Not too long ago, Congregations would set aside time each January 6th to worship and observe the Epiphany of Our Lord. These days, the tradition of an Epiphany service is not one that is too widely kept. Rather than celebrate the occasion when the Magi from the East (three wise men) came to visit the child Jesus, congregations and other Christian groups conveniently include these “three kings” in the narrative of Jesus’s birth. (We are just as guilty). As a result, the story of the Magi is largely misunderstood. Younger generations are not learning the significance of the Epiphany and older generations are not taking the time to share it. This is a sad reminder of how the world has encroached upon the Church.
It isn’t often that the day of Epiphany actually coincides with a congregation’s regular worship schedule. With people having such busy schedules, adding a service outside the regular worship schedule seldom happens. And so, it is not often when we hear the gospel text of the Magi visiting the child Jesus read and preached in its proper context.
This year, the Epiphany of Our Lord does fall on a day when we have a regularly scheduled worship. Rather than being wedged into a children’s Christmas pageant or other similar Christmas celebration, the narrative of the Magi will be read in context. You are invited to worship in person on the day of the Epiphany. If you have not attended worship on a Wednesday evening, this would be a good opportunity. Plan to join your church family on Wednesday, January 6 at 7:00p.m. for worship celebrating the Epiphany of Our Lord.
20+C+M+B+21
Upon the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th), many Christians (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics) chalk their doors with the pattern you see above. The numbers refer to the calendar year (2021), and the crosses stand for Christ. The letters have a two-fold significance. C, M, and B are the initials for the traditional names of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar). They also are an abbreviation of the Latin blessing Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which means, “Christ bless this house.”
In many places, the chalk used to write the Epiphany pattern is blessed by a Pastor or Priest. It is then used to write the pattern above the doors of Christian households. This Christian custom of chalking the door has a biblical precedent as the Israelites in the Old Testament marked their doors in order to be saved from death at the Passover in Egypt. In keeping this Epiphany tradition, Christians ask God’s blessing and protection for their family and home until the next Epiphany Day, at which time the custom is repeated. Families also perform this act because it represents the hospitality extended by Mary and Joseph to the Magi (and all Gentiles); it thus serves as a house blessing to invite the presence of God in one’s home.
During our Epiphany service of worship on January 6th, I will take time to bless the chalk and offer it for families to observe this Epiphany tradition. During the month of January, I will also be happy to come bless your house in this traditional way. Just let me know and I will schedule a day and time. May God bless us all and bless our homes with is peace and presence.
Worship Service Archive
Epiphany
Posted December 29, 2020 By adminSharing The Peace
Posted December 3, 2020 By adminOver a period of time, several of our church family members have asked me about the sharing of the peace within our worship. When the COVID-19 virus came upon us, several asked if we would refrain from engaging in the practice. In recent conversations, the sharing of the peace of Christ has come up again. I truly want everyone here among us to understand this element of our liturgy and why it is positioned as it is. And so yes, here is a second article I’ve written for this month’s newsletter.
Sharing the peace during worship is not simply a moment when we say a quick hello to those around us. It is not a time to catch up or for brief conversation. It serves a much deeper function. Primarily, we share the peace for biblical reasons. The first comes to us from the fifth chapter of Matthew. Jesus said, “if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there, you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24). Within the early Church, sharing the peace was a way for people in the Christian community to be reconciled to one another before making their offering at the altar. It is for this reason that sharing the peace always comes before the offering and receiving Holy Communion. We are first reconciled to our brother or sister. Then, at peace with one another, we share the Lord’s Supper in communion with the people of God.
We also share the peace because during the Last Supper, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Again, when Jesus him-self appeared to the disciples after his resurrection,
he greeted them by saying, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 26). We bring these two together: just as Jesus shared his peace with us, so we should share peace with one another.
Sharing “peace” with one another is an ancient Christian tradition, not only in the words of Jesus, but also in the practices of the Christian community. Paul begins every one of his letters by saying, “Grace to you, and peace” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, etc.). This suggests that in the early Church, “Grace to you and peace” was the way Christians greeted one another. Many pastors, as do I, begin their sermon with this greeting in the peace of Christ. His is the Word preached, and so the sermon is brought to the con-gregation in the peace of Christ.
So why are there so many questions regarding the sharing of the peace? The truth be told, the tradition was either lost or reduced to a few simple words in the hymnal’s liturgy many decades ago. As progressiveness crept into the church, much of the symbolism and tradition faded into the background. Instead of traditional expressions of faith, programming and relevance welled up to the surface. Thankfully, several denominations are reforming or renewing and returning to the rites and tradition of Christian worship.
The surprising thing is not that we share the Peace during our services; it is that we lost the tradition for so long. In some ways, it was lost for centuries. Sure, it was there, in the midst of the Communion service, but it was reduced to a simple sentence from the pastor at the altar, and a plain response given by the congregation. What followed was a time for handshakes, hugs and hellos, and that was that. It had lost its meaning.
When fully understood, sharing the peace is a spiritual practice that brings congregations and individuals together in faith. Ideally, we would do this not simply with words, but also employ our usual handshakes and hugs. Sadly, as current conditions dictate a necessity for physical distance, handshakes and hugs are out of the question. Still, with smiles and the words of Christ’s peace, we can continue this traditional practice of our faith. I look forward to the next time we can share the peace of our Lord Jesus. Until then, these words will convey my heartfelt desire for you.
Grace to you and PEACE,
Pastor David Nuottila
Christmas Morning Worship
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminAll are invited to keep Christ in Christmas and worship with us on Christmas Morning. The Christmas Morning service is “come as you are.” Children in pajamas, adults in relaxed and casual dress are all most certainly welcome. Come make a joyful noise and share in the blessing of Christmas with your church family. Worship with Holy Communion will begin at 10 AM. As always, we will live stream our service on our Facebook page.
The Nativity Of Our Lord
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminBecause of the current pandemic and the need for social distancing, St. Jacob’s will offer two services of worship on Christmas Eve. This is to ensure that we honor our coronavirus protocols we have in place. The first service will begin at 4:30 PM with the second service beginning at 7:30 PM. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service and both will conclude with the traditional candlelight singing of Silent Night.
In order that we might be faithful to our coronavirus protocols, yet accommodate everyone who would like to attend worship on Christmas Eve, we will post a sign up list on which families shall indicate which service they will attend and how many will be in their party. We look forward to sharing this most holy evening with you, along with the traditional readings and carols of Christmas.
Blue Christmas —Worship On The Longest Night
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminAs Christmas approaches, not everyone gets caught up in the joy of the season. No matter the situation, for some, Christmas is a time of extended grief, sorrow, and loneliness. For these and other reasons, we offer a time for worship and reflection on God’s gift of the Messiah. Worship on the Longest Night, also called Blue Christmas, falls on December 21st, the longest night of the year. This year, due to COVID-19 concerns, we will not gather in person. Our Blue Christmas service of worship will be live streamed on our Facebook page. The service begins at 7 PM.
Advent Vespers
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminThe theme for our Advent Vespers will be “Letters from Bethlehem” featuring four brief monologues. Each monologue is a reading of a letter written to loved ones describing the events of Jesus’ birth.
Below is our schedule for mid-week Advent services.
• December 2 – The Angel to a Friend
• December 9 – A Shepherd to His Family
• December 16 – A Wise Man to His Court
• December 23 – Mary to Her Mother
Advent Vespers will begin at 7 PM each Wednesday during the season. We will also receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at each service. Please plan to attend each week as we anticipate the coming of our Lord Jesus. Social distancing will be observed; and for those who are unable to attend, the services will be streamed live on our Facebook page
St. Jacob’s Is Getting Ready For 2021—Sign Up For Altar Flowers Today
Posted November 27, 2020 By adminAs in the past, an altar flower sign-up sheet will be posted in the Narthex on Sunday November 29th and will remain until Sunday, December 27th. Many times, members wish to provide the altar flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. If there is a particular Sunday YOU would like to furnish the altar flowers for the worship service, please indicate your choice by signing up for that Sunday. If you are not currently attending in-person worship services at the church, you can email Robin to request a Sunday. All open dates will be assigned to other members of the congregation. NOTE: During Advent/Christmas Seasons only one vase of flowers is needed. Also, artificial flowers are never to be used in the altar vases and pot plants are to be used to enhance services on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday and Christmas Services – not as altar flowers.
Liturgical Worship in November
Posted October 30, 2020 By adminNovember is a month of remembrance, celebration, and transition. From the first day of the month until the final Sunday, we offer our thanks and praise to God for his saving grace that comes through his Son Jesus Christ. The celebrations of November complete the liturgical cycle of one year and lead us into the next. Please join us as you are able, either in person or online each Sunday as we observe these three significant dates.
All Saints Day
All Saints Day is a time of remembrance and a time of thanksgiving. We remember all who have entered the Church Triumphant and now rest peacefully in Christ. We also give thanks for all the saints within the Church Militant who strive to share the Gospel of Christ and extend the ministry of the church throughout the world. Join us on All Saints Day, November 1stfor worship. As is customary, we will have a prayer for our church family members who passed away since our All Saints celebration last year. All Saints Day is November 1stand traditionally observed on the first Sunday in November.
Christ The King Sunday
The earliest Christians identified Jesus with the predicted Messiah of the Jews. The Hebrew word “Messiah,” and the Greek word “Christ,” both mean “anointed one.” They refer to the expected king whom God promised would deliver his people from all earthly powers. Holy Scripture reveals Jesus of Nazareth to be this long-awaited Messiah. Unlike the Messiah most Jews expected, Jesus came to free all people, Jew and Gentile, and he did not come to free them from the Babylonians, Assyrians, or Romans, but from sin and death. Thus, the King of the Jews, and of all people, does not rule over a kingdom of this world. Christ the King Sunday is the final Sun-day of the Christian Church year and focuses on the return of Christ at the end of the age. This year, Christ the King Sunday is celebrated on November 22nd.
First Sunday Of Advent
The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year for the Christian Church. The word “advent” literally means “coming.” Coming on the heels of Christ the King Sunday, Advent is the season when Christians prepare for the coming of our King Jesus Christ. There is actually a two-fold meaning of this coming. When the Church celebrates Advent, we look toward Jesus’ second coming by remembering his first coming to earth. We ponder again the great mystery of the incarnation when our Lord humbled himself, taking on our humanity, and entered our time and space to free us from sin. All the while, we recall in the Creed that our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to greet him. This year, the First Sunday of Advent is November 29th.
Weekly Bible Study on Zoom
Posted October 29, 2020 By adminBible study continues to be held each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM on Zoom.com. We are continuing our study of the book of James. There are no special materials that you must purchase. All you need is a computer and access to the internet to join in the conversation. Weekly study guides are emailed to the congregation on Tuesday afternoon. Even if you have not provided an email address our study’s such that you can join in and participate in the conversation. Why not make Bible study a part of your week? If you have any questions, please contact Pastor David or Rachel.
In Person and Online Sunday School
Posted October 29, 2020 By adminIn person Sunday School will begin on Sunday, November 1st. We will begin with two classes. The first class will be for children up to middle school. The class will be taught by Rachel and Sherrie and will meet in the Sunday School wing downstairs. The second class will be for Adults and high school students. This class will be led by Pastor David and will meet in the Fellowship Hall. This will be the format through December 31st. In person Sunday School will begin at 9:40 AM each week.
For those who are not yet returning to in person worship or Sunday School, the online lessons will continue on our St. Jacob’s Facebook page. These lessons are posted at 8:00 AM on Sunday morning. The current list of lessons focuses on several familiar Bible stories of the Old Testament. Please enjoy these and other St. Jacob’s online offerings such as Bible studies and devotions as you are able.
