About Us

East entrance of St. Paul Lutheran Church

Here at St. Paul’s we are:

Christ Centered

Everything here is focused on the love God has shown through Jesus Christ His Son.

Bible Based

We believe the Bible contains what God’s Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets in ancient times and later through God’s son and apostles. Therefore, we teach only what they first taught so that everyone who will listen comes to know God.

Family Focused

St. Paul is a place for the entire family to come worship God, study His word and have fellowship with one another. The focus is in part lived out by activities such as potlucks, hayrides, and conversational dinners. Between worship services there are Bible studies for all ages along with a nursery for those too young to participate.

Mission Minded

Christ told His followers: “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”(Matthew 28th chapter) As Christ followers, this is what we intend to do.

What is the mission of this church?

The mission statement of St. Paul Lutheran Church is:

To know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord,
to grow in faith through His Sacraments and Word,
and to go with His love into our community and world.

What does this mean?

It means that St. Paul Lutheran Church will:

  • Equip and encourage its members to spread the Gospel in the Ames area and throughout the world as commanded by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ( Mathew 28:18-20)
  • Minister to the spiritual needs of its members of all ages and to encourage their Christian growth
  • Encourage a family-centered focus to the church life:
    • By preaching and teaching the Word of God
    • By regularly administering the Sacraments
    • By providing Christian education programs for all ages according to the confessional standard of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
    • By providing programs and activities that encourage Christian fellowship within the family and between members
  • Recognize the importance of physical and emotional needs
  • Encourage the active participation of all members in the life and work of the congregation.

Christian Congregation

We are a Christian congregation with values and beliefs as summarized above. If you are new to the Ames community,

or are looking for a new church home,
we welcome you to St. Paul Lutheran.
Join us as we grow in Christ together.

We are a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) since its teachings are faithful to the scriptures and are spoken in love.

Baptism

Baptism is a means through which God gives His grace (Romans 6).  Like the Scriptures, we encourage all people to be baptized.  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).  Those who are able to be instructed in the Christian faith prior to baptism will learn about what baptism means and about the tenets of the Christian faith.  However,  infants and children may also be baptized, as all people need God’s grace.  “This promise is for you, and for your children” (Acts 2:39a).  “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

Confirmation

Time: 5:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesdays during the school year

Grades: 5-8

This is a four year program that covers the basics of the Christian faith.  Years one and two are known as Confirmation I and cover the Old and New Testaments, providing students with in-depth knowledge of the Bible.  Years three and four are known as Confirmation II and cover the catechism by exploring the Ten Commandments, Apostles Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Lord’s Supper, and other related subjects. 

Each level of Confirmation has assigned memory work drawn from what the students learn.  Seventh and eighth graders in Confirmation II typically serve as acolytes during Sunday worship services.

Marriage

Wedding ceremonies at our congregation are generally reserved for those who are affiliated with our ministry.  Preparation for a wedding ceremony includes Bible-based pre-marriage meetings with the pastor, as well as a multiple-session couples Bible study on marital issues like conflict and communication, which the couple completes in consultation with the pastor.

Funerals

Although funerals come at a time of personal grief and loss because a loved one has departed this life, they are also times to share the comforting joyful news of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  As Jesus says, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25b).  Funeral arrangements are made by working with the pastor.  Funerals provide a worship service of Christian encouragement and Gospel proclamation to members who have lost loved ones.