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Up and Going

Posted March 5, 2026 By admin

Eighteen members and guests gathered on February 12th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a delicious covered dish meal, the variety of food was amazing and so delicious. Good food, much conversation and laughter were shared. Helen offered the blessing for the meal.

After the meal, Helen gave the devotions from Our Daily Bread, entitled “O Love, How Deep” with Bible reading from Romans 5:19. Devotions ended with everyone praying together The Lord’s Prayer.

A short business session was held, and prayer concerns and praise items were discussed. A card with everyone ‘s personal greetings was prepared to be sent to Ramonia.

Next on our agenda was to make 150 bows for use on the Hospice Easter Bags. We will make the Hospice Easter Bags at our March meeting. Thank you members for making the beautiful bows. You are amazingly talented.

The March meeting will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12th . The location will be announced at a later date. Please hold this open so you can be here to help with our Bag project. Please remember to bring candy, individually wrapped, small packs of peanuts/trail mix etc. on Sunday, March 8th at our meeting after Service, so we can determine any additional supplies needed. You can also give candy to Helen Lindler or Ann Lindler or put them in the designated box in the Fellowship Hall.

The Congregation is invited to participate in the Hospice Easter Bags by contributing candies or nuts, etc. If you would like to help make bags, just come to the March meeting. Lunch will be provided.

Helen

Team Leader for Up and Going

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Up and Going

CMR Youth Spring Retreat

Posted February 27, 2026 By admin

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***

Filed in Bible Study, Carolinas Mission Region, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Outreach, South Carolina Mission District

Pastoral Devotion for March – Welcome the Children

Posted February 27, 2026 By admin

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.

Filed in Bible Study, Fellowship, LCY, Lutheran Church Youth, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor, Sunday School

Congo Mission Trip 2026

Posted February 19, 2026 By admin

As you all know, I have had to cancel my previous two mission trips to Congo, first due to health reasons, then last year due to political reasons. In that time, my partner Pastor Stephane Kalonji has journeyed to Congo without assistance from another pastor and carried out the mission work we began twelve years ago. I have truly missed being a part of this important ministry of the Gospel. The good news this year is that we are scheduled to make our annual trip together for the first time in a while. Pastor Kalonji and I are both eager to see the progress made in the construction of the church building we established in 2023. My mission trip to the Congo this summer is scheduled for July 7th – 23rd. On Monday, July 6th , I will fly to Houston, TX to meet Pastor Kalonji; and the next day we will begin the long journey to Africa.
I am thankful to everyone who continues to support this mission work for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and covet your continued support and prayers. Prior to making this trip I will host one or two fundraising opportunities. Our budget for the trip this summer is $27,000.00. Somehow, by the grace of God, we manage each year to raise enough money to do this important work. Yet it gets more difficult as the years go by. Please consider how you might support the Congo Mission and become a partner with us. Donations may be made through our church offering and designated as “Congo Mission Trip.”

Filed in Missions, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

St. Jacob’s 250th Year-long Celebration

Posted February 14, 2026 By admin

What a joy it was to kick off our year of celebration. On Sunday, January 18th , we welcomed former St. Jacob’s member Pastor Dawn Rister and her family as our initial Anniversary Year guest preacher. We are grateful for her time with us and for the fellowship we shared. The 250th Anniversary Celebration will continue throughout the year as we welcome several guest preachers and share memories of our history within the community of the Dutch Fork. Please make sure to attend each of these special occasions and invite your friends and neighbors to join us. The schedule of the remaining events during this year of celebration is listed below.
• February 15th – Congregational Outreach Event to support NALC Disaster Response.
• March 15th – Guest preacher Rev. Henry Pawluk; congregational dinner following worship.
• April 19th – Decades Day; worshipers dress from past eras and use a historic liturgy from our collective past.
• May 17th – Guest preacher Rev. Marty Ramey; congregational dinner following worship.
• June – Vacation Bible School
• July 19th – Guest preacher Rev. Randy Drafts; congregational dinner following worship.
• August 16th – Guest preacher Rev. David Tholstrup (former SCMD Dean), congregational dinner following worship.
• September 20th – Congregational Outreach Event; blankets for residents at Generations.
• October 25th – Homecoming and Anniversary Sunday, guest preacher NALC Presiding Bishop Dan Selbo; special catered congregational dinner following worship.
• November TBD – Golden Agers Recognition and Celebration.
We give thanks to God for the long history of our congregation, and especially for the life and witness of so many who have been a part of our proclamation and now take their rest in Christ. Thanks be to God for the life we share together.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Pastoral Devotion for January – Bearing Witness to Love

Posted January 4, 2026 By admin

Read John 10:19-42
There is an old saying that suggests actions speak louder than words. When people say “I love you,” the evidence is not in their spoken words, but their acts of kindness. Absent of any display of affection or selfless deeds saying to someone “I love you” is simply an empty exchange of words.
As Jesus lived among God’s people, he proclaimed the fullness of God’s love. However, it is through his many signs and wonders that our Lord makes the Father’s love known in real and visible ways. Foretold by the prophets of long ago, Jesus’s teaching and his miraculous works point to him as God’s Messiah. Still, the Pharisees and scribes would have none of this.
“How long will you keep us in suspense?” “Why do you not tell us plainly?” Jesus had already given the answer, but they refused to believe, even as they’ve
seen the evidence with their own eyes. Such hardened hearts are not capable of belief because they do not understand love.
Our works and good deeds contribute nothing towards our salvation. Yet, as believers in Christ Jesus, our works do bear witness to the love God has for his people. Jesus calls us to a life of love for God and neighbor. When one says “I love God” or “I love my neighbor,” he can only be believed when his actions match his words. Without such works, saying “I love God and neighbor” is yet one more empty exchange.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, make our actions towards others match our words of love, that all may come to see your goodness and mercy. Amen.

Filed in Bible Study, Other Happenings, Outreach, Pastor

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Posted November 21, 2025 By admin

It’s hard to believe but the time is quickly approaching for our Thanksgiving Eve worship service. Our service will begin at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 26th in the church nave. With Pastor David away, we will have a lay distribution of Holy Communion, sharing elements held in reserve from our most recent celebration of the sacrament.

Following our service, we will once more prepare pound cake slices to be included in the community Thanksgiving meal sponsored by The Hub. Please come and join us for worship and for an opportunity to serve our neighbors.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Christ the King Sunday

Posted November 15, 2025 By admin

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 type of 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 the power and consequences of sin, death, and the devil. Thus, the King of the Jews, and of all people, does not rule over a kingdom of this world. He rules over the universe and God’s kingdom of glory forever and ever. Christ the King Sunday is the final Sunday 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 23rd.

Filed in Fellowship, Other Happenings, Outreach, Worship and Music, Worship Service

Lutheran Women

Posted November 5, 2025 By admin

Fundraiser
The Lutheran Women would like to thank everyone for their generous support of our spaghetti meal fundraiser for Andy. It was a huge success.

Rada Knives and Happy Home Flavorings
The Lutheran Women are selling Rada knives and Happy Home flavorings. Now is a good time to place an order as these make great Christmas gifts! To place an order please contact.

Community Projects
The Lutheran Women donated 180 pounds of food to We Care and provided men’s toiletries to the NALC Women’s Project.

Filed in Fellowship, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings, Outreach

Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat

Posted November 1, 2025 By admin

The Lutheran Women would like to thank all volunteers that came out to support our fall festival. This year’s fall festival was well attended, and a great time was had by all! Everyone especially enjoyed the halloweenies!

Filed in Fellowship, Lutheran Women, Other Happenings, Outreach
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