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Member Testimonials

Stories and Testimonials of the amazing members and staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Our Stories

As a continuously expanding Church, we have many people that help us achieve our goals and unite us together as a family. Here are some of their incredible stories and involvement at St. Paul Lutheran Church, written by

Communications Coordinator, Aimee Wilson.

Our Testimonials

Andy Montgomery, St. Paul Lutheran School

In February, a Call Committee was formed to identify and select a candidate to serve as Principal of St. Paul Lutheran School. In April, Andy Montgomery accepted the Call to serve as Principal of St. Paul Lutheran School.


β€œπ·π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘£π‘–π‘’π‘€ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘ , 𝑖𝑑 π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘–π‘›π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘π‘–π‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑠𝑒𝑒 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ β„Žπ‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ 𝑆𝑑. π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘’π‘™. π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘’π‘’ π‘Žπ‘ π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ π‘žπ‘’π‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘  π‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘–π‘šπ‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘¦ π‘€π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘”π‘œ. πΏπ‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘£π‘–π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ 𝑆𝑑. π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘’π‘™ πΆβ„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘†π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™ π‘π‘–π‘žπ‘’π‘’π‘‘ π‘šπ‘¦ π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘ π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘£π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘  π‘ƒπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘π‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘™.”


Andy, his wife, Jenny, and their three sons flew down in March, spent the weekend worshiping and meeting with the members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and toured St. Paul Lutheran School on Monday.


β€œπΌ π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ π‘šπ‘’π‘’π‘‘ πΉπ‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘‘π‘¦, π‘†π‘‘π‘Žπ‘“π‘“, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑠𝑑𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘¦ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™ 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑑 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ π‘šπ‘’π‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘“π‘’π‘™ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘›π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘ . 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑑 π‘Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 π‘œπ‘“ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘π‘’ β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’.”


Andy has twelve years of experience in education, most recently serving as Principal at Trinity Lutheran School in a suburb of Chicago. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University and a Masters in Educational Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.


With such a heavy decision to make, Andy turned to prayer for guidance about his and his family’s future, and everything seemed to fall right into place.


β€œπ‘Šπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘ π‘˜π‘’π‘‘ πΊπ‘œπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ 𝑒𝑠 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘ . β€˜πΊπ‘œπ‘‘, 𝑀𝑒 π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘”π‘œπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ π‘šπ‘œπ‘£π‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘’π‘› β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘Žπ‘€π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘£π‘’ π‘Ž 𝑛𝑒𝑀 π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑀𝑒 π‘˜π‘›π‘œπ‘€ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘”π‘œπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘šπ‘œπ‘£π‘’.’ π‘‡π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦, π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘€β„Žπ‘œπ‘™π‘’ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘€π‘Žπ‘  𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑑 π‘ π‘’π‘β„Ž π‘Ž 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑀𝑒 π‘ π‘Žπ‘€ πΊπ‘œπ‘‘β€™π‘  β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘ π‘œ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘¦ π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦π‘ .” 


The Montgomerys accepted an offer on their home in Chicago within three days of it being placed on the market. A few days later, their offer on a house in Texas was accepted. In June, they moved to the Fort Worth area.


β€œπ‘Šβ„Žπ‘–π‘™π‘’ π‘”π‘œπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘ , π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘€π‘Žπ‘ π‘›β€™π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘‘π‘œπ‘’π‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘šπ‘¦ π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ πΊπ‘œπ‘‘ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘ , π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑀𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑑 π‘Žπ‘› π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘π‘’.” 


Right now, the Montgomery family is settling into their new home and adjusting to the new responsibilities here. They are exploring all that Fort Worth has to offer, like the Fort Worth Zoo and Buc-ee’s, and learning about Texas culture. Andy’s three sons are enrolled at St. Paul Lutheran School and are excited about new friendships and learning experiences. Andy is enthusiastic about serving as Principal at St. Paul Lutheran School.


β€œπ‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘§π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ πΏπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘› π‘†π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™π‘  𝑖𝑠 π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘šπ‘–π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘› 𝑖𝑠 π‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™ π‘¦π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ. πΆβ„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž 𝑖𝑠 π‘œπ‘›π‘™π‘¦ π‘œπ‘›π‘’ β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Ž π‘€π‘’π‘’π‘˜, π‘€β„Žπ‘–π‘™π‘’ 𝑀𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’ π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘  π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ 𝑠𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘Ž π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦. π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘œπ‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘’π‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘–π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘  𝑠𝑑𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘€ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘ π‘Žπ‘“π‘’ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€π‘’π‘™π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘’π‘›π‘£π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘›π‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑑 π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘šπ‘’ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘—π‘œπ‘¦.” 


Andy also appreciates the great relationship that St. Paul Lutheran Church has with the school, and how often the two come together for events, fellowship, and Worship.


β€œπΌπ‘‘β€™π‘  π‘Žπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘§π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ 𝑠𝑒𝑒 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘œπ‘“ 𝑆𝑑. π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘’π‘™ πΏπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘› πΆβ„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™, π‘‘π‘œπ‘œ, π‘€β„Žπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž 𝑖𝑑𝑠 π‘£π‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘’π‘Ÿ β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘“π‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘™ π‘ π‘’π‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘.” 


The Montgomery’s plan to attend both Summit and St. Paul throughout the school year.


β€œπ΄π‘  π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ƒπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘π‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘™, 𝐼 π‘Žπ‘š π‘™π‘œπ‘œπ‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘€π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘Žπ‘‘π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘€π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘ π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘π‘œπ‘‘β„Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘šπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘’π‘  π‘€β„Žπ‘–π‘™π‘’ 𝑀𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘‘π‘œ π‘˜π‘›π‘œπ‘€ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘œπ‘™ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦.” 


Andy is eager to help support each student in their growth and knowledge of the Gospel.


β€œπ‘Šπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘™π‘¦ 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 π‘‘π‘œ 𝑏𝑒 π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ π‘–π‘›π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’ πΆβ„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘’π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑠𝑑𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 π‘™π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘›.”

Written by Aimee Wilson on 8/20/24
Judith Droguett, Women's Ministry, 2024

Judith Droguett has been an active member at St. Paul since she was a girl, growing up around both St. Paul Lutheran Church and School. She has volunteered in many areas around St. Paul, extending now to help grow Women’s Ministry opportunities with a dedicated team.


β€œπ‘Šπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘›β€™π‘  π‘€π‘–π‘›π‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦ 𝑖𝑠 π‘–π‘šπ‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘π‘’π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’ π‘€π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 [π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒] π‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘‘π‘–π‘šπ‘’, π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘›β€™π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“π‘‘π‘’π‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘Žπ‘›π‘¦π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘π‘Žπ‘π‘˜. π‘Šπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘›β€™π‘  π‘€π‘–π‘›π‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦ 𝑖𝑠 π‘Ž π‘ π‘Žπ‘“π‘’ π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘π‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘π‘Žπ‘π‘˜.”


Women’s Ministries has often held luncheons, bible studies, and the annual Christmas by Candlelight in the past, but Judith, together with a leadership team, has bigger plans for the group. Judith is passionate about facilitating opportunities for women to find one another to help them through life’s hardships together.


β€œπ‘Šπ‘’ 𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑑 π‘€π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 π‘€π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘œπ‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘™ π‘œπ‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘–π‘’π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑖𝑑'𝑠 π‘œπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘€β„Žπ‘œ πΊπ‘œπ‘‘ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’, 'π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’ πΊπ‘œπ‘‘ 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑛’𝑑 π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘’ 𝑒𝑠 π‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘Žπ‘šπ‘’.”


Judith and her family have always volunteered around St. Paul in various ways and have been encouraged by one another to see it as their place of community.


β€œπ‘Šβ„Žπ‘’π‘› 𝐼 π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘”π‘’π‘Ÿ, π‘šπ‘¦ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘šπ‘’π‘› π‘€β„Žπ‘œ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑆𝑑. π‘ƒπ‘Žπ‘’π‘™ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘šπ‘œπ‘€ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘™π‘Žπ‘€π‘›π‘ ; π‘šπ‘¦ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘šπ‘œπ‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘™π‘œπ‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘¦π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘. 𝐼 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑛'𝑑 π‘€π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘šπ‘¦ π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘  π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘”π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘β„Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘ π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘£π‘’π‘‘ 𝑏𝑒𝑑 π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘€β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘”π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘£π‘’. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 π‘ π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘β€™π‘  π‘€β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘šπ‘¦ π‘“π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘’π‘’π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ.’


β€˜π‘Šπ‘’ [π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›] 𝑑𝑖𝑑 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘–π‘‘π‘β„Ž 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘π‘œπ‘”π‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ β„Žπ‘’π‘™π‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘‘. πΈπ‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž π‘£π‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘ π‘š π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘€π‘Žπ‘  π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘’π‘›π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘”π‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ. 𝐡𝑦 π‘‘π‘œπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘ π‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘ , π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘šπ‘’π‘‘ π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘π‘™π‘’.”


Judith hopes Women’s Ministries is another place women can go to volunteer and connect with others at St. Paul. If you have any ideas or interests regarding Women’s Ministries, Judith has volunteered to be the central point of contact for ongoing Women’s Ministry activities. All are welcome to help build a future for women at St. Paul!

Written by Aimee Wilson on 6/30/24
Katherine Lutz, Middle School Ministry, 2024.

Easter Sunday is a busy day, requiring the dedication of numerous employees, volunteers, and caring hearts to help orchestrate a beautiful day of celebration. This Easter, Katherine Lutz was encouraged by some extra special young volunteers who saw a need and jumped in to fill it. 


β€œAs I was preparing and taking hospitality items back and forth between the two welcome areas, many St. Paul youth from ages 5-17 jumped in and offered to help. At one point, I had as many as 9 helpers preparing tables of treats & drinks!”


Katherine is excited that there is a community of young people who have willing, servant hearts. She is thankful to be a part of the Grow Team’s ongoing efforts to nurture and encourage the faith of children, youth and young adults at St. Paul.


β€œWhile it may take a little extra time to bring along friends, it is a joy to serve alongside the next generation sharing in stories and laughs along the way.”

Written by Aimee Wilson on 3/17/24
Caye Young, 2024

St. Paul is full of many hard workers that tirelessly put in endless, and selfless effort to make our weeks function smoothly and prepare for Sunday. One of these people is Caye Young, who works during the week at our Welcome Desk, greeting people into our Church with a warm grace.


β€œI love working here. I love the people. I love the place. I love everything about it. But my favorite part is the kids and seeing them every day.”


Caye had been retired for ten years when she made an interest in picking up a new job a few years ago.


β€œI mentioned to a friend that I wanted to go back to work because I was bored, and she said, β€˜I think I might have something you would be interested in coming up,’ and it turned out they hired me on.”


Our Welcome Desk Greeter is the one who is in charge of being the first face most see when they enter into our space, and sometimes that can come with difficulties.


β€œIt can be challenging if you have a lot of parents in at once and if you have a lot of things that need to be done at one time. Because you’re answering the phone, you’re letting parents and mailmen in, you’re talking to people. So yeah, you have to juggle it a little bit, but I actually like those times.”


Caye is one of two Welcome Desk Greeters that work throughout the week, faithfully presenting the church as the warm and inviting place we all know it to be.


β€œIt is comforting to me to be working here. This is a wonderful place to be. You- or at least I do- just feel connected to the people here. Ever since the first day I said this is where I want to be.” 

Written by Aimee Wilson on 2/26/24
Troy Miklos, Care Pastor, 2024

St. Paul recently sent a small team to serve in a children’s home in Belize, led by SEND Director and deaconess Rachel Fruge. The team returned on the 19th, full of stories from their time there, touched by all the opportunities they were given to serve. No one knows that better than St. Paul’s Care Pastor, Troy Miklos who was part of the mission crew.


β€œMy favorite part of the trip was watching how all the ladies interacted with the kids. Because so many of these children came into this home wounded [by men], we stayed back. The ladies chased the kids around on bicycles, taught them line-dancing on the basketball court, and even led VBS during the kid’s evening devotion time. These kids were so excited to have adults pay attention to them and we were so happy to help them.”


The team did a lot of manual work while they were there, including tearing down an old water tank, rebuilding a rotted fence, painting the interior of the girl’s house, and plumbing.


β€œThe plumbing was horrible in the boy’s home. Some drainpipes sloped uphill instead of down, with small pipes that just didn’t work. Whenever anyone showered, water would back up. We basically had to reconnect all the grey water and pipes underneath the boy’s home so it wouldn’t flood the bathrooms. We almost didn’t get it done.”

Troy remembers the time when they were one part away from finishing their plumbing project just one day before they were scheduled to leave.


β€œWe were short one pipe on our last day, and stores there don’t have reliable supplies, so we needed to see what we could find at the home to use. We were looking everywhere with no luck. I was just asking, β€˜c’mon God, throw me a bone here!’ I ended up in an old barn where they used to raise pigs. I was walking sty to sty looking for this part. In the fourth sty, the only thing in there was a PVC pipe with the elbow we needed. A perfect find! So [with that], we were able to make it work and finish the job!”


The most influential part of the entire trip was the lasting impressions the team left with the children.


β€œFor most of these kids, being placed in this home is the first time they will truly meet Jesus. Us coming here was a real opportunity to do some deeper good for a place that could really benefit from it.” 

Written by Aimee Wilson on 1/25/24
Sarah Davis, Youth Ministry, 2023

Before October 31st comes, and our families head out for trick-or-treating, we would like to highlight a special member of our staff. Sarah Davis, who works with Kid’s Ministry, is leading the Light the Night project boxes intended to pass out on Halloween amongst neighbors.


β€œA big shift I want to make in Kid’s Ministry is less internally focused events and more sending out. Rachel Fruge and I had the idea of making these physical boxes to send out as a way to show love to your neighborhood. I think most people think it's more complicated than it really is to connect with a neighbor. You can just gather through natural events, like Halloween, to meet with people and utilize that foundation for sharing Jesus. And that’s where our idea for the boxes comes in.”


β€œThe boxes are an idea box and have some super basic, fun ideas you can do with your family to engage with your neighbors. There are things like a hot chocolate stand that you can make with your family that you then could extend and share to your neighbors. There is a photobooth too and if you’re feeling generous, there are full size chocolate bars you can hand out to trick-or-treaters. These boxes are a way to show generosity and engagement with those around you that you typically don’t interact with much. There are just so many ways and opportunities in these boxes that you can show love to your neighbors.”


While the boxes do work alongside the Children’s Ministry, the boxes aren’t just for families with kids, but extend to anyone looking to engage with a neighbor on Halloween.


β€œMost people have trick or treaters coming by their home and neighbors to engage with. So, the boxes could also be for empty nesters trying to get to know their neighbors, or even those with older children. While it feels like a natural family thing to do because a lot of families live in a neighborhood with a lot of other young families, the boxes aren’t only for them to use.β€œ


Sarah has big goals for these boxes, and ideas for ways to move forward with this type of project.


β€œI want to explore different holidays and natural gathering times in the future. I just want to explore different ways for people in your neighborhood or community to come together that aren’t stressful but can be fun and inviting. Teaching people how to use everyday moments and things their already busy with in life to make missional is my hope and goal moving forward.”


We encourage all to find a way to connect with a neighbor on Halloween night! 

Written by Aimee Wilson on 10/25/23
St. Paul Lutheran Church (LCMS)
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