Pastor Archive

Pastoral Devotion For July

Posted July 1, 2020 By admin

Grace without Limit

Read 1 John 1:1-10

The speed limit sign says 55 mph, but everyone knows you can go a little faster without being pulled over. The blue lights flashing in your mirror suggest otherwise and you can’t argue with the person wearing the uniform. The truth is you’re guilty. Thankfully, the officer has authority to extend grace and let you off with a warning.

How much is our earthly life like that of exceeding the speed limit? Bending the rules, pushing the limits or those little white lies we tell seem harmless at first glance. But when we go too far the burden hardly seems worth it. As sinners, we have to face the fact that we do not always do as we should. Neither can we hide our shortcomings from the one who calls us to obedience. We’re guilty and God sees it all. Yet, there is grace.

As John writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” God’s law is the authority that convicts us. We can’t argue; we know we are guilty. Even so, through faith in Christ, the law also drives us to the cross where we confess our sin. God’s grace is given freely without limit. Yet, unlike the example of the officer above, there is no warning. Instead, grace comes with the promise of everlasting life in God’s kingdom through Christ the Lord.

Prayer: Forgive me Lord, pour out your mercy and grace upon me. Amen.

Bible Study

Posted June 29, 2020 By admin

Our Wednesday morning Bible study has moved to Zoom.com. All information will be emailed each week to congregational members no later than Tuesday. If you have trouble logging on to Zoom, please contact Rachel Shelton or Pastor David for assistance.

Online Devotions

Posted June 29, 2020 By admin

The following is the new schedule for St. Jacob’s online activities:

  • 10:30 AM Sunday – Live stream of worship service
  • 9:30 AM Monday and Friday Mornings – Morning devotions and prayer
  • 7:00 PM Tuesday and Friday Evenings – Evening devotions and prayer
  • 7:PM Wednesday evening – Vespers

Please join us online as you are able at the St. Jacob’s Facebook page.

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted June 1, 2020 By admin

by Pastor David Nuottila
As the day of Pentecost approaches, it seems to be a somewhat bitter-sweet occasion for us to celebrate this year. Bitter in that we are not all gathered in one place for worship. All of us at St. Jacob’s (and most other congregations) have been separated for quite some time now. When you think about it, we suspended in person church activities in just the third week of Lent. Holy Week services, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, and the entire Easter season played out to an empty church building. Only through technology were we able to gather spiritually for worship during this time.

Yet, the day of Pentecost is a sweet moment in time for us as we remember God’s outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon the apostles and ultimately the church. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed to those gathered in the streets of Jerusalem by the very men who just weeks before were afraid to even go out in public. The fear of those who crucified our Lord kept Jesus’s closest companions from giving witness to the greatest miracle of all, the resurrection of our Lord. That is, until the day of Pentecost.
These days, it is the COVID-19 virus that attempts to quiet the Gospel and stifle the church. Surely, many live in fear today; fear from a virus they cannot see. People are afraid to come into close contact with others. They are fearful of gathering in crowds of even the most modest numbers. And quite honestly, even those who say they are not fearful go about their daily lives having changed the ways they interact with others. Yes, we are fearful, but the church is anything but quiet.
Again, since the third week of Lent, so many pastors and teachers of the faith have embraced technology and used these marvels to proclaim the resurrection of our Lord, and the good news of God’s grace through faith in Christ. And in true Pentecost fashion, many pastors have noticed a large number of people “attending” worship as online services are provided. Here at St. Jacob’s we have had a significant ground swell of people viewing our weekly worship.
As we continue to find ways to reach out to people with the saving Gospel of Jesus, we must also realize the day is coming when we will once again open our doors to the congregation and community. In that day, we will no longer look to technology as our primary means of sharing faith with our community and world. Just like the apostles of old, the members of St. Jacob’s must take to the streets and tell others about the love God has for His people and the forgiveness that comes through Christ.
And so, even as we might see this year’s celebration of Pentecost as a bitter-sweet day in time, it is actually a rekindling of our mission and ministry. As God’s people, we must recognize the power of the Holy Spirit poured out upon our congregation and Christ’s call for us to use this power to grow His church on earth. Whether socially distant or gathered in one place, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel, share our faith, and grow as disciples of our Lord. This was, is. and always shall be the mission of the church of Jesus Christ, and the mission and ministry of we His people gathered here.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

Pastoral Devotion For June

Posted June 1, 2020 By admin

What Is Fear?
Psalm 46:1-11
What is fear? That is perhaps a question that most of us have not pondered. Certainly, we have asked ourselves why are we afraid and what is it that we fear? But when is the last time you asked yourself, “What is fear?”

Everyone is afraid of something. When Abram went to Egypt, he was afraid Pharaoh would kill him and take his wife Sarai to be his own. When Moses was called to lead the Hebrews from bond-age, he was afraid he would be ineffective and rejected. He begged God not to send him. And when Jesus’s twelve disciples were threatened by a storm on the sea, they feared for their lives, even while Jesus was sleeping in the boat. Given these examples, I believe we have an answer to our question.

Fear is the absence of trust in God that he will act according to his promises. When we have complete trust in God to provide for us and protect us, we have no need to be afraid. With so much going wrong in our world, so many instances of violence and disease, our trust belongs in the Lord. Only God has the power to overcome the evils that surround us. He is our refuge. God is our ever-present help. Therefore, do not be afraid. Be still. Trust God.

Prayer: Give me faith to place my trust in you, O Lord, that I may not be afraid.
Amen.

From Pastor David’s blog –
In The Beginning

Bible Study

Posted May 28, 2020 By admin

Pastor David and Rachel Shelton continue to host an online Bible study at our regular time each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. The lesson is sent out via email the day before if we have an email address for you so you can prepare. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. Participate by making comments in the comments section. Please give Facebook a try so you can participate. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted May 1, 2020 By admin

by Pastor David Nuottila
At the time of this writing, we are in the midst of stay at home orders, social distancing and the closure of many other public places. Sporting events are cancelled; concerts, theaters and many other forms of entertainment are also shut down. Even our houses of worship are affected by government guidelines for gathering in large crowds. All of this due to the novel coronavirus outbreak that has caused a world-wide pandemic.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway; in all of this I miss my church family. As a pastor, I thrive on the personal interaction we all share here at St. Jacob’s. I suppose I should consider myself blessed in that, from time to time, I do get to see and speak with members of our congregation, albeit at a distance. Still, it is no substitute for the conversation, smiles, handshakes and hugs we would normally share on a frequent basis. Perhaps this is why I am choosing to focus on community as a theme for my writing this month.
Our God is one who has always gathered his peo-ple into community with one another. Ever since his creating of the first human beings, our Father has called his people into relationships to be shared among the faithful. Our Lord Jesus even assures us that as even two or three gather in his name, there he is among them. Our God is close to his people. God’s people are to be close with one another. The community in which we live is a gathering in the mystical body of Christ himself.
Who among us has not missed the gathering of our church family? Who is it that has enjoyed this time of separation between family members, friends and loved ones? No one, no not one. Just as a pastor thrives on the social interaction of his flock, so too does the flock thrive as we share in our life together. I have heard from several that they cannot wait until this current crisis passes so that we can all gather again. I have heard from several others that they didn’t realize just how much they
have taken our Sunday morning gatherings for granted. Yet, for the time being, we will have to endure as we have been doing.
I am very thankful for those who have helped during our online worship services. Certainly, our worship is enhanced by the addition of music and the presence of those who have participated as readers, singers and musicians. We worship as we are able in a way that I hope is reaching beyond our congregation. I pray that as we continue to seek ways in which to strengthen the sense of community among our church family members, we strengthen the relation-ships we share as well.
Until we are able to gather as one congregation in worship, I will continue to pray for God’s guidance and inspiration as I seek ways to foster the relationship we all share as family members of St. Jacob’s. Yes, this will mean continued morning and evening check-ins and devotions. It will mean the posting of jigsaw puzzles on our Facebook page for families to work on together. And most certainly, it will mean a continued effort to hold each one of you in prayer as we remain separated by state and federal guidelines.
I pray that you all remain safe and healthy. I pray that you take the time to enjoy the relationships you share with those who are closest to you. And I pray, most of all, that in this season of Easter, the joy of Christ’s resurrection, the power of God’s love for his people, and the love that binds us together in faith remains first and foremost in your hearts and minds. God bless you and keep you in his grace.

Blessings,
Pastor David Nuottila

Pastoral Devotion For May

Posted May 1, 2020 By admin

Community In Christ
Read Acts 2:42-47
Each year, the National Geographic Channel airs a series in which ten competitors are deposited in a wild and desolate location somewhere around the globe. The purpose of the journey is to find out which of them is able to survive the longest in the wild while being totally, as the title would describe, Alone. The competitors have no contact with anyone. Only if they radio for assistance would they hear another human voice, but such a call means their odyssey comes to an end.

Being alone is contrary to the life God would have for his people. In the beginning, God created Adam but soon afterward made for him a helper and companion. Throughout the ages, God has blessed the human family that people may live in communi-ty with one another. In his book, “Life Together”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that, for believers, community is a gift of God’s grace.

Not all live in such community. Many believers are dispersed throughout the world and live among those who have not believed Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Yet, our God calls some Christians to love and even live among their enemies. Speaking the Gospel of Christ to those who do not believe provides the building blocks of faith, which in turn serve as the seeds that sprout and grow into the fellowship of faith.

God does not intend for his people to live alone. Filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers have what is needed to introduce others to Christ. Hearing the Gospel bring others to faith, and through faith, Christ establishes the community of believers.

Video And Phone Updates

Posted April 30, 2020 By admin

Pastor David continues to post morning and evening video updates and church information each week day at 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM (approximately) on Facebook live. The church staff also continues to reach out by telephone and U.S. Mail to our church family members, especially those whom we know do not use the internet.

Bible Study

Posted April 30, 2020 By admin

Pastor David AND Rachel Shelton will be hosting an online Bible study at our regular time of 9:30 AM, on Wednesday mornings. You may follow along on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page for this live and interactive study. You may participate by making comments in the comments section. Please, even if you are new to Facebook or have not used it before, give it a try. We might just find that there is room for online Bible study as a part of our future ministries.