Temple Lutheran Church sits on the corner of Brookline Boulevard in Havertown, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Delaware County. From its red brick building at 501 Brookline Boulevard, the congregation has built a reputation for inclusion - it is a Reconciling in Christ congregation that publicly welcomes people of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, income, and ability - and for steady service to its neighbors through a monthly food pantry, regular Life Center meals, and a long-running Kiva microloan program that has reached small businesses in more than forty countries.
The church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, sends its young people to the ELCA National Youth Gathering and Bear Creek Camp, and partners with Trinity Lutheran Church of Havertown to form a combined youth group. Worship on Sunday mornings combines traditional liturgy with contemporary music, communion is celebrated every week, and the building stays busy from early worship through the adult Cafe hour that follows.
"Therefore Welcome One Another"
The church's welcome statement is grounded in Romans 15:7 - "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Temple Lutheran Church commits to anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-genderism, anti-classism, and anti-abilism because of its love of Jesus Christ and the work of Christ in the world.
As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, Temple extends hospitality, support, encouragement, and full participation to all who seek to join in God's work. The congregation frames its life around three core values - Inclusion, Community, and Service - and a four-part mission: Welcome Unconditionally, Worship Fully, Live Generously, and Celebrate Growth. Its vision is to transform Church, the neighborhood, and God's world in the name of Jesus.
Two Sunday Services, One Open Table
Temple Lutheran holds two Sunday morning services in its sanctuary. Early Worship at 8:15 a.m. is in-person only, and the 10:00 a.m. service is offered both in person and via livestream on the church's YouTube channel.
Holy Communion is celebrated at every service, and all are welcome at the table - "no exceptions." Those who do not feel ready to commune are simply invited to know they are welcome anyway. The 10:00 a.m. service blends traditional and contemporary music. Preaching often comes in multi-week sermon series that the congregation describes as topical and intended to take "Sunday into Monday" and beyond. Weekly bulletins are posted online so worshipers can follow along at home, and the on-screen graphics during the livestream provide everything needed for participation. A time during the service supports the church financially, but newcomers are explicitly told there is no expectation or pressure to give.
At 9:00 a.m., between the two services, the downstairs Cafe hosts an adult Sunday School hour with coffee, tea, conversation, and Bible study. Discussion moves between translations of the Bible, the historical and societal context of the texts, and Protestant teachings from other denominations - several participants were not raised Lutheran. There is a lending library of book-club reads and Christian resources in the same room, and the group is open to questions and to newcomers.
Music in Every Corner of the Church
Music plays a central part in worship at Temple Lutheran, and the program is unusually broad. Florrie Marks has served as Director of Music Ministries since 2010 and has been on the music staff since 1999. She is the church's organist, pianist, and guitarist, and she directs the chancel choir, handbell choir, instrumental ensemble, children's choir, and praise band - "basically, anything that involves music at Temple." She trained as a violinist at the Juilliard School and holds degrees from Gettysburg College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Outside the church, she directs music for high school, college, and community theater groups across the Philadelphia area and is a past recipient of the Best Musical Director award at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England.
The music ministry is open to anyone who wants to share their gifts, from choir to handbells to instrumental ensembles, and it offers the church its distinctly blended Sunday sound - traditional Lutheran hymns alongside the praise band.
Children, Sunday School, and VBS
Children have a central place in worship at Temple. They are encouraged to take part in every part of the service, including a special "Sermon on the Steps" children's time with the pastor. During the school year, children in kindergarten through sixth grade are dismissed after that children's time to attend Sunday School and return at communion. Younger children ages three and four are welcome to attend when accompanied by an adult. The Sunday School program uses the Spark curriculum, a three-year lectionary-based series, and divides class time between crafts, group songs and prayer, and age-appropriate lessons. Classes meet in the Children's Room beneath the sanctuary.
Older children, third through fifth grade, dig into the weekly Bible story and discuss what it means for daily life. Sixth through twelfth graders are folded into TL4C - Teens Living 4 Christ - the joint youth group Temple shares with Trinity Lutheran Church of Havertown.
Each summer, Temple Lutheran holds a one-week Vacation Bible School for children ages four through ten, drawn from the congregation and the wider community. Recent themes have included "Emerald Crossing: An Irish Adventure through Psalm 23," held in early August with a 9:00 a.m. drop-off and noon pick-up. Youth volunteers ages eleven through seventeen and adult leaders help run the program.
TL4C: Teens Living 4 Christ
TL4C combines the middle and high school youth of Temple Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran in Havertown, giving them a larger faith community than either church could support on its own. The group is led by Youth Minister Jenn Pruski.
Middle school youth meet on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30 p.m., with dinner provided, and high school youth meet on the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The gatherings mix games and fellowship with planning service projects. Past and upcoming activities have included the ELCA National Youth Gathering (most recently in New Orleans in 2024, with the next one planned for 2027), Bear Creek Retreat, the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat, the Appalachia Service Project in West Virginia, a senior youth retreat at Bethany Beach, building a rain garden for a mission partner, pancake breakfast fundraisers, escape rooms, bowling, and a Halloween outing.
Families interested in learning more can email Jenn Pruski at TL4CYouthLeader@gmail.com.
Learning for Grownups: Bible Study and Spiritual Direction
Beyond the Sunday Cafe, two adult small groups meet on alternating Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the church's Conference Room. The Bible Study group works through scripture together, asks questions, and explores how God's Word connects with daily life. The Spiritual Direction Group offers a quieter space to listen, share, and grow in faith under spiritual guidance. Both groups are led by Director of Discipleship Rob Mannix, who earned his Master of Divinity at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 2010, and both are open to newcomers at any point.
The church also maintains a small lending library of Christian books and Bible-study resources in the Cafe, available for browsing any time the building is open.
A Growing Food Pantry
TLC Food Pantry is one of the most visible ministries of Temple Lutheran. Open from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month, the pantry serves anyone in need - no proof of income, residency, or anything else is required. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and clients are invited to shop the pantry shelves for what their family needs.
The pantry accepts donations of non-perishable food (no expired items, no glass) at the back of the church courtyard on Brookline Boulevard, under the blue canopy and double glass doors. Current needs typically include applesauce in plastic jars, cereal, canned chicken, canned salmon, tomato soup, and rice. Financial donations are also welcome. Volunteers are needed to set up and break down tables, serve refreshments, greet and guide clients, recycle and compost, and run occasional food and toy drives. To help, email pantry@templelutheran.org.
The pantry's mission statement is "Welcome Unconditionally, Engage Regularly, Nourish with Food and Fellowship," with a vision of "Respectfully Nourishing our Neighborhood and God's World in the name of Jesus." Its page also points visitors to other food banks across Delaware County and Philadelphia for those who need additional help.
Life Center Meals and the Wider Community
On the second Tuesday of every odd-numbered month - January, March, May, July, September, and November - Temple Lutheran volunteers cook and serve dinner at the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County, an emergency shelter for homeless families and individuals at 63rd and Market Streets in Upper Darby. The Life Center houses around forty people on any given night, serves more than 160 residents a year, and is run by the Community Action Agency of Delaware County.
Temple is one of more than forty area churches, synagogues, and temples that rotate through providing the evening meal. Volunteers must be at least sixteen years old, and coordination is handled through an online SignUp Genius. Food must be labeled and delivered to the church kitchen by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meal, or stored in the Cafe freezer in advance.
Beyond the Life Center, the church partners with organizations across the region through seasonal drives - Christmas gifts for residents of Fair Acres and for women at Chester Eastside Ministries, presents for foster children through Bethany Services, toiletry collections for those experiencing homelessness or transition, and similar efforts.
Microloans Around the World
A newer ministry at Temple Lutheran is its Kiva Microloan Fund, which started as a Lenten Generosity Project in 2023 and has since become a permanent outreach. The congregation's Kiva committee has now funded 201 loans to small businesses in 43 different countries. Members who want to contribute can designate their gift to the Kiva fund when giving to the church.
Mental Health and a Place for Every Ability
Temple Lutheran has built a dedicated Mental Health Resources page to help congregation members and the wider community navigate counseling, crisis support, recovery groups, and caregiver burnout. The page provides Delaware County behavioral health contacts, a 24/7 crisis line, a telehealth helpline, the National Suicide Hotline, and the Key Recovery Center, alongside recommended books, meditation and family-safety apps, and a curated list of local counseling practices across the Main Line.
The church is intentional about welcoming people with special needs. The building is handicap accessible, and the community welcomes children and adults with special needs at every worship service. Autism-friendly play bags are available every Sunday - they contain tactile toys, board books, and a laminated social story that helps parents prepare their children for the rhythms of worship.
Pastors, Staff, and Lay Leadership
Pastor Tim Johansen has served Temple Lutheran Church since 2012. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Marist College. He has a heart for those on the margins and works among people with substance use disorders and those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He is married to Mary, and they have three children: Leo, Gus, and Sam.
Florrie Marks, Director of Music Ministries, oversees the full music program as described above.
Rob Mannix, Director of Discipleship, focuses on connecting mission partners and the community to each other and to God, and leads the Bible Study and Spiritual Direction groups. He holds a Master of Divinity from LTSP (2010) and lives in Springfield with his wife Karen; they have four adult children and three grandchildren.
Jenn Pruski is the Youth Minister, leading TL4C and accompanying the youth to the National Youth Gathering, Bear Creek Camp, the Tuscarora Lutheran Youth Retreat, service projects, and fundraisers.
Jeanne Daniels serves as Sunday School Director and Assistant Treasurer.
Darcy Mannion is the Parish Administrator. The church is also guided by a Church Council chaired by Amy Mensch (President), with Maureen O'Ryan as Treasurer, Celia Engman as Vice President and Financial Secretary, Lisa Jennings as Secretary, and members supporting Discipleship, Christian Education, Fellowship, Worship and Music, Evangelism, Social Ministries, Youth, and Children and Family Ministries.
A Place to Visit and a Place to Stay
Newcomers can expect a relaxed atmosphere and a genuine welcome. Dress is whatever worshipers feel comfortable in - the church makes no mention of a dress code. There is no church parking lot, but there is plenty of street parking in front of the building and along the side streets; visitors are asked simply not to block neighbors' driveways. Communion is offered to everyone, and children are encouraged to participate in the service rather than be removed from it.
Temple Lutheran offers space for weddings and funerals. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The phone line is 610-446-3270, and the church can be reached anytime at temple@templelutheran.org. Directions are available through Google Maps at 501 Brookline Boulevard, Havertown, PA 19083.
The 10:00 a.m. Sunday service is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, and past services and bulletins are archived there as well. Giving is accepted through PayPal and by check.
For a congregation that traces its welcome to Romans 15:7, hospitality is not a side program - it is the front door, the table, and the work of every Sunday at Temple Lutheran Church.