An Invitation from Pastor Rick:
Did you know that Martin Luther originally disliked the term "Lutheran" in referring to those who took up his Protestant cause in the 16th Century.
In fact Luther's enemies probably coined the name "Lutheran" with gritted teeth
and animosity. But that's all in the dark annals of history. Today Lutheranism refers
to about 66 million people in the world who adhere to the Augsburg Confession (and Luther's Catechism) as their clearest statement of Christian beliefs and practices.
The great irony is that in Europe, the birthplace of Lutheranism, this faith group is
losing about 300,000 adherents each year. Interestingly, the greatest growth of Lutheranism for the past two decades has occurred in Africa and Asia. In North
America, the Lutheran movement has had only slight gains.
With the establishment of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pinehurst, North Carolina, we are hoping to add a net gain to North American Lutheranism. Our church had its beginning
in early 2000, with the renting of the old Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Pinehurst, starting as a mission of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As a new congregation, it has brought together a number of relatively new residents to our County who have come from various states in the Midwest and North
East.
If you come from a Lutheran tradition, I believe you will find at St. Paul a familiar worship experience. If you are not acquainted with Lutheranism, we would be delighted to have you come and worship with us. You will find warm and friendly people gathered for Christ-centered worship, relevant application of the Scriptures and frequent celebration of the Lord's Supper. Come and see if this could be your church home.
Rev. Richard Schliepsiek
Church
910-215-9681
Home 910-673-1267
