Let 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
Pastor Archive
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted March 31, 2026 By adminCongo Mission Trip 2026
Posted March 10, 2026 By adminAs you all know, I have had to cancel my previous two mission trips to Congo, first due to health reasons, then last year due to the political climate. In that time, my partner Pastor Stephane Kalonji has journeyed to Congo without assistance from another pastor and carried out the mission work we began twelve years ago. I have truly missed being a part of this important ministry of the Gospel.
Once more, I must pass on to the congregation that I will not be traveling to Congo for a third consecutive year. Pastor Kalonji and I met via zoom to discuss our plans for the summer mission trip, but we soon were faced with a difficult reality. Donations from our family of congregations that serve as mission partners have not met the threshold that allows us both to travel and minister to the people of Congo.
Needless to say, I am very saddened by this situation. In the past twelve years, I have been blessed to serve so many people who long to receive the Gospel of our Lord and share in the goodness of a relationship with Christ’s Church. Many of those whom I have called friends have since died and many others, I fear, will pass before I have the opportunity to visit with them once more.
Still, I remain truly grateful for the support given by St. Jacob’s and the various congregations who have been a part of the Congo Mission. I know God will continue to supply what is needed for this ministry. With that being said, I encourage those who have made offerings and donations to the Congo Mission Trip to continue to do so. Pastor Kalonji will travel alone this summer. But once again, he will carry on the work of the Gospel on my behalf. I pray for his safety in travel and strength to meet the long days of ministry that await him.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted March 5, 2026 By adminReturn to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Joel 2:13
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Those were the words spoken over us as we received the ashes on Ash Wednesday just a couple of weeks ago. They are also the words God spoke to Adam and Eve following their tragic fall into sin. Adam, as we know, was created in God’s image and likeness from the dust of the ground. Once created, God declared him to be “very good.”
Yet, God also said that it was not good for the man to be alone. And so, God caused a deep sleep for Adam and took a rib from his side and created his helpmate. Later, upon beholding this new addition to the human family of God, Adam said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” The two were made to complement one another, to make humanity whole.
Yet, when temptation came to Adam and Eve, they did not withstand and became disobedient to God’s prohibition concerning the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We know the rest of the story, and through it’s telling and retelling, we are reminded of our mortality. “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
As you continue in the midst of the Lenten season, it is your Pastor’s prayer that you do so with the intention of growing in the Christian disciplines of daily reading of Scripture, fervent prayer, and honoring the Sabbath through weekly worship. These are the marks of discipleship. These are the intentions Christ has for his people so that we would all grow closer in our relationship with him and with one another.
The ashen cross that adorned the foreheads of those who received it on Ash Wednesday are the reminder of your mortality and that you too were made from the dust of the ground. It is this dust to which you will one day return. But that does not ever need to be seen as the end of the story. For since God brought forth life from the lifeless dust so long ago, so too will he bring life once again to the faithful who have died in Christ
This is the good news for the people who have walked in the darkness of a fallen and broken world, fallen and broken by the powers of temptation and sin. God will not allow those saved by his grace through faith in Christ to remain dust forever. Just as God did not allow the power of the devil to claim and steal away that which God said is very good, God will not allow Satan to steal away the precious children he has claimed through the waters of Holy Baptism.
The season of Lent is one more opportunity for you to “return to the Lord your God” (Joel 2:13). Truly, as we continue to walk through the darkness of a broken world, we do so as children of the light that is in Christ. Each of us deals with our own sin and shame. Each of us has disobeyed God’s commandments just as our first parents Adam and Eve did so long ago. But just as God promised reconciliation to Adam and Eve, he promises the same to us.
As a part of our Lenten journey toward the cross of Christ, we walk in the light of the fulfillment of God’s promise. I look forward to spending time in worship and prayer with you during Lent, just as I look forward to proclaiming to you the Good News of Christ’s empty tomb on the day of resurrection. Until then, may we all seek to return to the Lord our God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion for March – Welcome the Children
Posted February 27, 2026 By adminThis is a follow-up to the devotion shared in February’s newsletter. Read Matthew 19:13-15
Welcome the children who are brought to church. Share with them the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor, make room for them here.
If they offer you a goldfish cracker, accept it with joy.
If one of their parents must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them, offer to help.
Even when it’s hard. Even when you seem bothered.
When your pew looks like it was hit by a tornado, smile and remember your youthful days
Be glad they are in church. Even when you feel like staring, look at them with love, don’t let your frustration get in the way.
Be thankful they are in church and give them room to grow comfortable with your presence
Make room for them in your pew. Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil doesn’t want them here. He will teach them to stay away, provide something else to do.
The devil will try to distract you with a child’s curiosity.
The devil will want you to feel bothered.
The devil will convince you that the children are better off left in the nursery.
Don’t let the devil separate the children from the faithful in worship.
Satan will have you so far off course and disturbed and put out that you won’t hear the message of hope in the Lord. You will only feel angst.
The world won’t teach the children about Jesus, that’s your job.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness, that’s yours to embody.
The world won’t teach them about grace, that’s yours to offer.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
But Jesus said, unless you have the faith of a little child, you won’t see it either.
It begins with parents and young children feeling loved and welcomed in church.
So, welcome the children. Welcome the whole family.
A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it need be.
So, welcome the little children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring the children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the adults of our congregation. Make room in our hearts to welcome little children and find joy in them as they grow in faith. Amen.
Congo Mission Trip 2026
Posted February 19, 2026 By adminAs you all know, I have had to cancel my previous two mission trips to Congo, first due to health reasons, then last year due to political reasons. In that time, my partner Pastor Stephane Kalonji has journeyed to Congo without assistance from another pastor and carried out the mission work we began twelve years ago. I have truly missed being a part of this important ministry of the Gospel. The good news this year is that we are scheduled to make our annual trip together for the first time in a while. Pastor Kalonji and I are both eager to see the progress made in the construction of the church building we established in 2023. My mission trip to the Congo this summer is scheduled for July 7th – 23rd. On Monday, July 6th , I will fly to Houston, TX to meet Pastor Kalonji; and the next day we will begin the long journey to Africa.
I am thankful to everyone who continues to support this mission work for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and covet your continued support and prayers. Prior to making this trip I will host one or two fundraising opportunities. Our budget for the trip this summer is $27,000.00. Somehow, by the grace of God, we manage each year to raise enough money to do this important work. Yet it gets more difficult as the years go by. Please consider how you might support the Congo Mission and become a partner with us. Donations may be made through our church offering and designated as “Congo Mission Trip.”
Pastoral Devotion for February – Bring Your Children
Posted February 3, 2026 By adminRead Matthew 19:13-15
Bring your children. Bring them to church. Saturate their lives with the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor.
Even if they need a sippy cup and a pack of goldfish crackers to keep them occupied.
Even if you must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when your pew looks like a small hurricane just came through.
Bring them to church. Even when you feel the glares and stares of others, don’t let that stop you.
Bring them to church and give them room in your pew.
Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil will teach them it’s not a priority.
The devil will teach them it’s okay to lay out.
The devil will teach them not to pick up their Bibles.
The devil will convince them to just skip worship all together.
Satan will have them so far off course and confused and misinformed that they will believe just being “good” is enough.
The world won’t teach them about Jesus.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness.
The world won’t teach them about grace.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
That’s your job.
It begins by bringing them to church.
So, bring your children. A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it needs to be.
So, bring your children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring your children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the little children of our congregation. Bless us with their presence as we worship you and praise your name. Amen.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
St. Jacob’s 250th Year-long Celebration
Posted January 10, 2026 By adminThe year 2026 has come and with it, St. Jacob’s will celebrate our 250th anniversary of ministry of the Gospel within this community. The team appointed by the church council last year has worked faithfully to plan for the year’s activities, including welcoming several guest preachers who have played a significant role within our church family. The schedule of events during this year of celebration is listed below.
- January 18th – Guest preacher Rev. Dawn Rister; (SCMD Dean) congregation dinner following worship.
- February 15th – Congregation Outreach Event to support NALC Disaster Response.
- March 15th – Guest preacher Rev. Henry Pawluk; congregation dinner following worship.
- April 19th – Decades Day; worshipers dress from past eras and use a historic liturgy from our collective past.
- May 17th – Guest preacher Rev. Marty Ramey; congregation dinner following worship.
- June – Vacation Bible School
- July 19th – Guest preacher Rev. Randy Drafts; congregation dinner following worship.
- August 16th – Congregation Outreach Event; blankets for residents at Generations.
- September 20th – Guest preacher Rev. David Tholstrup (former SCMD Dean), congregation dinner following worship.
- October 25th – Homecoming and Anniversary Sunday, guest preacher NALC Presiding Bishop Dan Selbo; special catered congregation dinner following worship.
- November TBD – Golden Agers Recognition and celebration.
We give thanks to God for the long history of our congregation, and especially for the life and witness of so many who have been a part of our proclamation and now take their rest in Christ. Thanks be to God for the life we share together.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Posted January 7, 2026 By adminPastor David has put together an updated One Year Bible Reading Plan for members of St. Jacob’s, friends and family. This reading plan begins on January 1st and has listed scripture readings for each day of 2026. Dedicating only about fifteen minutes a day, you will read the entire Bible in one year. It is suggested that those participating in the plan find a regular time each day (each morning is best) and with pencil, pen, or highlighter in hand to identify passages for later study.
Midweek Bible Study
Posted January 4, 2026 By adminMidweek Bible Study meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. We are currently studying the Gospel According to John. This study is a traditional chapter and verse study where we will read and learn more of the message John has to teach all who hear his Gospel and come to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the true Son of God. We will read and compare John’s writing with that of the other Gospel writers. We will also explore the connections between John’s Gospel and the Old Testament. Everyone is invited to join us as they are able.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted January 4, 2026 By adminJesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
One of the greatest joys of being a pastor is watching the young people of the congregation grow to become faithful disciples of Christ. The Greek word for disciple is “mathetes,” (pronounced ma-thay-tays). It means that one who is a disciple is a learner, a student of the master. The disciple follows the teacher and submits to the teacher’s ways, following the teacher’s example. This leads to a transformation in the way the disciple’s life is lived. We call this transformation living a life of “discipleship.”
When we think of disciples as students, we imagine them to be people who attend lectures or read books. But disciples, as in the context of the Bible, were required to interact with and imitate a real living person, their teacher. A disciple would literally follow someone in hopes of eventually becoming what they are. This is the calling of Christians throughout our shared history within the Church. So, how does one know if they are living the life of discipleship?
Such a life is distinguished by several indicators. We call these the “Marks of Discipleship.” The first is to be someone who is regularly dwelling in God’s Word. Reading the Bible is essential for living as a disciple of Jesus. Jesus said, “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). Truly, the only way to learn from Christ is to dwell in his Word.
The next mark of discipleship is to have an active and dynamic prayer life. Simply put, disciples pray. In his teaching about prayer, Jesus commands his followers to pray. As Jesus gives his teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:5-13, he says, “When you pray.” Jesus expects his disciples to pray. Through prayer faith is reaffirmed, confidence in God’s Word is built, and we become more aligned with God’s will.
It should go without saying that disciples also enjoy learning more about God’s truth. So, we can say, disciples willingly learn from the Lord. Disciples study with other disciples in fellowship with one another. Learning and fellowship are strong indicators of one who lives a life of discipleship. Disciples not only learn, but they do so eagerly and joyfully.
Disciples also worship and participate regularly in the Sacraments. Disciples come to the Lord’s table, welcomed as a sinner redeemed by Christ himself. They savor each opportunity in which they may receive the body and blood of Christ for the sake of their forgiveness and as nourishment for their faith.
And finally, disciples serve Christ by serving and evangelizing their neighbor. Engaging the mission of the Gospel means meeting the physical needs of our neighbor while also meeting their spiritual needs. Mission work is defined by these two traits. To live the life of discipleship means presenting yourself as a living sacrifice for the sake of others. All the while sharing with them the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I mentioned earlier it is a pastor’s joy to witness the younger members of the Church growing into the life of discipleship. That is because, as they learn from their pastor and their Sunday school teachers, they learn from Christ himself. Those who remain in the fellowship of their peers will grow to become faithful disciples of Jesus simply through regular learning, worship, and fellowship among God’s people. We have witnessed that here at St. Jacob’s. Just take a look at the young people who are climbing into leadership roles within our worship services. They are the ones who regularly live and learn among the faithful. We can all be thankful for each one of them as they grow in faith. Let us prayerfully guide them and may we also learn from them how to become greater disciples of our Lord Jesus.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
