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	LUTHERAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
	ATHANASIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
	KNIGHTS OF ST PAUL
	LUTHERAN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTANT CHURCH

Our Current Ministry

St Pauls Ministries is a non-profit, non-stock Pennsylvania based corporation, with paperwork being completed to be registered with the Pa State Board of Charitable Organizations. Currently no salaries are paid to any minister, board member or director, with contributions used solely for ministry expenses. We are currently established in a small chapel located at the rectory of the Presiding Bishop of The Lutheran Orthodox Church .

Our staff members, volunteers and services are available to local nursing homes, hospitals and other non-profit institutions by contacting our office. All services are free of charge. We are currently establishing branches in other cities and states as well.

How we began

Nestled away in a small building, tucked between quaint shops and a convenience store, in the heart of historic Main St, Slatington, sat a humble little chapel known as St Pauls Lutheran Chapel. This small little church, which seated only 40 people had become a beehive of activity since its opening, on Palm Sunday, 2004.

Starting with nothing but a dream and less than a thousand dollars, the pastors and a few family members turned a rundown abandoned storefront into a beautiful, cozy, and spiritual chapel, opened to the public, where everyone who came in was struck by the simplistic beauty of this little church. St Pauls prided itself on being the most inviting, caring and loving church in this town of many churches. Worshippers came from far and near to gather together as one family united in worship every Sunday. Whether a seasoned, 'mature' Christian or a toughened 'street kid' all were welcomed, invited to participate and enjoy the fellowship of Christ as His people.
St Pauls was blessed with visitors from such distant places as Ohio, Arkansas, North and South Carolina, Trenton, Philadelphia, Florida, Kansas City, Michigan, Pittsburgh, New York, California and even from as far away as India, and elsewhere. We welcomed those visitors and hoped they took home fond memories of our chapel and the congregation, and we hoped to see them again in the future.

Despite the humbleness of the building,the small size, and obscure location, St Pauls was well served by loving, qualified and caring pastors who put the interests of Gods Kingdom first and foremost, outreaching to the poor, the downtrodden and those less fortunate, as well as the seasoned, lifelong Christian.
A youth group was started and met every Wed. Evening, oftentimes with more than 40 teens coming to learn about The Lord, the Bible, and things other than what the world offered.

A Change in Direction:

In early spring, 2006 we realized that our congregation had outgrown its facilities, and we were actually spending more time 'in the field' so to speak, with most of our members involved in all types of ministry in the community. Most of our youth group had graduated high school and were getting well established in careers or college, and some went into the military. The chapel itself was in need of some major repairs, and since we did not own the building, we decided to leave when our lease was up. Another local congregation offered to let us use their facilities provided we pay a majority of the expenses of the building. But on the day that the new arrangements were to begin, nothing short of a blessing from God occurred. An email was received by our pastor, with a plea for someone to handle the pastoral care duties at a local assisted living facility. In exchange, we were allowed to have our congregation meet and use their chapel as well. And what a blessing it proved to be! We were able to provide pastoral care for the 75 residents, plus staff, and family, and we met as a congregation too. Our reputation for excellence in pastoral care grew as we became more widely known in the community. Sadly, our affiliation with that facility was severed when the facility decided that all religious services would be discontinued at that location.
Because we serve people of many different denominational backgrounds and faiths, we decided to let our new ministry more accurately reflect our mission and ministry, and rename it St Pauls Lutheran Ministries, even though we serve all people as Christians, and not just certain denominations. We remain under the umbrella of The Lutheran Orthodox Church but legally St Pauls Ministries inc is a stand alone entity.

There is never a fee for any service

St Pauls never charges a fee for any service provided. Whether it is a wedding, baptism, Thanksgiving Dinner, youth group activity, funeral or any other activity conducted at St Pauls in relation to ministry, there is never any fee charged. St Pauls relies entirely on voluntary contributions, unsolicited, and never takes a collection for any reason, even during Sunday formal worship services.

News Section and Links

Be sure to read our news and link section on the left side of this page for upcoming schedule, youth group activities, and other Chapel news.

Services:Services are conducted every Sunday morning at 10:00am and Wed evenings at 7:00pm. Large print, easy to follow worship booklets are available at the door, as well as a hymnal.
Services begin with a greeting, opening hymn and a prayer. The liturgy follows the order in the worship booklets, followed by a short sermon. Communion is then taken, and everyone is invited to participate in the Lords Supper. A closing hymn is sung and fellowship is usually followed afterwards with coffee and snacks. The entire service lasts about 45 minutes, but most stay for conversations and fellowship, sometimes as late as noon...how time flies when we are among friends.
One point to make is that there is no membership roster at St Pauls. Since this is a chapel, this is open to everyone.
The service is well attended, and we have anywhere from 30-40 regulars. with an overflow crowd accomodated during special occasions. Regardless, we want you to leave refreshed in mind and soul, ready to face the challenges of everyday life.

Board of Directors:

The Rev Sandy Guido,DD, Co-Founder of St Pauls Ministries.

Dave Reimert, Deacon and assistant to the Bishop, seminarian, Concordia Theologica Institute.

The Rev Rich Stoecker,

Jennifer Guido, Deaconess Pastoral Care Assistant

Peggy Snyder,Board of Directors

Gary Snyder,Board of Directors

Joan Hertzog, Board of Directors.

Baptisms
Memorial services
Visiting The Sick or Homebound
Community Meeting Room
Pastoral Care*see next column

All services provided by St Pauls or its staff are provided free of charge. Contributions to help offset expenses are appreciated, but not required.

Disclaimer
The services provided are strictly pastoral counselling services and not intended to be a substitute for psychiatric or psycological therapy. Those needing services beyond the scope of our abilities are referred to appropriate professionals such as Diakon Lutheran Social Services and The Lutheran Home At Topton.