Success to Significance honors ONE PLACE of SIGNIFICANCE at St. Paul Lutheran, Taylor, Texas

St. Paul Lutheran, Taylor, Texas It's been said that it’s easier to enter the church kitchen door than the church door itself. Petie Tocquigny knew that truth well, and today, we are about to find out exactly what she meant. You see, across America, in over 200,000 church kitchens, a quiet army of more than 20 million volunteers is at work. Their mission? To serve. Their motto? “We live to serve.” And oh, the characters we have met who Serve It Up. So let’s take a little trip together, down to the heart of Texas, to a town named Taylor. Home of friendly faces, world-famous barbecue, the Taylor Ducks, and a church kitchen that has warmed more than just bellies. At St. Paul Lutheran, they are keeping big hearts in a small town, even as Taylor grows into a hub for semiconductor chips, thanks to the arrival of Samsung. But technology aside, today we’re interested in a different kind of power. The power of a kitchen. The power of service. The power of the people behind it all. We step through the kitchen door at St. Paul Lutheran, where generations have gathered, and where my wife, Carla Rohlack, originated. Today, she returns to her roots to see what’s cooking—literally and spiritually. There is Jeanie Schneider, a veteran church kitchen lady, famous for her casseroles and cookies. You might even recognize her—her caricature graces Gracefully Yours greeting cards, celebrating the unsung, humorous heroes of the church kitchen. On the Saturday night before a potluck brunch, Jeanie shared her secrets. In her home, a handful of faithful friends gathered to talk about St. Paul, potluck traditions, and, of course, pie. There was laughter, wisdom, and a serious commitment to making sure Sunday morning would be just right. The headline that night? “We are ready to serve, whoever walks through the door.” Sunday morning arrives. The Servin’ Up team is already in action, led by Rita Kelm. She has volunteered in the kitchen since the very first Sunday brunch. Since 7:45 a.m., Rita, Jeanie, Janet Brinkmeyer, Gayle Collins, Shirley Evans, Wandeen Sankewitz, Marilyn Artieschoufsky, Carmen McCleery, and Sandra Umiker have been heating up the kitchen, brewing Folgers coffee, sweetening iced tea, and making lemonade. The tables are set for autumn, even though the Texas sun insists it’s still summer. In the narthex, we find Don Artieschoufsky. He has a story to tell. Servin’ Up isn’t just about food. It’s about action. Habitat for Humanity has found a strong ally in St. Paul Lutheran, as has Shepherd’s Heart. Through their efforts, they give others faith and resources to help them sustain their lives. They give them a reason to believe, to have the faith they are going to need to press on, and perhaps even help others—paying it forward. Pastor Qualley welcomes everyone, including those who might otherwise feel unwelcome. The homeless are not turned away. They are not shunned. They are, instead, seen, heard, and fed—both in body and spirit. Because, after all, the words of Christ remind us, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” Back in the fellowship hall, the feast is ready. What’s on the table today? Burritos. Cheese queso, a recipe from Naomi Pasemann. Chick-fil-A nuggets, Golden Chick, casseroles from—well, almost everyone. And lasagna, because you can never go wrong with lasagna. And of course, a disproportionate amount of dessert. Apple pie from H-E-B—a church kitchen shortcut that still gets the job done.  And a peach cobbler from Janell, age 92, who has been serving up sweetness since 1945. Jeanie’s cookies are standouts. We see Christine Rohlack, the first woman president of the congregation along with her husband Thomas. She believes in leading by serving. Her two sons are already following in her footsteps, learning the St. Paul tradition of putting others first. Teaching the significance of service to the next generation is a priority. And in walks Pastor Qualley into the kitchen, a man with a particular weakness for a church kitchen classic—pimento cheese sandwiches. The plates are full. The hearts, even fuller.  This is what a place of significance is all about. Feeding others, and in turn, feeding the soul. But the real work? That begins on Monday. Because a place of significance isn’t just for Sunday events. It’s a way of life. It’s the home of the Ruth Circle, which serves grieving families, arranging for celebration-of-life meals following funerals. Then there is the next Habitat for Humanity project, filling the pantry at Shepherd’s Heart food pantry, the church garage sale, and the opening day for the St. Paul Child Development Center. As the hymn goes, His compassion bids us bear, stirring us to ardent service, your abundant life to share. It’s about bringing what you can in time, talent, and treasure, so someone else can have what they need. It’s the heartbeat of a community, and ultimately, a way to serve the Creator who made us all. What’s a place of significance? Anywhere volunteers stand ready to serve others. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.