Other Happenings Archive

Confirmand’s Public Examination

Posted May 30, 2019 By admin

Years 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

Church Council News

Posted May 30, 2019 By admin

St. Jacobs Church Council met May 7th for its regular meeting.

Good attendance at Easter egg hunt and
Holy Week services were enjoyable
Palm Sunday Children’s Choir performance was great
Easter breakfast was very nice
Flood buckets were assembled and
distributed; 44 in total (382 lbs of food collected during food drive also)

Thanks to the Lutheran Women for their LW Service

Important Notes and Dates:

Pastor will be in Congo from July 8th-25th for mission work
Confirmand Public Exam is June 2nd
Confirmation Day w/reception is June 9th
Starting May 22nd Pastor will hold
Wednesday evening service with Eucharist
Nursery TV should be operational by June to broadcast service in real time to those in the nursery
Picture days for new Church Directory are July 29th and 30th.

Ongoing Project Updates:

Digital Sign: Sign is still on schedule for install around May 21st. Council has approved recommended electrical upgrade to sign location.

Parking Lot: No formal decisions have been made in regards to the parking lot.

Director of Youth/Family Services: One interview was held with a potential candidate and she withdrew her name from consideration. One more interview is scheduled for the month of May.

Filed in Council Reports, Other Happenings

Worship and Music

Posted May 30, 2019 By admin

Did you know that handbells have been around since the late 1600s? Did you know their original purpose was as practice instruments for tower bell ringers in England? Did you know that handbells were brought to the United States in 1902 by Margaret Shurcliff? Did you know that you don’t have to know how to read music to be able to play handbells and that it is, in fact, an excellent way to learn to read music?

If you’d like to know more about the history of handbells, how they became part of church worship services and how they can be used effectively to enhance worship, join me this summer for Handbells 101. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Monday evenings from 6:45 to 7:30 PM, beginning Monday, June 3rd and continuing through August 26th (excluding June 17th for VBS). This is an opportunity for anyone who has an interest in handbells or learning to ring handbells to come check out the instrument (yes, handbells are considered a single instrument!).

Handbells 101 is open to all ages and all musical ability levels. For those interested in learning to ring, this is an opportunity to try it out. For current (or past) ringers, this is an opportunity to refresh/relearn/improve your handbell ringing technique and knowledge during the low-stress summer months while the handbell choir is not actively playing each month.

Some of you may know that I work part-time at Jeffers Handbell Supply, a handbell supply company based in Irmo, and that handbells are near and dear to my heart. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and love of bells with you this summer.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Laurie Lackey

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Worship and Music

From the Pastor’s Heart

Posted May 1, 2019 By admin

When 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

Filed in From the Pastor’s Heart, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

The Road to Emmaus

Posted May 1, 2019 By admin

Luke 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.

Filed in Other Happenings, Pastor, Sunday School