Even as orders are beginning to be lifted by our Governor, please continue to care for each other. We may still have members who need errands run, medications picked up, or grocery needs. In order to keep those who are still at a high health risk for getting the virus, you can contact Sherry in the church office. Let’s continue to look after our church family at this time.
Dear Family of St. Jacob’s,
The following is a message I shared on our Facebook page but I believe it needs to be shared through our newsletter as well.
ATTENTION ST. JACOB’S: If you received a text from someone saying it is me needing gift cards, IT IS A SCAM. I DO NOT need “EBay gift cards for women battling cancer in the hospital.” PLEASE KNOW, I would never send out a text asking for such a favor. The scammer is using my name and title and texting individuals by name. I have no idea how they might connect me to anyone. Please private message me if you get a strange text from someone claiming to be me and let me know the phone number that texted you.
I am sorry this is happening, but several other pastors have been dealing with this same issue.
Hopefully, it can be resolved quickly.
Blessings,
Pastor David
St. Jacob’s is blessed to be a part of the community of Chapin. In communities such as ours, people have relationships that go way back in time. Families have put down deep roots and truly have grown up with the surrounding area. Even as new people are welcomed into the community, they experience all the small town qualities that have been central to the lives of so many. This closeness, this sense of togetherness is something that should draw St. Jacob’s into greater mission and ministry among our neighbors.
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, food pantries such as We Care have faced many challenges. There are many families that depend on their services just so they might have enough food to last throughout the week or month. As a member of the community, and especially as a member of Christ’s church, St. Jacob’s, can and should consider becoming a stronger supporter of We Care. Why? Because as disciples of Jesus Christ, “we care.”
Our Lutheran Women have been supporters of We Care. Beginning today, I would like to invite all of our church family members to begin supporting our local food pantry. Canned food and other non-perishable items can be brought to the church and collected in the Fellowship Hall. For now, donations can be made by contacting the church office and we can open the Fellowship Hall for
you. Perhaps two or three folks could volunteer once or twice a month to help deliver these goods to We Care. Providing food for those who are hungry is but one way we can grow in partnership with those who provide for others. It is also a way we can grow in relationship with those whom God has placed within our midst. Remember, as we do it for the least of these, we do it also unto Christ our Lord.
The following is a list of things, I (Pastor David) will be working on and suggesting upon our return to activity at St. Jacob’s.
Continued live streaming of our worship services – This will require St. Jacob’s to purchase further licensing so that we can have permission to include music and liturgies in their fullest form for our live and recorded services.
Online Bible studies – I will be looking for ways to share a more interactive Bible study once a week. Possibilities include internet services such a Zoom TM or possibly conference calls.
Safer and healthier practices for worship – I will be working with the Worship and Music Team to explore ways of keeping our congregation safe by limiting the possibility for transmitting coronavirus, flu and other germs.
More congregational focus on our home bound members – This could include the development of a lay visitation team made up of volunteers who check-in on our shut-in members frequently.
Daily video check-in and devotions – This will likely take place in the morning sometime around 9:00 AM on our Facebook page.
These are just a few of the things that have been running through my mind during our time of social distancing. The goal is to strengthen our sense of community among our church family and to begin providing a more consistent witness to the Gospel to Chapin and the surrounding area.
Due to social distancing, the Lutheran Women are cancelling the Mother/Daughter Brunch scheduled for May 23rd .
Also, please remember to pick up some items for We Care. We Care sent us a card in the mail thanking us for the 690 pounds of food we supplied for the month of February. Please see the listing of their food needs below.
•Peanut butter / jelly
•Chili, Soup
•Grits, Rice
•Mac & Cheese
•Canned Tuna / Salmon
•Pork & Beans
•Spam
•Canned Chicken
•Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce
•Turnip / Collard Greens
•Laundry Detergent
•Personal Hygiene Items, Toothpaste
Read John 18:1 – 20:18
Writing the April installment of our newsletter is certainly an interesting project. The month of April 2020 brings with it the occasion of marking Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Soon afterward, the church observes the Triduum, otherwise known as the service of the Three Days. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter are all wrapped up into one continual worship service. During these three days, the need for Christ’s innocent suffering and death and God’s willingness to sacrifice his only begotten Son lead us to the empty tomb of the Resurrection of our Lord. Yet citing all these things, the reality of our “social distancing” has made such observance challenging at best.
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus told his disciples that he would not leave them orphaned. He would send the Advocate, whom we recognize as the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would be with them as they carried on the ministry Christ himself instituted. In the face of persecution, trials and temptation, the Holy Spirit would fill the remaining disciples, now called apostles, with power from on high. They would need this power. The worldly powers that defy God’s goodness and mercy would not simply yield to the Gospel.
Today, as I write this column for you, we have to rely on the same power bestowed by the same Holy Spirit so that the church can carry on the mission of the very same Gospel. The current pandemic, Corona Virus or COVID-19 as it is called, has attempted to hinder God’s people from worship, community prayer, service toward one another and especially public proclamation of the Word of God. Along with that, I can imagine the devil smirking as he thinks he might have found a way to disrupt the celebration of the Sacraments and the fellowship of believers. Oh my, how short sighted can our advisory be?
Surely, we are experiencing something that we have never before even dreamed of. All around the world, people are experiencing the same sort of troubles as we are here. I have been in contact with friends in Canada, England, and Latvia and all report the same “social distancing” we are experiencing here. They also report one more thing that we know is true. We can continue to proclaim the Gospel to the world because Christ is still Lord of all.
With his innocent suffering and death, Jesus destroyed the power that evil would claim to have on the lives of God’s people. No longer are we held captive to the consequences of our sin. And because Jesus was raised from the grave on the third day, we have nothing to fear. Baptized into his death and resurrection, we have been made inheritors of God’s eternal kingdom of glory. No virus, no warnings from governments, nor any earthly powers can halt the sharing of this Good News.
As of today, I have no idea what our Easter celebration might look like. I am hopeful that we will all be together sharing a festive breakfast and that we are able to gather in our beautiful church nave singing praises to the One who has gained the eternal victory. This is my prayer. We shall see soon enough. Until then, let’s continue giving God our thanks and praise, for he has done mighty things for the sake of his people. God bless you all in these interesting times. You are certainly in my prayers.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Who Will Roll Away the Stone?
Read Mark 16:1-8
Oh, the things we forget when we have a job to do. Oh, the details we overlook. Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome were heading to Jesus’ tomb to complete the burial rite. It was only along the way that they thought about the boulder which sealed Christ’s tomb. Who would move it? Indeed, who would remove the obstacle standing between the women and their Lord? Image their reaction when they saw this barrier was already overcome.
Jesus, the one who was crucified was no longer among the dead. Jesus, the one who lived a life without sin, yet died for the sins of others, was raised by the hand of God. In death, Jesus conquered death. Through his resurrection, Jesus opened the way of everlasting life for all believers. The great barrier, the sin of the world, is overcome by the love of God in Christ Jesus. This is the good news of Easter.
In Christ, the great barrier which once stood be-tween God and humanity no longer exists. Even as we are consumed with our worry, our business and our consumption, God’s grace is made certain for all who believe. In Christ, we are forgiven. And because he lives, we shall live also.
Prayer: All praise and honor and glory be to you, O God, for Christ has triumphed over sin and the grave. Amen.
Please be in prayer for all our neighbors as we go through the next several weeks. Pray that as a nation, this virus will not keep spreading and we can resume our normal lives. Be careful and stay safe when you have to be out. We will let you know when we are able to gather again through email, Facebook, or on the church sign. God bless you all.
The youth and other volunteers had a workday on March 7th. During this time, we were able to clean and organize the entire Sunday School wing downstairs. This is just the beginning of many projects we have planned to reboot our Sunday School program. We are grateful for all who came and served. Thank you for your willingness and support of our Youth ministry.
Keep an eye out for other opportunities to serve in the future, and join me in praying for all the children who will reap what we sow.
You are invited to St. Jacob’s SENIOR ADULT PROM. If you are 65 or older, this is for you. As of right now, we will plan on the date being May 2nd, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, but this can always change if we need it to (respecting the Coronavirus regulations.) Come enjoy a night of food, music, dancing, and fellowship. There is no pressure to dress up but if you would like to, by all means do. The youth and I want to celebrate and serve you by having a night full of fun and memories. I will keep everyone up-dated if the date needs to change. I am excited and hope you are too! Call the church office if you plan to attend. Rachel
