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What can I expect visiting St. Paul?
Worship lasts about one hour and includes congregational singing, prayers, hearing from Scripture, a 10-15 minute sermon, and Holy Communion. All those who are Baptized & Believe are welcome to join us in receiving Holy Communion. Watch a worship service: click here.
What we believe:
ABOUT GOD:
We confess the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who create, restore, and sustain all things. We proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in faith.
ABOUT FAITH:
Faith is the relationship the Holy Spirit creates with us. It's a relationship where God's promise of steadfast love and mercy in Jesus opens us to a life of bold trust in God and joyful, generous service to everyone we know and meet in daily life.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE:
We accept the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God. Despite the diversity of viewpoints and the complexity of the many narratives contained in the Scriptures, we believe that the story of God's steadfast love and mercy in Jesus is the heart and center of what the Scriptures have to say.
ABOUT BAPTISM:
We believe that Baptism is a gift of God that welcomes us into God's family and changes us. In Baptism we are joined to Christ's death and Resurrection. We recognize all Baptisms that have occurred in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Children and Adults who have never been Baptized should be and we are ready to help you begin your Baptismal journey.
ABOUT HOLY COMMUNION/EUCHARIST/THE LORD'S SUPPER:
It goes by many names but for us it is all the same: a promise God makes to the Church to join us. We believe that in the Sacrament the crucified and risen Christ is Present, giving his true body and blood as food and drink. Communicants receive not only bread and wine, but also the same body and blood of Christ that was given for us on the cross. This real presence is a mystery.
ABOUT CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS:
Often called the third Sacrament, we regularly confess our sin together in worship and hear the words of Christ's forgiveness declared. God seeks us in our sin and will forgive you! While individual (private) confession is not mandatory, it is available and encouraged.
ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER:
Dr. Martin Luther was a German theologian, priest, monk, and professor who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time. On October 31st 1517, he presented a his theological challenge to these practices and beliefs known as the "95 Theses". His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible. The ensuing Protestant Reformation created an unfortunate but necessary split among the Christian Church in Europe which has forever shaped global Christianity. Today the Lutheran Church continues to serve God and spread the Gospel in line with Luther's beliefs and those confessional documents contained in the Book of Concord: read here.
ABOUT OUR DENOMINATION AND SYNOD:
St. Paul Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is the largest Lutheran Church body in the United States. It is through the ELCA that we are able to unite with other churches across the nation to support those in need and gain support for our congregations. You can find more information about the ELCA and their mission at www.elca.org. As part of the ELCA we are part of the local West Virginia - Western Maryland Synod. The Synod (like a Diocese or Conference) is headed by our elected Bishop and provides support and care for congregations and pastors while organizing larger events across our region. You can find more information about the synod at www.wv-wmd.org.
ABOUT JOINING ST PAUL:
All are welcome to become members of St. Paul, regardless of background. If you are interested in joining St. Paul or just learning more, contact Pastor Tony. You can also just worship with us without becoming Lutheran or becoming a member of St. Paul for as long as you choose - you are welcome here!
In our community:
Worship lasts about one hour and includes congregational singing, prayers, hearing from Scripture, a 10-15 minute sermon, and Holy Communion. All those who are Baptized & Believe are welcome to join us in receiving Holy Communion. Watch a worship service: click here.
What we believe:
ABOUT GOD:
We confess the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who create, restore, and sustain all things. We proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in faith.
ABOUT FAITH:
Faith is the relationship the Holy Spirit creates with us. It's a relationship where God's promise of steadfast love and mercy in Jesus opens us to a life of bold trust in God and joyful, generous service to everyone we know and meet in daily life.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE:
We accept the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God. Despite the diversity of viewpoints and the complexity of the many narratives contained in the Scriptures, we believe that the story of God's steadfast love and mercy in Jesus is the heart and center of what the Scriptures have to say.
ABOUT BAPTISM:
We believe that Baptism is a gift of God that welcomes us into God's family and changes us. In Baptism we are joined to Christ's death and Resurrection. We recognize all Baptisms that have occurred in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Children and Adults who have never been Baptized should be and we are ready to help you begin your Baptismal journey.
ABOUT HOLY COMMUNION/EUCHARIST/THE LORD'S SUPPER:
It goes by many names but for us it is all the same: a promise God makes to the Church to join us. We believe that in the Sacrament the crucified and risen Christ is Present, giving his true body and blood as food and drink. Communicants receive not only bread and wine, but also the same body and blood of Christ that was given for us on the cross. This real presence is a mystery.
ABOUT CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS:
Often called the third Sacrament, we regularly confess our sin together in worship and hear the words of Christ's forgiveness declared. God seeks us in our sin and will forgive you! While individual (private) confession is not mandatory, it is available and encouraged.
ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER:
Dr. Martin Luther was a German theologian, priest, monk, and professor who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time. On October 31st 1517, he presented a his theological challenge to these practices and beliefs known as the "95 Theses". His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible. The ensuing Protestant Reformation created an unfortunate but necessary split among the Christian Church in Europe which has forever shaped global Christianity. Today the Lutheran Church continues to serve God and spread the Gospel in line with Luther's beliefs and those confessional documents contained in the Book of Concord: read here.
ABOUT OUR DENOMINATION AND SYNOD:
St. Paul Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is the largest Lutheran Church body in the United States. It is through the ELCA that we are able to unite with other churches across the nation to support those in need and gain support for our congregations. You can find more information about the ELCA and their mission at www.elca.org. As part of the ELCA we are part of the local West Virginia - Western Maryland Synod. The Synod (like a Diocese or Conference) is headed by our elected Bishop and provides support and care for congregations and pastors while organizing larger events across our region. You can find more information about the synod at www.wv-wmd.org.
ABOUT JOINING ST PAUL:
All are welcome to become members of St. Paul, regardless of background. If you are interested in joining St. Paul or just learning more, contact Pastor Tony. You can also just worship with us without becoming Lutheran or becoming a member of St. Paul for as long as you choose - you are welcome here!
In our community:
- We gather and prepare holiday feast baskets for Rock Forge Food Pantry.
- We prepare and distribute a monthly meal downtown through the Circle of Friends.
- We do collections throughout the year for local charities and to respond to natural and person-driven disasters.
- We operate game-day parking in our lot and donate the money to organizations like the Pantry Plus, St. Ursula's, and Christian Help...see the Dominion Post Article Below :)
