.” I’m not up to the challenge…am I?” Often, at times we sound just like Moses, yet God still takes the time to bless us with the gift of the Holy Spirit and walk with us into the dark valley. Our calling as Jesus’ disciples is simply to go and let God be God.
The burning bushes are out there in our midst. God continually calls his people to action using the most ordinary of means but spotting those burning bushes takes patience and it takes practice. If we are not listening for God, if we are not paying at-tention, we might not recognize a burning bush when we see one. As we go about our busy day, Christian folk need to be actively looking and listening for God. We need to be tuned in to the burning bushes in our midst, always remembering that as we are called to ministry, God is with us and provides what is needed to do his will.
So again, I ask the questions that I have considered these last few weeks. When was the last time that you heard God speaking to you? When was the last time you actually became still so you could listen? What was your response? I pray that God will fill you with his presence and power as you hear him calling you to greater discipleship. For he who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians. 5:24.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Before you settle in to read this article, I would invite you to do something first. Go to your shelf or table and pick up your Bible. Then go to the kitchen and pour yourself a glass of water. Now set the glass filled with water beside your Bible on the table nearest you and begin reading.
There is a book on my shelf that I enjoy reading from time to time which is written by Max Lucado. It bears the title Come Thirsty. It is a very good resource for those who may feel distant from God and also for those who would enjoy a “spiritual pick me up” if you will. I do love reading this book and hearing the invitation of our Loving God to come to Him as a child comes to his/her father.
It is always appropriate that we ponder how it is we approach our Father in heaven. How is it that we take time to earnestly study God’s Word and to pray for heightened awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives? Truly, it is good that we look deep inside our lives in order that we may see ourselves for who we are as sinners, yet also to see ourselves for whose we are, God’s beloved children redeemed by the blood of Christ. As we continue in our life together, we should all provide ourselves with opportunities to reflect upon God’s call to follow the example of Christ Jesus, loving God with all our heart, loving our neighbor, and ministering to the needs of those whom God places within our midst. The more we ponder these things, the more we will realize our thirst for God’s amazing grace, His forgiveness, love and kindness.
A central part of this pondering is coming to the wellspring of God’s Word through the Holy Scriptures. Our Lord invites us all to “come thirsty” for his grace. Come thirsty for the power of God’s redeeming love. Such a thirst can only be quenched by the living water that is Christ our Lord.
Here at St. Jacob’s, we have provided several opportunities for such thirst quenching study of God’s Word. The response to the 90 Day Bible Fitness Challenge was much more than I initially thought. We have 19 church family members engaged in reading through the Bible in 90 days and I am sure most, if not all, will see it through to completion. We are also beginning an in-depth reading of the book of Revelation on Wednesday mornings. I invite everyone to “Come Thirsty” and learn more about this most misunderstood book of the Bible and to hear God’s message of salvation within its pages.
I am also very encouraged by Rachel’s offering to lead a women’s Bible study on Tuesday mornings and her small group study for the high school and college aged young ladies of St. Jacob’s. Rachel is someone who is well equipped to tell others about the love of God in Christ Jesus. I would invite the women of St. Jacob’s to “Come Thirsty” for the fellowship and learning that such Bible studies provide.
In order that you may fully realize God’s awesome power and love in your life, I invite you to “Come Thirsty.” “Come Thirsty” to worship where all may join hearts and voices in praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done and continues to do. I invite you to “Come Thirsty” for God’s love; to hear His gospel proclaimed, His Word preached and to realize the abundance of His mercy and grace.
As you come to worship, I also invite you to come to Sunday School where you will learn even more of the goodness of our Lord and Savior. “Come Thirsty” for the fellowship we share as God’s gathered empowered and equipped for ministry and sent into the world for the sake of those who are neediest among us.
Finally, I invite you to ponder the Bible and the glass of water before you. God’s written Word proclaiming His grace made available through His Word made flesh. As you open the pages of Holy Scripture, you will be reminded that God made water to be a sign of His unfailing love and His promise to deliver His people. Through water and the Word, God washes us in the flood of our baptism, pouring out the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

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