Lutherans are Protestant Christians who believe that our interaction with God centers on God’s grace rather than our human achievement. God loves us and forgives us not because we deserve or can earn divine love, but because that is God’s nature as revealed in Jesus Christ.

        Lutheran worship is centered on Word (Scripture, sermon, and music) and Sacrament (Baptism and Communion). Theologically we avoid legalism with its many do’s and don’ts. We believe that faith (defined as trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only thing needed for salvation. People embraced by God’s loving grace will naturally respond graciously with love rather than by being coerced to do good works or to subscribe to a specific set of doctrines. Belief and good works flow naturally when we share God’s love.

        Lutherans strive to obtain a balance between outward focus (worship, outreach, fellowship, and service) that makes a difference in the world and an inward focus (prayer, discipleship, generosity) that makes us different from the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) of which St. Paul is a part is very committed to serving society. Our congregation is involved in the following local outreach ministries: the Racetrack Ministry at Churchill Downs, Shively Area Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and Shively Area Business Association Santa Party. Regionally, we support the work of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod through the giving of our benevolence funds. On the national level, the ELCA Domestic Disaster Relief Fund is a recipient of our congregation’s outreach funds. Internationally, we sponsor a child at the Buen Samaritano Pre-school in Chile and give to the Lutheran World Relief.