St. Paul's Open House

Last night, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, St. Paul's Lutheran School hosted their Open House. It was an opportunity for people of the community come into our school to see if it would be a fit for their child or children. We were pleased with the number of people who came in last night. Many of them that came in did sign their children up for next year. We rejoice!

But it really begs the question: Why Lutheran education? Why attend a parochial school instead of a public school? Why spend the extra money on education when your tax dollars already go to support the education of your child? What difference does it make?

It makes an eternal difference. Can that be measured? Can a price tag be put on the eternal impact that education makes upon your child? I do not believe that it can. I know that there are many people who don't feel that it is necessary to have a Lutheran school - not only here in Troy but anywhere. Many of the public school districts are good at educating the children. Triad school district is one of them. Because of that, many people feel that it is a waste of time and money to have a Lutheran school.

I would agree if all we are talking about is the educating of your child. Many public school teachers are as good or better educators than the teachers in the Lutheran schools. (St. Paul's is the exception! Our teachers are the best!) If all we are doing is teaching your children to read or to write or to do math, then that can be done in any school.

In a Lutheran School, we have the opportunity to impact the eternal life of your children. They are taught about Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior. They are taught the morals of the Ten Commandments and the way of life that God would have them live. They are given the wonderful message of the Gospel, which proclaims to them that their sins are forgiven through Jesus' death and resurrection. They are shown the love of Christ no matter who they are or what they have done. When they are scared, the Comforter is brought to them to calm their troubled hearts. When they do something wrong, they learn how Christ is the One they can turn to for forgiveness and for strength to live a life that includes not returning to that sinful, spiritually hurtful behavior. They are taught the love of Jesus in all that is done. They are embraced in the wonder of the Word of God and guided in their spiritual formation. Within the walls of St. Paul's school (and church) the foundation of life and faith is built, day by day, brick by brick, moment by moment. They are taught the importance of holding onto Christ Jesus in all that they face in this life.

Ask yourself: Is it important that my child know that they are saved today and forever/ Is it important for my child to grow in faith each day, in school as well as at home? That is what takes place each day at St. Paul's.

I support Lutheran education. I believe that it is of the utmost importance for the daily life of the families and it is absolutely essential for the spiritual formation of the children that attend. With so much riding on the education of your child (the eternal life of your child), isn't it nice to know that there someplace that you can go to have your child taught the wonder of the Word of God, the joy of the love of God and the strength that the Lord gives to each person who believes in Jesus as their Savior?