Sunday, March 25, 2001
|
Sunday, March 25, 2001 |
|
St. Paul's mission remains education-oriented By CAROLYN CARY
The St. Paul Lutheran Church has grown from five members in June 1995 to over 200, but the purpose of those first five has not changed. It was agreed by them, none of whom had school aged children at the time, that establishing a Christian school should be accomplished before building a sanctuary for worship. The church has written, "God, as it turns out, agreed with that plan." In 1997 the school came into being and was housed in seven trailers. A strong belief in the importance of the school is shown by students and teachers who moved into a new $5 million complex in 1999. The principal since 1997 is Gordon S. Stuckert, who has just accepted a post in Ohio. A search is currently underway for a replacement. The church members are busy with getting the youth ready for the National Lutheran Youth Gathering, to be in New Orleans in July. The youngsters will be among 30,000 who will be busy in Bible study and service projects such as helping with construction. A number of Bible study groups are available: at 9:45 a.m. Sundays, Mondays at 7:15 p.m., Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., a women's group meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Sunday afternoons several groups meet in various homes. The pastor is the Rev. Ron Janssen, who has been with the congregation since its inception in 1995. Born and reared in Illinois, he holds a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in Indiana. He has served in Illinois for 12 years and in Riverdale for 12 years, before helping start St. Paul's. The church is at 700 Ardenlee Parkway at the corner of Ga. Highway 74. It is across the road from the Kedron Kroger shopping center. Services are Sunday mornings with a contemporary service at 8:30 a.m. and a regular service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. The church can be reached at 770-487-0339 and the school can be reached at 770-486-3545.
|
||