What’s Happening at St. Paul’s
Due to the generosity of many parishioners and friends of St. Paul’s in honor and memory of Kurt Mislick, the newly constructed and refurbished St. Paul’s Labyrinth will be dedicated on Sunday, November 16th immediately following the 10:30 AM worship service. A reception will follow the dedication and will include “finger food”, soft drinks, and beer (Kurt’s favorite) to warm our spirits.
Join us monthly during the Fall through early Summer for a contemplative Celtic Worship Service filled with candlelight, gentle liturgy, sacred music, and quiet reflection. Rooted in ancient Christian tradition, this peaceful gathering invites you to reconnect with God, creation, and your inner stillness. All are welcome come as you are and bring a friend. The service begins at 6:30 PM in the Church Sanctuary.
Annual Events
St. Paul’s 18th Annual Soup and Chili Sale is scheduled for November 7th and 8th. In preparation for that important Church fundraiser, we are looking for some more chefs or just some good old-fashioned soup or chili makers. If you are willing to donate your time and talent to make a quart (or few) of soup or chili, please reach out to Michele Burke (micheleburke123@msn.com).
Christmas Family Pageant
The pageant begins with the singing of favorite Christmas Carols. Following carols a pageant narrated story of the birth of the baby Jesus. This pageant is an intergenerational event featuring our youth as well as our adult members. You will hear the story you know by heart and experience it again for the first time.
Candlelight Service
The Candlelight service begins with the singing of Christmas Carols. A Rite II service that features music and readings to tell the Christmas story follows caroling.
Annual Chili Cook-Off: Beat the Winter Doldrums and Have Some Fun
The annual competition is on in late winter to select the St. Paul’s Chili or Corn Bread Champion!! Come to compete or just eat – Everyone is welcome to sample what you dare and vote for your favorites. The award categories are Most Unique Chili, Healthiest Chili, Hottest Chili, and Best Overall Chili, and in the cornbread competition – Best Overall Cornbread. Come and have some fun and fellowship while sharing in our community’s creativity, garden inspirations, and friendly competition. Bring your beverage of choice to enjoy and share; utensils and plates will be provided. There will be a nominal fee for those not submitting a chili or cornbread.
2025 Chili Cookoff Champions
- Dave Kissane – Healthiest Chili
- JT Grosch – Hottest Chili
- Laura Hartung – Most Unique Chili
- Susan & Tyler Mistick – Best Overall Chili
- Greg LeBlanc – Best Overall Cornbread
Lent is a 40 day period of penitence, prayer, and preparation that begins on Ash Wednesday and leads up to the celebration of Easter. The liturgical color for Lent is traditionally purple, symbolizing penitence. The Altar decoration is often subdued or kept very simple during this time; there is a reduction in floral displays and green foliage is used in a subdued way.
Ash Wednesday services are usually held at 7:30 AM, Noon, and 5:30 PM on Ash Wednesday. Ashes are distributed to begin the Lenten Season during those services. Soup Suppers and Movie Nights are offered on Tuesday evenings during Lent. Thematic discussions of scheduled movies occur during Supper followed by a screening of the movie.
Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper
Our Annual Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, Pancake Supper is usually held in Getman Hall. Prepare to indulge your fondness for all things sweet and decadent before embarking on the meagerness of the Lenten Season. There will be pancakes prepared to suit every palate – plain, chocolate chip, banana, blueberry and even more delectable flavors.
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday. The Altar changes dramatically from the Palms of Palm Sunday to the stripped bare Altar of Good Friday. During Easter, there is a dramatic change, with the Altar being filled with flowers and other signs of celebration. Holy week encompasses:
- Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem celebrated with a palm procession and the reading of the Passion, moving from joy to solemn reflection.
- Maundy Thursday is an observation of the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus’ command to “love one another”. This service includes foot washing as a sign of humility and ends with the altar stripped bare, symbolizing Jesus’ abandonment before crucifixion.
- Good Friday Vigil allows us to “stay awake with Jesus” in remembrance of the time that Jesus’ disciples were unable to stay awake with him in the garden.
- Good Friday is a remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion with a somber service of readings, prayers, and veneration of the cross, ending in silence. These traditions invite reflection on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
- Holy Saturday is a time of waiting and anticipation.
- Easter Sunday is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
Our Annual Meeting takes place on the third Sunday after Easter at 9:00 AM between the services. Breakfast usually is served during that meeting. Rev. Maxine and the St. Paul’s Vestry will report on the health of our Church, our finances and budget for the upcoming year. This is also a time to elect new members to Vestry or other important Church councils.
Chrissy’s Run 4 Hope
Chrissy’s Run 4 Hope is a community 5K run and 1 mile walk hosted annually by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Exton, PA in memory of Chrissy Greenawalt. The Run is dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer, raising money to support cancer research, and raising the spirits of anyone whose life has been affected by cancer. The proceeds are donated to cancer research; since its inception, the race has generated almost $100,000 in donations.
The Garden Committee hosts Sunset Socials in the Community Garden on the second Fridays of June through September. Join us for an evening of camaraderie, fellowship and a gorgeous sunset. Be sure to bring your own chair, snack and beverage to share in these celebrations of the bounty of our gardens and the good work of our gardeners.
This special Sunday service happens just once a year, usually in late July/early August, and offers a unique opportunity to worship surrounded by nature. We look forward to using our beautiful outdoor altar for this annual Mass on the Grass service held in the field behind the Parish Hall. Parishioners are encouraged to wear comfortable summer attire and footwear, and the Church provides the chairs and beautiful Chester County scenery.
A Race For All Ages
St. Paul’s annual Great Zucchini Race is a fun, family-friendly part of our summer celebration. This race usually follows the Mass on the Grass that is scheduled for the first Sunday in August. Whether you enter as a contestant or attend just to cheer on your favorite wacky racer, you’ll discover that vegetables are fun! Race cars are easy to make and just need your unique creativity!
During the summer months, when we go to just one service (9:30 AM) each Sunday morning, join us for Lemonade on the Lawn (or in Getman Hall if the weather does not cooperate) immediately following the 9:30 AM service. Cookies, lemonade, and other beverages will be provided by different members of the Church. This is a great time to visit and reconnect with friends and meet some new ones. If you would like to be a host for one of these Sundays, please contact the Church Office.
Blessing of the Animals
Pets are special to us. They can become members of our families, and they themselves are a special blessing in our lives. God first created animals and called them good, and then created humanity to live with wildlife. We were meant to live together in harmony! In early October, we have a ceremony in honor of St. Francis giving thanks to God for the Blessing of our Animals – each animal will receive an individual blessing plus a “Blessing Certificate.” Health and Safety Reminder: Please bring your furry, feathered, or scaly family members on a leash or in a carrier to ensure a safe and respectful experience for all. You are also welcome to bring a photograph of a beloved pet if they cannot attend.
Halloween Movie Night
Every year we celebrate Halloween with great movies and fun for all. The drive-in is free, and the Youth Group will be selling popcorn, candy and drinks to benefit our Youth program. More information to come. Enjoy this Halloween fun as a family or with friends!
We are a very active and welcoming community at St. Paul’s. Please join us for worship, social, and other community events. To add an event to the Church calendar, please contact the Office. All St. Paul’s sponsored events are open to the public.