Our Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume on May 26th, the Wednesday between Pentecost Sunday, and Holy Trinity Sunday. Considering the timing of our schedule, our topic will be I AM WHO I AM. A Study of the Holy Name of God. This will be our first in-person Bible Study since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
All who desire to participate should meet in the fellowship hall on Wednesday, May 26th at 9:30 AM. No special materials are necessary, just bring along your favorite Bible and a desire to study God’s Word with your friends and church family members. Facemasks are not required but anyone who feels they should wear one is welcome to do so. It will be a good opportunity to resume the fellowship that we have been missing since last March. Join us, won’t you?
Worship and Music Archive
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Posted May 19, 2021 By adminFrom the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted May 4, 2021 By admin“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21
In just a few short weeks, we will celebrate the day of Pentecost. Of course, this is the day when God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It is also known to Christians as the birthday of the Church. There is no way the remaining eleven apostles could have understood that their proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, made to the people of Jerusalem, would be such a defining moment and set in motion a mission and ministry that would endure throughout the world for over two-thousand years. But here we are, that far removed from the day the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered together in prayer waiting, as Christ commanded, for “power from on high.” The power received by the apostles is the greatest power known to the earth. No other powers can stand against the power of God’s Holy Spirit nor can any earthly power take away the promise of God’s salvation, made certain and true, through the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
Surely, the powers that defy God continue to attempt to undo what God has done through Christ. The devil and his minions will hurl their fiery weapons at believers, but God will not allow those unto whom he has poured out his Spirit to falter. Even the COVID-19 pandemic that fell upon the whole earth was not strong enough to silence the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One year ago, as you will recall, St. Jacob’s like so many congregations throughout the country had ceased meeting in public for worship. Our very first gathering since halting our weekly in person worship services was on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. We gathered outside in the parking lot, heard God’s Word, sang our thankful praises, and celebrated Holy Communion. As we participated in our service, a number of cars, vans, and trucks passed by. Our worship service on that beautiful sunny day served as a visible reminder of God’s love for his people and that the proclamation of the Gospel cannot be silenced even by a world-wide pandemic. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news anyone could ever hope to receive. It is our story to tell, our life to share, and our hope for everlasting life in God’s kingdom of glory.
My prayer this Pentecost is that God would stir our congregation to such faithfulness that we cannot help but share the gospel of Christ Jesus, and that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we experience the disciples’ joy, living in the fullness of God’s grace, loving our neighbor and extending our Savior’s love to all who are in need. Like the apostles who first proclaimed this wonderful news of God’s grace, we must continue to provide such a faithful witness to the world and community around us. Who knows? In keeping with the rich tradition of the Church of Jesus Christ, as begun by those twelve ordinary men whom our Lord called to be apostles, the Good News we share just might live on in the hearts and minds of our neighbors here in Chapin, and become a power that not even the devil himself can oppose. This is the Pentecost message. That God has poured out his Holy Spirit upon all who are Baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Spirit will move as he will, transforming those who hear and respond to the Gospel.
Nearly two-thousand years ago it all began with twelve ordinary men whom Christ had chosen. And now it continues, for Christ has chosen you to be his witness to the world around you. God bless you as you live out your calling to be his disciple, sharing the Good News with all whom you meet.
Prayer:
Come Holy Spirit. Stir up the hearts of your, faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
Pastoral Devotion for May
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminThe Great Deception
Read Matthew 28:11-15
From Galileo to Columbus, the world has had difficulty accepting things that challenge long held belief. The earth is the center of the solar system and the world is flat. When challenged, these long held truths found support by kings and emperors. Pope Urban VIII even had Galileo stand trial because he dared question these perceived realities. One might think that the Church would be open to new possibilities, especially since it is the Church which was born out of such a discovery. After all, once crucified and buried, dead men do not escape the grave.
After making their report to the authorities, the guards assigned to Jesus’ tomb were paid to keep the story from spreading. After all, if the resurrection were real, then everything Jesus said and taught would also be true. The priests and Pharisees would have some explaining to do. Better to keep it quiet.
Since that first Easter day, the world has tried to do just that; keep news to the resurrection quiet. All sorts of stories and theories have been offered, the oldest one being concocted by the temple authorities claiming the disciples stole his body. Some asserted that Jesus did not die, and when he was taken from the cross was revived. Still others say Jesus wasn’t crucified at all; it was an imposter who hung on the cross. Try as they might, such claims cannot be substantiated because they are not true.
God sent his Son into the world to save people from their sin and that’s just what he did. All who believe and are baptized are saved. Just as the world is PASTORAL DEVOTION FOR MAY round and the earth revolves around the sun, God’s people are raised to new life through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There really can be no point in raising new questions, defending old assertions and supporting the notion of life without Christ, unless one intends to live apart from God.
Prayer: Almighty God, fill us with your truth, that we may tell others the news of Christ’s victory.
Amen.
Youth Director & Family Ministries
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminSpiritual gifts are specific ways the work of the Holy Spirit is manifested in our lives. These gifts – on top of our interests, hobbies, abilities, likes and dislikes join together to form who we are and how we participate in the work God is doing all around us. We all have needs, and when you put us all together to make up a church, those needs become the church’s needs. As we hear the Gospel, it changes our hearts. Our attention will begin to turn away from ourselves to those around us. Galatians 6:10 says “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” You can see the Gospel through the local church all across the world. Our church is sustained by faithful volunteer service. The church is people who love Jesus parking cars, holding babies, reading the Scriptures together, pouring tea and lemonade, and opening their homes. The Lord can use anybody. All you have to do is be willing to answer the call. This seems so small, but it really does require a change of heart. A good measure of our spiritual health is our depth of concern for other people. A phrase my friends used to say in college was “love finds a need and meets it.” We are all of the same body, brothers and sisters, and there is no doubt that we love each other here at St. Jacob’s. There is no better way to show love than to let God work in and through us by helping one another. If we learned anything this past year, it’s that we don’t want to do life alone. We’re not made for that. Even the most introverted people need to know that someone is in their corner. As we begin to open up, welcome people back, and begin having events, I want to encourage you to participate. There is so much to do and so many people to catch up with. I don’t want to ever take for granted how blessed we are to have each other here. Don’t be afraid to reach out to try something new or attend something new. We need to trust that God will equip us, guide us, and give joy for the work.
In Christ,
Rachel
Sunday School Teachers
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminIf you’ve ever thought about teaching Sunday School, now is your chance! We are now opening our classrooms again to new volunteers. There is only one class for our younger members, and it is a great opportunity to serve and have some fun! The lessons will be given to you two weeks in advance so you will have plenty of time to look over them before your scheduled date. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We are currently scheduling through the end of the year so there are many dates available. If you have any questions, contact Rachel or Sherrie. We would love to assist you in any way that we can.
VBS Teachers
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminIt’s that time again, St. Jacob’s! It is very exciting to say that we will be having VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL this summer. The dates will be June 21st – 24th. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 CDC guidelines, things will look a little different this year, but we will make the best of it and remain safe while doing so. If you would like to volunteer in any way (crafts, teaching, decorating, etc.) please contact Rachel. There is something for everyone to do – just looking for your willingness and excitement. There will be more information given as we get closer to the date.
Musical Mondays
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminMusical Mondays starts June 28th. We are so excited to offer singing, handbells, games, and crafts, all praising God through music. This is open for all children who have completed first grade and up. Sign up on the Narthex bulletin board by May 22nd so that we can purchase music and supplies. We will meet each Monday from June 28th – August 9th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM with lunch included. Due to the NALC Convocation, there will be no meeting on August 2nd . Musical Mondays will conclude with an evening presentation, more information will follow.
Sunday School Update
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminPlease note that the young adults will be meeting for Sunday School each Sunday downstairs as well as the younger children. The older adults will continue to meet in the Fellowship Hall.
Audio/Video
Posted May 4, 2021 By adminAs we continue to livestream our services each week, we are in need of volunteers who would be interested in joining the Audio/Video Team. The system is easy to learn and even easier to work with during the services. If you have the gift of understanding technology, this is a great opportunity for you to serve. A member of the team will gladly work with you until you feel comfortable and confident to do so alone. Reach out to Rachel, Angela, or Brandon with any questions you may have.
From the Pastor’s Heart by Pastor David Nuottila
Posted March 2, 2021 By adminWhere there is no prophetic vision the people perish but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 KJV
During the most recent NALC Convocation, Bishop Dan Selbo shared his vision for the future of the North American Lutheran Church. The 2020 Vision, as he called it, is a ten-point vision of what and where he sees as the next set of building blocks for the NALC as we grow into the future of our mission and ministry. Reflecting upon Bishop Dan’s vision, I spent time in prayer and study concerning a vision of what and where I believe God is calling us at St. Jacobs to be as we grow into the future of our mission and ministry here. What follows is the fruit of this prayerful study. I hope and pray that our church family is willing and able to embrace this six-point vision for our future so that we truly become faithful participants in God’s mission for the sake of the world. I am convinced that each point within this vision is central to the future growth and ministry of St. Jacob’s. As with the bishop’s 2020 vision, each vision point carries with it an associated goal for the future.
Point #1 – That St. Jacob’s develops an intentional Disciple Making Culture. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than simply calling yourself a disciple. Disciples continually learn from their teacher. They embrace a way of life where one lives in the world but not of the world. It is my hope that St. Jacob’s develops a culture where our church family members learn the importance and benefit of living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Becoming students of God’s Word through reading Scripture daily, engaging in Christian education opportunities of the church on a regular basis. This vision includes helping people develop an intentional prayer life, teaching church family members how it is they might share their faith with others outside St. Jacob’s, and growing in a deeper, more personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s would develop a small group ministry dedicated to assist members as they grow in discipleship and relationship with Jesus Christ.
Point #2 – Growing the Christian Education Ministries of our Congregation. It is becoming more and more common that children do not know the great stories of the Bible. This is an issue that has not just popped up overnight, it has happened because all too often parents have not stressed the importance of Sunday school and Christian education. It has been increasingly difficult to provide Christian Education for people of all ages due to a lack of willingness of adults to serve as Sunday school teachers for our young people. My vision for St. Jacob’s Christian Education includes classes where I might help equip and empower adult members of our Congregation to become faith leaders for our children. This is why I have begun the St. Jacob’s Online campus. Learning more about the Biblical narrative will provide others with the confidence needed to relate the biblical story to our life today and help our children to grow in faithfulness and love for the Lord. The Goal: That the majority of church family members embrace Christian learning and become active participants in studying the Scriptures together in Bible studies and Sunday school.
Point #3 – Raising up Leaders for the Church. While St. Jacob’s does support our NALC Seminary system through benevolent giving, I believe we are well equipped to help the NALC raise up the next generation of Pastors. The evidence for this is how the congregation welcomed and provided a place for NALC Candidate Philip Sandi to come and begin developing skills and confidence as he discerns his call to ministry. St. Jacob’s has previously served as an internship site and would provide an excellent contextual education opportunity for an intern of the NALC to come and learn and growinto the vocation of pastoral ministry. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s would discern the importance of this ministry and become an internship site for the NALC.
Point #4 – That St. Jacob’s would Grow in our Focus on Mission and Outreach. One of the CORE Values of the NALC is that the NALC is a Mission Driven Church. Since its founding by the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ has existed for the sake of her neighbor. In Matthew 25, Jesus calls his followers to minister to the poor, the needy, hungry, sick and marginalized. The North American Lutheran Church calls upon congregations to engage this mission by participating in Local ministries, NALC mission partnerships, and at least one global ministry. Certainly, we do these things through our benevolent giving, but participating through “hands on” projects will help us grow in our sense of mission and ministry. We have plenty of resources at our disposal for use in active participation within several ministries such as NALC disaster response, WE CARE of Chapin and, Congo Mission International. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s church family members would lend their talents to working on mission projects regularly and the Outreach Team would become leaders in Mission projects throughout the year.
Point #5 – That St. Jacob’s develops a Welcoming and Inviting Culture through which the surrounding community is able to come and hear the Gospel and find a community of believers that shares their life together in Christ Jesus. So many studies have been conducted in recent years that point to the fact that most people come to a new church because they were personally invited by its members. Another study by the Barna group points to the issue that average Christian today only invites 1.2 people annually to their church for Sunday worship. As Chapin continues to grow in population and diversity, I believe we are uniquely situated to provide a community for worship for so many who do not have a church home of their own. When is the last time you invited someone to come to worship at St. Jacob’s? You might just want to begin with those family members who have been missing for a number of months or years. The Goal: That St. Jacob’s becomes known as an inviting congregation throughout Chapin and the surrounding community.
Point #6 – That St. Jacob’s grows in our Sense of Christian Fellowship. When I first came to St. Jacob’s, I was told that I shouldn’t go hungry because we are a congregation that likes to eat. This is music to the ears of those who enjoy a robust time of fellowship with family and friends. Sadly, even before the pandemic, fellowship opportunities at St. Jacob’s have been fewer and farther between. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it goes without saying that a congregation that enjoys lively Christian fellowship also enjoys a healthy relationship and life together. The Goal: As we emerge from the global pandemic, St. Jacob’s schedules frequent events during which we would enjoy fellowship among our church family.
I believe these vision points are central to the mission and ministry of St. Jacob’s future. With God’s help we will grow and become a house of prayer for many to call their church home. As the proverb says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I believe living as a disciple of Jesus Christ is the key. If we attempt to build our ministry on our own, we will surely stumble. This vision for our congregation is not something That I offer on my own, but it is offered to you as I have prayed for God’s guidance in leading St. Jacob’s into the future of our life together in Christ. Having a vision for ministry is crucial to any congregation. We need to understand the direction in which we are traveling, that is if we are traveling at all. The desire here is to help us move forward. If we don’t know what it is that we are moving toward, it will be increasingly difficult to recognize the destination when we finally arrive.
Thank you for indulging me in this rather lengthy installment of my monthly column. I ask you all to prayerfully consider each of these ministry points and discern your role within them.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
