A Lutheran Congregation in Port Jefferson Since 1917
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church has stood on Patchogue Road in Port Jefferson, New York, since 1917. Now well past its hundredth year, the congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and to the Metropolitan New York Synod, and it carries forward a mission rooted in grace, welcome, and the table of the Lord. Port Jefferson is a harbor village on the north shore of Long Island, and St. Paul's is a small but lively ELCA parish that has learned to do a great deal with a tight group of committed members.
The church building sits along a residential stretch of Patchogue Road, with its parking lot serving as the staging ground for one of the area's weekday community meals. Pastor Paul Downing has served St. Paul's since 2013, and around him has grown a community of deacons, musicians, quilters, teachers, and volunteers who keep the building humming with activity almost every day of the week.
All Are Welcome
St. Paul's states its welcome plainly. The congregation welcomes people of all races and ethnicities, of every marital status and political affiliation, of every sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, those of different faith traditions, those of different physical, mental, and emotional abilities, and those in recovery or struggling with addiction. The church commits to racial equity and specifically includes and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
"Please come, hear the Good News, and celebrate at the Lord's table with us," the welcome reads. "We are ALL God's children." A second line is even more direct: "This is Christ's church. There is a place for you here." That twofold welcome sets the tone for the rest of the parish's life, from its inclusive language in worship to its openness to anyone walking through the doors for the first time.
Sunday Worship, Holy Communion, and Live Streaming
The congregation gathers for worship every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. The service is a celebration of Holy Communion and is broadcast live on Facebook Live so that members who cannot attend in person can still take part. Members are currently walking through the Pentecost season of Lectionary Year A, the three-year rotation of scripture readings used across the ELCA.
Children are part of the service from the start. The youngest members begin worship with their families, take part in an object lesson with the pastor (which has on occasion included the time-honored tradition of a preschooler helping to light the Advent candles), and then step out for Sunday School during the service. They return to the sanctuary in time to share in Holy Communion with the congregation. Older children have opportunities to grow in faith and knowledge of Lutheran tradition through First Holy Communion classes, Confirmation classes, and Vacation Bible School.
Full services are available on Facebook after they happen, and a complete archive of sermons going back to 2021 sits on the church's YouTube channel. The archive is searchable by year and is filled with titles that hint at Pastor Paul's preaching style: "The Unfairness of Grace," "Mercy and Faith," "Seeing What We Want to See," "Not Finished Yet." Many sermons are paired with a piece of pop music, from Dolly Parton to Pink Floyd, that illustrates the day's text.
Pastor Paul Downing and the Deacons
The Reverend Paul Downing, the congregation's pastor, was ordained in the Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA in 2010. He received his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan in 2009, with a year of coursework at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Before entering seminary, Paul earned a 1989 Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University's College of Engineering and worked for sixteen years as a Product Engineer for Aerospace Wire and Cable. He discerned his call to pastoral ministry over those years, serving as a council member, financial recorder, Sunday school teacher, and lay preacher at All Saints Lutheran Church in Jamaica and at other congregations in Queens. He has been with St. Paul's since 2013, following four years at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Flushing Heights, New York. He lives in the church parsonage with his wife Mary, daughter Scarlett, son Marcus, and two cats. In his preaching, Pastor Paul works to make the gospel relevant through everyday analogies, pop culture references, and especially song lyrics, and he spends much of his free time drawing and sketching.
Around him, four deacons share in the work of word and service. Deacon Martha Kalish was set apart in April 2026 by Bishop The Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster. Deacon Johnny Slade was set apart on April 14, 2018, by Interim Bishop The Rev. Donald McCoid and has long been a driving presence in the parish's outreach and online ministry. Deacon Stuart Meade, also set apart on April 14, 2018, has served multiple terms on Congregational Council and is the congregation's Treasurer; he is a strong advocate for biblical stewardship and, in retirement, has volunteered with the Boy Scouts. Deacon Gale Capone retired from her diaconal ministry on October 1, 2020, after twenty years; she joined St. Paul's in September 1970, served on almost every Congregational Council committee, was the first woman on Council, has traveled to the companion synod in Tanzania and on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and continues to be active in worship leadership, Bible studies, and Stephen Ministry in coordination with Hope Lutheran Church in Selden.
Music, Choir, and Liturgical Dance
Music is a living part of every Sunday at St. Paul's. The choir, directed by Organist and Choir Director David Voss, is described as an important component of worship. The choir sings in four-part harmony, helps introduce new liturgy to the congregation, and shares the Good News through song. Attendance at weekly practice and the warm-up time between services is part of their regular commitment.
David Voss became the Organist, Pianist, and Choir Director at St. Paul's on October 13, 2019. He holds a Master of Arts in composition from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Music in music theory and composition from Lawrence University. Outside of St. Paul's, he is a freelance musician who composes, plays collaborative piano, and performs on mandolin; he also organized a virtual choir video for the congregation.
Liturgical Dance is a separate ministry at St. Paul's, with seasonal performances based on the ELCA church calendar. The dance team is one of several creative worship expressions that the Worship and Music Committee supports alongside the choir and the annual Epiphany Pageant staged each January.
Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the Cradle Roll
Christian education for young people is built around Sunday School, First Holy Communion classes, Confirmation classes, and Vacation Bible School. Sunday School meets during Sunday worship, with children returning to the sanctuary in time for Holy Communion. The pastor's object lesson is part of the Sunday rhythm and, in true Lutheran fashion, often involves hands-on participation from even the youngest worshipers.
Vacation Bible School takes place for one week each summer. Coordinators Vickie and Maggie oversee a five-day program of activities, faith experiences, crafts, and fun with a diverse group of children led by dedicated teachers.
The Cradle Roll is the church's ministry to baptized children under three years of age. Parents receive a monthly newsletter filled with developmental notes, faith formation suggestions, crafts, music, and games, and the child's name is entered on the Celebrations bulletin board so that the congregation can stay in touch with the family as the child grows.
Bible Study, Prayer, and the Mary Martha Group
Bible study and prayer are central to the congregation's life. The Open Bible Study meets on Wednesday mornings over Zoom. Led by Pastor Paul, the intergenerational group reviews the upcoming Sunday's lessons, Old and New Testament readings, psalms, and gospel. Pastor shares his perspective and guides the discussion, drawing on his seminary training and weekly pericope study.
The Friday Power of Prayer Group also meets on Friday mornings via Zoom. Members gather to pray for those on the church's prayer lists, for those in need known and unknown, and for the world.
Mary Martha is a monthly Bible study for senior adults, led by Pastor Paul. The group has set a goal of reading, studying, and discussing the entire Bible a few chapters at a time. They meet during the day, usually on a Tuesday, in a spirited setting that has been described as "Holy Spirit inspired."
Pastor Paul leads additional online conversation in two other ways. "Life in the FAST Lane" is a Facebook group where members can connect with one another, and "Bible 365 - Bible in a Year" is a second Facebook group walking through the Bible in a year. Plans are also offered to read the Bible in order, or chronologically, or in parts by days of the week.
Pub Theology and Sermon Archive
Pastor Paul meets the congregation and the wider community outside the sanctuary walls for Heaven and Hops: Pub Theology and Pretzels at the Po' Boy Brewery. The gatherings give a relaxed setting for conversation about faith and life over a beer and a snack.
The sermon archive stretches back to 2021 and includes guest preachers from across the ELCA, including Bishop The Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster of the Metropolitan New York Synod, The Rev. Patricia Avila (Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life and Evangelism), and Father Tony DiLorenzo. Recent sermons have drawn on songs by Regina Spektor, the Beatles, Lauren Daigle, and many others to illustrate the day's text.
Rise Against Hunger and the Love Luncheon
Rise Against Hunger is the church's signature community service project. Each November the congregation joins with neighbors to pack meals for people facing hunger around the world. The event has become a community gathering, with each year bringing in thousands of dollars in donations alongside the meal packing. Deacon Johnny is the contact person for this ministry.
On Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m., the church's parking lot becomes the location for the Welcome Friends Love Luncheon, a free meal for anyone in need. It is one of the most visible weekly signs of the congregation's commitment to feed its neighbors.
The parish also points its members toward the food pantries of its Lutheran neighbors in the area. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Ronkonkoma hosts a food pantry on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church in Selden hosts St. Mark's Bread Food Pantry on Thursdays, with food donations dropped off at 11:00 a.m. and distribution from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. St. Paul's also participates in the Thrivent Choice Dollars and Action Team grant programs, which fund local church ministries through a Lutheran fraternal benefits organization.
Quilters and the Hands-On Life of the Parish
The Quilters meet twice monthly, usually in the evening, to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. The quilts are machine stitched and hand tied to ensure they are sturdy, and every quilt includes the prayers of all who work on it. The quilts are blessed before they are sent.
St. Paul's also runs an active online recipe share, building a collection of favorite recipes from members that includes focaccia, bourbon-dog appetizers, white peach sangria, vanilla no-churn ice cream, lemon loaf, and Aunt Eleanor's Perfect Carrot Cake.
The church's committees keep the building running and the ministry growing. The Worship and Music Committee plans worship services, trains worship assistants and ushers, cares for the altar, and coordinates meals for midweek Lenten, Advent, and Ascension Day services, as well as the Easter congregational breakfast. The Stewardship Committee oversees the annual stewardship program, the Schmidt Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Capital Improvement Fund, and the St. Paul's Memorial Fund. The Property Committee, known informally as the Fix-It group, handles painting, clean-ups, minor repairs, and larger maintenance projects. The Membership Committee greets visitors, follows up with returning guests (including delivering a loaf of homemade bread to repeat visitors), and works to increase the church's visibility in the local community. The Money Counters team counts, records, and deposits all donations after every service. The Nominating Committee identifies candidates for Council positions and presents a slate at the Annual Meeting.
A Century of Memory and the Mission Today
The Foundation is the parish newsletter, with monthly issues going back to 2015 archived in the church's library of memories. Looking Back collects video memories from each year, with special features for the church's 100th Anniversary in 2017. That milestone was marked with a wine and cheese reception in the church Fellowship Hall on Friday evening, a dinner dance at the Polish Hall in Port Jefferson Station on Saturday attended by Bishop Rimbo and Pastor Scheutze, and a special anniversary service on Sunday with Bishop Rimbo preaching, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. A banner on the outside of the church building declared "Let the Celebration Continue into the Next Century."
Living Out the Mission
The congregation's mission statement gathers its commitments into a single paragraph: "Serving Christ in love and friendship, Transformed by Grace through faith, Partners with the ELCA in mission at home and abroad, Accepting diversity in community, affirming the value of each person, Understanding the life of faith in worship and by the word, Learning to live as God's children through baptism and sharing at God's table, Spirit-powered and scripture-equipped to proclaim God's unconditional love."
That mission shows up in the congregation's life in ways large and small: in the love luncheon served from the parking lot on Tuesdays, in the meals packed for Rise Against Hunger each November, in the quilts tied and sent to Lutheran World Relief, in the choirs singing the liturgy and the dancers interpreting it, in the children stepping forward to light the Advent candles, and in the sermons that find grace in everything from a Neil Young song to a Beatles track. St. Paul's is a small church with a deep bench of ministry, and it has spent a century learning how to live out its welcome in a corner of Long Island.