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This Week at
St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Lionville
May 24, 2026
"Grow in Faith, Serve with Love, Invite into Fellowship"
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Day of Pentecost
Sunday, May 24
9:30 am Combined Service
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 Ricky, Craig, Nancy Jane, Barbara, Barry, Pastor John Carlson, Carolyn, Danny, Delores, Harold, Rick, Barbara, Anna, Scott, Lauren, Bob, Lois, Dave, Marla, Fred, Luke, Carson, Brenda, Ben, Belinda, Fran, Keith, Mary, Diana, William, Melissa, Jerry, Janet, Eamon, Arthur, Kim, Gene, Anne, Samantha S., Samantha, Steven, Rick, Janet K., Amy C., Pat, Marlene, Garnet, Chip, and Jean. We pray that your comforting Spirit be present with the family and friends of Kevin Kane as they mourn his death. 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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Outdoor Service and Picnic
On Sunday, June 7, we will celebrate a wonderful outdoor service (weather permitting) at 9:30 am followed by a great afternoon of food and fellowship. The church will provide
hotdogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers. You can sign up online to contribute to the meal and RSVP, go to StPaulsLionville.org/events. If your family likes to play outdoor games, bring your favorite one along. This is always such a delightful event that it would be a great opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor or family member to worship that day! Please note that for those who regularly watch our livestream, due to the complications of offering the livestream outdoors, only the pre-recorded sermon will be offered that morning.
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Church Office Closed for Memorial Day
The church office will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours are Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Feel free to call before stopping by to ensure someone is available to greet you.
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Youth Car Wash Fundraiser
OUR YOUTH CAR WASH FUNDRAISER has been rescheduled to Saturday morning, May 30 from 8:00 am to noon (weather permitting). Drop your car off when you come to peruse the thrift store wares, and our team will return it to you with a sparkling clean exterior when you come out afterward! No charge, but donations are gratefully accepted.
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VBS Registration is Now Open!
Get ready for the brightest week of the year! Our Illumination Station Vacation Bible School will run from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31. Registration is open to all students from age 4 (by 1/1/26) through 5th grade (completed 2025-2026). Adults and children who have completed 5th grade or higher are encouraged to volunteer to help out. More information and registration for campers and volunteers can be found online. Paper forms are available in the narthex.
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Young Families End of Year Picnic
OUR SECOND ANNUAL YOUNG FAMILIES END-OF-YEAR PICNIC will be held on Sunday, May 31 from 12:30 pm until 3:00(ish) at Warwick County Park, Pavilion #3. Burgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided, with participating families asked to bring a side dish, snack, or dessert to share with the group. All families with kids in preschool through 5th grade are invited; older and younger siblings are welcome to come, too! Sign up here to let us know you are coming: May 31st Young Families Picnic. Questions? Contact Craig Miller at craigyouthmin@gmail.com, or 484-320-0785.
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Peanut Butter & Jelly Collection
All this month we are collecting peanut butter and jelly for the Chester County Food Bank as they prepare to give out their summer student food boxes. PB&J is a big part of the giveaway so that school-age children can easily prepare a lunch for themselves during the summer months when school lunches are not available. Please add PB&J (plastic jars only) to your grocery list to bring to the church though Sunday, June 14, National Children’s Day.
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Organist/Accompanist or Assistant Music Director Position
Our team is ready to start receiving application materials for this staff position. You'll notice we are advertising in two different ways. We remain committed to our use of the organ in traditional worship and if needed, will be restructuring the Music Director position to ensure continuity in this area. We will ultimately select the new person and role that best align with the lead applicant's specific skills and heart to ensure the best fit for our music ministry. If you are interested or know someone who might be a good candidate, please check out StPaulsLionville.org/careers to learn more.
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St. Paul's Summer Reading Program
Memorial Day is fast approaching and you know what that means….Summer is just around the corner. At St Paul’s we will be transitioning to a single worship service and the Lectionary Discussion Group that meets in the lounge between the services will officially be on hiatus. Unofficially, we are going to continue our studies by reading Gene Edward Veith Jr’s book “The Spirituality of the Cross” through a self-paced self-study.
Gene Veith is neither a pastor nor a theologian. He was seeking a spiritual home. He wrote "The Spirituality of the Cross" in order to present a "realistic" Christian spirituality centered on Christ's sacrifice, as opposed to mysticisms, moralism, or self-help spirituality. It is an apologetic designed to share Lutheran theology - - specifically the “Theology of the Cross” - - with a broad audience, demonstrating how Lutheranism is a structured, comfortable faith that embraces ordinary life and finds God in the Gospel rather than human effort.
If this sounds interesting, and you want to join in the fun [and learning], let us know by Sunday, May 24, and we’ll order you a book! Use the St Paul’s Summer Read Sign-Up Sheet located in the Narthex. Just provide your name and email address so we can order the appropriate number of books, and we’ll let you know when they arrive.
If you have any questions, please contact Frank Pechin, 484-883-8568 or fpechin3rd@gmail.com.
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"Envelope" Fundraiser for ASP
IF YOU HAVE TAKEN A FUNDRAISER ENVELOPE OFF OF THE YOUTH BULLETIN BOARD, please return it with the indicated amount and card inside filled out by Sunday, May 31. Completed envelopes can be placed in the church offering or turned in to the church office.
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Thrift Sale
Our next thrift sale will be on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Parsonage. We have received many donations, so invite a friend and come explore our offerings. Proceeds benefit the Chester County Food Bank and help fund repairs to the Parsonage.
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Help Lead Worship Behind the Scenes!
St. Paul’s is looking for volunteers to join our Worship Tech Team to help us "worship in spirit and truth." By joining this team, you’ll provide needed support for the worship team, allowing our audio technicians to focus their expertise on mastering the sound while you handle the visuals. You’ll play a vital role by timing slide transitions to stay just ahead of the congregation, ensuring everyone can sing and speak along confidently.
- The Perks: Enjoy Dave’s great company and reserved balcony seating with the best view in the house while you serve!
- The Role: Advance slides in OBS and assist with technical needs during worship.
- The Commitment: Serve once every 4–6 weeks. An annual commitment is preferred for continuity.
- Requirements: Attention to detail, basic tech skills, and a heart for our mission.
- Training: Full support provided by our Director of Music and Worship Technician.
Want to learn more? Click here for full ministry description. Ready to sign up? Just contact Maureen in the church office to get started!
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Living Love Lunches
Our next Living Love Lunches lunch packing event will be on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm. Join us as we pack 50 lunches for the unhoused in Chester. Donations of individually wrapped snack items, fruit cups, granola bars, etc. are always welcome and may be dropped in the bin in the narthex.
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Change to One Sunday Service
On Sunday, May 24, we will transition to our summer schedule of one combined service at 9:30 am. We will return to two services on Sunday, September 13.
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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, however in May, we will meet the FOURTH Sunday, after the late service at my home for a brunch. See address below. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, May 24, and we will discuss: "The Correspondent," by Virginia Evans. Please bring along a few ideas for our summer reads. 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 at ggwerner@verizon.net or call the church office for more information. Happy Reading!
Gwen Werner
309 Wm Salesbury Drive
Downingtown, PA 19335
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Rare Birds June Lunch
On Tuesday, June 9 at noon, the Rare Birds (ages 50+) will be having lunch at the home of Naomi Stoltzfus (1853 Agape Court, East Earl, PA). We are limited to 20 attendees. The cost is $30.00 per person. Payment can be made to Karen Lammey on the day of the event by cash, check, or Venmo (Karen-Lammey). To join for lunch, please RSVP to Karen Lammey by Wednesday, June 3.
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High School and College Grads
Share your high school or college graduate’s name, picture, and future plans for a spotlight feature in the June newsletter! Please send photo and details to Maureen@StPaulsLionville.org.
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No Yarncrafters on Memorial Day
The Yarncrafters will not meet on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Their normal meeting time is 1:00 pm on Mondays in room 110. New members always welcome!
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Monday Morning Bible Study
The Monday morning Bible study group is taking a break for the summer. They will resume their study of world religions in the fall. For more information, contact Mary McCormick at Jandmmccormick@yahoo.com.
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Youth Ministry News
For the most up-to-date event information and signup links,
go online to the Youth Ministry web page at StPaulsLionville.org/youth.
YOUTH AND PARENT HELP IS NEEDED WITH OUR (POSTPONED) CAR WASH FUNDRAISERS! We are holding car washes on Saturday morning, May 30 at St. Paul's, and on Sunday morning, May 31 at St. Matthew's. All sixth through twelfth graders are encouraged to participate in one or both events to raise money for the youth ministry. Parents are needed to help move cars around. Sign up here to participate: Youth Car Wash Fundraiser Help.
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SCAN QR CODE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUTH EVENTS
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ELCA Softball Team
Did you know there is an ELCA Softball team that plays in the area church league? The team lost their last game but has a 1-1 record. They play at Elam United Methodist Church in Concordville. Upcoming games are scheduled at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, May 27; and Monday, June 1. For more information, contact the coach, Jameison Troutman.
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Coffee Fellowship Help
As we transition to one service, we still want to have the opportunity to gather and socialize after services. If you are able to provide some small treats and make coffee, please sign up to help online or in the narthex. This is a great way to encourage fellowship among our members and guests!
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Musical Notes From Lindsay
Sunday, May 24
Our first combined service! The sermon and music will reflect on Isaiah 6:1-8.
Gathering Hymn: ELW 413 Holy, Holy Holy!
The Isaiah text quotes the winged seraphim as having said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” making this selection especially fitting. The repetition of the word holy three times is significant in that it is believed to represent the concept of God in three persons. This passage from Isaiah is frequently paired with Holy, Holy, Holy! on Trinity Sunday, as was Reginald Heber's intent (the lyricist). The text and hymn tune (reportedly written by John B. Dykes in under 30 minutes) were published together in 1861.
Hymn of the Day: Shout to the Lord
Composed by Darlene Zschech, this high-powered Christian song of praise is believed to have had a profound influence on contemporary Christian music. Shortly after separating from Hillsong Church in 2011, Darlene was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has cited God's faithfulness as paramount to her treatment journey, and has been cancer free since completing treatment. In addition to releasing new music, she also releases creative re-imaginings of her greatest hits, including a bilingual treatment of Shout to the Lord.
Communion Songs:
Two of our communion songs can be found in the With One Voice supplement in the pews; so, if you are like me and LOVE using the hymnals, I've provided the WOV numbers for you below:
WOV 779: On Eagle's Wings
WOV 710: One Bread, One Body
Sending Song: Forever
I so enjoyed being part of the energy we created on April 26th when we sang this as our sending song--let's do that again!
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