Doing God’s work can be fun. Just ask St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill, which hosted its fifth annual Community Day Sept. 5. This year, the church took the event – which began in 2022 – to the next level, adding such things as a petting zoo and animal adoption station to the day, all the while keeping the goal of reaching out to the community at the heart of the festivities.

“We’ve had a good response from the neighborhood. People are glad to see us do this every year, they enjoy the fellowship of community,” Pastor Marlene Werkheiser, licensed lay minister (LLM), said.

“We’re excited to do more things this year to bring to the community. Our church is here to serve the community, you don’t have to be a member,” Pastor Werkheiser said.

The expanded Community Day for the first time included 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 stepped things up with his sleight of hand demonstrations and making balloons for the kids.

Enhanced community involvement was highlighted by a table sponsored by the nearby Cantelmi Funeral Home – which was also an in-kind sponsor. Vanderburg Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc. – also nearby – was an in-kind sponsor as well. St. Paul’s member Caylyn Felchock created the festive Community Day banner. She is the daughter-in-law of lifetime St. Paul’s member Judy Felchock. Janiri Quinones Garcia made and donated the balloon arch and décor.

Live music was provided by Josh Gulotta as well as members of Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah, which formed a partnership with St. Paul’s in 2024 and rents from the Lutheran congregation.

In addition six students from Liberty HS and Freedom HS helped with the event as part of their community hours.

“We have hampsters to horses, small to big,” Denise, event coordinator of Last Chance Ranch, said of the 27-year-old animal rescue. “We have lots of dogs from bad homes or situations that need loving homes. They need love and rehab, just as much as anyone else does.”

Sunset Stables’ traveling petting zoo brought sheep, a miniature donkey, small goats, ducks, rabbits and a miniature zebu cow to delight those attending.

Anne Dalvet, who owns Sunset Stables with son Caleb, noted they’ve participated in other local events, including the Blueberry Festival, where they’ve also offered pony rides.

Community Day was a “God’s work, Our hands.” (GWOH) event at St. Paul’s. GWOH is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s annual day of service, which this year took place Sept. 13. The day is a chance to celebrate ECLA’s identity as a church that serves and loves its neighbors, and many churches do GWOH events throughout the month of September.

The theme of GWOH dovetails perfectly with the spirit of reaching out to neighbors and community that is so vital to the mission of St. Paul’s.

“We’re blessed to have such a wonderful congregation – even though we’re small, we want to let people see God’s work with our hands,” Pastor Werkheiser said.

During the next year, St. Paul’s plans 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.

The day that kicked-off Labor Day weekend was rounded out by returning favorites, such as 15-minute hourly shows by “The Pulpiteers,” St. Paul’s popular puppet ministry that performs tunes of well-known songs with the words changed to Christian lyrics. Everyone could again dip into a free ice cream at Mon and Mel’s Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Truck, and enjoy the participation of Fountain Hill Fire Department Station 34 and the Borough of Fountain Hill Police Department.

Children again enjoyed face painting and kids’ games, while a tricky tray with baskets donated by church members and friends and two meat raffles were also part of the fun. Food was also available for purchase.

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

St. Paul’s will host a Designer Purse Bingo on Oct. 24. Doors open at noon for an afternoon of food, fun and prizes. Games begin at 1 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a ticket for a special drawing. For tickets contact Garguilo at 610-261-0466.