A PLACE AT THE TABLE
Read – 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10, Luke 16:19-31
As baptismal waters washed over his head, the stain of sin was erased forever, and he was made a new creation. At long last he became a child of God, refreshed, and brought to new life. So it was for a homeless man living on the streets of Charleston who happened to become friends with this particular pastor. Truly, Greg became the best friend I ever had.
It seemed that at every turn, fortune never seemed to smile upon Greg. He was homeless, friendless, and trusted no one. Yet, tired of being alone, he entered the church. There he found compassion. In time, the compassion he discovered taught him to trust; his trust led him to love. Life remained difficult, but through his newly gifted faith, Greg would begin to understand this earthly affliction would one day pass, and the kingdom would be his forever. That day came for Greg soon after I left Charleston to serve a congregation in North Carolina.
As Lazarus longed for food from the rich man’s table, not a crumb would fall within his reach. Making a distinction between rich and poor, the rich man failed in his calling to feed the hungry, thus he lived contrary to God’s mandate to love his neighbor. Upon his death, the rich man was denied the mercy of God. In short, he received his reward for his selfishness and refusal to care for those in need. Many in this world continue make such distinctions, only helping when they feel the recipient “deserves” to be helped. They make distinctions between people according to appearances. Thus, the lost and hungry often go ignored. But just as God smiled upon Lazarus, all who call upon the Lord will find compassion and take their place at the table of heaven.
Father God, give us hearts for love alone, that we might love and serve our neighbor without distinction. Amen.
Pastor Archive
Pastoral Devotion For January
Posted January 3, 2022 By adminPastoral Devotion for December
Posted December 15, 2021 By adminI Am with You
Read: 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 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.”
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.
Christmas Morning Worship
Posted December 10, 2021 By adminYears ago, I was confronted by a church member concerning Worship on Christmas Day. That particular year, Christmas was on Sunday and this certain church member wanted to know if we would be having worship that morning. Of course, we did have worship. After all, Sunday is the Lord’s Day regardless of any other celebration we might want to observe. That instance set in motion a practice that I have observed every year since. As a pastor, it breaks my heart that the vast majority of churches remain closed on Christmas morning, one of the holiest days of the year. I have made it my tradition to offer a worship service every year on Christmas morning for those who would desire to come celebrate Christmas with worship and Holy Communion. This year will be no different. Worship with holy communion will be Christmas morning at 10:00 AM. All are invited to keep Christ in Christmas and worship at St. Jacob’s during this simple Christmas morning service. It is a “come as you are” opportunity to gather with your church family. Over the years, I have witnessed children in pajamas, adults in relaxed and casual dress, all coming to sing the praises of a God who would provide the most precious gift of all, the birth of a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Everyone is most certainly welcome. Come make a joyful noise and share in the blessing of Christmas with your church family.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted December 1, 2021 By adminAnd she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
I can’t say why, but this year, more than most, the celebration of Christmas seems just a little bit nearer to me. Perhaps it is because that the past two Christmas celebrations have been somewhat curtailed by the pandemic. Maybe it is because the year 2021 presented a few challenges to my faith. Or perhaps it is due to a cloudy outlook into the future that many people envision because of uncertain times. Regardless, this year I find myself in earnest reflection of the Christmas narrative and the miracle surrounding the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Think of it, a young woman – a girl actually – pure and innocent, a virgin, suddenly finding herself “with child” by the power of the Holy Spirit. Dear Mary, whom the church would later recognize as “theotokos” or “the God-bearer” she would face so many challenges at a tender young age that most women would likely shy away from. Mary most likely faced harsh ridicule from those who knew her best. “How could you become pregnant outside of marriage?” How could you bring shame upon your family…upon Joseph with such behavior?” No, in these instances, young Mary was alone in her predicament. How could she convince people the child within her was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? Truly, how could she convince Joseph? Only because God sent the angel Gabriel to Joseph in a dream did he become privy to God’s plan to send his Son into the World through such humble means.
As servants of the Lord, Mary and Joseph submitted to the will and desire of our Holy and Mighty God. Perhaps because of their humbleness and willingness God found reason to choose them to be the instruments of his good will toward mankind.
Think of Joseph. He was a man who worked with his hands. Scripture tells us that he was a faithful and just man, one who took into consideration his love and concern for others. Joseph is a good example for today’s men to follow. When presented with challenges in relationships with others, we can look to Joseph, doing well to handle them quietly, faithfully, compassionately. When called to serve according to God’s will, even when the situation is difficult, we can see in Joseph a willing spirit and an eager obedience to follow.
And think of Mary, the things she had to experience for herself. There was no midwife to help her deliver and care for her child. No warm water in which to bathe the child. No light, no warmth, only a cold manger for a bed and rags in which to wrap the babe in so he wouldn’t shiver. Who showed this poor girl what to do in such circumstances? Who was there to guide her, encourage her? No one but God, and Mary placed her complete faith and trust in him.
I believe that such reflection upon the birth of our Lord serves us well as we look to God’s unfailing love for his people. Christmas is a time when we can take a long look at our faith and life. What sweeter picture can there be other than a young mother’s glance beaming down upon her first child even as he was born into such a harsh environment? Loving eyes looking upon a helpless child, dependent upon his mother for everything.
It is the same picture of love we see as we consider our heavenly Father’s glance beaming down upon his precious children whom he saved from sin and death through the miracle of this baby born of Mary. We sinful human beings are brought into a right relationship through the child conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. This truly is the greatest gift of all. God’s loving eyes looking upon his people who are helpless and powerless against the powers that would defy God’s goodness, mercy, and grace.
As we sojourn into the approaching Advent and Christmas seasons, I would pray that we all could do so in quiet reflection upon the images of Christ’s nativity. Take in the picture of the holy family. Make them a part of who we are as God’s people gathered here. May we all share the love, peace, and miracle of the Nativity of our Lord.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Reaching Out With Worship
Posted November 30, 2021 By adminBeginning on Sunday, December 5th, Pastor David will be leading a brief worship service in the lobby at Generations. This service will take place at 1:30 PM. every other Sunday. Several St. Jacob’s church family members reside at Generations and it will be good to share a time of Word and Sacrament with them and the rest of the residents. Several have remarked about how much they enjoyed our singing for them in October and are looking forward to Sunday worship. Volunteers to assist in singing familiar hymns and distributing communion would be appreciated. If you would like to help out, please contact Pastor David.
Advent Bible Study
Posted November 30, 2021 By adminOur Advent Bible study will be titled “A Reunion of Grace” and will take a peek into the family history of our Lord. We will see how God chose to save humanity from sin, not through strength, but through humility and weakness. We will look at the lives of four ancestors of Jesus whose scars from human life are important factors for us to know about so that we can become more reliable witnesses to God’s amazing grace. Advent Bible study begins on Wednesday, December 1st, starting at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall and is open to anyone who would like to participate.
Advent Vespers
Posted November 30, 2021 By adminThe theme for our Advent Vespers will be “A Christmas Journey” featuring four dramatic readings presented by St. Jacob’s church family members. This set of monologues highlights the inner thoughts of four characters deeply involved in the divine drama of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus. Below is our schedule for mid-week Advent services.
December 1st – Joseph: The Stepfather
December 8th – Mary: The Favored One
December 15th – John: The Preparer
December 22nd – The Innkeeper
Advent Vespers will begin at 7:00 PM each Wednesday during the season. We will also receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each service. Please plan to attend each week as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas.
Pastoral Devotion for November
Posted November 10, 2021 By adminGreatness in Serving Others
Mark 10:35-45
What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a question that we all faced at one time or another. Some probably wanted to be doctors or nurses. Some perhaps wanted to be a professional athlete. Still someone might have wanted to be an actor or singer. Have you ever noticed few children, if any, say they want to be a garbage collector? Fewer still might say they want to be the school custodian, or the person who makes up the beds in a hotel. When we are young, we want to stand out; we often dream of making it big. We have dreams for our future.
Jesus never asks his disciples about their vision of what their lives might be like once he is departed. Instead, he leads the twelve on a journey of humility and service. Jesus leads and they follow. Our Lord teaches the twelve and us that in order to be counted first in God’s kingdom; we must become last of all and servant of all.
Certainly, we dream about the future. Yet, no matter your vocation or station in life, blessed is the one who puts the needs of others above their own and becomes their servant. Truly this one is counted as greatest in heaven.
Prayer: Holy God, give us the will to follow Christ, becoming as servants of others and inheritors of your kingdom. Amen.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted November 1, 2021 By admin[Jesus said] “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:6-8
A few days into my recent vacation, I received news of the death of my friend and fellow pastor, Brett Collins. I know that several folks within our church family had known Pastor Brett for quite a while and considered him to be very close. This news saddened many people within our Lutheran Churches, both NALC and ELCA. We have lost a friend who was our pastor, a beloved family man, and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
As some of you may know, each Tuesday morning, Pastor Brett would join me and several other local Lutheran pastors online and we would study the Sunday lessons together. When a question regarding difficulties with the text would arise, Brett would often break the silence and offer this advice, “Just preach the Word, that’s what the people need to hear. Just Preach the Word man.” That is exactly what I had in mind when I preached and led worship at Holy Trinity in Little Mountain the Sunday following Pastor Brett’s death.
The day before I was in Salisbury, N.C. to perform a wedding for a former church youth member. I won’t deny, it was good seeing so many former church family members. I hadn’t seen any of them since taking the call to be St. Jacob’s Pastor. I realized that the old saying is true. Once a pastor, always a pastor. Memories from my two previous congregations found their way to the forefront of my mind as I enjoyed the smiles and hugs from people for whom I was their spiritual leader for six years, and again, I won’t deny that I enjoyed every minute.
The next morning (Sunday), having traveled back from North Carolina the night before, I had to stop
by St. Jacob’s on my way to Holy Trinity. It was good seeing folks who were gathered for worship, but it seemed strange that I was not going to be your preacher that particular morning. Instead, my calling for the day was to be Pastor for my friend’s flock. They were hurting and searching for comfort and encouragement and longed for a Word from God for reassurance.
During the prelude, I was seated behind the pulpit where Pastor Brett would have been sitting. The sensation was surreal. I asked myself, who am I that I should be in this place? Even though I had known Brett for a long time, this was his place, but he is no longer here. God called me to be pastor for them on this particular morning, and again the next Sunday. It was an assignment I was more than willing to accept. After all, once a pastor, always a pastor.
I believe I am writing this message to you as a way of peaceful reflection and response to the loss of a good friend. More than that, I believe I am writing this message to you because, as I sat be-hind the pulpit waiting to worship with a congregation that had just lost its shepherd, I realized just how special you all are to me. In the 17th chapter of John, Jesus says praise to his Father for his disciples saying Father, “I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.”
Having worshiped with the folks at Holy Trinity, I can say that without a doubt, Pastor Brett Collins gave them the Word God had given to him. They heard it and they know it’s true. Brett taught them well, and he set a fine example for them to follow. Now, in the wake of his sudden and tragic death, I know there will be more silent moments as I study the texts each Tuesday with my fellow pastors. In such times, I will do my best to take the advice of my friend, Brett Collins. “Just preach the Word, that’s what the people want to hear. Just preach the Word man.” May the Word I give to you on
Sunday be the same truth of the Gospel God gives me so that you may hear the truth concerning Jesus Christ.
I’m sorry for the long message, but I believe this month’s article truly reflects the nature of the title of my monthly column. For certainly, memories of my friend and the joy I find in being your pastor is what is on The Pastor’s Heart.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
First Communion Instruction
Posted November 1, 2021 By adminPastor David will offer First Communion Instruction for children in grades 1-6 who have not yet begun receiving the sacrament, or for those who have not yet attended First Communion Instruction. Classes will be held during the Sunday school time on November 7th, 14th, and 21st. Children must attend with a parent or guardian. If you feel your child or grandchild is ready to begin receiving Holy Communion, or already receives communion but has not received this instruction, please contact Pastor David Nuottila.
