Teachings at St. Paul's The mission of St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel is to proclaim Christ's love, be strengthened in faith, and be encouraged to live as Christians, so that God's people may be equipped to do His will. St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel is the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's campus ministry to the University of Iowa. Our pastor, Director of International Student Ministry, congregation and students are active in sharing God's love for people in Jesus Christ with University of Iowa students, staff, and faculty members. We offer a variety of volunteer and leadership opportunities as well as social events; there are many ways to get involved. With the universal Christian Church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God: Prior to the Divine Service most people gather in the student center until about 10: 25 A.M. It's a great time and place to meet people and get your questions answered before the service. Pastor Mons is usually at the interior entrance to the Chapel at about 10: 20 AM. You can feel free to talk to him then or catch him beforehand if you see him. He's pretty easy to spot: he'll be the one in the clerical collar. The atmosphere in worship is a little formal but always friendly! Please don't worry about making a mistake. If you get lost just ask the people around you for help. They'll be more than happy to lend a hand. We ordinarily offer the Lord's Supper only to those who are communicant members of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or of congregations which are part of a church body which is in altar or pulpit fellowship with the LCMS. The Scriptures teach that Holy Communion is to be a confession of a common faith (1 Cor. 10: 17, Acts 2: 42 ) and that those who are unprepared may even do themselves spiritual harm (1 Cor. 11: 23-32 ). We do not hereby presume to question another's faith in Christ, but hold this historic position out of love for God's Word and in care for souls. Inviting all Christians to Communion would imply a oneness which does not yet exist but for which we must all pray. Even as we try to respect the practices of other Christian denominations so we ask others to respect our practice. Those who would like to discuss this practice at more length may make an appointment with our pastor to do so. Each Sunday we have many visitors who are unable to commune with us. Many of them remain in the pew. Some, however, come forward to receive a blessing. If you wish to receive a blessing, please feel free to come forward. Please stand with your hands behind your back to indicate that you would like a blessing. Following college graduation, Pastor Mons worked for a campus Christian group at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He then went to work for the Neogen Corporation as a sales representative. He entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1992 and holds two degrees from that institution: a Master of Divinity (1996 ) and a Master of Sacred Theology (2005 ). His first call was to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Luzerne, Iowa. He served there until July of 2001 when he accepted the call to serve as Campus Pastor at St. Paul's Chapel In his spare time Pastor Mons enjoys playing trombone and handball. Pastor Mons and his wife, Christine, have four children. Deaconess Angela Carriker is the third of four children born to Gene and Do a Carriker. She and her siblings Amanda, Anthony, and Andrew were all born in Washington State and later lived in New Mexico and Kansas. Her family was active in their church community and her parents stressed the importance of serving others, arranging opportunities for the children to volunteer at local organizations. Deaconess Angie's educational background is diverse. She attended Colby Community College in Kansas, earning an Associates Degree in Music and Drama. She then transferred to Bethel College, Kansas, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and enjoyed participating in