Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10
Remember, you are dust. As if we need a reminder. In the second chapter of Genesis we read that God created humankind from the dust of the ground. It wasn’t long after, that Adam and Eve fell into sin and God explained to them the consequences of their disobedience. In chapter 3, God said to Adam, “By the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” Genesis 3:19.
And so, since that time, God’s people have had to face the truth, you are dust, and there is nothing you can do about it. To dust you shall return.
Each year, about this time, Christians all over the world are confronted with the fact that, because we are sinners, we are deserving of God’s punishment and wrath. It is the reality we face on Ash Wednesday. Well, in truth, it is only a part of the reality we face on Ash Wednesday. The other part is that we receive the good news that God has provided for us the means to escape eternal punishment. God, who is rich in mercy, provides for his people a Savior who will spare us from the eternal death we so richly deserve.
Facing these realities, Christians all over the world begin the annual metaphorical pilgrimage to the cross of Christ where the victory over sin is won. The season of Lent is a somber time, a time for self-reflection upon our lives as sinners, yet also as God’s redeemed people through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. The worship services of the Church are meant to provide people with an opportunity to reflect upon their need for a Savior, and to remind them that we indeed have one. He is Christ the Lord.
All that Christ endured, his pain, his suffering, he did so for our sake. As God’s incarnate Word, Jesus came into the world to fully identify with God’s created people who have fallen away from the Father’s intentions and expectations.
Centuries before Christ was born, King David, of all people, stood convicted in his sin. Just like every one else, King David was formed from the dust of the ground. David knew there was nothing he could do to erase the shame and guilt that he brought upon himself through his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah. Mercy could only come from the God whom he grievously disobeyed. And so, in his guilt and shame, he bore his heart to God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51:10-12). David’s prayer is our prayer too. Only through Christ are we saved. Even as we are dust, through God’s grace, mercy and love, Christ extends the promise of God’s kingdom to all who believe.
This year, as we make our annual Lenten journey to the cross together, we will do so following a particular journey. I will be preaching a series of sermons entitled “The Journey of Stones.” Each Sunday during Lent we will hear messages meant to reveal the hardness of our hearts, hearts as hard as stone. By journey’s end, we will leave this hardness of heart where it belongs, at the foot of the cross of Christ.
I invite you to commit to weekly worship during Lent and to make this journey with the rest of your church family. It begins with worship on Ash Wednesday, February 22, when we are marked with the ashen cross of Christ, the symbol of our mortality blended with the symbol of our salvation. Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return. God’s grace and peace be unto you all during this season of Lent and forever and always.
Blessings,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastor Archive
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted February 5, 2023 By adminWorship at Generations
Posted February 1, 2023 By adminEvery other Sunday, Pr. David leads worship for the residents of Generations Assisted Care of Chapin. This ministry has made a great difference in the lives of many folks who are not able to attend worship at their home church. The congregation is invited and certainly encouraged to share this experience with our friends just down the road. Our next worship opportunities will be on Sunday, February 5th and February 19th at 1:00PM. Join us in the lobby at Generations.
Pastoral Devotion for February – Seek God’s Kingdom
Posted January 30, 2023 By adminRead Matthew 6:25-34
We live in a world filled with expectations. Children are expected to do well in school. College graduates expect to embark on a high paying career. Investors expect their portfolio will pay huge dividends. Life is filled with expectations, some are met, many others are not. God also has expectations. He expects that humanity will obey His law. God expects His people will love Him and love their neighbor. And God expects us to share our faith and bear fruit for his kingdom.
It seems there is a wide gap between God’s expectations and ours. People tend to live for themselves more than for God. We strive to be self-sufficient, personally secure and financially independent. Yet, in the end, our sense of expectation is replaced with worry. Why? The answer is obvious. Our expectations don’t match God’s.
Jesus teaches us that God graciously provides everything we need to live a fruitful and abundant life. Even as God cares for the plants and animals, how much more will God care for those created in his image and likeness? The truth is God provides for all people, even sinners who do no believe in Him, everything that is needed to sustain life in this world. In return, God expects to be acknowledged for it. In our thankfulness, we realize the tremendous blessing it is to be called “Child of God. We are to give God our thanks and praise in all Circumstances, and in our times of want God expects that we will seek his kingdom first above all things.
Prayer: Holy God, help us live according to your expectations, and grant me forgiveness when I fall short. Amen.
Christmas in Congo
Posted January 18, 2023 By adminThanks to donations from St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church, and other congregations in North and South Carolina, Congo Mission International received $1,100 to provide Christmas meals for orphaned children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These meals are to be served to nearly 1,000 children between the dates of December 25th and January 1st. Three local congregations in three different provinces will serve as host congregations for these meals.
Though the need in Congo to feed hungry children is ongoing, these donations came at a time they were desperately needed. There were heavy rains on December 12 and 13 in Kinshasa. These rains caused flooding throughout the city. The flooding claimed more than one hundred human lives and a lot of other casualties including the loss of much of the food supply that usually comes to Kinshasa from Bas-Congo (another region we serve during our mission trips). The Christmas meals will bring much joy to many children and their families.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Congo Mission. Through St. Jacob’s hundreds and hundreds of children are fed hot, nourishing meals that they otherwise would not receive. Below is a snapshot of some of the work St. Jacob’s has helped to accomplish in 2022.
Teaching: Approximately 1,000 individuals were reached including: Pastors, Women’s groups Youth groups, groups of pastors and lay leaders.
Freeing Babies: 46 babies were freed in three clinics in Mbuji-Mayi (Kasai-Oriental). The babies also received clothes, hats, diapers, blankets, etc.
Feeding Children: Approximately 600 children received nourishing meals each week for the four week duration of the mission trip.
Bibles: over 200 Bibles in various languages were distributed to congregations in Kinshasa and Kasai-Oriental.
Eyeglasses: More than 200 pairs of eyeglasses were distributed to persons in need.
From the Pastor’s Heart
Posted January 15, 2023 By adminSo who among our church family has made, or plans to make a New Year’s resolution? Resolutions are great if you keep them. But what happens so often
is that New Year’s resolutions last for about a week before they are broken. By the second week, most resolutions simply amount to wishful thinking. And finally, by the end of the first month, New Year’s resolutions in many cases are all but forgotten. Why is it that so many people have such difficulty keeping their
resolutions?
The reasons we make New Year’s resolutions are varied. There are those who make resolutions in order to live a healthier lifestyle. They resolve to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, eat healthier foods, and eat less junk food. You get the idea. Throughout my life I have made and broken more of these resolutions than I could shake a stick at. I have never been any good at keeping this sort of New Year
promise to myself.
Other people look past their physical lifestyle and make New Year’s resolutions that might help them in their spiritual journey. Through the years, I have also joined others in making such resolutions. Many folks resolve to develop better faith habits; attend worship each week, pray every day, read the Bible, or attend Sunday school. All of these are great resolutions but, just like the ones that pertain to physical lifestyle, resolutions regarding faith require discipline if one is truly going to keep them. Heading into the New Year, congregations are much like people in that they recognize that some changes might be needed in order to remain healthy.
Especially following the previous two years that were greatly impacted by the pandemic, it may be a good time for St. Jacob’s to make a congregational
resolution. Certainly, we can all look around and notice that we are not the same church we were heading into the pandemic. But by God’s grace, we have come
through the COVID crisis and have the opportunity to renew our ministry with enthusiasm. So, how can we accomplish this? Well, by following through on a few
commitments (I won’t call them resolutions) to grow in our relationship with Christ, and with one another.
Commitment #1 – I hope that St. Jacob’s would commit to becoming a congregation filled with people who are committed to daily prayer. So many churches have what they call their “Prayer Warriors.” We could do that. We could commit to daily prayer
either together as a group, or as individuals and families. In 2023, let’s be intentional in praying for our church. I will make sure the church is open each Monday from 12:00PM – 5:30PM, beginning on January 9th, for anyone who would like to come
in and pray for St. Jacob’s. Let’s pray in confidence for God’s blessing upon us, that we would become a congregation that invites and welcomes others into our midst. And once they are here, incorporate them into our daily life as beloved people of God.
Commitment #2 – I pray that, as a church family, we will experience a greater commitment to weekly worship. If you are reading this article but have not been regularly active in your worship here at St. Jacob’s, I invite you to begin developing
the healthy habit of worshiping God each week and receiving the life-giving Sacrament of Holy Communion. There truly is no better time than the beginning of a new year to renew or refresh your spiritual life through worship and prayer.
Commitment #3 – And finally, I pray that St. Jacob’s would become known to the community as a congregation that enjoys robust and vibrant fellowship with one another. Especially following the pandemic years, seeing the Fellowship Hall
filled with people is a joyous blessing. We have begun making some strides towards this commitment, and everyone I have spoken with about it agrees, we need to be a church family in fellowship with one another, enjoying our life together.
These are but a few items that I believe will help us to rekindle the flames of a dynamic faith following two difficult years. Yes, they were difficult, but they were not so difficult that we cannot grow more spiritually and faithfully healthy. Please make these commitments with me, and pray that God will bless us with His assurance as we grow together in faith, hope, and love.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion for December – Faithful and True
Posted January 11, 2023 By adminRead Revelation 19:11-16
If you were asked to describe Jesus how would you? What physical attributes could you mention? John takes up the task in the nineteenth chapter of Revelation. I would imagine, however, that our descriptions of Jesus would likely fall seriously short of John’s. Who among us could capture the true essence of Christ better than John?
Christians are one week removed from celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord. This
celebration lends itself to peaceful images of shepherds, angels and a baby lying in a manger. Yet, the power and purpose of this child is more accurately captured in John’s vision of the one sitting atop of a white horse whose name is Faithful and True.
He commands armies of angels. From his mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword which cuts down evil and rules the nations with a rod of iron. His
name? The Word of the Lord.
Our Lord Jesus, God’s Word made flesh remains faithful and true. Christ is the same
yesterday, today and always. He is Lord and Savior. He came to save we who are neither faithful nor true. His mercy is revealed through the truth of his Word and his grace is sufficient in every circumstance.
Turn to the Lord. Call upon his name and receive the free gift of salvation through the one who is Faithful and True, for He is King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Prayer: Most holy God, keep us in faith, that we would be ever thankful for your mercy and grace.
Amen.
Call To Prayer
Posted January 5, 2023 By adminPastor David is calling all members of St. Jacob’s to pray for St. Jacob’s spiritual health, vision, and growth. Everyone who is willing to gather for Prayer, or come at a time when you can be alone, is encouraged to do so each Monday afternoon or evening in January. Beginning on January 9th, the Church sanctuary will be open
from 12:00PM to 5:30PM. You may simply enter the nave, take a seat in the
pews and lift up your prayers to our God who promises to hear you. As the evangelist writes in the book of James, “The prayer of a righteous person has
great power as it is working” (James 5:16).
Pastoral Devotion for December – Remaining Faithful
Posted December 20, 2022 By adminRead Genesis 45:1-28
It goes without saying, Joseph is a model of faithfulness for anyone who faces trouble in their life. His brothers became jealous and angry that their youngest brother was their father Jacob’s favorite. So intense was there jealousy, they cast Joseph into a pit leaving him for dead. Later he would be sold into slavery, and finally, he would be falsely accused and imprisoned for crimes he did not commit.
In each instance, Joseph could have cried out in anger. He could have turned away from the God of his ancestors or, he could have completely given up. Yet in every instance, Joseph remained faithful and relied on God.
The story of Joseph teaches us that within this fallen and broken world, God can use all things for the good of his people. Our lives are filled with challenges to our faith yet, there is no one person who is so lost that God cannot find them. There is no one so grief stricken that God cannot bring consolation. There is no one person so sick, suffering, or in peril that God cannot deliver them from that which holds them captive.
During this time of Advent, the story of Joseph reminds us of God’s grace. We are reminded of the lengths in which God will go to deliver his people from sin. Our Lord is willing to go even unto the cross in order to redeem that which was lost. Yes, bad things do happen, even to God’s people. But our Lord and God is stronger than any powers of this earth. Ours is to remain faithful and to fully rely on God in our times of need.
Prayer – O God our Savior, in times of despair, keep us faithful through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
From the Pastor’s Heart By Pastor David Nuottila
Posted December 15, 2022 By adminAnd Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49
This week, many congregations took time to decorate their churches for the coming Christmas celebration. These symbols of Christmas bring us joy and delight as the Church waits in hopefulness and prepares to receive the good news yet again. Through the birth of the Christ child, God fulfilled his promise of the long-awaited Messiah. Ever[1]greens, poinsettias, wreaths in the windows and even trees filled with Christian symbols help us to proclaim this good news. Their symbolism reminds us of God’s long ago promise and opens our eyes and our hearts to God’s perfect and unconditional love. When connected to God’s Word in Holy Scripture, these symbols, in their own way, share the good news of Christ Jesus with us. Yet, these decorations are not the object of our focus. However pleasing it may be, the beauty of our churches during Advent and at Christmas, the music of beloved songs and the joy that tradition brings, are not the good news. For Christian joy and celebration is not rooted in decoration, rather, it is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel literally means, “good news.”
In the first chapter of Luke, the evangelist tells us of a young girl receiving good news from the angel Gabriel. The good news of Christ is first brought to Mary, and upon receiving it, her heart’s desire becomes doing as the Lord commands. Later in Luke’s gospel, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting a child and shares this good news with her. The sharing of good news leads to even greater joy and celebration. As Mary sings her “Magnificat,” this humble young woman from Nazareth sings praises to God as his promise for salvation begins to unfold. Mary’s song speaks of how God’s grace and mercy will bring joy and celebration to even the most lowly on earth.
Mary sings, “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1: 50-53
Mary sings as if God has already done these things, because in her heart, she knows God will keep his promise. So, she celebrates this good and wonderful news. So too, the Church celebrates with joy and thanks[1]giving. But it doesn’t stop there. As the good news is to be shared and celebrated, it is also to be lived out in the mission of the Church.
The good news of Christ comes with blessing and the promise that wrong will be made right, and oppression will give way to compassion. The outcast will be made welcome, and the hungry will be fed. The joy of Mary and her beautiful Magnificat is a joy meant for all people; the joy of a young unwed mother to be, whose heart’s desire is to do as God wills.
Mary’s journey began in earnest when she embraced the promise of God as brought to her by Gabriel, the promise that says “…nothing is impossible with God.” In joyous refrain Mary answers, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:37-38.
Throughout our Advent journey, may our hearts also be drawn to the day God came with blessing unto Mary and shared with her the good news of Christ Jesus. An angel brought the good news to Mary, who in turn shared it with the Church for all time. Today this good news comes to us once again; the good news of a young woman suddenly expecting a child, who is Christ the Lord. As Mary heard the good news from Gabriele, her heart was drawn to God’s message of hope, and she gave of herself according to God’s call.
I pray that during this season of Advent, as our churches are beautifully decorated and we take delight in the long-standing traditions of our congregations, we do not lose our focus on what God wills us to do. May our hearts be drawn to give something of ourselves according to God’s call. May we continue to serve our neighbors and welcome the strangers among us.
Good news is news to be celebrated with great joy. Yet it is also to be lived out through the lives of God’s faithful people. As we welcome others into our churches, I pray that the beauty of these decorations is pleasing in their sight, and that their symbolism of God’s love and grace for all people is proclaimed, so that all may experience the joy and celebration at Christmas.
Most Holy God, we thank you for the beauty of the world which you have created. We give you thanks and praise for the beauty of your Church on earth, especially as churches are adorned with symbol of our faith during this holy time of year. Continue to grace with your presence, lead us and inspire us to go into the world and share the truth of your Gospel, the saving power of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. For it is in his name we pray. Amen.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
An Advent Message from Pastor David
Posted December 5, 2022 By adminIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
Have you seen something wonderful today? Have you noticed the beauty of God’s creation all around you? The world we live in is filled with beautiful things, trees, lakes, rivers, animals; the list goes on. All of these and everything is the result of the creative love of God. Sometimes I wonder if we can even imagine the conditions before God said “Let there be…” We humans cannot begin to understand the formlessness and void of creation in the beginning. Yet God said, “Let there be…” And it came to be.
As Christians all over the world begin to observe the Advent of our Lord Jesus, we do so by recalling the history of our salvation through Christ, which begins of course, in the beginning. As we read Holy Scripture, we believe Christ was present in the creation of all there is. The opening verses of the Gospel according to John teach us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1- 4).
The Creation narrative teaches us that apart from God there is no life or light. Still, even today so many continue to discount God’s creating love. Many people also deny the presence of God in the world or even in their lives. Yet, the simple fact remains, without God there is nothing. Without God humans have no purpose. Without the love of God in Christ Jesus, the people of the world walk in the darkness of their sin and their reality is such that they have no hope for salvation.
Jesus is the light of the world; he is the one in whom we find hope. Through Christ, God’s Word incarnate, the people of God are able to walk in the light of God’s mercy and grace. Our lives are no longer formless, they are not void, rather, they are filled with the purpose of proclaiming the gospel and the vocation of love for our neighbor. Today, as we find ourselves at the beginning of Advent, we find ourselves as sinners awaiting the celebration of our Savior’s entrance into earthly life in order to rescue God’s people from sin and death. In Advent, we find ourselves at the beginning, the beginning of new life in Christ. We believe that Christ’s presence at the beginning of Creation proves the creative nature of God’s faithful and redeeming love.
People of God, Christmas is just around the corner. As a disciple of Jesus, invite someone to worship with us at Christmas, and in the beginning of the new year, perhaps God will work the miracle of faith within their hearts and minds so that, they too may experience a new life in Christ; a life that was meant for them from the beginning.
Thank you God, for this beautiful world in which we live. Thank you for each person you have created in your image. Most of all, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen.
