Grace and Peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

            “We, who are many, are one body in Christ.”  Roman 12:5

One of the most beloved television shows of all time also had one of the most beloved theme songs. 

            Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot.  Wouldn’t you like to get away?  Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.  And they’re always glad you came.  You want to go where you can see our troubles are all the same.  You want to be where everybody knows your name.  You want to go where people know people are all the same.  You want to go where everybody knows your name.

            The theme from “Cheers” rings true in our lives.  We want to be known.  We want to be a part of something.  We want to see that the troubles we face are not all together different from the troubles others face.  And it certainly is nice to be able to escape from our worries for a little while—or at least be refreshed and renewed in spirit to know that our worries won’t over take us. 

            Welcome to St. Paul Lutheran Church.  It is here, in this community, that we are known.  We are reminded each week that God knows us, calls us by name, and claims us.  We are God’s children, the sheep of His pasture.  We gather each week in worship, and at various other times during the week, to celebrate this fact, to be reminded of who and whose we are, and to encourage one another in daily life.  We celebrate the truth that God is active, alive and in our midst.  That no matter how bad things get, no matter how overwhelmed we feel, no matter what diseases knock on our door, no matter what terror strikes at our soul, and even when we don’t feel His presence… God is here!  And He has not left us.

            Here at St. Paul you are not only known by God, but also by God’s people.  We are a Christian community.  We share in each other’s successes, burdens, joys and sorrows.  Our God is one who desires a relationship with us and so we are called into relationship with each other.  It is our life together, the connections we make with one another, which allows us to see God and to peer into His character. “We, who are many, are one body in Christ.”  Roman 12:5 

Please, come and join us Sunday morning.  Our service begins at 10:00 during the summer months with Sunday School beginning at 8:45.  We would love to see you, meet you, and get to know you so that St. Paul might become a place where you feel known.

                        Blessings and Peace,

                             Past Pastor of St. Paul May 2008

                                    Pastor Scott M. Ness