Area churches schedule special services and events Holy Ghost Orthodox St. James Lutheran St. Peter’s Lutheran
Grace Bible Phoenixville: A Live nativity will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at Grace Bible Church, 777 Starr St. Live animals, music, presentation and refreshments. Holy Trinity Orthodox
Pottstown: The Annual Christmas Cookie Sale will be held today from 9 a.m. to noon, or until sold out, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1236 Juniper St. A variety of homemade ethnic and traditional cookies are being offered for sale. Limited quantities of ethnic pastries such as nut rolls and poppy-seed rolls will be available for take-out, as well as pierogi, halupki, halushki, and homemade soups. Gift basket raffles are a new feature this year. A retreat “Becoming a Healing Presence” will be held at the church today and Sunday presented by Dr. Albert Rossi, a licensed clinical psychologist. The first retreat session will start Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. Vespers will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Lenten dinner. The second session will take place on Sunday immediately following Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. and coffee hour. Dr. Rossi teaches courses in pastoral theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y., and has written numerous articles on psychology and religion.
Good Shepherd UCC
Boyertown: Pasta Night with Santa and Mrs. Claus, benefiting Good Shepherd’s Organ Fund in Memory of Devin Spence will be held tonight at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave. Cost is $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Children ages 4 to 10, free to ages 3 and under. Tickets are available in church office or at the door. Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Special Cantata Choir and Musicians present Advent Music Sunday at the 7:45 and 10:20 a.m. services on Sunday.
Phoenixville: A Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Holy Ghost Orthodox Church Hall, 55 Starr St. Ethnic foods, pirohi, filled cabbage, haluski, kobasi; nut, poppy, apricot, raspberry, lekvar rolls; cookies and more. Also a Craft Table, and imported items from Russia.
First Presbyterian
Pottstown: A meeting for all those interested in becoming members of the church will be held prior to the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church. The Service for Wholeness will be held at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
Calvary Baptist
Pottstown: The Adult and Children’s Choir will present “Come to The Light” a Christmas choral presentation at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church, 2096 New Schuylkill Road (Route 724). A reception will follow.
St. Luke’s Lutheran
Obelisk: Love Boxes for home-bound members and friends will be assembled after the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road. A Cookies With Santa event will be held following the assembly of the Love Boxes.
Christ Lutheran
Barto: The second Advent candle will be lit during the service on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road. The Prayer Shawls, knitted and crocheted by members of the congregation, will be blessed during the 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. services. Pottstown: The 7th Annual Advent/Christmas Festival will be presented at 4 p.m. on Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 E. High St. The 50-voice Festival Choir, will feature Mendelssohn’s “There Shall A Star from Jacob” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” The Chancel, Youth, Junior and Handbell Choirs, will sing and play music for the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Favorite Christmas Carols will be sung by the audience and choirs, and several instrumentalists are featured. The concert is accompanied by Kirsten K. Olson, on the pipe organ and grand piano. Bruce W. Tonkin, the church’s director of music ministry, is the conductor and will perform special organ music at the hour-long concert. The public is cordially invited; there will be a free-will offering and refreshments will be served after the concert.
Calvary UCC
Barto: A Relay for Life Santa Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. today at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100. Santa will arrive at 9 a.m. This is an all-you-can-eat event and the cost is a donation of your choice to the Relay for Life Team: Calvary United Cancer Crusaders. The church will be caroling to home-bound friends following the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday. All are invited.
Zion Lutheran
Spring City: A youth play “A Star, A Baby, A Promise” will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at Zion Lutheran Church, 39 Bonnie Brae Road. No charge. All are welcome.
St. James Lutheran
Limerick: An “Advent Craft Expo” will start at 2 p.m. today at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road. Participants will make Christmas decorations and gifts. The youth will decorate the Christmas trees. After singing Christmas carols, cookies will be served. The Junior/Senior High Youth Group will have a Christmas party at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Trinity UCC
Pottstown:
Rev. William Pifer-Foote will be honored with a potluck brunch following the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Trinity United Church of Christ, Hanover and King streets. Pastor Bill has served the congregation as Interim Pastor since Palm Sunday of 2016. His last service at Trinity will be
Christmas Eve. Members are asked to share memories with a “card shower.” Gifts, both “gag” and meaningful will be presented. All are welcome.
Shepherd of the Hills
Bechtelsville:
The Prime Timers from Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road, will go to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre to see “White Christmas” on Thursday. The Preschool will hold its Christmas program in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Parkside
Phoenixville: Please join Parkside Church, Third and Main streets, and Compassionate Friends for a candlelight vigil on Sunday at the church. Please arrive by 6:15 p.m. so that all the candles will be lit by 7 p.m. The Compassionate Friends is a support group for those who have lost children. Pottstown: Participants in the Lighting of the Advent Wreath for the Second Sunday of Advent at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will be Anna Stetler and Charles Gottshall at the 8 a.m. service; Cindy Clouser and Terri Kollar at the 10:30 a.m. service. Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service the Annual Congregational Meeting will be called to order by Council President, David Cremi. The agenda will include the general order of business, adoption of the 2018 Financial Budget, update on building handicap accessibility, update on the Capital Campaign Appeal, and election of members to serve a three-year term on church council. Nominations are Janet Levengood, Sandra Levengood, Monica Wagg and Beverly Yanocha.
First UCC
Royersford: Rev. Bill Worley, Conference Minister, will deliver the message celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent at First United Church of
Christ, 367 Washington St.. The Bells of Praise, handbell choir, will perform. There will be fellowship after worship.
Coventryville UMC
Pottstown:
The Thrift Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road. It will be the only opening this month. A Pancake Breakfast with Santa will be hosted from 9 to 11 a.m. today. Come out and take your own pictures with Santa and enjoy breakfast, crafts and stories. A Spaghetti Dinner will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. tonight. The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors over 65 and kids under 5 are free. There will be dine-in or takeout available. The Second Sunday of Advent will be marked with a candle lighting at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services.
Zion’s UCC
Pottstown: The Handbell Choir under the direction of Rev. Mary Etta Mest will celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets. Sunday is the deadline for the collection of 200 cans of cranberry sauce for the Cluster Christmas baskets. Poinsettia orders in memory of or in honor of members and friends are due Monday.
St. Luke Lutheran
Gilbertsville: The second candle on the Advent Wreath will be lit at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday at St. Luke Lutheran Church. At Sunday’s service, Myles and Makenna Hess are welcomed to the St. Luke family as they are received through the sacrament of holy baptism. A brief congregational meeting will be held following worship for the purpose of electing members to Congregation Council. The Senior Breakfast Group will meet at 8 a.m. on Wednesday at Saville’s. Following breakfast, some breakfast group members will go to the church to decorate the Chrismon Tree in the sanctuary. The Community Clothing Rack will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and again on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Brownback’s UCC
Spring City: The children and youth will be presenting their Christmas pageant during the 10 a.m. service on Sunday at Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road. All are invited to remain after the service for Social Hour in Fellowship Hall.
Mount Carmel UMC
St. Peters: The choir of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road, will present the Cantata, under the direction of Dr. James Wells, “Forever God Is With Us” arranged by Marty Parks during the 10 a.m. service on two Sundays. Part 1 will be on Dec. 10 and the second part will be on Dec. 17. There will be refreshments available after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. Everyone is welcome.
Cedarville UMC
North Coventry: The Praise Team will present the cantata “FOREVER, God Is With Us” at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday at Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road The Chancel Choir will present the cantata “Rise Up! A New Light A-Comin’” by Lloyd Larson and Pamela Martin at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. Larson’s music is a mixture of spiritual and carol arrangements and his original compositions while Martin’s narrative is filled with scenes that highlight all who were sent to tell the good news of the Christmas story. The Choir will be accompanied by various instrumentalists. Narrator is Gayle Frying. The organist/pianist is Chris Vogel and the director, Kathryn Ballein. There will be a Blue Christmas Service in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. on Sunday for all those grieving and in need of comfort and hope.