Faithful 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.
Pastor Archive
Pastoral Devotion for October
Posted September 29, 2022 By adminFrom the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted September 4, 2022 By adminRead John 17:1-26
As a part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples (John 13-17), Jesus prays what is known as his “High Priestly Prayer” (John 17) for the faithful men who have accompanied him throughout his three-year earthly ministry. He prays for these men who were once fishermen, or perhaps simple laborers, one was even a tax collector. In the three years they were with Jesus, he called these twelve ordinary men to be apostles; disciples sent into the world with a teaching for God’s people. Though one would later betray him, the apostles became Jesus’ closest friends and companions along the entire journey from Galilee, all the way to Jerusalem and the cross.
Through the prayer Jesus offered on their behalf, our Lord asked that the Father would continue to guide and protect those whom he entrusted to him. Jesus prayed that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles would be one with him, just as Jesus is one with the Father in a relationship of divine love. Not only did Jesus pray for the twelve, but he also prayed for you and me, and for all believers who would come to faith through the witness and testimony of the apostles.
Reflecting on the text of Jesus’ Farewell discourse and “High Priestly Prayer,” I can say with conviction that even as we have to say farewell to our Administrative Assistant and beloved friend, Sherry Floyd, we will continue to pray for her in her faithful service to our Lord Jesus. For over eight years, Sherry has been a partner with St. Jacob’s in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has been a faithful worker in the vineyard God planted here in this place, approaching her position each day, not simply as a job to do, but as a ministry she offers in thankfulness to the one who is Lord of all.
In the nearly five years that I have been blessed to know Sherry, she has become one of my most trusted co-workers throughout my pastoral ministry. Sherry and I have been through many wonderful experiences together as we have shared in the ministry of St. Jacob’s. Like it was with the apostles and Jesus, we have also seen our fair share of life’s challenges and emotional moments. I can empathize with the feeling Jesus had for the twelve in that saying farewell to one of my closest companions in ministry is not something that is simple to do. Still, as I know everyone at St. Jacob’s will, I pray for Sherry and Joe, that they will enjoy a time of renewal and restoration in their retirement together. May the Lord bless them and keep them. May the Lord’s face shine upon them and be gracious to them. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon then and keep them in peace.
Blessings,
Pastor David
Pastoral Devotion for September
Posted September 2, 2022 By adminWorship the One Who Saves
Read Mark 14:1-11
The chief priests and the scribes supposed him a threat, so they conspired to arrest him and have him killed. Judas Iscariot turned traitor and made arrangements to betray him, receiving a handsome reward for his dubious effort. Such is the backdrop of today’s text; Jesus will soon be handed over and crucified. Yet, one person stands out, showing her love and devotion for her Lord.
Rising above the stench of sin, the sweet fragrance of perfume danced through the air as she anointed the one who came to save her. Her devotion is unmistakable. She lives, as we do, in the midst of a world refusing God’s mercy and grace. Such a world does not stop to acknowledge the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. It does not receive the one through whom salvation comes. Yet, like the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet, even today, the Church offers Christ the sweet fragrance of her worship and thanksgiving.
Sing praises to the one who gives his life for you. Bow down and worship the God of your salvation. For in the midst of a fallen and sinful world, he continues to offer his mercy and grace.
Prayer: May the worship we offer be pleasing in your sight O Lord, for through you only do we have life everlasting.
Amen.
Mid-Week Bible Study Resumes
Posted September 1, 2022 By adminOur Wednesday morning Bible study will resume on September 7th with a study of Jesus’s parables. From the parable of the Mustard Seed to the Parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus, we will look closely at the teaching of Jesus as he shares what it is to live the life of a person of faith. No materials are needed except your Bible and a willingness to read along with the members of your church family. We have enjoyed many wonderful discussions during our Wednesday Morning Bible studies and pray that more church family members will join in. Bible study will begin at 9:30 AM each week in the fellowship hall.
Men’s Bible Study
Posted August 26, 2022 By adminBeginning on Monday, September 12th, Pastor David will offer a Bible study for the men of St. Jacob’s. Each Monday morning at 7 AM., we will meet in the Church Office Conference Room for approximately one hour. Each man who signs up to attend will receive a copy of the “Every Man’s Life Application Bible” which will be used as our primary text. Please contact Pastor David with your intent on participating so he can order your copy of the “Every Man’s Bible.”
End of Summer Lock-In
Posted August 10, 2022 By adminPastor David and Matt are planning a lock-in for our youth in grades 5-12. We will enjoy plenty of games and activities as well as evening and midnight worship by candlelight. Please contact Pastor David or Matt to let them know that your child(ren) will be attending. A list of items children should bring with them will be published at least one week before the lock-in takes place. One activity during our lock-in will be to engage the mission of the Church by assembling Flood Buckets for the NALC Disaster Response Warehouse. Anyone who would like to donate items for the Flood Buckets may do so. A list will be published in the Mid-August Grace Notes and also included in the worship bulletins prior to the lock-in.
Pastoral Devotion for August
Posted August 1, 2022 By adminShow Us Your Ways
Once while on vacation, my wife and I were enjoying the scenic back roads of North Carolina. We planned our day using the road atlas I had owned for several years. The plan was to get from point “A” to point “B” in time for dinner. Unwittingly, we ran into a problem. The paved road we were traveling, marked on the map as a state road, gradually became a gravel trail leading deep into the woods. I had confidence in my outdated map, but it wasn’t long before we were faced with a decision; follow the map or listen to the voice inside our heads encouraging us to turn around.
Paul reminds the people of God that once dead in our sinfulness, all have traveled the road of disobedience and selfishness. It is a familiar road, and if left to ourselves, we would choose this road most often. Along this road the “prince of power in the air” strives to lead humanity away from God. All too often those who follow such a road are confident in their decisions and become convinced it is the right path.
Paul is clear; God rescued us from earthly powers through Christ. Through the teaching of the apostles, Christians are afforded the example of Christ like living. Jesus himself provided the example for all to follow. Turning to Scripture, which is our unfailing guide and never outdated, we can recognize the path of righteousness. Even as we find it difficult to follow such a path, God promises to strengthen us and lead us by the power of his Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Show us your ways, O God, and lead us on the path to righteousness. Amen.
Worship While Pastor David Is In The Congo
Posted July 28, 2022 By adminDue to the current shortage of available supply pastors, worship on the Sundays of August 7th and 14th will be led by our St. Jacob’s Church Elders. They will lead us in liturgy and distribution of Holy Communion. On August 7th, David will be preaching a sermon written by Pastor David prior to his leaving for the Congo. On Sunday, August 14th Sherrie will be doing the same. We are blessed by the service of our Elders while our pastor is away.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted July 28, 2022 By adminThe time is upon me when I am preparing for my mission trip to the Congo with my friend and mission partner Pastor Stéphane Kalonji. There are so many things racing through my mind at the moment that it is difficult just to simply sleep at night. This being my fourth trip to the Congo, I have a good idea what to expect in my travels. It’s the not knowing what to expect when I get there that seems to be the issue, for we will be traveling to a part of the Congo where I have never been before.
Our first several days in the Congo will be spent in the capitol city of Kinshasa where I will have a phone, electricity, and plenty of hot running water. There will be plenty of good food, prepared by Pastor Kalonji’s sister-in-law, Yevette. But then we will be going off to the province of Kasai-Oriental. He tells me that life in Kasai (in the central part of the country) is much different than what I have experienced in Boma or Matadi (in the western part). We will fly from Kinshasa to the city of Mbuji-Mayi and remain there for about three days, then travel to the village of Badibaswa where we will serve a small mission congregation. I’m told that in Kasai, water is not something that is plentiful. As a part of the daily amenities, the hotel we will stay in for about 9 days provides each guest with one free bucket of water. Bucket? Yep, no running water to be had. Once on the ground in Kasai, the first order of business will be to purchase plenty of bottled purified water.
Another difference will be that the churches we will visit and work in have no buildings or shelters. Everything they do is outside exposed to the weather. If it rains during worship, they get wet. If the sun beats down in the heat of the day, they sweat. Truly, there is nothing like a mission trip to the Congo to make one appreciate all that God blesses us with here at home. There is one thing; however, that I do know what to expect in Kasai. The people will be overjoyed that we have come to visit them, bringing them the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In Mbuji-Mayi, Pastor Kalonji and I will be leading three separate seminars. There will be a gathering for the women of the church, then the pastors and lay leaders, and finally, we will have a day with the youth and young adults. Our focus for teaching will be a seminar we have written together concerning the Holiness of God and Living as God’s Holy People. As usual, there will be time for the people to ask plenty of questions regarding faith and life in the Church in America. In Badibaswa, I would anticipate much of the same, although I expect there will be many more questions about life as a Christian and Pastor in the United States. The women will want to know about my wife and children, our home and what a typical day is like.
The people of the Congo are always amazed to find out that Christians in America face many of the same difficulties as they do in Africa. Truly, sin and evil know no boundaries. Thankfully, God’s mercy and grace transcend all boundaries and obstacles the devil attempts to place between God and his people.
While I am away, I would ask that you keep Pastor Kalonij and I in your prayers. Pray that God would use us in mighty ways and that our proclamation of his Word will be bold and well received. Finally, pray for all to whom we will minister, for it is through your generosity that we are able to make this trip. God has blessed us in this mission, and through your prayerful support, hungry children will be fed and mothers and their babies will be welcomed home from detention in hospitals. Pastors and other church leaders will have Bibles to read, learn, and teach from. Those with impaired vision will have eyeglasses to help them see, and children will have beautiful multi-colored bracelets to wear as a reminder of the love we all share in Christ Jesus.
I will be departing from Columbia on Monday, August 1st and returning on Friday, August 20th. As always, I will do my best to keep everyone updated while I am away. I hope to be able to send Angela daily text messages with news of our activities that she can pass along to the church. But again, I don’t know if that will be a possibility when I am in Kasai. Thanks be to God for all who have supported our mission to the Congo. I look forward to sharing stories of St. Jacob’s with the people there and I’m sure I will have plenty of stories to share with you upon my return. Until then, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Pastor David Nuottila
Wednesday Services
Posted July 28, 2022 By adminWhile Pastor David is in the Congo, we will not be having a Wednesday Evening Service on August 3rd, 10th, or 17th. We will start back on August 24th. Please mark your calendars.
