Beliefs

ABOUT US: What We Believe
St. Paul Lutheran Chruch believes in the Triune God. We are part of God’s
unfolding plan. When we gather for worship, we connect with believers everywhere
and of every time. When we study the Bible and pray, we are drawn
more deeply into God’s own saving story. When we serve others and address
social issues that affect the common good, we live out our Christian faith.

St. Paul holds true to the basic theological teachings of Martin Luther, such
as Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. We are saved by the
grace of God alone -- not by anything we do; Our salvation is through faith
alone -- a confident trust in God, who in Christ promises us forgiveness, life
and salvation; and The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the true standard
by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.

At St. Paul, we exist to fulfill our mission of proclaiming God’s love by building families, relationships, and community.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lutherans are one branch of the protestant faith founded by Martin Luther in Germany in the Sixteenth Century. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed over 20 years ago. This new church was formed from three separate and well-established North American church bodies: the American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.

Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Two decades later, this energized church is composed of 4.8 million members and nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S. and Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.

For more information on the ELCA, visit their website at www.elca.org.

A Brief History of St. Paul Lutheran Church

In March of 1876, out of a desire to worship as they had in their native Germany and to educate their children in the Lutheran faith, a group of 125 men and their families voted to begin St. Paul Lutheran Church. They immediately began a Christian school for first through eighth grades. With an amazing amount of dedication and sacrifice of time and resources, the church was built by December of that same year.

FAQs
What worship opportunities are available at St. Paul?
5:00 P.M. Saturday traditional and relaxed
8:00 A.M. Sunday traditional
10:15 A.M. Sunday contemporary

Can I receive communion at St. Paul?
We invite all who are baptized, regardless of church membership, to commune with us. We believe that salvation comes through belief in Jesus Christ and that His body and blood are truly present in the bread and wine. Grape juice is available for those who may be sensitive to wine. Children who do not yet commune are invited to come forward for a special blessing.

Do I have to be a member to participate in church activities?
No. We invite and encourage you to participate in any activity that interests you. It is through your involvement that you will become more aware of the gifts that God has given you and discover ways in which He has called you to use them.

How do I become a member of St. Paul?
The Pastor meets with individuals at a time convenient for all. These meetings are opportunities for you to ask questions and explore what it means to be a Lutheran Christian. There are no tests! People wishing to transfer membership from another congregation to St. Paul may request a transfer from their current congregation. New members are received into our congregation during regular worship services.

What educational opportunities are available for adults at St. Paul?
We invite you to make suggestions regarding your educational needs. We are open to beginning new Bible studies, book studies, or discussion groups on topics of interest. There are currently two or three adult Sunday school classes.

What are the various ways St Paul communicates to its members?
St. Paul distributes a monthly newsletter, Good News, to all of its members. Additionally, St. Paul services are broadcast on radio station WEFM 95.9 FM on Sunday mornings at 11:00 am, and televised locally on Comcast cable channel 97 on Sundays at 4:00 pm and Fridays at 7:00 pm. Weekly gospels and sermons are available online at stpaul.podomatic.com. You can also hear a weekly message from our pastor by calling 219-873-2831 and selecting "1."