By the time this newsletter is published and sent out, my mission partner and good friend Pastor Stéphane Kalonji will have returned from this year’s Congo Mission trip. With his return, the countdown to next mission trip has begun. Next July, as the Lord wills it, I will travel with my friend and brother in Christ to Kinshasa and embark on a three-week mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and minister to the people of the Bas-Congo region.
I am most anxious to return and see my friends in the cities of Boma, Tshela, and Matadi. These are people who have taken me in and treated me as one of their own. We share meals together, fellowship and a fairly good amount of laughter as we do the work of the gospel together.
One more aspect of next year’s trip is that Pastor Kaonji and I have invited someone new to go along with us. St. Jacob’s newest friend, Pastor Mathew Magera, who visited us with his youth group in July is prayerfully discerning our invitation to accompany us to Congo and work along side us as we engage Jesus’s Great Commission to make disciples. As a part of this invitation, I hope to travel to Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh to provide information for his congregation. I expect this trip will occur in early September, perhaps as early as Labor Day Weekend.
Please pray for Pastor Mathew as he considers becoming one of our Congo Mission International Missionaries. I can truly attest to the fact that once one has met the people of the Bas-Congo region and shared life together with them, they will be a part of that person’s life forever.
In the coming months, I will ask our church family, our auxiliaries, and friends to once again support our missional effort by hosting fund raising events and sharing information concerning the Congo Mission within the greater Chapin community. The amount of funding it takes to complete our mission efforts each year can seem somewhat daunting, but God has and always will provide the means for his missionaries to extend the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. Until then, thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in a land so far away. I assure you; they pray for us continually that God would bless us in our ministry and proclamation of the Gospel. To God be the glory, Pastor David
Outreach Archive
More About the Congo Mission
Posted August 30, 2021 By adminThe Congo Mission
Posted June 30, 2021 By adminOn July 6th, my mission partner to the Congo will depart on this year’s Congo Mission trip. Pastor Stephan Kalonji, whom several of you have met, will leave his family and congregation and fly to Kinshasa, arriving there on July 7th. This will be a very important trip as he and I resume our missional efforts to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of such humble means.
Of course, last year we did not make a mission trip to the Congo due to COVID-19. Normally, this would have been the year I would travel with Pastor Kalonji and serve with him. With this year’s trip, the countdown for my next mission trip commences. Plans are already in the works for our 2022 Mission trip next July. In the coming weeks and months, I will highlight the work we do in the name of Jesus. The Congo Mission is a very important part of my overall ministry and I am so grateful to God and to those who offer their prayers and support. Please keep Pastor Kalonji and his family in your prayers while he is serving in Africa.
Welcome Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Posted June 30, 2021 By adminSunday July 18th is going to be a very special day here at St. Jacob’s. Not only will we welcome the President of the NALC’s seminary, but we will also play host to Pastor David’s friend Pastor Mathew Magera and the Youth of Zion Lutheran Church from
Pittsburg. Pastor Magera and Zion’s youth group will be making their way to Charleston for their summer mission trip and will make a pit stop at St. Jacob’s on Saturday, July 17th to rest from their travels. Members of Zion will spend the night, lock-in style in our Sunday school wing. Volunteers from our Men’s group will provide breakfast for our guests, and they will be joining us for worship Sunday morning. Please welcome our guests warmly as they travel to Charleston to do the work of the Gospel.
Vacation Bible School
Posted June 30, 2021 By adminThank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who volunteered with VBS (Concrete and Cranes). To all of the teachers, those who provided food & drink, or helped out in any way: THANK YOU. We could not have done it without all of you.
In Christ’s love,
Rachel
Six-Point Vision Update
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminIn the March newsletter, I provided a six point vision for our near future ministries here at St. Jacob’s. This month, I would like to update the congregation concerning each of these ministry vision points.
Create an Intentional Disciple Making Culture
I have met with our Discipleship Ministry Team leader Lynn Shealy, and we are working on a congregational activity to help us begin growing a culture of discipleship and mission. We hope to invite the congregation to be a part of this at some point during the summer.
Growing the Christin Education Ministries of our Congregation
The goal of this vision point is to enhance our Christian Education Ministry for all ages. The beginning steps are working with the children. Progress toward this goal is happening through the efforts of Angela Nuottila and Rachel Shelton and their plan for Musical Mondays. Children will learn what it means to praise God throughout their life. I am also dedicated to continue posting daily morning devotions and conducting Bible studies using our St. Jacob’s Online Campus on Zoom.com.
Raising up Leaders for the Church I have had an initial meeting with a small group of church family members to help in discernment concerning St. Jacob’s as an NALC internship site. The cost of internship is steep, but there is assistance available through the Carolinas Mission Region. We will continue to meet and discuss the possibilities of hosting an NALC intern in the future. I am also in the process of inviting the president of the North American Lutheran Seminary to come visit with our congregation and provide more insight concerning the need to raise up candidates for ordained ministry within the NALC. Team members for discernment are: Susan, Judy, Michael, Danny, John.
Grow in our Focus on Mission and Outreach
In May, Rachel and I took a tour of the NALC Disaster Warehouse and spoke with the administrators and our NALC Bishop. We will be planning ways for our congregation to become greater supporters of this ministry as the need continues to grow.
Develop a Welcoming and Inviting Culture
This is something that St. Jacob’s has been good at throughout the years, but we need to remain very intentional in inviting others to join us for worship and to become a part of our life together. I hope to meet with the Worship and Music Team soon so, we can plan an “Invite a Friend Sunday” when we welcome friends and extended family members to come worship with us.
Grow our Sense of Christian Fellowship
Perhaps the greatest challenge for us is to overcome the sense of social distance following the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions are eased and more people are vaccinated against the virus, we are able to open up our congregation to more activities. I am hoping that our auxiliaries (Men, Women, Up and Going, Youth) will resume monthly meetings and enjoy time together.
VBS
Posted May 28, 2021 By adminCome and explore a world of concrete and cranes, rivets and rebar, bulldozers, and backhoes, and learn to build your faith on Jesus as we uncover the truth that ‘He who began a good work will be faithful to carry it on to completion’! St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church will host Vacation Bible School Monday, June 21st – Thursday, June 24th from 6:00-8:00 PM each night. Join us at 5:45 PM for a shared meal before we kick off each night learning about God through games, lessons, crafts, and music! There are classes for all ages, even adults! Come, fellowship, and learn about how to build a STRONG FOUNDATION of love, forgiveness, worth, and promises of Jesus! We cannot wait to see you there. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, reach out to Rachel at rachelshel10@outlook.com.
Pastoral Devotion for May
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminThe Great Deception
Read Matthew 28:11-15
From Galileo to Columbus, the world has had difficulty accepting things that challenge long held belief. The earth is the center of the solar system and the world is flat. When challenged, these long held truths found support by kings and emperors. Pope Urban VIII even had Galileo stand trial because he dared question these perceived realities. One might think that the Church would be open to new possibilities, especially since it is the Church which was born out of such a discovery. After all, once crucified and buried, dead men do not escape the grave.
After making their report to the authorities, the guards assigned to Jesus’ tomb were paid to keep the story from spreading. After all, if the resurrection were real, then everything Jesus said and taught would also be true. The priests and Pharisees would have some explaining to do. Better to keep it quiet.
Since that first Easter day, the world has tried to do just that; keep news to the resurrection quiet. All sorts of stories and theories have been offered, the oldest one being concocted by the temple authorities claiming the disciples stole his body. Some asserted that Jesus did not die, and when he was taken from the cross was revived. Still others say Jesus wasn’t crucified at all; it was an imposter who hung on the cross. Try as they might, such claims cannot be substantiated because they are not true.
God sent his Son into the world to save people from their sin and that’s just what he did. All who believe and are baptized are saved. Just as the world is PASTORAL DEVOTION FOR MAY round and the earth revolves around the sun, God’s people are raised to new life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There really can be no point in raising new questions, defending old assertions and supporting the notion of life without Christ, unless one intends to live apart from God.
Prayer: Almighty God, fill us with your truth, that we may tell others the news of Christ’s victory.
Amen.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminSpiritual gifts are specific ways the work of the Holy Spirit is manifested in our lives. These gifts – on top of our interests, hobbies, abilities, likes and dislikes join together to form who we are and how we participate in the work God is doing all around us. We all have needs, and when you put us all together to make up a church, those needs become the church’s needs. As we hear the Gospel, it changes our hearts. Our attention will begin to turn away from ourselves to those around us. Galatians 6:10 says “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” You can see the Gospel through the local church all across the world. Our church is sustained by faithful volunteer service. The church is people who love Jesus parking cars, holding babies, reading the Scriptures together, pouring tea and lemonade, and opening their homes. The Lord can use anybody. All you have to do is be willing to answer the call. This seems so small, but it really does require a change of heart. A good measure of our spiritual health is our depth of concern for other people. A phrase my friends used to say in college was “love finds a need and meets it.” We are all of the same body, brothers and sisters, and there is no doubt that we love each other here at St. Jacob’s. There is no better way to show love than to let God work in and through us by helping one another. If we learned anything this past year, it’s that we don’t want to do life alone. We’re not made for that. Even the most introverted people need to know that someone is in their corner. As we begin to open up, welcome people back, and begin having events, I want to encourage you to participate. There is so much to do and so many people to catch up with. I don’t want to ever take for granted how blessed we are to have each other here. Don’t be afraid to reach out to try something new or attend something new. We need to trust that God will equip us, guide us, and give joy for the work.
In Christ,
Rachel
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted April 1, 2021 By adminWhen the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. Mark 16:2
Writing this installment of my monthly letter to you, I cannot help but reflect upon our celebration of Easter 2020. Being somewhat naïve in our response to COVID-19 last year, we had hoped that after only three weeks of online worship only, the church would be filled with people on Easter Sunday. In hindsight, we certainly understand how wrong we were. Still, as Chris tians are called to do, we proclaimed the resurrection of Christ to the best of our ability for all to hear.
And now here we are about a year later. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a reality, but once more the church will proclaim the resurrection of our Lord to the best of our ability. For truly there is nothing that can defeat the power of the Risen Christ. So once more we hear the sweet refrain, “Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”
These are such wonderful words for a child of God to proclaim. Because Jesus offered his life as ransom for our sin, God has forgiven all who believe in him. And because Christ died and was raised to new life, the power of death is destroyed and all those who confess Jesus as Savior and Lord have the promise of eternal life. It’s no wonder that the sweet refrain “I know my Redeemer lives” is such sweet music to sooth our souls.
For over forty days, the Church has made its annual metaphoric Lenten pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem where we are witnesses to the Passion of our Lord Jesus. His saving work is there for all to see. Lifted high on the cross bearing the weight of our disobedience, the victory over sin, death and the power of the devil is made sure. Still, even now, the events of Good Friday are difficult to bear for those who realize that it’s our sin that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. I can’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak and sorrow of those who witnessed it firsthand.
Mark’s account of the resurrection of Jesus seems to convey the gravity and power of the cross. Early in the morning, just as the sun breached the horizon, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome made their way to the tomb to finish the burial rite. Still reeling from the sight of Jesus’s death, theirs was a mission of duty according to Jewish custom. There is no doubt they loved Jesus; their devotion toward him was true. No amount of fear could keep them from completing that which was proper according to their law.
How would you feel if all of these things occurred before your eyes, and it was incumbent upon you to fulfill the duties of these women? Roman guards were on high alert. The temple authorities were tuned in to the activities of anyone who would claim to be a follower of Jesus, and the actions of his disciples would have most certainly been scrutinized closely. And when you finally make your way to the tomb…it is EMPTY!
Such were the circumstances for these women according to Mark. Fear had seized them and the thought of telling anyone seemed unlikely at best. Still, the angel’s words are clear and concise; “Go and tell the disciples and Peter.”
The good news of Jesus’ resurrection, as told to the women by the angel, was confirmation that God indeed has kept his promise to redeem that which was lost; to save his people from their sin and to reconcile all of creation unto the One who created the heavens and the earth. This good news of God’s salvation is still the sweetest refrain ever sung. As the psalmist writes, “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed!” People of God, the good news of Easter is the treasure God has entrusted unto you to share with the world around you. Christ has won the victory; through him sinners are forgiven and those who believe in him and are baptized into his death and resurrection will be saved. Do not be afraid to share this Easter joy. Take it to heart, proclaim it to those near and far. Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified is risen. And because he lives, we shall live also. Christ is risen; he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
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
