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This Week at
St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Lionville
October 11, 2026
"Grow in Faith, Serve with Love, Invite into Fellowship"
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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 am - Traditional Service
10:30 am - Contemporary Service
9:15 am Faith Formation (all ages)
Attend in person or worship online
Everyone is welcome!
Second Sunday of Every Month:
4:00 pm - Rejoicing Spirits Service
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Our Prayer List
We pray for Gary, Delores, Lorraine, Drew, JD, Dave, Nancy, Janet, Marian, Jeffrey, Paula, Wendy, Cheryl, Bennett, Scott, Anne B., Mary Ann, Craig, Nancy Jane, Barbara, Barry, Pastor John, Danny, Rick, Barbara, Lois, Dave, Marla, Fred, Luke, Carson, Ben, Belinda, William, Janet, Anne, Samantha, Steven, Rick, Amy C., Pat, Marlene, Chip, and Jean. We lift up Drew, Bianka, Liam, Daniel, Zach, and Alistair in the military. We pray for peace in Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East. We pray for those we now name aloud or lift up quietly in our hearts.
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Disagreeing Better Workshop and Lunch
As part of the Choose Kindness worship series, we are also offering a free lunch and "Disagreeing Better" workshop on Sunday, October 18 at 11:45 am. The workshop is sponsored by Braver Angels, whose mission is to inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action. Participants will learn about the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically, and it teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground. Please sign up here so we can prepare enough food and materials.
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New Members Classes
If you’ve been attending St. Paul’s, we would love to welcome you as a new member this fall! We’ll hold weekly classes starting Sunday, November 1 from 5-6 pm for four weeks as an opportunity to grow in faith, learn more about St. Paul’s and build friendships with others who are also joining. Child care will be provided. If you would like to attend or have any questions, please feel free to email Pastor Stuart or call 610-804-1740.
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Fall Family Fun Night
We’re having another great night of free fun, food and games for all ages on Saturday, October 17 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. You’re encouraged to come in costume and our youth are offering a special Candy World Fun Maze, age appropriate for young kids. To make this a great success we would ask for three things:
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Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
St. Matthew's and St. Paul’s are hosting a Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event on Sunday, October 25. Last year we hosted a fantastic event - over 385 individuals volunteered over 3 shifts to package 62,500 meals, and our goal for this year is to have 400 individuals work together to pack 70,000 meals. We’ve packaged over 200,000 meals over the past 4 years and want to keep the momentum going!
Volunteers can sign up for a 2-hour shift. It's a great family event! If you would like to make a donation towards this event or assist in packaging the meals, please sign up here.
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Rare Birds Lunch
The Rare Birds (ages 50+) will meet for lunch at noon on Tuesday, October 13 at Shady Maple (1324 Main Street, East Earl, PA). No need to RSVP.
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Pop-Up Thrift Store
Our pop-up thrift store will be open again on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. Stop by and see what's new!
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Fellowship Hall and Kitchen Survey
A team is beginning to gather ideas and information about renovating the fellowship hall and kitchen. Please share your thoughts by clicking this link and completing an online survey. If you prefer to complete the survey on paper, copies will be available in the narthex. You can leave your completed paper copies in the box in the narthex. Our goal is to create an attractive, versatile, and welcoming space for both guests and members. The deadline for the survey is Sunday, October 18!
The discernment team will also be hosting an in-person gathering on Sunday, November 8 at 11:45 am in the Fellowship to share a summary of all the feedback that was received.
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Rejoicing Spirits Service
Our next Rejoicing Spirits service will be on Sunday, October 11 at 4:00 pm. This is an informal, inclusive and adapted service open to all in the community, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, regardless of faith background. The service includes joyous music, singing and brief, meaningful, pastor-led sermons.
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Leaf Clean Up Dates
The Property Team has scheduled the following dates and times for large leaf clean up around the church property:
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Sunday, October 11, POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER
- Saturday, November 7, 9:00 am
- Sunday, November 22, 12:00 pm
If you can't make these days but are free other weekends or evenings to do some leaves on your own, the help will be greatly appreciated. Please bring a leaf blower or mulching mower if you are able to. The church has 2 lawn tractors to bag and mulch leaves.
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Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals Service will be Saturday, October 17. Members of the congregation and the community are invited to bring their pets to this outdoor event on the church grounds from 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Plus, we hope to have several animal rescue organizations on site with information about volunteering opportunities, as well as how you can help their adoptable shelter animals. They might even bring some of their four-legged friends. Additionally, you can be a blessing to these animal rescue organizations by donating much needed supplies.
Tell your friends and neighbors. This event will be a great opportunity for everyone to learn
more about some local animal rescue organizations - and St. Paul’s!
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Chat and Chews Book Club
The Chat and Chews Sunday School Book Club meets on the THIRD Sunday of each month, after the late service in the Lounge next to the Hospitality Room. However, in October we will meet on the 4th Sunday, October 25 due to a scheduling conflict, and we will discuss the following books:
“Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver - - chapters 3 & 4 and “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. You do not have to finish the book or even read it to join us in a lively and faithful discussion. Please contact Gwen Werner for more information. Happy Reading!
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No Monday Morning Bible Study Oct 12
The Monday morning Bible study group will not meet on Monday, October 12. They will resume meeting at 10:00 am on Monday, October 19 in room 110.
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Social Ministry Opportunities
As we head into fall, the Social Ministry team has several opportunities to help make the lives of local families a little brighter and warmer. Please help out where you can!
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Toys for Tots: Give a Little Joy This Christmas: It’s never too early to start spreading some Christmas joy! A Toys for Tots collection bin is now available in the narthex. While toys are welcome for children of all ages, there is an especially great need for gifts for teens. More information coming soon!
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Warm Hearts, Warm Coats: As the weather gets colder, we’re collecting new or gently used coats for children, teens, and adults served by the Honey Brook Food Pantry. A collection box is now available in the church lobby.
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Thanksgiving Food Drive: Helping 350 Families: St. Paul’s will be the sole provider of Thanksgiving food for the 350 families served by the Honey Brook Food Pantry and need your help. Purchasing items in bulk rather than collecting individual food items helps funds go farther. If you would like to support the Thanksgiving Food Drive, checks can be made payable to St. Paul’s with “Food Drive” written in the memo line. And mark your calendar! Our Thanksgiving Food Box Packing Event will be Saturday, November 7.
Thanks for supporting our local community and neighbors!
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Butter Braids are Back
The youth are holding a Freckled Moose Butter Braids fundraiser through November 5, with proceeds benefitting our Youth Gathering and Appalachia Service Project trips this coming summer. Butter Braids are frozen pastries that can be stored and brought out to serve on special occasions, or whenever the mood hits you! These were a very popular fundraiser for St. Paul's Preschool, so we're happy to offer them once again. Order online or using the forms in the narthex.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive in the
Fellowship Hall on Thursday, November 5
from 1:00 - 6:00 pm. You must register to
donate, and can do so by going to
RedCrossBlood.org and enter splutheran.
Streamline your donation experience and
save up to 15 minutes by visiting
RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete
your pre-donation reading and health history
questions on the day of your appointment.
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Youth Ministry News
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT ATTENDING THE ELCA YOUTH GATHERING NEXT SUMMER? All current 8th through 12th graders are invited to take part in a once-every-three-year experience that brings together 16,000+ high school youth from Lutheran churches across the United States, to spend five days together around the theme of "Imagine More." In 2027, the Gathering will be held from June 28 through July 2 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interested? Registration opens in mid-October and we need to have our group together by mid-November, so let our Youth Director, Craig Miller, know as soon as possible to be included on our roster. Questions? Contact Craig at craigyouthmin@gmail.com, or 484-320-0785.
OUR NEXT HIGH SCHOOL OASIS GATHERING will be next Sunday, October 18 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the downstairs lounge at St. Matthew's. This time, OASIS will be a "Deep Dive" with conversation around a deeper topic or Bible passage. This month's focus is 'Sacraments.' (There will still be sharing of highs and lows, and of course food.) All ninth through twelfth graders are invited to join us. Advance sign up is not necessary; just show up!
OUR NEXT GOOD WORKS YOUTH WORK DAY will be Saturday, October 24 from 8:15 am to 3:45 pm. Spend a Saturday helping make repairs to homes for people in need in our area. All 10th through 12th graders (note change in age range) are welcome to join us; if you're thinking about participating in Appalachia Service Project next summer, this is a great way to get some idea of what that ministry is all about! Sign up here by Wednesday, Oct. 14 to participate: Oct. 24th Good Works Youth Work Day.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER IS COMING ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, and once again we're going to have a special "youth shift" from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at St. Matthew's. Bring your family and friends! As a special treat, pizza will be provided at noon in St. Matthew's downstairs lounge for youth and their families. Even if you can't make the 1:00 shift, you can still help out at either the 11:00 am or 3:00 pm times. Sign up here to participate in a really fun event that helps feed the world: Oct. 25th Rise Against Hunger.
THE "WHAT REALLY MATTERS" RETREAT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH takes place Saturday afternoon, November 7 through Sunday afternoon, November 8. All sixth through eighth graders are encouraged to participate in this retreat involving Lutheran congregations from across Southeast Pennsylvania Synod, to spend 24 hours making new friends, experiencing fun activities and games, and thinking more about what is most important in life. The cost is $80 per youth participant. Sign up deadline is Sunday, October 18. Sign up here to join us: Nov. Middle School Retreat.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW FOR NEXT SUMMER'S APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT WORK WEEK! We will again be sending work crews to Central Appalachia to make homes safer, warmer, and drier for families in need of some help. Our trip will be Saturday, July 17 through Saturday, July 24, 2027. Youth who are currently in 7th through 12th grades are eligible to participate. The cost per person is $400 with scholarships available for those who need financial assistance; fundraising events throughout the year will also provide opportunities for families to reduce their out-of-pocket costs. To sign up, go to the ASP Online Registration Portal and enter “17700” as the group number to select our trip; if you have not participated in ASP before, you will need to create a new account in the participant’s name. You will also need to pay a $150 non-refundable deposit by December 1. Questions about ASP? Contact Craig Miller at craigyouthmin@gmail.com, or 484-320-0785. This is an experience not to be missed!
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Musical Notes from Lindsay
OCTOBER 11: Choose Kindness: Kindness in Action
8am Service:
Gathering Hymn: God Is Here!
A lovely text from Fred Pratt Green. I challenge you to consider the true purpose of our shared worship. This sanctuary holds a sacred space for us to come together with a common interest in mind. To sing praise to God, to remember the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ, to learn how we can keep faithful...in daily living...in an age of change and doubt.
Hymn of the Day: Love Consecrates the Humblest Act
It is difficult to imagine a more perfect example of blessing those who persecute you, than Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet "in the shadow of the cross." He washed all of their feet, even those he knew would deny or betray him.
Sending Hymn: Savior Again To Your Dear Name
May we depart with God's peace, that it might guide us in our actions. May those actions come from a place of love, gentleness and understanding. And when that becomes challenging, may we be reminded of the well of love and peace that exists in our relationship with God.
10:30 am Service:
Prelude: Reckless Love
This is a new selection for our congregation that the praise team performed last week. Feel free to join us as we sing together this morning! We will sing this once more as a prelude on 10/18 and it will also be our prelude and song of the day on 11/1. Check out the lyric video!
Gathering Song: Great is the Lord
Song of the Day: Love Consecrates the Humblest Act
This is not a typo! We will be singing the same song of the day at the 10:30 am that we sang at the 8 am service.
Sending Song: May You Run and Not Be Weary
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