When: April 17–19, 2026
Who: 6th–12th Graders
Where: Garden City Chapel, Murrells Inlet, SC 316 Dogwood Dr N, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Cost: $120 per person
We’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend together and are excited for all that’s in store! Please Contact Pr Dieter Punt or Amber Ball @ (704)528-5334 know if you have any questions.
Don’t forget to provide your T-shirt size when registering!
***Deadline to Register March 4***
Mark your calendars! From July 7th –10 th, 2026, youth and leaders from across the NALC will gather at St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia for four unforgettable days of worship, service, learning, and joy in Christ. This gathering is the heartbeat of our shared youth ministry and connections will be made among youth from all across the NALC. Registration will open in October. There will be a meeting for youth and parents to discuss plans for making this gathering a wonderful addition to our St. Jacob’s Youth ministry. The meeting time and date will be announced in the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the weekly church bulletin for information.
The 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.
Throughout 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.
The Biennial NALC Convocation and Lutheran Week is scheduled for August 4th-8th in Pittsburgh, PA. Our lay delegate for the convocation this year is Lynn Shealy. Items to be addressed will be the 2025-2026 annual operating budget and receiving reports from several of the NALC ministries and ecumenical partners. There will be a few elections that will take place to fill positions on the Seminary Board of Regents, Court of Adjudication, and NALC Executive Council. Pastor David has been nominated for a seat on the NALC Executive Council. Please pray for safety in travel for all who will be attending and that the convocation will be a fruitful and enjoyable experience.
Per the updates shared with the congregation at worship on July 12th, the NALC South Carolina Mission District has received several new congregations that have disaffiliated from the ELCA. We have now grown from a district of twelve congregations to one of eighteen congregations, with a few more possibly joining in the near future.
In each case, our newest congregations have need for NALC pastoral services. Given a global clergy shortage across several denominational lines, our NALC Bishop Dan Selbo has asked that local congregations assist congregations experiencing prolonged pastoral vacancy by occasionally sharing their pastor as they are able. With regard to this request, and working with our Mission District Dean, Pastor David has agreed to assist neighboring congregations as he is able.
On the Sundays when he is asked to serve, he will provide a sermon and reserved communion elements for our Elders here at St. Jacob’s to lead worship. Please be in prayer for our newest member congregations and all congregations who are experiencing prolonged pastoral vacancy.
On June 13, 1525, Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, establishing a profound example of Christian marriage as a sacred vocation. Their partnership embodied mutual respect, faithful companionship, hospitality, and spiritual ministry. Luther emphasized marriage as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, calling couples to mutual love and support, grounded in God’s sustaining grace. As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin and Katie Luther’s marriage, the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) renews its commitment to strengthening the vocation of marriage and supporting families in their journey of discipleship and honoring marriage as a spiritual vocation shaped by grace, while prayerfully supporting those experiencing separation or divorce.
This year, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora was commemorated on June 13, 2025. Their marriage was an event that helped reform not only the Church, but the Christian household itself. Martin and Katie’s marriage became a living witness to faith, companionship, and the daily practice of grace.
To mark this historic anniversary, our congregation will join the NALC in observing a Vocation of Marriage Sunday during this Season after Pentecost. The NALC is inviting every congregation to take part in planning a special Sunday to honor the vocation of marriage, affirm the dignity of all Christian households, and strengthen the Church’s witness to covenantal love. St. Jacob’s is planning a unique Sunday service for July 6th, with special liturgical materials, Scripture reflections, prayers, and even a rite for affirming marriage vows during worship. Support and strengthening of Christian families is central to living in faith together. Therefore, whether you are young or old, married or unmarried, widowed or divorced, this Sunday is for you.
Inquiries have been made to our North American Lutheran Church Disaster Response about scheduling a mission trip to the North Carolina Mountains this Summer. Per a conversation with others, it appears a good time to schedule such a trip is either the week of July 6th-12th or July 13th-19th.
We need to let the NALC Disaster Response coordinator know how may volunteers to expect, the type of service we could provide, and the dates we would be willing to serve. All housing accommodations would be arranged by NALCDR. Anyone interested in making a mission trip this summer should contact Pastor David so plans can be made.
Solid Rock Day Camp is looking for faithful young adults to work as day camp counselors this summer! Counselors lead bible time, crafts, games, devotions, and tons of good ol’ kid fun with elementary age children at various locations across the southeast. It’s not only a job, it’s an amazing experience! Check our website for more information: https://www.carolinas-nalc.org/home/youth/.
On Thursday, March 20th, several pastors and lay leaders of the South Carolina Mission District visited our NALC Disaster Response Shed. Many were glad to see the growing inventory and asked questions on how their congregations might help provide materials for those recovering from hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. Thank you to Don Dease for his leadership in coordinating and managing our disaster response shed.
