As a member congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), we hold in common the same core teachings and confessions shared by LCMS churches across the country and our partner churches throughout the world. Our beliefs are grounded in Scripture and faithfully summarized in the Lutheran Confessions, guiding our worship, life, and witness together. Chief among these beliefs are the following:
We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. As such, it is entirely free from error. It is timeless and unchangeable, yet ever relevant and applicable to each age. As the only revelation of divine and saving truth for mankind, the Holy Scriptures remain the clear and authoritative foundation for Christian faith and life.
We believe, teach, and confess that there is one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal and co-eternal, each fully God, yet there is only one divine essence. The Father is the Creator and sustainer of all things. The Son, Jesus Christ, is the incarnate Redeemer who lived, died, and rose again for the salvation of sinners. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life, who sanctifies and keeps the Church in the faith of Jesus Christ. Together, the Triune God reveals Himself in Scripture and is the sole object of our faith and worship.
We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, is the only way to God the Father, and the only source of salvation. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Through His atoning sacrifice upon the cross and His victorious resurrection, Jesus paid for the sins of mankind, redeeming us from the curse of sin and death. All who repent and believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
We believe, teach, and confess that God delivers the blessings of Christ—namely, forgiveness, life, and salvation—though specific means He Himself has appointed. Chief among these means are the Word of God and the Sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Through these means, the Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith in our hearts and unites us to Christ and His Church. The Sacraments are not mere symbols or reminders, but powerful and effective instruments by which God truly acts for our salvation.
St. Paul Lutheran Church reverently observes the historic liturgy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday and on other festival days, using the texts of the Historic Lectionary and the Common Service (DS III of LSB or p.15 of TLH). Our worship is distinctively catholic—rooted in the historic Western liturgical tradition and boldly confessing the truth of Scripture.
We believe that partaking in Holy Communion is a declaration of unity in doctrine and belief. Therefore, the Sacrament is offered only to those who are united with us in confession, including the belief in the real presence of Christ. While this practice may seem unusual and even offensive to some, it is nevertheless motivated by love and the care of souls. It is also in accordance with Holy Scripture and the example of the faithful Christian Church from ancient times. Visitors who wish to commune are kindly asked to speak with the pastor beforehand.
St. Paul Lutheran Church is the result of a merger between two congregations: St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church, both located in Greenwich, Connecticut. After nearly eight years as a dual parish, the congregations officially merged in December of 2022, retaining the building and namesake of the original St. Paul.
Founded on October 4, 1902, by Slovak immigrants under the leadership of Pastor Bella, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church originally belonged to the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1971 the Slovak Synod merged with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, becoming the Slovak District of the LCMS. When Pastor Kenneth Ballas retired in January 2002—just before the congregation's 100th anniversary—he was only the third pastor to have served the congregation.
First Lutheran Church, located on Field Point Road in Greenwich, was founded in 1946 by German immigrants. It was so named because it was the first LCMS congregation established in Greenwich, and was part of the New England District. From the beginning there was a close connection with the Slovak Lutherans of St. Paul: Pastor Heck, First Lutheran's founding pastor, was married to Pastor Bella's daughter.
The Reverend Evan Scamman, his wife Lena, and their daughter Katie are transplants from the West Coast. Pastor Scamman earned his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was installed at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church in July of 2018. Following the merger in 2022, he has continued to serve the now unified congregation to the present day.
In addition to his parish duties, Pastor Scamman serves as the chief editor for The Lutheran Missal, a forthcoming publication from Ludecus Press, and is a contributor to Gottesdienst, a journal dedicated to the promotion of the historic liturgy of the Church.
