Entering the new year, we wanted to remind everyone who uses Facebook, that St. Jacob’s has a page. We are becoming more active with photos, devotions, and reminders of events!
It is a great way to connect with our church family online. We post Pastor David’s Sunday sermons on there as well. You can search @StJacobs.Chapin to find us!
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19
Fishermen, they are the ones whom Jesus picked out of the crowd. Fishermen. Jesus didn’t choose prominent figures. He didn’t choose the leader of the synagogue. He didn’t choose a rich land owner, civic leader or well-known businessman. He chose fishermen as his first disciples. It would seem highly unlikely that one who came to rescue God’s people from worldly powers that defy God would chose such a band of brothers to become the first members of his followers, but he did.
What is even more curious to us in these so many years after Jesus walked the earth is why Simon, Andrew, and later James and John left their nets, their families and even their lives behind and followed this unknown Jesus. Jesus wasn’t well known at this point. He wasn’t famous. As far as anyone knew, he was a carpenter from Nazareth. But indeed, they did follow and they became the builders of the church Jesus instituted so that the world could learn of God’s salvation through the death and resurrection of his Son.
Now here we are in the year 2020 and Jesus is still calling disciples to build up his church so that all who have not heard the name Jesus may hear the truth of the Gospel. Jesus calls all Christians to be disciples, to take up their cross and follow, just as he called Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Our Lord calls us to learn from him, do the things he did, and live for the sake of others that they might be saved. The only things left to consider is will we follow? Will we leave behind all that hinders us, all that keeps us from being about the work of Christ? Will we learn to cast our nets and fish for people?
Being disciples and making disciples is central to the ministry of the NALC. Since the beginning of our denomination nearly ten years ago, we have heard the call to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Slowly, gradually, I have begun bringing this movement to St. Jacob’s. For the past twelve months, a handful of church family members and I have studied together and explored the life of discipleship. Now, as we begin this new year, more church family members will engage in this discussion and study until our congregation as a whole has the opportunity to follow our Lord on this journey of faith. We will be learning more about being disciples of Jesus and finding ways to make disciples for him as we share our faith with our community. What we will one day recognize is a change in the culture of our congregation. One where worship is paramount, fellowship is increased, and prayer becomes central to what we do as we engage more deeply in the mission of the church.
Dear friends, living as disciples of Jesus is something all Christians are called to do. Casting our nets and fishing for people is the work our Lord Jesus has given not only to us, but all of his followers. I pray that as you read this, you will become curious as did Simon and Andrew. I pray that you would become eager as did James and John. And I pray that our church family, all of us together, will become fishers of people, following our Lord Jesus as his disciples on a journey of faith.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
What Makes You Tick?
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
If you want to know what a person is really passionate about, just listen to them as they speak. It doesn’t take very long to figure out what makes them tick; it’s that one thing they continue to bring up repeatedly. The apostle Paul was relentless in sharing the Gospel of Christ throughout the world. Being among God’s people and rejoicing in the promise of life in God’s kingdom is certainly what fueled Paul’s fire.
Paul endured hardship, imprisonment and even shipwrecks, yet nothing seemed to dampen his excitement for telling others about the power of God’s love made manifest in Christ’s victory over sin and death. The world was desperate to receive the good news of God’s salvation, and Paul was especially willing to proclaim it.
Today, it is no secret that the world is desperate for God’s Word. As traditional values erode and the authority of Holy Scripture is not as widely recognized, the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be shared by those especially willing to proclaim it. Some endure hardship, others face persecution. But like Paul, they are relentless in their mission.
Most Christians do not face such difficulties. Still, being among the people of God, rejoicing in the promise of God’s grace, and sharing the good news of Christ makes many Christians tick. Listen, God is calling. He is calling Christians to follow the example of Paul, to speak with passion, His promise of grace and peace to a world so desperate to receive it.
Prayer: Almighty God, make us bold in our proclaiming your message of grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, January 19th at 4:30 PM in the fellowship hall.
Retreat: (noun) A place set apart, one of renewal, rejuvenation, rest; a period of time used to pray and study quietly, or to think carefully, away from normal activities and duties.
St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church Spring Retreat is scheduled for April 24th-26th at beautiful Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island, SC. Our theme is “Living and Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ.” Members and friends of St. Jacob’s are invited to study together, strengthening their faith while enjoying a time of rest and rejuvenation.
Camp St. Christopher offers participants a place where they can enjoy a private beach, watch dolphins swim and play, hike along wilderness trails, and enjoy a Friday night campfire.
Retreat topics will include: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? How do I share my faith? And “What does it mean to take up the cross?
The cost for the retreat is $150.00 per person. Further details are included on the registration form which is located in the narthex. You may also send an email to Pastor David or to the Church office requesting a registration form. Deadline for registration is February 2nd.
With the New Year comes an opportunity to once again read through the Bible in one year. Several members of our church family have taken up this reading plan already. If you have not yet done so, you may pick up a reading plan brochure in the narthex. If you have done this already, well, why not read the Bible again?
Beginning on February 2, Pastor David will lead an afternoon discussion and take questions on the first Sunday of each month from those members who are participating or anyone else who would like to attend. Come join the group. Encourage one another to deepen your knowledge of the scriptures. Read the Bible in one year. You will certainly be glad you did.
Entering the new year, we wanted to remind everyone who uses Facebook, that St. Jacob’s has a page. We are becoming more active with photos, devotions, and reminders of events!
It is a great way to connect with our church family online. We post Pastor David’s Sunday sermons on there as well. You can search @StJacobs.Chapin to find us!
It’s that time of year again. The time for New Year’s Resolutions. And the top resolutions, for most people, tend to revolve around the same three poles: money, health and family. We set goals to bring change, to improve our lives, and to obtain new habits and maybe even try to break some old ones. But what would a set of New Year’s resolutions look like for us and our church, your role as a leader, or simply as someone who wants to live a life of Kingdom investment? I want to offer some suggestions of things I have committed to in the past, and usually continue to grow each New Year:
I always find it interesting to see what people declare as their New Year change, not as a test to see how long we can stick with something but to cheer each other on while learning about areas where people feel as though they fall short. So whether it’s eating healthier, serving the Church in a new way, or being a better friend; I would love to know. On my bulletin board in the hallway next to the fellowship hall, feel free to share what your New Year’s goal is. Once you have shared, join me in praying for each resolution to be brought to completion. Thank you, Lord for giving us a New Year ahead. Help us live the way we should in each new day we tread. Give us gentle wisdom, give us strength and courage as a shoulder we might lend. The year ahead is empty, help us fill it with good things. Each new day filled with joy and happiness it brings. Amen.
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours in abundance in the New Year, Isaiah 43:19.
Rachel
The congregational retreat to Camp St. Christopher in Charleston, SC, for January will be rescheduled to a later date. Watch your newsletter and worship folders for updated information.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to come worship with us each Wednesday evening in December for Advent Vespers. The focus of our worship will be our Need for Redemption, God’s Promise of a Savior, and the Fulfilment of the Promise through Jesus Christ. In keeping with the worship time of our Wednesday Evening Light, Advent Vespers will begin at 6:30 PM.
