Many congregations struggle with decline in attendance and income, transitioning neighborhood and context, lack of coherent and appropriate vision for mission. Time and time again congregational leaders make efforts to re-tool and re-shape the congregation’s life and ministry, only to find resistance to change, lack of commitment and little positive result. One of the challenges to renewal and re-formation is our closeness to our congregation’s history, culture and current practices. As with any family system, we can be so involved that we are blinded to the reality of our situation, unable to see clearly God’s will for new direction and transformation.
In ongoing reflection and conversation, leadership of the North American Lutheran Church have been seeking an integrative approach to congregational assessment, evaluation and renewal. Working together, several member’s of the NALC Executive staff have developed such an approach, appropriately titled, the “Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit.
The goal of the summit is to involve appropriate leadership in the NALC, together with congregational pastor and leaders, praying first, “Lord, let our eyes be opened!” We then trust that the Lord will give participants fresh eyes to receive new insight and understanding, all aimed at new or renewed direction for mission and ministry as the congregation seeks to follow Jesus firmly and faithfully.
On Monday evening, November 21st, several members of St. Jacob’s met with Pastor David Wendel, NALC assistant to the bishop for ministry, to explore the prospects of our congregation participating in the “Fresh eyes for Mission Summit.”
One need only look around to see that St. Jacob’s is not the congregation we once were. In these days of declining church attendance and membership, the Fresh Eyes Summit is designed to help congregations such as ours take a critical look at how their ministry is going and what key factors should be addressed. Congregations engaging in the summit look at the community’s growth and other factors, and weigh their giftedness to determine the capacity each church has for mission and ministry.
Several NALC congregations in the Carolinas (including local congregations such as Holy Trinity in Little Mountain) have participated and come away with renewed energy and excitement about their church’s Ministry.
More information will be shared during our Congregation Meeting on December 4th.
Pastor Archive
The NALC Fresh Eyes for Mission Summit
Posted December 5, 2022 By adminWorship at Generations
Posted December 5, 2022 By adminEvery other Sunday, Pastor David leads worship for the residents of Generations Assisted Care of Chapin. This ministry has made a difference in the lives of many folks who are not able to attend worship at their home church. The congregation is invited and certainly encouraged to share the love of Christ Jesus in worship with our friends just down the road. Our next worship opportunity will be: Sunday, December 11 with a service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. We begin our worship at 1:00PM in the lobby. Join us as you are able and bring a smile to those whom God loves.
Pastoral Devotion for November – Behold, I Am with You
Posted November 8, 2022 By adminRead Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob, having tricked his father Isaac into blessing him over and above his brother Esau, is now on the run. He is in fear for his life as his brother has vowed to kill him for what he had done. Alone and afraid, Jacob travels through the wilderness. He is not seeking an encounter with God, nor is he searching for some deeply religious explanation of his life.
Jacob is between places, the place of his father which is his home, and the place to which he is traveling where he hopes to find a new life. Yet, through a dream, God makes his presence known and the gospel, the good news of God’s deliverance comes to Jacob. “Behold, I am with you!”
Jacob’s vision of a ladder reaching from earth into heaven teaches us that the world is not a place absent of God’s presence. Rather, there is an intersection between the realm of earthly life and God’s kingdom. Angels, messengers of God, travel to and from bringing tidings of good news and God’s divine protection to those who live within the family of faith. God’s children are not alone; there is someone who walks with us, powerful enough to take on our troubles and wash away our shame. Because God loved the world so much, we have a Savior who says, “Behold, I am with you!”
How often do we wander in the wilderness? When are those instances when we search for God, yet He seems distant? These are the times to become quiet and still, to open our hearts and minds to the presence of our Lord Jesus. For the words of his promise are sure, “Behold, I am with you.”
Prayer – Holy God, guide us by your Holy Spirit and guard us with your angels. Help us to see always, your power and presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Men’s Bible Study
Posted November 2, 2022 By adminOur St. Jacob’s Men’s Bible study continues to meet in the church office conference room on the second and fourth Monday each month at 7AM. All men at St. Jacob’s are encouraged to participate as they are able. Each participant will receive a copy of the “Every Man’s Bible” in the New Living Translation (NLT).” The Bible is provided at no cost and is a wonderful addition to every man’s Bible collection.
Currently we are exploring the lives of men we read about in the bible and finding out more about their life and struggle to become faithful believers in a world fallen into sin. Please join us. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. We are looking forward to the growth of this ministry.
Midweek Bible Study
Posted November 1, 2022 By adminOur Wednesday morning Bible study is in full swing with a study of the Parables of Jesus. Everyone who is able is invited to join the group. We have wonderful conversations while exploring the richness of God’s mercy and grace. Come be a part of our learning and fellowship. Mid-week Bible study meets at 9:30 A.M. in the fellowship Hall each Wednesday Morning.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted October 31, 2022 By adminIt’s almost comical when one thinks about it, writing next month’s newsletter article about things yet to come, while at the same time significant dates that belong to the previous month have yet to happen. Such is the case as I write this installment. November is a month during which the Christian church marks three important occasions: All Saint’s Day, Christ the King Sunday, and Thanksgiving. This year we also begin the season of Advent before the month of November concludes. And here I am writing about these before October’s big event…Reformation Sunday. As I study the texts for Reformation Sunday, I’m trying to iron out how to talk about All Saint’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Advent while still in the shadow of October.
There is a beloved hymn that is most often sung at the Reformation celebration that sums up the challenge well. “God’s Word is Our Great Heritage” (LBW 239). It is but one verse, albeit an important one. Many of you will recognize this hymn as I share it with you.
(To the tune of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”)
God’s Word is our great heritage,
and shall be ours forever.
To Spread its light from age to age,
shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way;
in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while time shall last,
your church may hold it fast;
Throughout all generations.
Indeed, God’s Word is our great heritage. We are all people who have been brought up in the truth of God’s Law and Gospel. We cannot deny that we depend on God’s mercy and grace for for[1]giveness of our sins and life in God’s kingdom. God’s Word for us stands forever. It is the strong, undeniable saving Word that comes from the very God we worship and glorify. Ah…there is the rub. How is it that we hear the Word and respond by glorifying God through the way we live our life?
God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever. If it is to be ours forever, well then, we should know and understand it. So much so, that it shall be our chief endeavor to spread its light from age to age so that all generations of people may claim possession of it and have the Word as their great heritage also. So how do I fit this in with All Saint’s, Thanksgiving, and Advent? Well, here goes.
As we pause to remember those church family members who passed away in the last twelve months, we take great comfort in knowing the truth of God’s salvation. Truly, we believe we will dwell with God and be reunited with all who have gone before us in faith. Those who cling to God’s promise of salvation for believers have the assurance of faith. As so many who have gone before us, our lives are to be shaped by faith – the faith we receive from God in our hearing the Gospel and abiding in Christ. If we live a life shaped by cultural norms, we cannot claim this great heritage as being ours forever. Worldly endeavors simply cannot fulfill that which God promises in the Scriptures. So many of our predecessors understood this and now rest in the love of Christ our Lord. For the fulfillment of this promise, we can and surely ought to give thanks.
As we journey to the beginning of Advent, we do so along our life’s pathway illuminated by the Word of God. Through life it guides our way; in death it is our stay. The promise of Advent is that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. And his kingdom will have no end. How wonderful to be among those whose great heritage is the promise of everlasting life through Christ Jesus!
Lord, grant while time shall last, your church may hold it fast; Throughout all generations. Are you holding fast to your great heritage? Are you daily pondering, meditating, and dwelling in the Word of God? If not, why not? As a child of God, saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, God’s Word is your great heritage, your promise from the God whose Son has purchased and won you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Hold fast to this promise. Hold fast to your great heritage.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Mid-Week Bible Study
Posted October 6, 2022 By adminOur Wednesday morning Bible study is in full swing with a study of the Parables of Jesus. Everyone who is able is invited to join the group. We have wonderful conversations while exploring the richness of God’s mercy and grace. Come be a part of our learning and fellowship. Mid-week Bible study meets at 9:30 A.M. in the fellowship Hall each Wednesday Morning.
From the Pastor’s Heart By Pastor David Nuottila
Posted October 3, 2022 By adminTrain up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
The Bible verse above is one that many of us grew up with. We grew up with it because our parents and grandparents believed it and implemented it as often as they could. Now that I am a grandparent, this verse means a lot more to me than it did years ago. Not only as a grandparent, but as a parent, and especially as a pastor, I have gained a deep appreciation for this particular proverb.
Recently in a discussion with several other pastors, we were comparing notes with what has worked as far as catechetical instruction goes. I reminisced with them for a while and remembered a little book written by one of my professors. The Rev. Dr. Jim Nestingen wrote this book way back in the mid-70’s in partnership with another professor, The Rev. Dr. Gerhard Forde. The book is an exposition on Luther’s Small Catechism and is entitled, Free to Be.
Free to Be is a handbook that unpacks the Small Catechism in such a way that all people, young and old alike, can learn more about wat it means to be free to grow as a child of the One True God. The opening chapter begins with these words: “God has made a decision about you. He hasn’t waited to find out how sincere you are, how devout or religious you might be, or how well you understand the Bible or Catechism. He hasn’t even waited to find out if you are interested or willing to take his decision seriously. He has simply decided.”
The gist of Free to Be is that since God has decided to love us even though we are sinners, through Christ we are freed from the eternal consequences of our sin. As forgiven people, we are free to love God and neighbor even though original sin once stood as a barrier between God and man. Through Christ the barrier is overcome by god’s love. The free gift of God’s salvation is the most precious gift anyone could ever hope to receive. With the devil’s grip upon our lives broken by the power of God’s love, we are free to be children of God’s light in Christ.
So why bring this up now? Well, as I look around St. Jacob’s, and indeed the broader Church in general, I see so many young people opting out of worship, Sunday school and many things religious. The George Barna group, a research think tank that studies trends within the Christian Church, has well documented the current trend of young people abandoning the church and instead opting for a life outside well established faith communities. If we are to take the proverb seriously, we need to find a way to re-present the Christian faith to our young people in such a way that they can realize the love our Almighty God has for his people, and just how valuable each person is in the eyes of God.
Of particular note is a study I read lifting up the seismic shift in our society that has occurred in just the last 25 years or so. Generation Z (those born between 1990-2015) is the most ethnically diverse generation in American history. They are individualistic, social justice oriented, and lonely. They were raised on technology, not on relationships. And their lives are often built around the online world. These young people are becoming activists and volunteers who want to make an impact on the world. The oldest members of Generation Z have entered their twenties and stepped into either the workforce or the world of higher education. And they will change the landscape of our society with their ideas and values many of which omit the idea of Christian faith and the prospect of church membership. In layman’s terms, to a large extent, our young people are being shaped by the world rather than by faith. So, as those who vowed at the baptism of so many Gen Z babies, that we would raise them in the faith, what do we do to train up the children in the way that they should go?
The answer is fairly simple, just four words actually; “dwell in God’s Word.” Dwell in the Word and grow in our relationship with Christ. Then share the joy of that relationship with our young people. They will soon see the joy we have in being freed from the burden of sin, and living as dwellers of God’s eternal kingdom rather than as dwellers of this fallen and broken world. For the sake of our young people, we must know God’s Word. We must know the story. We must help our young people answer the question: “Who is Jesus and why does he matter?” We must live it out and share it in such a way that, through our shared joy and fellowship, our young people will experience Christian relationships and become Free to Be excited about the love they have through the person of Christ our Savior. Imagine a faith community in which everyone, young and old finds themselves on the path that leads to eternal joy. Yes, that’s what it means to be “Free to Be.”
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Men’s Bible Study
Posted October 2, 2022 By adminThe Men of St. Jacob’s are invited to participate in our new “Every Man Bible study.” The Men’s Bible study meets in the church office conference room each Monday at 7:00A.M. Each participant will receive a copy of the “Every Man’s Bible in the New Living Translation (NLT).” The Bible is provided at no cost and is a wonderful addition to Every Man’s Bible collection.
Currently we are exploring the lives of men we read about in the bible and finding out more about their life and struggle to become faithful believers in a world fallen into sin. Please join us. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. We are looking forward to the growth of this ministry.
Pastoral Devotion for October
Posted September 29, 2022 By adminFaithful Teachers
Read James 3:1-13
From the earliest of ages, even the most prolific pastors, theologians and Christian authors were first taught the faith by others. Parents, grandparents taught the faith in their homes. In churches, it is volunteer Sunday school teachers who engage in the faith formation of our youngest Christians. In my formative years, it was a teacher nurtured my faith and convinced me I should explore a career in ministry. Certainly, there is power and influence in the words of teachers.
James warns teachers concerning the power of words. Like the small rudder of a ship, the tongue has the power to steer the course of peoples’ lives. Especially in Church, the tongue can do insurmountable damage. A word misspoken from the pulpit can lead a congregation down the wrong path. Words spoken in confidence can wreak havoc if shared with others. Even words meant for encouragement can be misunderstood if spoken carelessly.
It goes without saying, even teachers of faith have their shortcomings; we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. All Christians, especially pastors and people in lay ministry are called to speak the truth concerning our lives as God’s children. Again, we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. Therefore, we must pray that our words remain true and that we speak this truth in love.
Prayer: God of mercy and grace; bless the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, that they may be fruitful in your sight. Amen.
