Pastor David is now collecting your gently used pre-scription eye glasses to take with him on his mission trip to Congo in July. A box is located in the Narthex to drop off your donations.
Donations are being Accepted until June 30.
Pastor Archive
Eye Glasses for Congo
Posted May 30, 2019 By adminIn the Wild Vacation Bible School
Posted May 30, 2019 By adminOur 2019 VBS is “In the Wild!” Come join our adventure in God’s creation on this wilderness ride and experience amazing encounters with Jesus! It will be Monday, June 17th thru Thursday, June 20th. A meal will be served at 5:45 PM. Class rotation will start at 6:30 PM and end at 8:00 PM. Class rotations include lesson, crafts, music and games. Classes for all ages! Join the wild side and share the Good News! Come and see Wally!!!
Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Men, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor, Worship Service
Confirmand’s Public Examination
Posted May 30, 2019 By adminYears ago, pastors of Lutheran Churches would schedule a Public Examination of those young persons to be confirmed in their faith. This public examination would take place the Wednesday before Confirmation Day. I remember when my classmates and I went through our public examination. It was a nervous time when we really didn’t know what to expect. Members of the congregation were invited (encouraged) to ask us questions concerning what we had learned in our three-year catechetical instruction. Yes, it was scary, but our pastor had our backs. No one was allowed to ask a question which they themselves did not know the answer.
Fast forward to our present time and you will notice that I have brought back Public Examination to the confirmation process. For our students, I am sure it is a nervous time, perhaps even scary. They will be asked to recall several items that they have learned during the eighteen months since I became their pastor, along with things they discussed with David Kibler, who has been a great help through the process. The congregation is invited to come be a part of this public examination.
The purpose of Public Examination is not to put our students on the spot.
It is to allow them an opportunity to pass along what they themselves have learned and tell the congregation about their desire to live according to the faith in which they are baptized. David Kibler and I will be asking the initial questions, then congregation members will have an opportunity to participate. Each student has been provided the materials and tools necessary to be successful in this event and I have no doubt they will do well. How could they not? They are all bright students and have learned that sharing their faith with others is really not that difficult. And besides, as my pastor assured me, I will have their back.
Public examination of our confirmands will take place on Sunday, June 2nd beginning at 4:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The church family of St. Jacob’s is invited to attend and share this time with our 2019 Confirmation Class. Following the examination, we will enjoy a time of fellowship with food and plenty of good conversation. Please come and support these fine young people as they take the next step in their journey of faith.
Filed in Other Happenings, Pastor
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted May 1, 2019 By adminWhen confronted by the Pharisees and scribes concerning issues of authority, Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days.” These words were spoken within the confines of the temple in Jerusalem, which of course took decades to build with hundreds of workers. Of course, we know Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body, that he would be killed, thus, destroyed, but then raised up on the third day by the powerful hand of God. Later, the disciples marveled at the huge buildings and the surrounding temple. But Jesus said to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
These two occurrences took place on the day after Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, the day we call Palm Sunday. This year, on the day after Palm Sunday, I could not help but recall these two passages from Scripture. Another iconic temple built nearly a thousand years ago by hundreds of God’s people was de-stroyed by fire. Notre Dame Cathedral is a fixture in the landscape of Paris, and also within the landscape of the Christian Church. It has withstood wars and many natural disasters, and for centuries, it has been a gathering place for the faithful people of God.
While serving in the navy, I was fortunate to be able to visit Notre Dame. It was long ago, and my memories are dulled by time, but I can remember the feeling of wonder, much like it must have been for the disciples, as I entered this massive church. The choir and the nave were magnificent, and the altar certainly a sight to behold. A large cross, the symbol of our faith stood in the chancel. Upon my exit I was able to light a candle and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for those persons who are dear to me.
After hundreds of years, this temple made by hands has been destroyed. As I watched the video that streamed across the world of this cathedral burning, my heart sank. Oh, we have been reassured by politicians and business men that it will indeed be restored, but to what end and for what purpose? I am sure there is a sense of the need to restore Notre Dame for its historical nature. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visited Notre Dame each year. Some who were interviewed by news agencies said Paris would not be the same without it. But I can’t help but remember, Jesus teaches us to put our trust in God, not in things of this world.
As we stand in the midst of the Easter season, we remember that God indeed raised up Jesus on the third day. The temple of Christ’s body, which was once beaten, crucified and thus destroyed, has been raised physically, wholly, and perfectly by the hand of God. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, sin, death and the grave have lost their power over those who confess that Christ is indeed Lord and Savior. Because of this, we too, after our skin has thus been destroyed (Job 19), will be raised up.
Friends, whether it is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, or the three historically black churches in Alabama intentionally set ablaze, such destruction breaks the hearts of many. Surely, we love our churches, the buildings, the grounds and the memories that come with them. But we must always remember, the Church is not the building. The Church is made up of sinners redeemed through the blood of Christ Jesus. Bricks and mortar can be rebuilt. What is most important is that, as they are, it is for the purposes of worshiping the one true God who has saved his people and will raise them up on the last day.
To God be the glory, now and forever.
Pastor David Nuottila
The Road to Emmaus
Posted May 1, 2019 By adminLuke 24:13-35
How many times have you traveled the Emmaus Road? How often have you considered the pitfalls and disappointments of earthly life and wondered, “How did these things occur?” The two disciples walking along the road, in the midst of despair asked this same question; “How did the crucifixion of Jesus come about?” The next question was even more difficult; “Where is his body?” “Can it be true, what the women said, that he is alive?”
Each of us walks the Emmaus Road in our own way. Earthly life has many toils and snares. Among many simple pleasures, sin, doubt and sorrow also make their presence known. Yet, as we make our way to Emmaus, the stranger comes alongside. Walking with us, stride for stride, he assures us of God’s love, mercy and grace. The stranger joins us in our story and welcomes us into his.
And finally, as the stranger stays with us, this invited guest serves as host for the most wonderful feast of all, making himself known in the breaking of the bread. It is true! Our Lord Jesus, who once was dead, is alive! And because he lives, we shall live also. Thanks be to God.
Prayer: Walk with me, O Christ, and keep me in your grace.
Amen.
CONFIRMATION PARTICIPANTS EXAMINATION AND SERVICE
Posted April 30, 2019 By adminOn Sunday, June 2nd the confirmation participants will have their public examination at 4 PM with a dinner to follow at 5 PM in the fellowship hall. The confirmands will be confirmed on Sunday, June 9th during the worship service.
WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICE
Posted April 30, 2019 By adminWith so many people on the go these days, there are times when Sunday morning worship is not a possibility. This is true of our community, and it is true of our congregation as well. In an effort to provide a weekly opportunity for worship and receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion, Pastor David has informed the church council that he will begin leading a mid-week worship service.
The service will commence on Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30 PM. This will be a weekly occurrence in which the surrounding community, friends and family mem-bers may come and worship in a relaxed atmosphere.
Please share this information freely with those whom you meet. Invite others into our midst so that we may share the treasure entrusted to us, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pastoral Devotion for April
Posted April 1, 2019 By adminDeuteronomy 7:12-13
Oh, that we would be obedient to the will of God. Oh, that we could keep his commandments and live a life free of sin. Yet, even as Adam and Eve gave into temptation and ate of the forbidden fruit, so too are we in bondage to original sin. Our sin is the same as theirs. We turn our attention away from God’s commandments, yes, even away from his love, only to chase after fulfillment of our own earthly desires. And to what end? A return to the dust from which we were made.
Yet, God continues to love those whom he has called his own. In great love for our fallen humanity, God gave his only Son so that we might live despite our sinfulness. Through the innocent suffering and death of his only Son Jesus Christ, God pours out mercy and grace upon those who call out to Christ as Lord and Savior. Through baptism, we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection and made inheritors of the kingdom of heaven.
The blessings and wonders spoken of in our text from Deuteronomy would seem well beyond our earthly reach. In fact, they are, for we do not keep God’s commands. But his love is steadfast and sure. Through Christ, the kingdom of God awaits those whom God saves. Blessed are those who call upon the name of the Lord, for his goodness and mercy endure forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Fill us with your goodness through Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted March 31, 2019 By adminBoth of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
John 20:4
Recently while looking for some new Bible study material, I stumbled upon a video that made me pause for a while. It is a video of a skit portrayed by two men enacting the first Easter morning. In this skit, Peter and
John are running to the empty tomb. Their faces display the anticipation and perhaps even a bit of fear concerning what they might find. John reaches the tomb first, but he won’t look inside or enter. Peter then
arrives, huffing and puffing, but he enters the tomb without stopping to think. As I replay this video in my mind, this is the point where I had to hit the pause button.
I wondered to myself, if I had been the first disciple to receive the reports from the women, would I be bold enough to charge into Christ’s tomb? Even as I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus was beaten, whipped and crucified, would I have the where with all to enter the tomb where they laid his body? Thinking about that, I finally decided yes, I would. Having walked with Jesus for three years as a disciple, witnessing so many miraculous events, and having come to expect that Jesus is who he says he is; I would have to go into the tomb.
I suppose the question I have for you is much the same. If someone came to you all excited and out of breath telling you they had seen Jesus and he is very much alive, you would run to the tomb to see for yourself? Would this amazing news of Christ’s resurrection stir your emotions so deeply that you would have to personally witness it? I suspect that it would. I suspect that given such extraordinary news, you too would run to the tomb of Jesus, probably because of the same reason Peter and John did, as disciples of Christ, our hope rests entirely in his death and resurrection.
Through Holy Scripture, worship and prayer, we are witnesses to the many amazing miracles of Jesus. Following Jesus throughout his mission and ministry, we too have come to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord, through whom we have forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life. Throughout the past twelve months, since Easter of last year, I pray that in my preaching, you have heard this gospel truth that is for all who believe in Christ.
At the conclusion of the video I mentioned, Peter finally emerges from the tomb to meet John who is still standing outside. As he holds the burial
garments of Christ in his hands, Peter can only look at John with a stare of complete amazement. As the two disciples take in the meaning of what they have witnessed, they both burst into laughter while shedding tears of joy. Jesus is alive! He is risen! It happened just as he said it would!
People of God, I invite you to hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection once more. I invite you to run to the tomb, charge right in and behold the glory of God in the resurrection of our Lord. It happened just the way Jesus said it would. Come be a part of the Easter story. Share the good news of Christ Jesus. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
VBS
Posted March 28, 2019 By adminAre you making Summer plans? All of us need time away from our routine to refresh and recharge! It is the same for our faith life! Doing more than the routine can really ignite our spiritual walk with the Lord, especially with the young Christians.
Plans for Vacation Bible School at St. Jacob’s will soon be underway.
Please do the following in preparation of this year’s event:
1) Pray for the attendees and leaders
2) Prayfully consider serving as part of this year’s VBS team
3) Go ahead and mark your calendars for June 17th—June 20th
4) Watch upcoming worship folders for more detailed information.
