Area churches schedule special services and events

St. John Hill UCC

Boyertown — A free Summer Concert featuring Remington Ryde (Blue Grass and Gospel) will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.on Sunday at St. John Hill United Church of Christ, 620 Hill Church Road, in the picnic grove. Food available at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments and concert rain or shine. A good will offering will be accepted.

Bethel UMC

Spring City — A 50th Anniversary Celebration of Troop 4 will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, in Bethel Grove. Everyone is invited, not just Troop 4 members of the past and present. Bring the whole family for a grand picnic of food, games, music, memorabilia, trivia quizzes, see today’s Scouts camping, tours of the renovated Scout hut.

Shepherd of the Hills

Bechtelsville — The second annual End of Summer Luau will be held on the church grounds from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road. The Allan Scott Band will be featured entertainment. There will be food and children’s activities.

The Allan Scott Band will lead worship at both services on Sunday as part of the Rally Day observance. Adult and children’s Sunday school classes will reconvene at 9:15 a.m.

Coventryville UMC

Pottstown — Build your own homemade hamburger dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. today at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road. Dine-in or Take-out. Menu items include homemade hamburgers, multiple toppings, french fries, vegetables, dessert, coffee, water and iced tea. Cost is Adults $12; Students and Seniors (65 and older) $8; Kids 5 and under are free.

Higher Ground

Pottstown — Free smoke detector giveaway to community residents. Higher Ground Church International and Good Will Fire Company are hosting Safety Sunday on Sept. 16.The event will take place at the church, 1126 South St. Good Will Fire will be doing a presentation on the importance of having a working smoke detector in the home. They will be bringing a fire truck and children can have their picture taken with the fire truck or fire men and women. Children can learn about the fire truck and its equipment. Fire safety handouts will be given. Higher Ground Church is having a special singer as part of the service and will be serving refreshments.

St. Luke’s Lutheran

Obelisk — The Praise Service, led by the praise band Messenger, will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road.

A free Community Dinner will be held in the Fellowship Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. All are invited.

First UCC

Royersford — Lorie Cannon will share her involvement with Habitat for Humanity and a special collection will be received during the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday at First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St. A congregational conversation will take place after worship.

Mount Carmel UMC

St. Peters — A Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. today at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road. The agenda will be prayer, breakfast, Bible Trivia, devotional and topic for discussion. For more information contact Mike Nester at 484-716-1630.

Refreshments are served after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. Everyone is welcome.

Bethel Community

Pottstown —It’s Men’s Focus Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St., when the men of the church will lead in worship and the Men of Valor Choir will be singing.

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown — The annual church picnic for Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Earl Township Park, Pavilion A. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy games and prizes for all ages including the popular peanut scramble. Beef Barbeque and hot dogs will be provided so bring a side dish and/or dessert to share; meal begins at 4:30 p.m. See the church newsletter for directions.

Sunday will celebrate both Rally Day and the 10:15 a.m. worship in the Chapel. Refreshments, music and fellowship begin at 9:30 a.m. for all ages. The 10:15 a.m. worship service will feature gospel music by “Lady and the Tramp” from Falkner Swamp UCC. The theme is “Back to School and Sunday School.” Backpacks will be blessed.

Choir rehearsals with organist Keith Clatterburg will be Thursdays, Sept. 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.

As usual Pizza and Ping Pong continue Wednesday at 6 p.m.

St. Paul’s UCC

Pottstown — A Hoagie and Baked Goods Sale will be held today at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St. Cost is Italian $6 and Turkey $7. Hoagies will be available as well as various baked goodies. Pick up time is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Calvary UCC

Barto — Faith Formation for all ages takes place at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100. Children will meet in the Sunday School wing and adults will meet in the Fellowship hall. All are invited.

Christ Lutheran

Barto — Special music will be sung by Ava Novotny at the 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. worship services on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.

St. Matthews UCC

Chester Springs — A Community Program Series “Navigating Medicare” will be presented by Bryan Ellis at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17 at St. Matthews United Church of Christ, 2350 Conestoga Road (Rt 401). The program is open to the public and is free of charge. Bryan is an expert in navigating Medicare when first registering or changing existing coverage. Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Supplement or Advantage Plan information is explained, and the “Open Enrollment Period” beginning in October for existing coverages will be covered.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

Pottstown — An All-YouCan-Eat Pancake Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Room between 9 and 10 a.m. on Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St. In addition to pancakes the meal includes sausages, choice of juices and coffee. Adult tickets at $5 may be purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign Appeal.

Pastor John Smolik will represent the church at the Upper Montgomery Lutheran Pastor’s Conference at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Obelisk at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The Seniors Luncheon will be held at Ron’s Crooked Hill Tavern in Sanatoga at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville — The 8:30 a.m. Bible Study will resume on Sunday at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave. JAM (Jesus and Me) class also resumes on Sunday.

The Adult forum will begin Sunday following the 9:30 a.m. worship. We will hear from youth who participated in the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston this summer.

Catechism class begins Sunday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Pottstown. The class has students from St. Luke, St. James and Grace Lutheran churches.

On Wednesday, The Sr. Breakfast Group will meet at 8 a.m. on Wednesday at Saville’s Diner.

The Community Clothing Rack will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday for clothing distribution.

Brownback’s UCC

Spring City — All are welcome to remain after the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road, for Social Hour in Fellowship Hall. All are then invited to partake in the Church Vision Listening Session, with members of the Vision Committee.