Sadly, the Congo Mission fundraising effort for this summer’s mission trip did not go well. Pastor Kalonji and I fell well short of our budgeted goal. The mission, however, does continue. We raised enough funds to send Pastor Kalonji to Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi for a three and one half week mission trip. While in country, Pastor Kalonji will carry on the mission work of preaching, teaching, feeding orphaned children and freeing mothers and their babies from detention in clinics. He will also inspect the progress on the construction of the first ever Lutheran Church building in the Kasai-Oriental province. Pastor Kalonji and I worked with Pastor Mozart of Mbuji-Mayi to secure land and construct this building. The new parish has been dedicated as New Jerusalem Lutheran Parish.
While I have not been able to travel to Congo recently, I go with him in spirit. The work that we do in Congo is a very important ministry for the sake of the Lutheran community there, and I deeply miss the friends I have made and serving a people who are so welcoming of the messengers of God’s Word. While saddened that I cannot visit Congo this summer, I am pleased that God continues to provide for our Congo Mission efforts.
I am committed to making the trip next summer. As the ambassador for Congo Mission International, I have already begun efforts to encourage our mission partners within the NALC to support this ongoing mission. Unlike other global mission entities, Pastor Kalonji and I do not have support from large sponsoring charitable organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Thrivent, or Habitat for Humanity. We depend on the generosity of congregations and individuals to continue to do the mission we have engaged in since 2014. Anyone who feels called to lend a hand may help with a small monetary gift to our mission using the St. Jacob’s Vanco online giving app.
Please join me in keeping Pastor Stéphane Kalonji and his family in prayer as he is away from home making this annual mission trip. He will depart the U.S. on Monday, July 6th and return on Friday, July 31st.
Outreach Archive
Congo Mission Update
Posted July 15, 2026 By adminVBS in July
Posted July 10, 2026 By adminMark your calendars for VBS 2026. Join us for Illumination Station Monday, July 13th through Thursday, July 16th. Experience what it means for Jesus to be the Light of the World. There will be classes for all ages including adults. Children will rotate classes for lessons, games, music, and crafts. Our meal will be served starting at 5:45 PM and VBS will start at 6:30 PM and end at 8:00 PM.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for VBS!
Babies – Donna, Ann, and Olivia
Kindergarten – Julie and Amber
1 st and 2nd – Patricia and Denise
3rd and 4th – Julie and Joanie
5th and 6th – Kayla and Lynn
Youth – Susan, AJ and David
Adults – Pastor
Crafts – Karla and Tracy
Music – Angela
Games – Isabelle, Eddie, Tyler, and Sherrie
Meal Team – Davis, Sandra, Gerald, and Billy.
Come and experience God’s promised, perfect, powerful, and proven son – Jesus Christ. Come and experience Illumination Station!
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted July 3, 2026 By admin“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Happy 4th of July, or as it is more formally known “Independence Day.” July Fourth is the day we celebrate how wonderful it is to live in a country where we have freedom. In our 250 years of being a sovereign nation, Americans have enjoyed freedoms not shared in many countries around our globe. In light of that, I’m going to say something that might sound a little strange, especially as we celebrate the 4 th of July. People in the United States aren’t really free.
All we need to do is look around and see the evidence supporting such a statement. People continue to be divided by politics and social disagreements. Our founding documents state that all people are created equally yet so many of our citizens struggle against prejudices and oppression. The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religious expression, yet all too often, Christians are stifled when expressing their faith while pride concerning sin is allowed to parade in the streets. No, this doesn’t sound like freedom at all. While we certainly have more freedom in America than other places, there’s something we need to understand: You can live in the U.S. and still not be free. You can claim to be free and still not be truly free.
Read these words from our Lord Jesus. 31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-36)
Freedom isn’t manifested in political statements. It’s not realized through tolerating false teaching or novel definitions of faithfulness. No, the people in Jesus’s day tried that too, claiming special status as descendants of Abraham, but they were proven wrong by Christ. For so many people, their sense of freedom comes through their perceived status, or by choosing to do what they feel is good and proper…for them. But listen to what Jesus says. “Very truly I tell you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”
Now, we all have to admit, each one of us has our faults. We are all guilty of sinful behaviors we would rather not discuss. If you carry a grudge against your neighbor, you are not free from sin. When greed overcomes your sense of generosity, you are not free. When substance abuse invades your need for control, you are not free. When you judge others according to your own perceived lofty standards, you’re not free. After all, “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”
People often say, “It’s a free country, so I can do whatever I want.” Do you know where that idea originated? In the Garden of Eden as the snake tempted Eve, Satan planted a false notion in Eve’s mind. If you eat this fruit, then you will be like God, and you can be free to do whatever you want. The problem is, having a false sense of freedom to do whatever I want makes me even more of a slave to sin.
Do you truly want to be free? If so, listen to Jesus: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Getting my way isn’t freedom—not in Jesus’s eyes. Freedom doesn’t come from a country or a political party. It comes from the truth. “The truth will set you free.” The devil’s lie is that freedom is doing what you want. The truth is that real freedom is trusting in what Jesus did for you in taking your sin to the cross. Through his victory over sin, death, and the devil, Jesus has set believers free. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Now think again of our country. What do we need? Not a certain political party. Not a change in the laws. What do we need? We need the truth. We need to abide in God’s Word. That’s what changes the hearts and minds of sinners in need of grace. Whenever you feel weighed down by sin, God’s truth will set you free. Whenever you feel trapped by worry, God’s truth will set you free. Whenever you feel surrounded by sadness, God’s truth will set you free. This is the assurance of our Lord. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Devotion for June – Jesus said, “Let your light shine”
Posted May 28, 2026 By admin Read Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket.” God blesses the Church with the most precious treasure there is, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every Christian is therefore filled with the light of Christ and called to give witness to the wonders of God’s mercy and grace.
Often, it is said to the newly baptized person, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our light shines when we love God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. Shining our light, we share the love of Christ Jesus with all whom we meet.
Jesus of Nazareth is light and life for the world. Baptized into his death and resurrection, the light of Christ dwells within God’s people. May you always feel the presence and power of our Lord Jesus. And may your light shine through the darkness of this world, that those within your midst may finally see the glory of the Father and enter the gates of our eternal home.
Prayer: Shine the light of your love, O Lord, and fill me with the power of your love. Amen.
Youth Through the Years Celebration
Posted May 20, 2026 By adminWere you in the youth during Pastor Wessinger’s call? Were you in the Luther League? Were you in the youth during Pastor Eargle’s call? Were you in the LCY? Are you in the youth today? Have you served as a youth advisor? Have you supported our youth through the years? If you answered yes to any of those questions, mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7th .
We are celebrating our youth, advisors, and supporters of the past and present with a hamburger meal after service. Come join the fun as we walk down memory lane. And….there are some stories and memories to share!! You don’t want to miss the fun and the opportunity of a great time of fellowship with youth of all ages!
Devotion for May – Jesus said, “Go”
Posted May 4, 2026 By adminRead Matthew 28:16-20
When we hear our Lord give the Great Commission, we understand finally that our response to Christ’s resurrection is to go into the world and tell others the good news of God’s salvation. Most Christians can quote this passage from memory; those who cannot certainly know where to find it in the Bible. But when congregations hear Christ’s command, the reaction can be varied.
As the remaining disciples gathered on the mountain with Jesus, Matthew tells us they worshiped him, but some doubted. Rest assured, the same condition exists within the Church today. Jesus says, “Go.” Yet, some doubt they are strong enough in their faith. Others doubt they have the necessary knowledge of the scriptures. Still others feel they lack the training and skill needed to make disciples. What it boils down to is a lack of faith. Suffice it to say, all baptized children of God are equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. All are blessed with the power of the Holy Spirit, all that is needed is belief in God and relying upon his presence. Doubt can be a strong obstacle to overcome, but it’s no match for the Holy Spirit. All this said, the command given by Jesus stands. Our Lord says, “Go.”
As followers of Christ, we are to go into the world teaching all Christ commanded. The good news is that you are equipped, you do not go alone. Jesus is with you just as he was with the apostles so long ago. Finally, doubt and fear are overcome with faith and love. Christ said, “Go.” And so we go, remembering Christ is with us even to the end of the age.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, overcome our doubts and help us live in your peace and presence. Amen.
Lutheran Women
Posted April 20, 2026 By adminOn Sunday, May 17th, the Women’s Group will be hosting an “Old Timey Luncheon” in honor of our 250th Anniversary. We are asking that you furnish a food item and/or a dessert. Some suggestions include green beans, butter beans, some type of squash, potato salad, liver nips, homemade bread or cornbread. Our group is furnishing fried chicken, pound cake, coconut cake, coconut pies, pecan pies, sweet potato pies and banana pudding with meringue. So, pull out your cookbooks and look for some old Dutch Fork recipes. If you need any suggestions or recipes please call Phyllis, Joan or Patricia.
Mercy Bag Donations
Posted April 16, 2026 By adminSt. Jacob’s congregation helps feed needy families and has for several years. Very often, you don’t know how your donation is used.
During March 2026, the St. Jacob’s congregation donated 445 pounds of food to We Care in 24 Mercy Bags, and several bags of items that are not included in the Mercy Bags, as well as fresh eggs. These items are used by We Care on their Mobile Meals ministry where meals are taken to communities where people are not able to get to We Care. The meals St. Jacob’s provides on the first Sunday of each month go to Prosperity and the third Sunday’s bags go to Whitmire. These meals are delivered to these communities on Tuesday afternoon by We Care volunteers. During March 2026, St. Jacob’s helped provide meals for 241 families. Our bags are provided to families of 4 or more.
Thank you for your support of this important ministry.
Up and Going
Posted April 12, 2026 By adminTen members and guests braved the stormy weather on Thursday, March 12th , at 10:00 AM to gather in the Fellowship Hall to make Hospice Easter Bags. Lots of chatter and laughter accompanied the work we did. In about 2 hours, the team had completed 208 beautiful Easter Bags. So pretty with colored grass, packages of crackers, cookies, a stuffed Easter egg, and lots of different candies.
Our work time concluded with all praying together The Lord’s Prayer. We quickly put everything in its proper place. We loaded Helen’s car with all of the Hospice Easter Bags and off they went for delivery. Helen, Ann and Frances delivered 50 bags to Lutheran Hospice at White Rock and 158 Easter Bags to Prisma Hospice, Colonial Blvd, Columbia. Both groups were so excited to receive the bags and welcomed us warmly. Such a humbling experience. The group then went to Lizards Thicket for a well-deserved, delicious lunch.
Special thank you’s to everyone who contributed edible treats or money to purchase special items for the bags. Extra special thank you’s to all who braved the stormy weather to come out and help make the bags. I am so proud of each of you. You are so special and giving of your time and talents.
The April meeting will be held April 16th at Hog Heaven Restaurant in Prosperity. We will meet there at 10:45 AM. If you need a ride, please contact Helen or Ann.
Helen
Team Leader for Up and Going
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted March 31, 2026 By adminLet us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25
As springtime begins to lead people into more and more activities, we can always look forward to increased activities in and around the church. Opportunities for cookouts, VBS, games and even the prospect of youth group gatherings on Sunday afternoons all exist.
As the calendar page flips toward the Easter season and beyond, I am reminiscent of the times when I was much younger and enjoyed many of these activities. As a youth member of my church, I looked forward to spending time with friends and several of the adults of our church family. What truly mattered to me wasn’t the number of kids who were there, but that my church took the time to show me that I mattered to them. I was loved by my congregation, and they were happy to see me.
Thankfully, it was my parents, who were active in our congregation, who made it a point to teach me what it means to be a part of the church. It took me years to understand, but in their support of our congregation’s youth activities, my parents gave me a gift that has lasted my entire life. The gift is the relationship I have always enjoyed living among God’s people. I am thankful that ever since those days long ago, I have always been connected to the church.
I can imagine what some may be thinking. “Easy for you to say, you’re a pastor.” But I have not always been a pastor. As a worker for a naval shipyard, and later as a service coordinator for a home security company, I had ample opportunities to put off my life as a church member. But the faith God gave me through my Baptism wouldn’t let me go. The gift my parents gave me as a child, and later as a teenager, continued to keep me grounded and connected to the church and people who loved me and were happy to see me. It is this gift that Angela and I strived to pass on to our children in hopes that they would always enjoy life among God’s faithful people.
In these later years of my life, I have noticed a tragic shift within the fellowship of the church. Life among people of faith seems to have been largely absorbed by life among people of the world. People are not as apt to commit to churchly activities as they once were but are more than ready to participate in worldly events. Fewer adult members of the church seem to reach out to the youth and let them know how happy they are to see them. I tip my hat to those who do and encourage others to follow.
As your pastor, I lament over those instances when time is set aside to welcome the youth of the church, but few, if any, show up. The children need to know they matter. I want the youth to know that the adults of the congregation are happy to see them. Simply put, I want today’s youth members to enjoy the same gift I received from my parents when I was their age. But it takes commitment.
In the wake of declining church membership, fewer children are present for worship or other church activities. Now more than ever, it is imperative that families share time together in worship and fellowship as often as possible. Congregations such as ours need to develop ways of welcoming families to enjoy time together away from the world’s attempts to steal them away from living as the children of God. Family ministries are a way to grow relationships between the youth and adult members of the church. Younger and older folks doing things together, enjoying time among fellow Christians, and growing the relationships God established among us all is a step forward, but again, it takes commitment.
Again, I can imagine what some are thinking, “Pastor, we have tried that before.” If that’s the case, I have some questions, “Why did you stop? Was it discouragement, was it that you grew weary, was it inconvenient?” Likely the answer to all these is “yes.” But where does that leave us as we strive to pass on the gift of Christian fellowship to our young people?
Rest assured, I’m not suggesting a new program for us to try. I’m simply suggesting to our church family, especially those with children and youth members, that it is so important to share life among the faithful with children and especially teens. The powers of this fallen and broken world are all too ready, willing, and able to snatch them up and lead them away. But we have this gift to share, the gift that will stay with them all their life long. It’s the gift of people who know that they matter, and we are happy to see them.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
