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Below is a powerful prayer that I grew up with. &nbsp;I was awoken from my sleep a few weeks ago with this prayer. &nbsp;I think God was telling me something in my sleep. &nbsp;While the words have changed over time, this is the version I grew up with. &nbsp;I implore you to pay attention to the words and it will reveal the power in the prayer. &nbsp; Soul of the Christ (“Amina Christi” ) Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ strengthen me. O good Jesus hear me. Within Your wounds, hide me. Separated from You let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. In the hour of death call me, that with Your Saints, I may praise You forever &amp; ever. AMEN&nbsp;Peace be with you,&nbsp;Pastor Dale Skurla Citation: Fox News, (2013, March 7), “President George Bush Shares Personal Stories”, http://www.foxnews.com/video/2209922188001&nbsp;

From The Pastor's Desk - Soul of the Christ (“Amina Christi” )

This is the sixth post in a new series in which we sat down with our staff members and asked them about their experiences at St. Paul, and what brought them here. Sally has been serving St. Paul Lutheran School for ten years! She has not only brought her love for teaching but also a strong dedication towards amplifying God’s love and teachings to our youth. &nbsp;The impact that makes, is exactly what we love to see from our SPLCS faculty sow into our community.&nbsp; &nbsp; – Pam Robinson, Principal<h2>Spotlight: Sally Niemann</h2><figure id="figure-fxeh3esapomhcaeyds"><img id="fxeh3esapomhcaeyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/4LgcNYI0LK1ps5glb2BMZY0Ze6VHzzhNF4CtJT8714BwSWRuO8LSKF2PDaC9a1pJ.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="50%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/4LgcNYI0LK1ps5glb2BMZY0Ze6VHzzhNF4CtJT8714BwSWRuO8LSKF2PDaC9a1pJ.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;"></figure>Hello, my name is Sarah Niemann (but everyone calls me Sally). &nbsp;Occasionally, I am known as “Bad Sally;” especially if I am seated next to Chyza in a staff meeting. I have been teaching at St. Paul Lutheran School since 2016. &nbsp;These past ten years have been filled with challenges, joyous moments, a few heartaches, and so many fabulous memories. &nbsp;After teaching in the public schools for many years, I was thankful to get the opportunity to teach in the parochial school connected to my church. &nbsp;I got my “foot in the door” when a part-time 1st grade teaching opportunity became available. &nbsp; It felt like coming home. I was thrilled to become the full-time 3rd/4th grade teacher the following year. &nbsp;Over the next few years, I also taught 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. &nbsp;The best part of teaching at St. Paul is that our focus is to keep Christ in the classroom at all times. &nbsp;Academics are important and our standards are high, but our focus is to guide students as they move forward with their personal relationship to God. &nbsp;It is a calling!Being afforded the opportunity to become a rostered teacher was a blessing. Throughout the Colloquy process, our congregation was supportive in every way possible, for which I will be forever thankful. &nbsp;My days in the classroom have always been wonderful because I love teaching. &nbsp;My days in St. Paul classrooms have been, and continue to be, daily blessings from God. &nbsp;In this building, I have had the chance to work in classrooms once occupied by such legends as Pam Floetke, Becky Denny, Becky Thomlinson, and Elmer Orlowski. &nbsp;There is a podium in my room which I inherited from Helen Genter. &nbsp;Resounding in these halls is the love and dedication to Christian education shown by these teachers and so many others since 1863. &nbsp; Being a small part of the oldest Lutheran school in Kansas is rewarding, to say the least. &nbsp;I am honored to be here.&nbsp;

Principally Speaking - Guiding Students with Their Personal Relationship to God

This is the fifth post in a new series in which we sat down with our staff members and asked them about their experiences at St. Paul, and what brought them here. Sally has been serving St. Paul Lutheran School for ten years! She has not only brought her love for teaching but also a strong dedication towards amplifying God’s love and teachings to our youth. &nbsp;The impact that makes, is exactly what we love to see from our SPLCS faculty sow into our community.&nbsp; &nbsp; – Pam Robinson, Principal<h2>Spotlight: Sally Niemann</h2><figure id="figure-fxeh3esapomhcaeyds"><img id="fxeh3esapomhcaeyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/13wKcVqC0wk1IcE3iixVGTjvHs12pWF7GpoKhlCw3mPexLCkKS1MmyFnJ5aFQhQP.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="50%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/13wKcVqC0wk1IcE3iixVGTjvHs12pWF7GpoKhlCw3mPexLCkKS1MmyFnJ5aFQhQP.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;"></figure>I am Shannon Manley and I teach the PreK 3 class. &nbsp;I came to St. Paul four years ago. &nbsp;I have been so blessed by the kindness of everyone here. &nbsp;After spending a few years teaching 2nd Grade (and continually seeing children with holes in their development), I knew that I wanted to get back to teaching preschoolers. It is where I believe I can make the most impact — at the beginning of the educational journey, helping students develop a solid foundation for future academic success. &nbsp;I love teaching PreK. &nbsp;I love helping children develop confidence and a sense of independence. &nbsp;I love seeing them light up when they learn something new. &nbsp;I love watching them shine with the light of faith when they hear a new Bible story for the first time. &nbsp;I am grateful every day that I get to wake up and teach at St. Paul.&nbsp;

Principally Speaking - Shifting to Guide Development from the Start

Throughout Christendom there are many practices associated with the season of Lent. One is fasting, another is 'giving up something for Lent'. While these can be worthwhile activities that can help put life matters into perspective, it seems that a proper reason for the season of Lent is to recognize real forgiveness. Throughout Lent, the lectionary lessons point to Christ. The cross and the pain and suffering, of Christ during Holy Week culminating in His joyous resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. But the entire purpose of this annual journey with Christ is the reason He went through all this suffering. Yes, He came to earth in much the same manner as we all did. He grew up as we have done. He pointed us to His Father in heaven who sent Christ to earth. It is this relationship &amp; reason with which we struggle to recognize as we walk this earth. Then Jesus suffered, died &amp; rose from the dead in four short days from Thursday through Sunday. These are four days that end Christ's earthly life with our salvation. But what really is our salvation? Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:7, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. " All of Lent points to the forgiveness of sin. First, we see the Father's forgiveness in sending Jesus to earth. Second, we should see the seriousness of sin through the suffering of Christ. Third, we are shown the obedience of Christ as an example for us to emulate. Fourth, we see the first fruits of our promised resurrection in Christ's own resurrection. Throughout the remainder of this season, I encourage all of us to recognize our own forgiveness from Christ &amp; then do the same with &amp; for others. Forgive one another for Christ's sake. That is what we pray in the Lord's Prayer: Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us. As God forgave us, so we are to forgive others. It was tough for Christ on the cross &amp; it can be tough for us as we walk this earth. But the blessings of forgiveness are boundless. Just as Christ opened the gates of Heaven for us, by our forgiveness of others we release the barriers that divide us &amp; open the doors to peace. To God Him and only be the glory,&nbsp;Pastor Dale Skurla

From The Pastor's Desk - The Reason for Lent

This is the fourth post in a new series in which we sat down with our staff members and asked them about their experiences at St. Paul, and what brought them here. Susan has been able to nourish the hearts and minds of our young children and making a difference to help magnify God’s work and word for over three decades! The blessing of witnessing that “child-like” faith and watching her students’ faith grow is paramount to what we do here.&nbsp;&nbsp; – Pam Robinson, Principal<h2>Spotlight: Susan Wells</h2><figure id="figure-fxeh3esapomhcaeyds"><img id="fxeh3esapomhcaeyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21fCaUVB0Ds0SIir4BlH19FeDExVUT9TyvgxTdOSQhZPaO6zWMX5lLU0SfejQcB2.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="50%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>I am Susan Wells and I teach the PreK 4 class. &nbsp;I have taught here at St. Paul Lutheran School for 38 years! &nbsp; I have taught both in the Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms. I have a love for this age group and feel that this is where my talent lies. I came to St. Paul right out of college and felt that God truly called me to be here. &nbsp;My two children were students here at St. Paul and I feel received a wonderful Christian education. &nbsp; Both of my daughters are teachers themselves, and I love seeing how their teachers from St. Paul influenced them in their lives. I enjoy introducing children to Christ and seeing their faith grow through out the time in my classroom. &nbsp;Being able to share my best friend – Jesus with them, is such a blessing! &nbsp;When people talk about a child-like faith, I am so blessed to witness it every day!&nbsp;

Principally Speaking - Witnessing 'Child-Like Faith' Every Day

Donna and I wish you a very Happy New Year filled with joy, peace, good health, and a steady increase in faith for your family and friends. This article has a bit of levity with it, as we celebrate God's gift of a new year. I note that our somber season of Lent will begin in seven weeks on February 18th. Easter Sunday's celebration of Christ’s Resurrection is April 5th. A few years ago, I came across an article or email about messages delivered on “hats.” Many of you have seen some of the “message hats,” that I wear. &nbsp;Here are just a couple others: * “I read the last chapter! God wins!” * “Pastor Warning: Anything you say or do could be used in a sermon.” * “I don't know how to act my age - I've never been this old before!” * “Normal isn't coming back ... Jesus is!” On a more thoughtful note, for those who like to play cards. Viewing a deck of cards with biblical historical facts: &nbsp;An Ace or a number 1 is Jesus Christ. There are 2 natures in Jesus and 3 persons in the Trinity: followed by 4 Evangelists and 5 books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch. There are 6 days of creation with a day of rest on day 7. There are 8 Beatitudes, 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit, 10 Commandments,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong style="border-color: rgb(229, 231, 235); --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-pan-x: ; --tw-pan-y: ; --tw-pinch-zoom: ; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-gradient-from-position: ; --tw-gradient-via-position: ; --tw-gradient-to-position: ; --tw-ordinal: ; --tw-slashed-zero: ; --tw-numeric-figure: ; --tw-numeric-spacing: ; --tw-numeric-fraction: ; --tw-ring-inset: ; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(62,172,255,.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-blur: ; --tw-brightness: ; --tw-contrast: ; --tw-grayscale: ; --tw-hue-rotate: ; --tw-invert: ; --tw-saturate: ; --tw-sepia: ; --tw-drop-shadow: ; --tw-backdrop-blur: ; --tw-backdrop-brightness: ; --tw-backdrop-contrast: ; --tw-backdrop-grayscale: ; --tw-backdrop-hue-rotate: ; --tw-backdrop-invert: ; --tw-backdrop-opacity: ; --tw-backdrop-saturate: ; --tw-backdrop-sepia: ; --tw-transform: translateX(0) translateY(0) rotate(0) skewX(0) skewY(0) scaleX(1) scaleY(1); --tw-border-opacity: 1; --tw-filter: ; --tw-backdrop-filter: ;">11 faithful Apostles, and 12 doctrines of faith in the Apostles Creed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, many question whether Christ is with us. All we need is prayer, for God to open our eyes and strengthen our faith-filled hearts to see His presence, at work in our lives. &nbsp;In His Service, Pastor Dale Skurla

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School

Blog

From The Pastor's Desk - Soul of the Christ (“Amina Chris...

Principally Speaking - Guiding Students with Their Person...

Principally Speaking - Shifting to Guide Development from...

From The Pastor's Desk - The Reason for Lent

Principally Speaking - Witnessing 'Child-Like Faith' Ever...

From The Pastor's Desk - New Year Levity