Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3

The world is a busy, noisy place filled with people at work and play. Our culture is one in which we try to fill every moment with the sights and sounds of modern-day life. There is so much to choose from, so much to do, and so little time. The “other” gods of the world demand our precious time causing many to work longer and harder to make enough money to appease them.

The rhythm and pace of worldly living puts us on trial and drives us to unhealthy habits of eating fast food (The defendant will rise), neglecting our families, (Guilty as charged), and not getting the rest needed to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. (Bailiff, take him away!)

The world is so busy and distracted that the voices of competition, success, selfishness, pride, and pleasure deafen our ears and fill our hearts and minds with earthly troubles. But as God’s people become quiet and still, we hear yet another voice. Listening in faith, we hear that whispering voice that calls out to us. As we listen even closer, we recognize it as the voice of God’s Holy Spirit.

If we can only break out of the rhythm of life as set by “other gods” we will soon find that it is the one true God who truly sets the rhythm of life. God blesses his people with all they need. He allows six days for work and gives the seventh for rest, worship, and prayer.

According to Luther’s Small Catechism, we are to fear, love, and trust in God, so that we may be rested and refreshed; not only by our taking time away from unnecessary work, but especially by gathering with the people of God to worship, pray, and hear God’s Word as it is preached and to receive the Sacrament of the Altar which is the Holy Communion of Christ’s precious body and blood.

Remembering the Sabbath begins with God’s people gathering as a community. We celebrate the love that God so freely gives to the world. Remembering the Sabbath day means we remember God is the source of our very lives and livelihood. Keeping it holy means we gather with the saints for worship and thanksgiving.

As we consider this commandment, remember to pray for those who are under stress from overwork, sleepless nights, and driven by the urgency of a fallen and broken world. Pray for those who work in this noisy, busy world. Pray for anyone who might feel abandoned, neglected, or lost. Pray for our church family, that we might overcome any differences we have, objections, or grudges and live together in the peace of Christ. And finally, pray that for one day in seven, all may find peace and quiet, so that they may also hear the whispering voice of God calling them to rest, to refresh themselves by drinking from the living water of Christ Jesus, dwelling in his gospel where all may find peace.

As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, we have the opportunity to renew our commitment to striving toward keeping God’s Ten Commandments, especially toward our commitment to keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Let this be our prayer throughout the season.

Holy God, you give your people one day in seven to rest from work, that we may gather in faith to worship you, to pray and to give you thanks. Strengthen us in faith that we may keep the Sabbath holy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I hope to see many of you as we continue toward the cross of Good Friday and the Empty tomb of Easter.

God bless you all with His peace and presence,

Pastor David Nuottila

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

As we once again prepare to enter the season of Lent, I wish to focus upon our Christian calling to be disciples, evangelists, and ambassadors for the kingdom of God. It always hits me at this time of year, how a few people who claim to be Christians fail to worship in God’s house and participate in the life of Christ’s Church, especially during Lent.

Lent isn’t like Advent; there is no gradual build up to receiving gifts and singing beloved carols. In Advent, even Santa and his reindeer yield to the warm and inviting vision of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, while his joyful mother and father look on. In Lent, there are no pretty, cute and cuddly reminders in super markets and malls that alert us to the holy day that is approaching. The bunny isn’t as accommodating as Santa when it comes to making room. Yet, as much as Advent prepares us for the wonder of Christmas, Lent is to prepare us even more for the joy of Easter.

As disciples, Lent is the time when we are to look deeply into our life of faith, recognize our struggle against sin, and strive to grow stronger in our relationship with Christ our Lord. By now, you have all heard me say a hundred times, we are to worship weekly, come frequently to the Lord’s Supper, read scripture daily, pray without ceasing, give alms, live among God’s people and tell others of the goodness of God. This is the vocation of everyone who claims Jesus to be Lord and Savior of all.

Lent is also a time when, as evangelists, we are to use our gifts and talents to tell others about the goodness of God’s mercy. So many people in the community that surrounds Union Lutheran Church have not heard the gospel spoken to them on a personal level. Yes, I’m sure most have heard the name of Jesus, but how many have a relationship with him? How many unchurched people know that the God who created them wants to save them from their sin? How many others, who have lapsed in their faith, really understand that Christ desires for them to cherish the benefits of their baptism, that they may have a personal relationship with the one who freely extends his grace? As evangelists, our calling is to tell them and help them grow in faith.

Finally, Lent is a time when, as ambassadors of God’s kingdom, we are to not only represent Christ in the world, but we are also to re-present Christ to the world. Our lives are visible to believers and un-believers alike. They see us as we go about our daily routine and take notice of how we extend the love of God to others. Ambassadors are held to high standards, lest they misrepresent the one who calls them. When we fail or fall short of those marks of discipleship (worship, scripture, prayer, communion, etc.) the world takes notice.

Lent is our time to get into the healthy habits of faith, not simply for our sake, but for the sake of the world around us. The best and simplest place to begin such an endeavor is to invite those church family members who have been missing out on congregational life. We all know someone who is a member of our congregation but they have not been regular in there worship attendance. As one such member is missing from the Sunday assembly, the fellowship of the whole family is lacking. How wonderful would it be if we were able to rekindle the faith of one who would be willing to re-establish the relationship of Christian love with their church family? My prayer is that, as a church family, we recognize the necessity and benefit of Lent. My prayer is for those who worship regularly is to invite others to come hear the gospel. My prayer for those who do not worship as often as they should, will hear the still small voice of God calling them into his presence. Brothers and sisters in Christ, pray with me, beginning today and always, that as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may grow in faith and love, and that our Lenten walk leads us to overflowing joy at the sight of the empty tomb of Easter.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor David Nuottila

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” Mark 1:1-3
With the first Sunday of Advent behind us, the Church has begun a new year in her liturgical cycle. For the past twelve months we have heard the truth regarding Jesus Christ from Matthew’s perspective. This year we will primarily dwell in Mark’s gospel as he shares with us his account concerning God’s saving grace made available through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
On a personal note, the year we read Mark is perhaps my favorite within our lectionary cycle. Mark’s gospel is different, he does not begin his account like the other gospel writers; he skips over what we now call the birth narrative of Jesus, and gets straight to the heart of the matter, recalling the words of the prophet Isaiah concerning God’s promise of a Savior and Messiah who is Jesus of Nazareth.
I think that at least once every three years, this is an important step in our earthly journey. It allows Christians to avert so much attention from our worldly Christmas activities and busy-ness, and focus our hearts and minds on the Advent of our Lord, his coming at his nativity, yet also his coming again in glory. From the beginning of Mark’s first chapter and at the dawn of Advent, we hear the words from the prophet “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” (Mark 1:3).
This exhortation, whether we hear it from the prophet Isaiah, or from Mark’s gospel as quoted by John the Baptist, calls God’s people to action. Israel’s prophets foretold of his coming. Then for centuries, the people of God waited for the fulfillment of his promise to send a savior, yet God seemed distant and quiet. Then as if from nowhere and following four hundred years of silence, a strange looking fellow wearing camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist prophetically shouted out what we now consider a familiar Advent refrain: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” John called God’s people to repent of their sins and ready themselves for the coming of God’s Messiah.
Now, two thousand years removed from this scene, we hear these same prophetic words: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” The question becomes, “How do we do that?” What does it mean for Christians today to make the Lord’s paths straight? Traditionally, congregations begin the liturgical year making preparations for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. Our most visible preparations include hanging evergreens, setting up Christmas trees, lighting extra candles and singing a fair number of Christmas songs. Yet, listening to John the Baptist as he cries out in the wilderness, I’m not so sure this is what he is talking about. It seems that in order to prepare the way of the Lord, we are to be about preparing ourselves and actually doing the work of the Lord.
Our world and the non-believers who live in it are separated from God by the great chasm that is sin. No matter how much we try, we cannot escape the consequences of human disobedience without the grace provided by God through our Lord Jesus. Our Advent preparations, therefore, must include repentance, thankfully receiving the forgiveness made possible through Christ, and sharing the good news that is the Gospel of Jesus.
Our response to God’s gift of grace calls us to take Christ’s commandments seriously, to love God and love our neighbor. We offer our lives in service for the sake of others, exhorting others to prepare themselves to receive their Lord and King. This evangelical mission culminates with inviting others to join us in worship, take their place at God’s table of grace, and assist them in making their preparations for receiving the gift of Christ.
I invite you to make this Advent a time of preparation of self. Dwell in God’s Word, give thanks for His mercy and grace. Then, as we celebrate with one another, let us all join in worship and praise upon the Nativity of our Lord and the joy of heaven and earth at Christmas.
Grace to you and peace during this time of Advent preparation, and may you and your family have a very blessed Christmas!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila