Musical Mondays starts June 28th, we are so excited to offer singing, handbells, games, and crafts, all praising God through music. This is open for all children who have completed first grade and up. Sign up on the Narthex bulletin board by May 22nd so that we can purchase music and supplies. We will meet each Monday from June 28th -August 9th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM with lunch included. Due to the NALC Convocation, there will be no meeting on August 2nd. Musical Mondays will conclude with an evening presentation, more information will follow.
LCY Archive
Musical Mondays
Posted May 19, 2021 By adminSunday School Teachers
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminIf you’ve ever thought about teaching Sunday School, now is your chance! We are now opening our classrooms again to new volunteers. There is only one class for our younger members, and it is a great opportunity to serve and have some fun! The lessons will be given to you two weeks in advance so you will have plenty of time to look over them before your scheduled date. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are currently scheduling through the end of the year so there are many dates available. If you have any questions, contact Rachel or Sherrie. We would love to assist you in any way that we can.
VBS Teachers
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminIt’s that time again, St. Jacob’s! It is very exciting to say that we will be having VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL this summer. The dates will be June 21st – 24th. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 CDC guidelines, things will look a little different this year, but we will make the best of it and remain safe while doing so. If you would like to volunteer in any way (crafts, teaching, decorating, etc.) please contact Rachel. There is something for everyone to do – just looking for your willingness and excitement. There will be more information given as we get closer to the date.
Volunteers Needed to Provide Meals for Musical Mondays
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminWe are looking for volunteers to provide lunch each week for Musical Mondays and that sign-up sheet is also in the Narthex. If you are not comfortable serving, you can prepare and drop off; and we will gladly serve. Once sign-ups have closed, we will have the number of children attending and possibly some suggestions for meals, if needed. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Rachel or Angela.
It is Scholarship Time!
Posted March 31, 2021 By adminContinuing your education after high school? Attending a College/University? Attending a Technical College? Attending Trade School? Continuing your education? If the answer to any of those questions is YES, you want to keep reading.
There are two types of scholarships. The first is a $250 scholarship that can be awarded to all members who meet the requirements. The second is a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Mr. Bud Sites and Mrs. Lottie Sites and will be awarded to two members who meet the requirements.
What are the requirements?
• Must be a member of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church.
• Must attend church services at a minimum 12 times a year. Students in college can also show proof of attendance to college campus ministry services or to other church services.
• Must participate in a minimum of 4 church activities/events. Proof of community services or campus ministry activities will also be accepted.
• 3.0 Grade Average.
• Completed “Application for The Bud and Lottie Sites Scholarships”
• For the $1,000 Scholarship, the same requirements above, a copy of your acceptance letter, and a 1,500 word essay. The essay question is on the application.
Other important facts to know:
• Applicant may apply many times.
• Applications are required each year.
• $250 scholarship is only awarded to a student one time.
• Applicant can receive the $1,000 scholarship two years.
Ready to apply? Contact Sherry in the church office for an application.
Applications must be sent to the church office and are due on June 1, 2021. Do not miss out on this opportunity for additional education funds.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted March 31, 2021 By adminSunday School Teachers
If you’ve ever thought about teaching Sunday School, now is your chance! We are now opening our classrooms again to new volunteers. There is only one class for our younger members, and it is a great opportunity to serve and have some fun! The lessons will be given to you two weeks in advance so you will have plenty of time to look over them before your scheduled date. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are currently scheduling through the end of the year so there are many dates available. If you have any questions, contact Rachel or Sherrie McTeer. We would love to assist you in any way that we can.
VBS Teachers
It’s that time again, St. Jacob’s! It is very exciting to say that we will be having VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL this summer. The dates will be June 21st -24th. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 CDC guidelines, things will look a little different this year, but we will make the best of it and remain safe while doing so. If you would like to volunteer in any way (crafts, teaching, decorating, etc.) please contact Rachel. There is something for everyone to do – just looking for your willingness and excitement. There will be more information given as we get closer to the date.
Audio/Video
As we continue to livestream our services each week, we are in need of volunteers who would be interested in joining the audio/video team. The system is easy to learn and even easier to work with during the services. If you have the gift of understanding technology, this is a great opportunity for you to serve. A member of the team will gladly work with you until you feel comfortable and confident to do so alone. Reach out to Rachel, Angela, or Brandon with any questions.
Nursery
We are still in need of Nursery assistants for both services, as we begin to welcome back our younger children. Our Nursery Director, Kelly, is downstairs but we adhere to the “Two-Adult Rule.” The service is streamed downstairs so you will still be able to participate in Worship. To sign up, contact Kelly or Sherrie.
Easter Egg Hunt
Thank you to all who helped with the Easter Egg Hunt this past weekend. Events like this could not happen without the servant hearts of St. Jacob’s members and the participation of the parents. All pictures taken are posted on our Facebook page!
Go check them out!
Rachel
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted March 2, 2021 By adminWhere there is no prophetic vision the people perish but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 KJV
During the most recent NALC Convocation, Bishop Dan Selbo shared his vision for the future of the North American Lutheran Church. The 2020 Vision, as he called it, is a ten-point vision of what and where he sees as the next set of building blocks for the NALC as we grow into the future of our mission and ministry. Reflecting upon Bishop Dan’s vision, I spent time in prayer and study concerning a vision of what and where I believe God is calling us at St. Jacobs to be as we grow into the future of our mission and ministry here. What follows is the fruit of this prayerful study. I hope and pray that our church family is willing and able to embrace this six-point vision for our future so that we truly become faithful participants in God’s mission for the sake of the world. I am convinced that each point within this vision is central to the future growth and ministry of St. Jacob’s. As with the bishop’s 2020 vision, each vision point carries with it an associated goal for the future.
Point #1 – That St. Jacob’s develops an intentional Disciple Making Culture. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than simply calling yourself a disciple. Disciples continually learn from their teacher. They embrace a way of life where one lives in the world but not of the world. It is my hope that St. Jacob’s develops a culture where our church family members learn the importance and benefit of living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Becoming students of God’s Word through reading Scripture daily, engaging in Christian education opportunities of the church on a regular basis. This vision includes helping people develop an intentional prayer life, teaching church family members how it is they might share their faith with others outside St. Jacob’s, and growing in a deeper, more personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s would develop a small group ministry dedicated to assist members as they grow in discipleship and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Point #2 – Growing the Christian Education Ministries of our Congregation. It is becoming more and more common that children do not know the great stories of the Bible. This is an issue that has not just popped up overnight, it has happened because all too often parents have not stressed the importance of Sunday school and Christian education. It has been increasingly difficult to provide Christian Education for people of all ages due to a lack of willingness of adults to serve as Sunday school teachers for our young people. My vision for St. Jacob’s Christian Education includes classes where I might help equip and empower adult members of our Congregation to become faith leaders for our children. This is why I have begun the St. Jacob’s Online campus. Learning more about the Biblical narrative will provide others with the confidence needed to relate the biblical story to our life today and help our children to grow in faithfulness and love for the Lord. The Goal: That the majority of church family members embrace Christian learning and become active participants in studying the Scriptures together in Bible studies and Sunday school.
Point #3 – Raising up Leaders for the Church. While St. Jacob’s does support our NALC Seminary system through benevolent giving, I believe we are well equipped to help the NALC raise up the next generation of Pastors. The evidence for this is how the congregation welcomed and provided a place for NALC Candidate Philip Sandi to come and begin developing skills and confidence as he discerns his call to ministry. St. Jacob’s has previously served as an internship site and would provide an excellent contextual education opportunity for an intern of the NALC to come and learn and growinto the vocation of pastoral ministry. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s would discern the importance of this ministry and become an internship site for the NALC.
Point #4 – That St. Jacob’s would Grow in our Focus on Mission and Outreach. One of the CORE Values of the NALC is that the NALC is a Mission Driven Church. Since its founding by the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ has existed for the sake of her neighbor. In Matthew 25, Jesus calls his followers to minister to the poor, the needy, hungry, sick and marginalized. The North American Lutheran Church calls upon congregations to engage this mission by participating in Local ministries, NALC mission partnerships, and at least one global ministry. Certainly, we do these things through our benevolent giving, but participating through “hands on” projects will help us grow in our sense of mission and ministry. We have plenty of resources at our disposal for use in active participation within several ministries such as NALC disaster response, WE CARE of Chapin and, Congo Mission International. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s church family members would lend their talents to working on mission projects regularly and the Outreach Team would become leaders in Mission projects throughout the year.
Point #5 – That St. Jacob’s develops a Welcoming and Inviting Culture through which the surrounding community is able to come and hear the Gospel and find a community of believers that shares their life together in Christ Jesus. So many studies have been conducted in recent years that point to the fact that most people come to a new church because they were personally invited by its members. Another study by the Barna group points to the issue that average Christian today only invites 1.2 people annually to their church for Sunday worship. As Chapin continues to grow in population and diversity, I believe we are uniquely situated to provide a community for worship for so many who do not have a church home of their own. When is the last time you invited someone to come to worship at St. Jacob’s? You might just want to begin with those family members who have been missing for a number of months or years. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s becomes known as an inviting congregation throughout Chapin and the surrounding community.
Point #6 – That St. Jacob’s grows in our Sense of Christian Fellowship. When I first came to St. Jacob’s, I was told that I shouldn’t go hungry because we are a congregation that likes to eat. This is music to the ears of those who enjoy a robust time of fellowship with family and friends. Sadly, even before the pandemic, fellowship opportunities at St. Jacob’s have been fewer and farther between. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it goes without saying that a congregation that enjoys lively Christian fellowship also enjoys a healthy relationship and life together. The Goal: As we emerge from the global pandemic, St. Jacob’s schedules frequent events during which we would enjoy fellowship among our church family.
I believe these vision points are central to the mission and ministry of St. Jacob’s future. With God’s help we will grow and become a house of prayer for many to call their church home. As the proverb says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I believe living as a disciple of Jesus Christ is the key. If we attempt to build our ministry on our own, we will surely stumble. This vision for our congregation is not something That I offer on my own, but it is offered to you as I have prayed for God’s guidance in leading St. Jacob’s into the future of our life together in Christ. Having a vision for ministry is crucial to any congregation. We need to understand the direction in which we are traveling, that is if we are traveling at all. The desire here is to help us move forward. If we don’t know what it is that we are moving toward, it will be increasingly difficult to recognize the destination when we finally arrive.
Thank you for indulging me in this rather lengthy installment of my monthly column. I ask you all to prayerfully consider each of these ministry points and discern your role within them.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
First Communion Instruction
Posted February 25, 2021 By adminFirst Communion Instruction will be held for those Baptized children of St. Jacob’s whose parents feel that they are ready to begin receiving the Sacrament of the Altar. While there is no hard and fast age requirement for receiving Holy Communion, parents should speak with their children concerning their participation in the Sacrament. If your child has expressed an interest or has asked question with regards to Holy Communion, he or she may be ready to receive their Lord in this new way.
Pastor David will offer classes on three successive Sundays in March, March 7th, 14th, and 21st during the Sunday school hour. A parent or guardian is asked to accompany their child in order to share experiences with them. Children participating in this instruction will receive their first Holy Communion on Palm Sunday, March 28th at the 10:30 AM. Service. Please contact Pastor David with any questions you might have.
Youth Director and Family Ministries
Posted February 25, 2021 By adminFollowing the season of Lent, we will begin allowing new teachers into our children’s Sunday school class. For the time being, we offer one class for all ages beginning at 9:40 AM and ending at 10:20 AM. All materials will be given to you two weeks prior to your scheduled day. This is a great way to build multigenerational relationships within the church. If this is something you would feel comfortable doing, the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are currently scheduling through the end of the year so go ahead and grab a spot to serve!”
Rachel
Easter Egg Hunt
Posted February 25, 2021 By adminBring your own basket! Easter is on the way! Join St. Jacob’s for our annual egg hunt on March 27th from 10:30 AM — 12 PM. There will be snacks, crafts, and plenty of eggs! All ages are welcome to join in on the fun!