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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

From The Pastor's Desk - New Year Levity

This is the third 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. Our “little school” is robust and filled with faith, love, family and community. &nbsp;Mrs. Martini speaks life into what that looks like every day here at St. Paul Lutheran School. &nbsp;&nbsp; – Pam Robinson, Principal<h2>Spotlight: Debbie Martini</h2><figure id="figure-fxeh3esapomhcaeyds"><img id="fxeh3esapomhcaeyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/39HvhRmuCOAuICJpVkfQsW5FQ4RgCu3Y4n4x0kVR7BTsV7shJZFnxPXPGqUG7XIB.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/39HvhRmuCOAuICJpVkfQsW5FQ4RgCu3Y4n4x0kVR7BTsV7shJZFnxPXPGqUG7XIB.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;"></figure>The reason that I work at St. Paul Lutheran School in Leavenworth, KS, is because I just LOVE the Christian atmosphere! &nbsp;I have been a dedicated, on fire Christian for forty-four years. &nbsp;I have taught in a couple other Christian schools as well as in the public school in my thirty-three years of teaching. &nbsp;This is the ONE school wherein I feel totally respected and appreciated. &nbsp;I delight in the fact that I can integrate the Bible in every area that I teach. &nbsp;Jesus is the Word of God and He loves words as well as numbers. &nbsp;I work at getting my students excited about the Lord and learning. &nbsp;Nothing thrills me more than hearing my students talk about the Lord, show confidence in what they are learning, and help others. &nbsp; I also value the families of my students. I try to build a collaborative relationship with the families in order to better educate the children. &nbsp;St. Paul’s lends itself to that by having activities to connect the school and teachers with the families. I appreciate St. Paul Lutheran Church for maintaining the school. Many parents have told me that they just love “this little school.” The military families who stay only for one year due to being transferred, are quite sad to leave. &nbsp; I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach here at SPLCS for however long the Lord God has planned for me. &nbsp;I thank you for these eight years!&nbsp;

Principally Speaking - Showcasing Her Love for St. Paul

You better watch out; you better not cry; Better not pout,I'm telling you why: &nbsp; Jesus Christ is coming to town. He 's made a list, no checking it twice; &nbsp; He already knows who's naughty or nice: Jesus Christ is coming to town. &nbsp; He sees you when you 're sleeping; He knows when you 're awake; &nbsp; He knows if you've been bad or good; So be good for Goodness sake. &nbsp; Ohl You better watch out; you better not cry; B etter not pout; I'm telling you why: Jesus Christ is coming to town. He's made a list, no checking it twice; &nbsp;He already knows who's naughty or nice: Jesus Christ is coming to town.&nbsp;Dear Friends in Christ, &nbsp;You're already familiar with the tune for the above edited Christmas song. I believe this edit clearly identifies the Biblical truths we have been taught. Jesus Christ is coming in just a few short days. So, in these remaining days of Advent each of us should be preparing for the arrival of the King of Kings. Not only should we prepare for the anniversary arrival of Jesus, known as Christmas, but also for the personal arrival of Jesus when He comes to take each of us from this life. &nbsp;In either case we need to be ready. We prepare for visitors in our homes, often taking weeks to make our homes ready. Do we take that same amount of time to prepare for His arrival to take us home? Ready or not, Christmas will be here. Ready or not, Jesus already knows the year, month, day, hour, minute &amp; second He will call us from this earthly life. &nbsp;Interesting is that by properly preparing for the anniversary of His birth, we prepare for His coming for us. That preparation is not in the gifts we give to others (although it may be) but it is in the preparation of our hearts to receive Him, His teachings, His words into ourselves so seamlessly that everyone will know that we are His followers known as Christians. Just as Jesus is seamlessly both God &amp; Man, we are to be seamlessly both human and Christian in thought word &amp; deed in all the places He places us each &amp; every day. The revised wording to the song above says it all. &nbsp;Merry Christmas from Donna &amp; me,Pastor Dale Skurla

From The Pastor's Desk - Jesus Christ is Coming to Town

This is the second 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. We are blessed beyond measure to have faculty ready to share of the Lord’s goodness with our children. We are blessed that Meredith has been able to embrace her true calling here at St. Paul. I encourage you to continue to pray over each individual faculty member and student, so that we can continue to receive and share of His glory.&nbsp; – Pam Robinson, Principal<h2>Spotlight: Meredith McKenzie</h2><figure id="figure-fxeh3esapomhcaeyds"><img id="fxeh3esapomhcaeyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3brvZI3hjr4Lud2Ts2IUwqOPqyzIBZh1CGCK3MsDCEYAvNB4K9aew4q16SZpkdWk.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/3brvZI3hjr4Lud2Ts2IUwqOPqyzIBZh1CGCK3MsDCEYAvNB4K9aew4q16SZpkdWk.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 50% 50%;"></figure>I’m a military spouse of almost 19 years, with two sports-loving boys and two sweet fur babies. Thanks to the craziness of military life, I have had the opportunity to gain teaching experience in a wide range of areas from preschool to elementary school to adult ESL. &nbsp;Teaching little ones has been my favorite teaching experience and my true calling! This is our second time stationed at Ft. Leavenworth and both times we have been here, St. Paul has been a blessing in our lives. In 2017, my oldest son attended Pre-K 3 here and I was thrilled to be able to join the faculty and staff in 2024. &nbsp;Teaching preschool in a church setting isn’t where I originally saw my career going, but it’s definitely where God knew I needed to be. It brings me such joy to not only impact little lives though their education and development, but also through their growing knowledge and love of Jesus. I pray that my time as their teacher is fruitful service to the Lord! &nbsp;I have treasured all the time I’ve spent in church schools, and St. Paul is no exception. There is nothing better for a teacher than to be spiritually nourished within the school environment- to have colleagues who pray for and with you, lift you up, and remind you of the path that God has set before you. &nbsp;

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School

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From The Pastor's Desk - The Reason for Lent

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

From The Pastor's Desk - New Year Levity

Principally Speaking - Showcasing Her Love for St. Paul

From The Pastor's Desk - Jesus Christ is Coming to Town

Principally Speaking - Embracing Her True Calling