St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill, truly embraces the spirit of love thy neighbor.

That’s why it hosted its annual Community Day in 2022 – the church wanted to do something for the community, and offer the chance for people to get out and see each other again after the Covid pandemic.

St. Paul’s commitment to be a community church that is there for its neighbors remains strong, and this year they are kicking it up a notch for the fifth annual Community Day Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1059 Delaware Ave.

“This being our fifth year, we wanted to expand to show the community that we are still alive and doing God’s work,” Pastor Marlene Werkheiser, licensed lay minister (LLM), said.

New this year is a petting zoo from Sunset Boarding Stables, which serves Schuylkill County and surrounding areas, and an adoption station with Last Chance Ranch, a Quakertown-based animal rescue service. Magician Bruce Ward will also have some tricks up his sleeve. In addition, there will be more community involvement, with tables sponsored by businesses including the nearby Cantelmi Funeral Home – which is also an in-kind sponsor – and CAT- Coalition for Appropriate Transportation.

Returning favorites include 15-minute hourly shows by the “The Pulpiteers,” St. Paul’s popular puppet ministry that performs tunes of well-known songs with the words changed to Christian lyrics. There will be yummy frozen fare from Mon and Mel’s Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Truck, where everyone can dip in to enjoy a free ice cream; there’s also food available for purchase. Firefighters from Fountain Hill Fire Department Station 34 will display their fire truck, and officers from the Borough of Fountain Hill Police Department will mingle with community members.

Community Day will again pour on the fun for children with face painting and kid’s games. A tricky tray with baskets donated by church members and friends and two meat raffles – Mr. Bill’s Chicken and pork/beef – will also be part of the festivities.

A soundtrack always adds fun to an event, and there will be live music by Josh Gulotta and Friends and members of Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah, which formed a partnership with St. Paul’s in 2024 and rents from the Lutheran congregation.

The folk music of “Josh and Friends” is comprised of Josh Gulotta, Rae Labadie-Gulotta and Cindy Cicconi-Ernst. Gulotta, who also previously performed at Community Day, is a seminary student and youth pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Hellertown.

“We have been blessed with a generous bequest, so we want to be a blessing to our community,” Pastor Werkheiser said. “”During the next year, we plan to work with Shekinah Church to provide various outreach ministries including free spaghetti dinners, food deliveries to the senior homes, food pantry collections, veterans’ breakfast, Christmas gifts to Fountain Hill ES school children and more.”

Community Day is a “God’s work. Our hands.” (GWOH) event at St. Paul’s. “It is our yearly effort to work outside the church spreading God’s love,” Pastor Werkheiser said.

GWOH is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s annual day of service, which takes place this year Sept. 13. The day is a chance to celebrate the ECLA’s identity as a church that serves and loves its neighbors. Many churches do GWOH events throughout the month of September.

Pastor Werkheiser and Cindy Garguilo are coordinating the event with the help of organizing committee members.

Businesses interested in being an in-kind sponsor or sponsoring a table may contact Pastor Werkheiser at 610-866-0135 or stpaulselc@rcn.com.