Area congregations prepare to reopen in green phase

Grace Lutheran

Pottstown — We invite you to join us for virtual worship this Sunday at 9:30 AM by visiting our website (https:// gracechurchpottstown. org/). The service will remain on the website for viewing at a time convenient to our members and friends. Talks have begun to formulate a plan for reopening. The church office is now open Monday through Thursday from 8:45 AM-12:15 PM. The office can be reached at 610-323-9320 or gracepottstown@gmail. com. The Grace Early Learning Center is currently accepting applications for the Summer Camp Program. Contact the center at 610-3239435 or graceearlylc@ gmail.com. Several local churches are working together to provide a virtual Vacation Bible School. Camp Compassion VBS is open to all children in Preschool5th grade. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://www.newhanoverlutheran.org/vbs. php.

Trinity UCC

Pottstown — Pastor Nichole Jackson will again offer Sunday Morning worship on our website at 930 AM. The website is trinityuccpottstown.org. In addition, she offers evening prayer time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 PM. Access this payer time on our Facebook page. Plans are being made to return to he church for worship on Sunday, July 5. Details on precautions needed to worship together safety you will follow next week.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

Pottstown — Join St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost with a Video Worship Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Join us on YouTube or Facebook. We will be reopening for services on Sunday, July 5. For up-to-date messages, call the church at 610323-5044.

Bethel Community

Pottstown — On Sunday at 11:00 AM, BCCP Worship Service will be live on Facebook at Bethel-CommunityChurch-of-Pottstown or you may dial in by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. Our guest preacher will be Minister Tony Betts and all Youth/Young Adults of Pottstown are encouraged to join us on Facebook. Virtual Community Bible Study on Thursday at 12:00 Noon by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. Community Prayer Service on Friday at 12:00 Noon by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is Open every Second, Third and Fourth Monday (Except Holidays) from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and new Applications are being accepted. For more information, call (610805-9084).

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown — The Lectionary Readings for Rev. Austin Chinault’s sermon at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut sts., are Genesis 22: 1-14, Romans 6: 12-23 and Matthew 10: 40-42. His sermon on YouTube will be “Are You Ready For This? (Part 4) “The Most Profound Thing on Earth.” Zion’s has begun a Bible Study and Prayer group meeting Wednesday at 10 am via Zoom on the Internet. Consistory continues to check-in with members by phone and sending a worship liturgy along with a sermon outline each week. Remember to like “Zion’sUCC. Pottstown” on Facebook.

Access these videos via www.zion’spottstown.org under the link “on line services” on YouTube.

Bethel UMC

Spring City — Bethel United Methodist Church is located at 952 Bethel Church Road and easily accessed from Routes 23 or 724. Online Sermons: We are offering sermons online while we are sheltering in place during the Corona virus epidemic. Please visit our website or our YouTube channel to view the sermons. Website: https://bethelumchurch.com. YoutubeChannel: https://www. youtube.com/channel/ UCq3nVAaCkpL1f0OM0zKaIvQ. And be sure to join us on our Facebook page on Sunday mornings at 10 am for a children’s message. Guided Outdoor Prayer: On Saturday, June 27, there will be an outdoor guided prayer held at Bethel. Anytime between 1 and 1:45, you can begin your guided prayers at the first station at the bottom of the hill, driving, walking, or envisioning. At 1:45, a brief meditation and closing prayer will be offered. On the first Sunday of every month, beginning July 5th we are gathering for Communion at 11 a.m. in the Shick Shack Pavillion. You can bring your own elements (some have used bread, cookies, any type juice, water, or raisin bread - which includes the bread and fruit of the vine all in one). We will all be wearing masks and social distancing. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or remain parked in your car.

Cedarville UMC

North Coventry — While our campus is still closed, visit www.cedarvilleumc. org for current announcements and resources. Join us there online on Sunday at 10:00 am as we worship together, individually, in our homes, with music and prayer. Pam Frame will bring this week’s message: Perseverance based on Psalm 22:1-5. Dale Sharrock will provide the Children’s message. You can also find the service later on our website. Following safe distancing practices, Youth Group will meet for Archery Tag and Bonfire at Mr. McCormick’s house on Sunday 6:30-9:00 pm. Contact john@cedarvilleumc.org for details. Mission First at 414 E. High St., is hosting Ministries On Main Street’s summer meals; a warm take out meal on Wednesday evenings. Mission First is in need of toothpaste, shavers, shaving cream and deodorant. Contact clare@missionfirstpottstown.org to donate. As we enter the green phase, we will continue to employ a comprehensive phased-in approach meeting State, CDC and Conference requirements while being sensitive to the needs of the church and ALL its people. Online worship will always be an option.

St. John’s ELC

Boyertown — Due to the coronavirus, all events at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church have been temporarily canceled. This includes our Saturday evening meal and worship services. Our office will also remain closed. FREE Vacation Bible School To-Go Boxes will be available in July! Visit our website to sign up for yours! Join us online for worship and messages on our YouTube channel (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and Facebook page. For updates, please check our website (stjohnsboyertown. org) or call 610.369.1024. Please leave a voicemail message in the event of an emergency and a staff member will return your call.

Christ Lutheran

Barto — We invite you to worship with us, now that we are able to worship together but still maintaining social distancing, on this the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, June 28, at our worship service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pr. Ann Baly will lead the congregation in the worship service and present the sermon for the morning. Those attending worship are required to wear a mask, maintain social distance of at least 6 feet at all times, enter the church through the side door on the Congo-Niantic Road side, and exit through the front doors, unless you require the use of the elevator. Communion, sharing of the peace, and hymn singing is not being observed at this time and bring your Bible from home if you so choose. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally. Visit the church’s website at www.christniantic.com

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville — We invite you to join us for worship at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. On this Sunday, and more to come, we invite you to worship with us via livestream video from St. Luke. You’re welcome to find us on our Facebook page. You can look at www.stlukegilbertsville.org. Sunday is the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, and, at St. Luke, the gospel lesson from Matthew 10:4042, about Jesus welcoming those he sends. A “virtual coffee hour” follows the service, beginning at 10:30. On Wednesday evenings, we invite you to join us at 7:15, as we share in “Silence, Simplicity, and Prayer.” In-person

worship returns on Sunday, July 5. COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK will open July 1 from 9 a.m.-noon for donations. Beginning July 8, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of the month, shoppers are welcome from 9 a.m.-noon.

First Presbyterian

Pottstown — Join First Prebyterian Church of Pottstown via YouTube for Sunday worship services beginning at 9:30 am.

First Baptist

Pottstown — First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) located at 301 King St. Rev. Dr. Marcia Bailey, Pastor. FBC has LIVE online worship via Zoom on Sunday, June 28, at 10:30 am. Join us as we discuss “The Spirituality of Papermaking and Art” with Jeanne Petrosky. Please check our website for information on how to join the online service. www.fbcpottstown.org

First UMC

Phoenixville — First United Methodist Church, 865 S. Main St., will be livestreaming Sunday worship services at 10:45 a.m. on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/FirstUnitedMethodistPhoenixville/ All gatherings in the sanctuary are suspended. Website: www. fumcphoenixville.org

Connection Church

North Coventry — Connection Church, 962 E. Schuylkill Road — In response to COVID-19 and for the well-being of our community, all in-person gatherings in our worship center are canceled until further notice. Connection Church will be livestreaming our Sunday morning services at 10 am. To tune in, visit www.facebook. com/cometoconnect. Website: www.cometoconnect.com