Published December 10. 2024 11:42AM
A generous helping of gratitude garnished every tasty breakfast served at the second annual Veterans/First Responders Breakfast Nov. 9 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill.
The special morning was sponsored by St. Paul’s; Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah, an independent church that comes from the Pentecostal teachings of the Assembly of God, which formed a partnership with St. Paul’s in October and rents from the Lutheran congregation; and the Fountain Hill Community Coalition.
“St. Paul’s wants people to know we are here for the community,” Pastor Marlene Werkheiser, licensed lay minister (LLM) of St. Paul’s, said. “We welcome anyone to join us in worship and fellowship. And it’s important to us that people know it is our faith in God that takes us beyond Sunday worship to sharing Christ with others … his word and his love with others in the community.”
St. Paul’s sponsored one of its popular free Drive-Thru Spaghetti Dinners Oct. 19, and offered its Pulpiteers Puppet Ministry Christmas Show Dec. 7. St. Paul’s will hold its fourth annual Community Day Aug. 30, 2025.
St. Paul’s and Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah will jointly sponsor a Community Health Fair and Blood Drive July 19, 2025, and a Back to School Drive with backpacks and school supplies Aug. 2, 2025.
St. Paul’s Sunday service is held at 10 a.m., and Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah worships at 1 p.m.
Press photos by Tami QuigleyGratitude is served along with scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee at the second annual Veterans/First Responders Breakfast Nov. 9 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fountain Hill. The event was sponsored by St. Paul’s; Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah, which formed a partnership with St. Paul’s in October; and the Fountain Hill Community Coalition.
Future firefighter Ashton Meitzler, held by Borough of Fountain Hill Firefighter Misty Kemmerer, takes a break from enjoying his breakfast.
Veterans and their families and friends chat and eat. From left: Borough of Fountain Hill Police Officer Richmon Penn, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps 2000-05, holding daughter Akshara; Donna Rohrbach; Norah Rohrbach; Josh Rohrbach, who served in the U.S. Army 2000-08; Bonnie Rohrbach; Chuck Rohrbach, who served in the U.S. Army 1977-82; Solomon Penn (not seen); and Doug Trotter, who served in the U.S. Army Security Agency 1959-62.
Fountain Hill Police Officer Richmon Penn, with daughter Akshara, displays his Certificate of Recognition signed by PA Rep. Jeanne McNeill for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps 2000-2005.
Pastor Marlene Werkheiser, licensed lay minister of St. Paul’s, congratulates Al Madzarac, a member of St. Paul’s, on receiving his Certificate of Recognition signed by PA Rep. Jeanne McNeill for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps 1958-1964. “I enjoyed it, really appreciated it,” said Madzarac, who attended the breakfast with his wife, Elaine.
The kitchen crew keeps things cookin’, from left, Nicholas J. Hencoski, who was helping with the Fountain Hill Community Coalition; Jeff Garguilo, council vice-president of St. Paul’s; and Wilfredo Deleon, treasurer of Iglesia Cristiana Shekinah.
