Church news

Shepherd of the Hills Church, Bechtelsville

The Montco-Berks Golden Age Club will meet at Shepherd of the Hills on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. The program will feature pianist Karl Hauseman. Boy Scouts meet Monday at 7:00 p.m. AA groups meet at the church on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Al Anon meets in the church on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills Church is located at 527 Hoffmansville Road, Bechtelsville.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Bechtelsville

Rev. Eugene C. Zaiser, Pastor Our regular worship schedule resumes on Sunday, September 4th, with worship at 10:15 AM, Sunday School for all ages at 9 AM, and Contemporary Worship on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 8 AM. Rally Day - Sunday, September 4th - 9:00 a.m., It’s time for Sunday School again! Children and youth will be learning about some spies in Canaan. The adult discussion class will begin studying an important servant in the Bible, Moses. We invite you to come study God’s word with us! Non-perishable items will be collected for Multi Service during the month of September. As we celebrate Harvest Home on September 18th, let us share nature’s bounty with those who are less fortunate. Firefighters Recognition Sunday will be held on Harvest Home, Sunday, September 18, 2016. Join us as we thank and honor our local firefighters. A free will offering will be taken after the worship service followed by a covered dish luncheon. Please bring your favorite dish to share. Need a ride? We have volunteers in the congregation who are willing to provide transportation to medical appointments, etc., for those who can’t find a ride. Please contact Pastor Zaiser 610-322-0901 if you need a ride or would like to volunteer as a driver. Mark your calendars for upcoming events: Saturday, October 1st-Basket Party 11:00 a.m., Sunday, October 2nd- 2:00PM Crop Walk, Saturday, October 8thPot Pie Dinner, Saturday, October 22nd-9:00 a.m.2:00PM Craft Show. More details to come .....

Trinity’s events for the upcoming week:

Sunday, September 4th16th Sunday after Pentecost-Rally Day-8:00 a.m., Contemporary Worship Service with Communion, 9:00 a.m., Sunday School, 10:15 a.m., Worship Service with Communion, the Worship Assistants will be: Greeters: Sharon & Angie Renninger, Ushers: Dan Ritter, Michael & Kay McGowan, Dennis Schaeffer, Servers: Linda Bewley & Ruth Brooke, Lector: Connor Deskie, Tuesday, September 6th-6:30p.m. Cub Scouts, Wednesday, September 7th-6:30 p.m. Senior Choir Practice. This church is located at 1749 S. Main Street, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. For more information, please call 610-369-1281 or check out our website: <www. trinitybech.com>.

Boyertown Mennonite Church

275 Mill St., Boyertown Pastor Nelson Shenk Every Sunday morning we have Sunday School classes for all ages from 9-10 a.m., and worship at 10 o’clock. Join us on Sunday, September 11 for “Guest Sunday” and then stay for a picnic lunch. The Sunday sermons can be heard at http://boyertownmennonitechurch.org/ by clicking on “Audio of Services”. We love having visitors so come check us out. We can be reached at 610369-1974 or by e-mail at <bmc19512@yahoo.com>. St. Luke Lutheran Church 35 Wilson Ave., Gilbertsville Please join us Sunday for the sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The Adult Bible Study Class will meet at 8:30, a.m. We’ll have one service at 9:30, a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Our interim pastor, Pastor Christian McMullan, will preside at the service. The church office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. It’s the start of a new month! On Tuesday night, Property Committee will meet at 6:30, p.m. The Community Clothing Rack will be open on Wednesday afternoon from 1:00-4:00, p.m. for clothing drop off. Many thanks to all for their many contributions! On Wednesday night, the Senior Choir resumes it’s fall schedule with rehearsal at 7:30, p.m. There are plenty of seats….all are welcome!! Congregation Council will meet Thursday night at 6:45, p.m. If you’re traveling, discover God’s presence in a new worship setting….stay connected in Christ through serving and in prayer…..keep supporting our St. Luke ministries, and return…. refreshed and renewed! September has arrived! School has resumed for most, and, for all of us, it’s a time to resume fall schedules, roll up our sleeves, and dig in!! Please join us every Sunday at 9:30, a.m.! Most of all, make sure to “catch the wav of God’s amazing love!” All are welcome at St. Luke Lutheran Church - please join us!

Christ Lutheran Church

Rev. Matthew Ollikainen 222 Niantic Rd., Barto 610-845-2583 christluthchurch@windstream.net We invite you to join us on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at our normal worship times of 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. Pastor Matt Ollikainen will be leading the congregation in a Holy Communion worship service, present the sermon, and will present the Children’s Sermon. Nancy Mest, flutist, will provide special music during the 10:15 a.m. service. Those ministering at the 7:45 a.m. service are: Acolyte; Erik Ollikainen, Lector; Charles Orner, Communion Assist: Stephen Hoffman and Greeters/Ushers; Charles Orner and Roy Hoffman. Those ministering at the 10:15 a.m. service are: Acolyte; Joshua Nase, Lector; Brian Barr, Communion Assist: Cheryl Barr and Greeters/Ushers; Brian and Emily Barr. The church office will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. The Worship and Music committee will resume their monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. Save the date of Saturday, September 10 (rain date: Sunday, September 11) from 1- 4 p.m. and join us for our second annual Community Day. We will have free hot dogs, snacks, drinks, entertainment (Transformation Praise Band (1 – 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 – 4 p.m.) and Party Animal Express (1:45 – 3:15 p.m.) and for the 1st 100 people in attendance, free Rita’s Water Ice. Join us and various community organizations for a fun-filled afternoon! The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally. Sunday School for all ages is held at 9 a.m., September through May. Visitors are always welcome! The church is handicapped accessible and air conditioned! Visit the church’s website at www. christniantic.com for more news and information about the church and upcoming events.

St. Joseph’s Hill Lutheran Church

St. Joseph’s is located at 244 Koch Road, Boyertown. Regular Worship times (resume Sept. 11): 7:45 & 10 a.m.; Praise Band at 10 a.m. on 2nd Sunday of the month; Interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing at 10 a.m. on 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month Sunday School (resumes Sept. 11): 8:45-9:45 a.m., gather in the nave for opening at 8:45 a.m. Church office phone 610369-0990; fax 610-3690912; e-mail at stjoehill@ptd.net.

St. Luke’s, Obelisk

A fundraiser benefitting St. Luke’s and their efforts in the community will be held at the Other Farm Brewery in Boyertown on Friday, September9 from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. featuring live entertainment from Pat & Sean Kelly. The Rev. Paul Chapman, will conduct the 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Holy Communion services at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road, Obelisk. You are most welcome. Members participating at the 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion service are: David Semmens, Head Usher; Kevin & Charlotte Christman, Greeters; Gail Faust, Reader, and Dennis Faust, Communion Assistant. Members participating at the 9:30 a.m. worship service are: Nelson Swartley, Head Usher, Dorothy Richard, Mike Way Greeters, Allyson Breidor, Lance Breidor, Ushers; Alison Huffman, Acolyte, and Jerry Jordan, Assisting Minister. Handicapped facilities are available. Saint Luke’s website is www.stlukeschurchpa.com.

Huff’s Union Church

Hereford Township Pastor Jane M. Kropa Office 610-845-2626 Website www.huffschurch. com Sunday, September 4, worship is at 8 & 10:30 a.m . Pew Communion for both services. Sunday School is at 10:30 Sunday, September 4, 9:15 a.m. - Alolyte Training Choir practice begins in September. Anyone interested in choirs may contact Mrs. Gloria A. Adams at 610-914-8116

Calvary United Church of Christ

1231 Route 100 Barto 610-845-2570 calvaryucc@gmail.com This week, we will come together to worship on Sunday, August 28 at 9:15 am. During this service, Pastor Linda will be blessing backpacks, students, and all who work in school districts. As a new school year begins, we want to remind children, youth, and school employees that the love of God and the congregation of Calvary UCC surrounds them every day. Students, please bring your backpacks to worship for this blessing. Our special music for this week will be a duet by Chris Mathias and George LaFaver. Our Pet Blessing Worship will be on September 4th at 9:15 am. Feel free to bring your pet to worship with you! We will gather under the pavilion for service. This year we will be collecting old towels and sheets for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. In addition they are also in need of these items: Kitty Litter, linens for cat cages such as baby blankets or hand towels, stuffed cat toys, Canned cat food (only this brand)-Fancy Feast canned Kitten food tender turkey variety, Canned dog food (only these brands)-Alpo, Pedigree, Iams, Mighty dog (ground), Ceasars (ground). Join us on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. and help us kick off our Sunday School Rally Day. We have magical fun planned for this year! Kyle and Kelly Peron, both Magicians, will perform a magic show with a bible lesson built in. They may be able to levitate a child, if we have the right volunteer! The Peron’s perform their magic for churches, camps, private parties, as well as Knoebles and Fairs. They are very excited to kick off our Sunday School year with their magic. Everyone is welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9 am. Our 90th Annual Beef Vegetable Soup Supper will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 3-7 pm. Come out for some great soup and wonderful baked goods. Eat in or take out. Upcoming opportunities: (1) There is a signup sheet in the narthex for those interested in attending an exhibit at Eastern State Penitentiary, Prisons Today: Questions in the age of mass incarceration. More information can be found here http://www. easternstate.org/prisonstoday. We have several people interested in going and invite you to join us. (2) The Opiate addiction in our community continues to rise with lives lost and families torn apart. As the church, we are called to enter into conversations to see how we might be present for these individuals and families. If you would like to be a part of these conversations please let Pastor Linda know. (3) We will be Potato Harvesting with the Potato Project on Sept. 17. Information on all of these upcoming opportunities may be found in our church narthex, by emailing calvaryucc@gmail. com or calling the church office. Remember, you are always welcome and wanted at Calvary United Church of Christ..The church is located at 1231 Route 100 about 2 miles south of Bally. Visitors are always welcome. The church is handicapped accessible. The church website is www.calvaryuccbarto.org