Area congregations schedule special services and events
St. John Hill UCC
Boyertown: Annual Hill Church Picnic featuring “Ringgold Band” will be held today at St. John Hill United Church of Christ in the picnic grove, 620 Hill Church Road. Music 5 to 8 p.m., food available at 3 p.m. with sit down food service available from 3 to 7 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, soup, ice cream, peaches and ice cream;door prizes during concert. Thomas Paine Unitarian Collegeville: Fingerstyle guitarist and folklorist Maxwell “Max” Ochs, with his life-partner Suzanne Ochs, will lead an upbeat worship service replete with music and poetry focusing on the importance of gratitude in and for our lives on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Ochs has recorded for Takoma records among other labels since the mid-1960s. For over a decade, Ochs curated the folk music series at 333 Coffeehouse in Annapolis, Md. His last full album, “Hooray for Another Day” (2008), includes readings of some of his poems, one of which pays tribute to his cousin, legendary protest singer/songwriter Phil Ochs. Max Ochs continues to write, perform and record songs in the folk and blues tradition.
First Presbyterian
Pottstown: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be celebrated during the 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church.
Christ Lutheran
Barto: Bridge Pastor David Penman will be leading the congregation at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road. The deadline for all 2019 Budget requests is due to the finance committee by Sunday, Aug 5. The quilting ladies will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the church and then will go to Goody’z on Route 100, Bechtelsville, for their Ladies Lunch Date. All ladies of the congregation and friends are invited. Trinity UCC Pottstown: A block party to observe National Night Out will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., rain or shine, at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St. All are invited to help take back our streets and get to know our neighbors. Hot dogs, popcorn, soft pretzels and Rita’s water ice will be available to all. In addition, information will be available from Zuber Realty, P.O.W.E.R., voter registration, Christ Episcopal Church, CCLU, Victim’s Services of Montgomery County, Pottstown Youth Club, Pottstown Police Department, MCAT, and Trinity UCC. There will also be a community prayer wall available to everyone. Come out and enjoy the food and music. There will be prizes for kids, face painting and sidewalk chalk for the kids as well. All are welcome. St. Luke Lutheran Gilbertsville: “Bread Sundays” will be celebrated until Sept. 2 at the 9 a.m. worship at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave. by featuring a liturgy with energetic and rhythmic world music. The Community Clothing Rack will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday for distribution. A new member brunch will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. at The Other Farm and Forge. St. Peter’s Lutheran
Pottstown: Guest organist will be Joanne Smolik at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services on Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St. Peaches and cake with cream will be served by members of the Parish Life Committee, in the parlor, after each worship service. The Reverend John Smolik, pastor for 48 years, returns from his vacation. First Baptist Pottstown: Rev. Dr. Dwight M. Lundgren will be guest speaker at the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday at First Baptist Church, King and Charlotte streets. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. He also holds a certificate from Plowshares Institute in Community Conflict Mediation and Negotiation and a certificate in adult psychotherapy from the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. Rev. Lundgren has served as pastor of several churches including First Baptist Church of America, Providence, R.I., and First Baptist Church, Philadelphia. He most recently served as director of Reconciliation Ministries and manager of American Baptist Personnel Services for the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, Valley Forge. Lundgren has two adult sons, Lt. Col Matthew Lundgren, USMC, and Peter Lundgren, Doctors Without Borders. All are welcome. Bethel UMC Spring City: The Baptism of Willow Brooke Trout, daughter of Brianna and John Trout, will be celebrated at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road. She was born April 8. First UCC Royersford: Kathy Bieski will be playing the piano during the worship service on Sunday at First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St. Fellowship follows worship. National Night Out, sponsored by the church, will be on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills
Bechtelsville: The H2O youth group will camp out from Friday to Sunday at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road.
Brownback’s UCC
Spring City: All are invited to Fellowship Hall for Social Hour hosted by the Faust family following the 10 a.m. service at Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road.
Zion’s UCC Pottstown: A trombone trio will perform the special music at the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Zion’s United Church of Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets. Musicians include Brian and Jim Miller and Andrew Chesbro. Salem UMC Pottstown: Salem will be celebrating National Safe Night Out/Back to School Night will be celebrated from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Salem United Methodis Church, 335 West St. There will be free school supplies handed out, free food and anyone is invited to bring their favorite food dish to share, free crafts and games as well as free music. The church’s new Pastor Etta McCall is also being welcomed on this night with free cake. Mount Carmel UMC St. Peters: Volunteers from Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road, will meet in St. Peters today for the “Good Works Program” an organization that helps those in need of home repairs. For more information call the church at 610-469-9151. Refreshments will be available after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. Everyone is welcome.