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.
What’s Happening at St. Paul’s
Annual Events
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.
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 (April 20th) is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Easter Services will be held at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Both services are chorale services with Eucharist. There will be no breakfast served between services on Easter Sunday.
Our Annual Meeting will take place on a Sunday, May 11th at 9:00 AM between the services. Breakfast will be 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. We also will be electing 2 new Vestry members and delegates to Diocesan Convention.
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.
Join us every June for Chrissy’s Race 4 Hope. The proceeds are donated to cancer research in memory of Chrissy Greenawalt. Since its inception, the race has generated almost $100,000 in donations.
Check back for the date!
The Annual Chrissy’s Run 4 Hope is a community 5K run in Exton, PA 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.
Race Day Registration & Check in followed by 5K Run Starting then by 1 mile Walk/Fun Run
LOCATION: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1105 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA 19341
Dogs are invited to join!
A Race For All Ages
St. Paul’s annual Great Zucchini Race is part of our summer celebration. We start the day with “Mass on the Grass” followed by the Zucchini race. Whether you enter as a contestant or 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!
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! On Sunday a in October at 2:00 pm we will 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.” Please call the office in advance with your pet’s name. There will also be special treats for all of our special pets.
Halloween Drive-in Movie
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. Enjoy this Halloween fun as a family or with friends!
Christmas Eve
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
Reoccurring Activities and Groups
Celtic Service ~ This complementary service happens once a month at 6:00 pm.
Women’s Bible Study – Please join us for every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month in the Library at 7 PM. Contact Laura Harting via the office with any questions.
Education for Ministry
Men’s Bible Study – The group meets on alternating Saturdays at 7:30 am. Contact Kurt Mislick via the office with any questions.
The Garden Committee meets on the first Monday of each month during the planning, prepping, and harvesting seasons, with a short hiatus from meetings after the final harvest. Meetings are held via Zoom and/or in Getman Hall; check with Steve Choc (steven.choc@gmail.com) or the Church Office for location and/or meeting link. The Garden Committee also hosts Sunset Socials in the Community Garden on the second Fridays of June through September. Join us at the garden 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.