“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.” Psalm 119:105-106
Throughout my career as Pastor, it has been my privilege and pleasure to be a teacher of God’s Word. Nothing gets me going like a rousing conversation centered upon the message of God’s Law and Gospel shared among the people of Faith. Since coming to St. Jacob’s about eight years ago, I have made it a priority to encourage the members of our church family to regularly engage God’s Word. In this time together, I have shared reading plans for everyone to read the entire Bible in the span of one year. I have also offered many weekly Bible studies, some well attended, others, not so much. We even had a few opportunities to read the entire Bible chronologically in ninety days. My congratulations to those who were able to complete these readings of the Scriptures, no matter the time frame or which reading plan you followed.
Currently, I am leading an in-depth study of the Gospel according to John on Wednesday mornings. In all of these, our study together has helped me grow in my faith and love for God’s Word and increased my hunger to continue wading through the Scriptures. What has become the norm for me and for several others is that as we read the more familiar stories in the text, we find something we never noticed before. Whether it is studying how Jesus is made known in the Old Testament, or how the ancient prophecies of God’s grace come alive in Christ in the New Testament, it is always a profound moment when such connections are made.
Through the summer months, I had the joy of meeting with members who wanted to learn more about the Lutheran tradition. Our Adult Confirmation group has been a highlight of my ministry for the year, and I look forward to continued exploration of our Lutheran heritage with them, while inviting more of you to join the conversation.
I have set a goal for myself for the next few years ahead. I am going to strive to lead a study of each book in the New Testament, one by one, so that everyone can gain greater knowledge of God’s Word and have confidence in sharing it with others. To be people of the Word is a noble endeavor for all Christians and a wise undertaking for people of faith. What strikes me as significant is that people who have a long history of reading their Bible continue to make important discoveries in their faith as they read and study together.
Unpacking the familiar stories and exploring their tradition and meaning from the ancient languages of Hebrew and Greek help us to engage the Bible on a deeper level and in a much different way. My hope is that we are able to do this with the New Testament Books and that we become more deeply grounded in faith. Currently, we are gaining new and fresh insights concerning John’s Gospel message about Jesus who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I pray that more will join us in this and other studies.
Right now, Bible study is held on Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM. I would love to offer more opportunities for those who are not able to make it on Wednesday morning but would like to join a study led by their pastor. Please let me know of any times or days that would work and let’s read the Bible together.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottil
Other Happenings Archive
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Posted October 7, 2025 By admin15th Annual Carolinas Lutheran Women (CLW) Convocation
Posted October 6, 2025 By adminThe Carolinas Lutheran Women (CLW) Council will have our Fifteenth Annual Convocation—and trust us, this one is Nacho Average Convocation! Get ready for a day filled with vibrant fellowship, flavorful mission stories, and a fiesta of faith!
This year’s Convocation will be seasoned with a Mexican Fiesta 🪅 flair!
Saturday, October 11th at St. Paul Lutheran Church,
2496 SC-773, Pomaria, SC 29126
Registration and “Street Vendor” Table Set-up
begins at 8:30 AM, Convocation kicks off at 9:00 AM
We look forward to each congregation bringing their “street vendor-style” display to showcase how you’re spicing up mission and ministry in your community. From salsa-sweet stories of service, to hot tamale testimonies, share how Jesus’ light guides your ministry! Whether you’re guacamole-deep in outreach, or just planting seeds of faith, come be inspired and uplifted by what God is doing in and through His people.
- You can register and find more information at https://www.carolinaslutheranwomen.org/.
- Registration closes on September 30th. The $10 registration fee includes light refreshments during “Street Vendor” Table Set-up and lunch.
- Affiliated congregations may nominate a member (provided she has given her approval) or individuals can self-nominate to serve on the CLW Council. Nomination forms can be found online at https://www.carolinaslutheranwomen.org/.
- Yearly contributions can be sent at any time to Robin McLaughlin, CLW Treasurer, 4155 Jackson Road, Mooresville, NC 28115. Checks should be made payable to Carolinas Lutheran Women. This is not a mandatory contribution. All donations are completely voluntary. An amount of $60 yearly is a recommendation.
- A proposed 2026 budget will be presented during the annual meeting.
- In-Kind Gifts for Providence Home will be collected. Providence Home provides Christfocused ministry for men, providing transitional housing and promoting recovery from drugs, alcohol, and incarceration. What to bring:
- Men’s Clothing Items:
- Boxers/Briefs Underwear, Sweatshirts, TShirts (variety of sizes needed)
- Tube Socks, Work Gloves
- Toiletries for Men:
- Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Soap, Shampoo
- The Convocation Offering will be collected for CLW to be used as needed. Please make checks payable to Carolinas Lutheran Women and note “Convocation Offering”.
- Men’s Clothing Items:
Up and Going
Posted October 4, 2025 By adminThursday, September 11th was a bright, beautiful, sun-kissed day, a gift from God, as 15 Up and Going members and guests gathered in the Fellowship Hall for devotions on forgiveness and we prayed together “The Lord’s Prayer.” Helen, Team Leader, gave the devotions. A short business session was held.
Soon Davis with Sandra and Leon arrived with 2 vans. We quickly boarded and happily headed to Hendersonville, North Carolina. We stopped for lunch at the Golden Corral restaurant. We enjoyed a private dining room and a dedicated server who catered to our every need. After the meal blessing, we all enjoyed a delicious lunch from the bountiful buffet tables. The food was outstanding as was our server. We laughed, talked and enjoyed our meal.
Then on to Granddad’s Apple Farm to fill our vans with a large variety of apples, cabbage, green beans, apple cider and the most popular item – fried apple pies. Yum yum. The time came quickly for us to head home, so we loaded up and headed home, full of laughter and good memories. This was indeed a very good day. Thank you to all who traveled today and especially to Davis and Leon who did an excellent job driving for us.
The October meeting will be on Thursday, October 9 th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. We will have a covered dish meal and BINGO. Please bring a food dish for sharing and 3 or 4 repurposed items for gifts. See you then.
Helen
Team Leader for
Up and Going
Pastoral Devotion for October – Encourage One Another
Posted October 1, 2025 By adminRead 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
When Paul made his way to Thessalonica, he brought with him the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Most had not heard the gospel; it was the first time such a man as Paul came with this amazing message. As he taught, some might have thought him crazy to believe so earnestly a story of saving grace which comes through a man once crucified, dead, but alive again. Just the opposite was the case. A number of people in Thessalonica were gripped by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in their hearing the gospel they came to great faith. In this introductory passage to his first letter, Paul gives thanks and praise for their faith and early enthusiasm. But Paul did not write this letter to puff them up. No, he wrote it to encourage them as they faced challenges, doubts and fears.
Christians today certainly face doubts and fears. Like the first Christians at Thessalonica, the church today benefits from the encouragement of other faithful disciples. Left on their own, the faithful soon become distant and inactive in matters of worship, fellowship and Christian living. The world offers so many alternatives to living a life patterned after the example of Jesus. At every turn, the powers that defy God lay in wait to snatch the believer from the community of faith, that they would set their minds on earthly things rather than seeking God’s kingdom.
Many today look at the church and think Christians are as crazy as Paul to believe such a story. To a world fallen into sin, the gospel simply doesn’t make sense. Yet, through the sharing of the gospel message, the Holy Spirit continues to bring people to faith. The church certainly faces issues of complacency; many are not as active as we ought to be. And so, we encourage one another with God’s Word and through prayer. The Holy Spirit strengthens God’s people through their hearing the gospel. The epistles of Paul, along with the other biblical authors continue to encourage Christians throughout the world. And finally, the powerful witness of the saints and the lives of all who have gone before us in faith continue to serve as examples for the church to follow.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit; fill the hearts of your people and kindle within us the fire of your love, that we too may share the good news of Christ. Amen.
Sanctuary Renovation Update
Posted September 30, 2025 By adminThe sanctuary renovation project is nearing completion with some carpentry details and trim painting to be completed in October. Flooring installation will begin the first week of October. The plan is for all renovation details to be completed by the first week of November!
Pastor to Supply in October
Posted September 30, 2025 By adminThroughout the NALC, pastors are being called upon by Bishop Dan Selbo to assist the many congregations experiencing prolonged pastoral vacancy. In response to such need here in our SC Mission District, Pastor David Nuottila will be away from St. Jacob’s on Sunday, October 5th to provide pastoral services at Silverstreet Lutheran Church, one of our newest NALC congregations. Our Lutheran Men will lead worship here on that day along with a lay distribution of Holy Communion with bread and wine held in reserve from our September 28th divine services. Please keep the people at Silverstreet in your prayers as they begin their search of a new pastor.
Women’s Bible Study
Posted September 15, 2025 By adminWhat benefits do you receive from attending the Women’s Bible Study? “Spending time with my sisters in Christ studying God’s word, sharing experiences, and prayer warriors.” “Women getting together to deepen our understanding of God’s word.” If you would like to share in this experience please join us! The Women’s Bible Study will resume in September and all women are welcome! The Women’s Bible Study meets in the church office on the second Monday of each month from 6:45-8:00 PM, with our next meeting taking place on September 8th. Our study will focus on Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz. Questions? Contact Susan.
Lutheran Women
Posted September 14, 2025 By adminThe Lutheran Women third Sunday meetings will resume on September 21st at 4:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. All women of St. Jacob’s are welcome and encouraged to join us for fellowship.
Summary Report on the NALC Convocation
Posted September 10, 2025 By adminThe Clergy and lay delegates of the North American Lutheran Church met for the annual NALC Lutheran Week from August 4th – August 8th in Pittsburgh, PA. With this convocation, the NALC celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. The North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) celebrated its tenth anniversary and welcomed their new President, the Rev. Dr. Jukka Kääriäinen. Dr. Kääriäinen and his family come to us from Helsinki, Finland.
Elections were held for positions on the NALC Executive Council (2 clergy, 2 lay). Four pastors were also elected to the NALC Court of Adjudication, and one pastor was elected to the NALS Board of Regents.
Delegates approved several updates to the NALC Constitution to strengthen governance:
• Establish Bylaws—Delegates approved the establishment of formal bylaws for the NALC, adjusting various sections of the Constitution that better serve the Church as bylaws.
• Establish Article and Bylaws for NALS— Delegates approved to adopt an article and bylaws for the North American Lutheran Seminary.
• Establish Article and Bylaws Regarding Financial and Legal Matters—Delegates approved an article and bylaws clarifying financial and legal procedures for the NALC.
Finally, the 2026 NALC and NALS operating budgets were approved without amendment.
We extend our gratitude to Lynn Shealy for serving as St. Jacob’s lay delegate to the convocation.
Lutheran Men Sunday/ Lutheran Women Fundraiser
Posted September 7, 2025 By adminThe Lutheran Women will have a spaghetti meal fundraiser on Sunday, September 28th following the worship service led by the Lutheran Men. The meal will be salad, spaghetti, bread and dessert and may be eaten in or taken to go.
Adult plates will be $10 and child plates will be $5. The funds raised will go to Andy Wessinger to help with medical expenses.
There will be a sign-up sheet in the worship folder on September 14th and September 21st, or you can call Sandra. Please let us know if you plan to join us no later than September 21st.
