ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1866, St. Paul Lutheran Church is a place where you will always be welcomed. By serving through relationships and love, St. Paul is a place where everyone can grow spiritually.

WHAT WE DO

Our mission is “To know and serve Christ by reaching out in love to all” and we believe in the importance of involving and experiencing God in all areas of your life. There are countless ways to grow in your involvement and your faith at St. Paul; regardless of where you are in your journey, there is a place for you here.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Members and first time guests alike, we invite you to get connected to the community. Whether you're attending service on a Sunday, dropping in on a small group meeting, or stopping by to chat with Pastor Dan, you can anticipate a positive, encouraging experience.

PASTOR SKILLMAN

"We love the God we cannot see by loving and serving our neighbor, who we can see."

Dear friends,

My heart and mind are typically filled with nostalgia through the holiday season. So many memories. I just can’t help but be a little sentimental. I know life never seems to live up to the picture on the Hallmark card, but somehow the passing of the years puts a rosy hue on holidays past. And I find myself filled with affection and longing for a simpler, happier time.

But one day, the holidays of 2021 will be the holidays of the past. And I will look on them fondly when that day comes. So, I find myself thinking, why not look on them fondly right now?

There are many things that I would like to be different this year. And it is a more difficult holiday season for me than many past ones have been. But it is far from the worst.

For example, we do not have the specter of a pandemic hanging over our heads anymore. It is true that the Coronavirus is still out there, and probably will be for the rest of our lives. But we now have a vaccine and some very strong treatments. So that means we’re able to gather together for worship pretty much how we did before the pandemic. Hallelujah.

We’ve experienced a number of deaths in the congregation this last year. My own family has experienced a death, with Rachel, my wife, recently losing her grandmother. Losses like that make it harder to celebrate. On the other hand, they are a reminder to make the most of the moments we have with the people we still have. So, even though we carry a certain deep sadness this year, we’re looking forward to celebrating with our family and friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ here at St. Paul.

Life is short and it goes by fast. Just recently, someone was talking about something that happened 30 years ago. I was sure they were referring to the 1970s. But then I remembered. Thirty years ago was the 1990s! Where has the time gone?

I think about the good old days, and long for them often. Especially in November and December. But you know what? One day, 10 years from now, if we're blessed to live that long, we’ll look back on the holiday season of 2021 as some of the good old days. So I’ve decided to just look at them that way now.

Sure I’m nostalgic for yesteryear. And I think I always will be. But this year I’ve decided to do something different. I’ve decided to be nostalgic for now. These are the good old days. Right now. And I’m not gonna wait ten years to see it. Maybe you’ll join me.

Happy holidays,

Pastor Dan