Outreach Archive

Congo Mission Fundraising Dinner

Posted July 31, 2018 By admin

Congo Mission International is a ministry led by Pastor David Nuottila and his mission partner Pastor Stéphane Kalonji – St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rosenberg, Texas. Our mission is to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) as we minister to the people of Congo, DRC.

Congo Mission International provides:
Theological training for pastors and lay leaders.
Christian education seminars for women, young adults and youth.
Food for orphaned children in the care of the C.E.L.C.CO. (Lutheran Church of Congo)
Support for the Farming Project in the Bas-Congo region.
Special attention is given to “freeing” babies detained in hospitals due to the inability of the parents to pay the fees.

St. Jacob’s will host a fund-raising dinner on Saturday, August 4th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for a $20.00
donation for adults with children 18 and under eating free. You may purchase tickets from Davis Brown, Gerald Lindler, Don Dease, Pastor David or through the church office. Please plan to attend and invite your friends and neighbors as we celebrate our mission work in The Congo.

Congo Mission

Posted July 31, 2018 By admin


Join in on our upcoming Homecoming celebration.

The Reverend Dr. David Wendel will be our Guest Pastor during Worship!

Our Homecoming meal will follow the worship service. Bring your favorite side dish and dessert. BBQ, fried chicken and tea will be provided.

Join us as we celebrate our first homecoming with Pastor Nuottila and family!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Lutheran Men News

Posted July 31, 2018 By admin

Our next meeting will be Sunday, August 19th at 6 PM in the
Fellowship Hall. Danny has the devotions. Cooks for this meeting are Lynn, Danny, and Robert.

Lutheran Women News

Posted July 31, 2018 By admin

We are planning a Social for August 19th. Please watch your worship folder for more information. Also, don’t forget your items for We Care. Thanks!
Phyllis, Leader

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted July 1, 2018 By admin

And [Jesus] said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:21-23

At the onset of my seminary instruction, I wasn’t accustomed to leading the liturgy during worship. I’ve never been a musician and to this day I do not read music or play any sort of instrument. Still, I dearly love leading the congregation through the sacred music of liturgy. Yet, in the beginning such was not the case.The first time I was scheduled to intone the liturgy, my supervising pastor suggested that I run through everything a few times with our music director. Since this particular congregation had lay members who served as assisting ministers, this was a normal occurrence, so off to the music director’s office I went.

Following a few vocal warm ups, the organist played the piano as I sang rather quietly through the six verses of Psalm 1. Truthfully, I needed to work at overcoming my self-perceived lack of ability. Tom helped build my confidence; he encouraged me and made me work through my fears. It wasn’t long until I rather robustly sang out the entire Kyrie and Hymn of Praise in the solitude of
his office. I was feeling much better about my task for the morning and decided to tackle the Psalm one more time before practice was over. After singing the Psalm one last time, my supervising pastor bolted into the room and asked if I would please turn off my wireless microphone. Little did I know that, for about fifteen minutes I had been serenading the group gathered for prayer in the
church Nave.

As I look back on this event, I realize, had I known the microphone was switched on I would not have made such a public display. Rather, I would have quickly switched it off and sheepishly got on with my practice. Instead, I was able to boldly share the good news of God’s saving grace. Even if my voice is not on par with those of qualified musicians and vocalists, there could be no denying that the power of God’s grace through his Son Jesus Christ was heard. Jesus asks his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?” Certainly not! God blesses the Church with the most precious treasure there is, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each baptized child of God is therefore called to give witness to the wonders of God’s mercy and grace by sharing this gift with the world. Within the baptismal rite of the Lutheran Church, we quote Jesus’ words when we exhort the newly baptized to “Let your light shine before others
so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

In a world fallen into sin and broken beyond human repair, the only hope for salvation comes through Christ and believing that through him, God indeed keeps his promises. 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. Jesus calls each of his children to share their faith, to be of loving service to their neighbor and to proclaim the power of God’s saving grace. My prayer is that you won’t be timid in doing so. Be bold! Overcome the fears of speaking the truth of Jesus with others, realizing that you are enabled with the gift given through the Holy Spirit of God. If you don’t know how, or you feel you lack the ability, come see me and just as Tom helped me, I’ll help you work through your doubts. In Baptism, the light of your faith is ignited. Shine your light so that through the darkness of the world, all may finally see the glory of the Father and at last enter the gates of our eternal home.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

Invite Your One

Posted June 26, 2018 By admin

A study done several years ago of Christians and evangelism found that Christians who attend worship regularly within main line denominational churches seldom invite others to worship with them. Some surveys indicate the average Lutheran Church member invites only 1.2 people to worship in their lifetime.
One of the Core Values of the North American Lutheran Church is to be a mission driven church. Being mission driven means many things. One of these is that we are a church committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to invite friends and neighbors to worship with us.
During the summer months, Pastor David is challenging each church family member to invite at least one person per month to worship with us. It can be someone you have known for a long time, someone you recently met, or perhaps even a stranger who was in line ahead of you at the market. Whoever it is, invite them. But don’t be discouraged if they don’t come, just keep inviting. Invite your one, and share the good news!

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Posted June 26, 2018 By admin

I am so happy that so many members of our St. Jacob’s family have supported me in my mission to the people of the Congo. I know this is not something that you have been dreaming of, but it is a dream come true for me that those whom I serve as pastor are willing to serve God’s people in such a far-off place. Truly, my heart is warmed by the love you show to people whom you will likely never meet.
The Congo Mission is one that requires a continuous fund-raising effort. As my mission partner, Pastor Stéphane Kalonji’s, September trip to Congo draws near, funding is at the forefront. In the years I do not travel to Congo, my task is to ensure ministry is carried out in the regions that are not safe for me to travel. I have met many of the Congolese pastors from these regions, and
they all are so appreciative of the support they receive from NALC congregations.
In an effort to raise awareness and travel funds for Pastor Kalonji, I am putting together a small team to host a Congo Mission Dinner scheduled for August 4th at 7:00 p.m. Members from surrounding NALC congregations will be invited along with all members of our church family. Please keep an eye on the worship bulletin announcements for more details.

Pastor David Nuottila

Up and Going

Posted June 26, 2018 By admin

Christmas In July

 
Meet with us Thursday, July 26 at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
Food to be determined.

Lutheran Men News

Posted June 26, 2018 By admin

We will not have a meeting in July. However, we will be preparing meals for the week of Vacation Bible School beginning, July 15th.
Men, please come early to assist with the meals at 5:45 PM.