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***
This is a follow-up to the devotion shared in February’s newsletter. Read Matthew 19:13-15
Welcome the children who are brought to church. Share with them the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor, make room for them here.
If they offer you a goldfish cracker, accept it with joy.
If one of their parents must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them, offer to help.
Even when it’s hard. Even when you seem bothered.
When your pew looks like it was hit by a tornado, smile and remember your youthful days
Be glad they are in church. Even when you feel like staring, look at them with love, don’t let your frustration get in the way.
Be thankful they are in church and give them room to grow comfortable with your presence
Make room for them in your pew. Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil doesn’t want them here. He will teach them to stay away, provide something else to do.
The devil will try to distract you with a child’s curiosity.
The devil will want you to feel bothered.
The devil will convince you that the children are better off left in the nursery.
Don’t let the devil separate the children from the faithful in worship.
Satan will have you so far off course and disturbed and put out that you won’t hear the message of hope in the Lord. You will only feel angst.
The world won’t teach the children about Jesus, that’s your job.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness, that’s yours to embody.
The world won’t teach them about grace, that’s yours to offer.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
But Jesus said, unless you have the faith of a little child, you won’t see it either.
It begins with parents and young children feeling loved and welcomed in church.
So, welcome the children. Welcome the whole family.
A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it need be.
So, welcome the little children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring the children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the adults of our congregation. Make room in our hearts to welcome little children and find joy in them as they grow in faith. Amen.
Read Matthew 19:13-15
Bring your children. Bring them to church. Saturate their lives with the Word of God.
Even if they lay on the floor.
Even if they need a sippy cup and a pack of goldfish crackers to keep them occupied.
Even if you must stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when your pew looks like a small hurricane just came through.
Bring them to church. Even when you feel the glares and stares of others, don’t let that stop you.
Bring them to church and give them room in your pew.
Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them hear you sing.
Let them see you coming to the Savior with hands outstretched to receive his body and blood.
Because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who will teach them?
The devil will teach them it’s not a priority.
The devil will teach them it’s okay to lay out.
The devil will teach them not to pick up their Bibles.
The devil will convince them to just skip worship all together.
Satan will have them so far off course and confused and misinformed that they will believe just being “good” is enough.
The world won’t teach them about Jesus.
The world won’t teach them about forgiveness.
The world won’t teach them about grace.
The world won’t teach them about heaven.
That’s your job.
It begins by bringing them to church.
So, bring your children. A church without the sounds of children is all too quiet.
A church without the presence of children is less joyful than it needs to be.
So, bring your children. Sit with them. Teach them. Let them sit with you. Let them learn from you.
Bring your children unto Christ, do not hinder them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless the little children of our congregation. Bless us with their presence as we worship you and praise your name. Amen.
From Your Pastor’s Heart
Christmas Party
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to a Christmas Party December 7th from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the church office.
We will bake Christmas cookies to take to our homebound members when we go Christmas caroling the next week.
There will be food, music, crafts and lots of fun. Make plans to join us.
2026 NALC Continental Youth Gathering July 7-10, 2026
Join us for an exhilarating journey of faith and fellowship at the North American Lutheran Church’s Continental Youth Gathering (CYG) from July 7–10, 2026, nestled in the heart of Virginia at St. John Lutheran Church in Roanoke, VA.
NALC youth will rally around the powerful theme “Rejoice,” living with a joy that lasts. Joy isn’t just a happy feeling; it’s something God has given us so that we can face life with hope, no matter what’s going on around us. The mission of the CYG is to provide opportunities for Lutheran youth to not only grow in their faith, but to be encouraged by connecting with other believers throughout North America.
The CYG isn’t merely an event, but a milestone in nurturing a robust community of believers across North America. It is a space where youth can delve deeper into scripture, engage in earnest conversation with peers and leaders, and encounter God in a fresh, transformative way. Over four days, attendees will join together in:
With only 350 spots available and a deadline for registration on April 15, 2026, be sure to mark your calendars and register as soon as possible.
Catechetical instruction for our youth members in grade 7 and above who have not been confirmed will begin on Sunday, August 31st beginning at 3:00 PM. Parents are asked to attend this initial meeting for the year. We will meet in the church office and share information and scheduling for the coming Fall session. Please make a note on your family calendars and plan to attend.
All youth grades 7-12 are invited to join the Youth Bible Study! The Youth Bible Study meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7:00-8:00 PM in the church office and is led by David Kibler and Susan Shealy. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, August 20th. We will not meet on Wednesday, August 6th.
This year we will be reading and studying together the epistles of Paul (1 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians) to learn what Paul has to teach us about how our life in Christ’s church is different from life in the world. We will support each other in learning how to live a Christian life as a teenager in a secular world. Please join us – and bring a friend!
It’s time!
The new choir season starts August 27th with a covered dish dinner at 6:00 PM and a read through the music for the fall. Come join the choir family, enjoy fellowship, and praising God through song. We look forward to the new year of music. All are invited. No previous experience needed!
Thank you!
Over the last four years the congregation has sent me to the Chorister’s Guild Institute for training in leading choirs. Thank you for this tremendous opportunity. It’s been intense, exhausting, exhilarating and truly meaningful. For a week each summer, a group of students gather to learn conducting, music education methods, and choral skills along with a variety of other topics. The day begins with worship, classes and workshops, and ends with lots of homework in the evening. I have now completed the institute and can’t wait to share what I have learned with our choir, handbell choir and children’s choir.
VBS 2025! Thank you for being part of a great week of VBS. We were reminded that when we are wandering, when we are alone, when we are powerless, when we need hope, and when we need a helper….we can always trust Jesus!
Thank you to all of our volunteers. Many thanks to Sandra, Davis, Gerald and Billy for preparing our meals. Thank you to Karla and Renee for crafts, Angela and Emma for Music, John, Tracy, Katelyn, Isabelle, and JT for games, and Julie Z, Donna, Raine, Judy, Patricia, Julie S, Lynn, and Kendra for shepherding our kids to each of the rotations and Pastor, Susan and David for sharing your time and lessons with the youth and adults. Thanks to all our participants too! You made VBS fun!
Sanctuary Renovation Update for July
You may have noticed already, but the pew refurbishing and the new pew cushions installation is complete! This is the first phase of the renovation and was completed the last week of June. If you were at worship on Sunday, June 29th, you have already had an opportunity to see the new blue color and try out the comfortable cushions!
We know you are wondering why some pews were left untouched. The simple answer is that these pews will be removed when the carpet is installed. It will look a bit odd for a brief time, but the pews will eventually be arranged in a way that allows for additional wheelchair seating toward the front and back of the sanctuary.
The next phase will involve carpentry work beginning in the narthex. This work will likely begin mid-August. We will keep you updated as the project progresses!
Midweek Bible Study Returns
Our Midweek Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd beginning at 9:30 AM in the church office conference room. Our topic for study will be Recognizing Jesus in the Old Testament. This seven week study is for anyone who desires to learn more of how the Son of God is revealed to us through the books of the Old Testament. There are no special materials required. Just bring along your Bible and a desire to have a healthy and faithful conversation centered on the revelation of Jesus through the writings of Moses, the Psalms and prophets.
On Sunday June 29th, our St. Jacob’s Youth from grades 6 and higher will be leading us in worship. We are grateful for the many wonderful and talented kids we have in our church family. Please plan on attending and offer your prayers of support for our youth as they grow in faith and service to the greater church.
Our youth meet again on Sunday, June 22nd from 5:00—7:00 PM. Supper will be provided. We will enjoy games, and plan worship for the following Sunday, June 29th. We will also explore how God can use even the hard times in our lives for His good. Come enjoy an evening with your friends and bring a guest.
