Congregations returning to in-person worship Coventryville UMC

St. Gabriel Catholic

Stowe — Join us and Father Kiernan for Mass this weekend – Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 9 am. Masks are to be worn and social distancing is in place. Confessions are heard on Saturday at 3:30 pm. Upcoming events are: the PREP Family Picnic on Saturda, Sept. 12, St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Drive on Saturday, Sept. 19, and our Annual Golf Outing on Friday, Sept. 25. For more information on these events or to purchase a September Lottery Ticket, contact the church office 610326-5127 or visit our Facebook page www.facebook. com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa. org

First Baptist

Pottstown — First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) at 301 King St., has live online worship via Zoom on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 am. Join us as we discuss “The Spirituality of Woodworking” with guest Barry Sawtelle. If you find yourself near the corner of King and Charlotte streets, come explore the books in the Little Free Libraries at FBC. The cabinets in front of our courtyard on King St have books for children and adults to enjoy. www.fbcpottstown.org

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 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, Aug. 30, at our worship service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Ann Baly will lead the congregation in the worship service and present the sermon. Mercy Ministry will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally. South Coventry — Coventryville

United Methodist Church - The title of Sunday morning’s sermon is “There’s a Better Way than Shooting Somebody.” Curious? Join us to hear Pastor Will’s message. Onsite worship, masked and distanced, is at 9:30 (contemporary) or 11:00 (traditional). For those who prefer a virtual option, both services will be live streamed to the “Coventryville UMC” YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeSkOcz5xHKcucCYmbN2Sw. Questions? Please call the main office at 610-469-9350 or visit CoventryvilleUMC. org.

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville — We invite you to join our worship at 9:30, a.m. every Sunday. You will see that we are now worshiping outdoors, in our parking lot, as well as in lawn chairs around our pavilion! You can look at www.stlukegilbertsville. org Our livestream worship will continue at 9:30 on Sundays. Should weather be inclement, we will not meet outdoors, but only via livestream. Sunday is the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, and, at St. Luke, the gospel lesson from Romans 12: 9-21, where we learn we are to live in harmony. On Wednesday evenings, we welcome you to join us at 7:15, as we share in “Silence, Simplicity, and Prayer.” COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK: On the first Wednesday of the month, the Clothing Rack will be open 9-noon for donations! The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of the month - shoppers are welcome - 9-noon.

Cedarville UMC

North Coventry — Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for current announcements and resources. Join us there online on Sunday at 9:30 am (Contemporary) and 11:00 am (Traditional) services with the Message: Unbreakable Promises, Unshakeable Hope, based on Hebrews 6:19. No Computer? Dial 610850-9173 to listen to the sermon at 9:30 or 11:00 or enjoy a repeat later the following week. Youth Group will meet 7:00 – 9:00 pm Sunday for Cool Animals and Outdoor Movie Night – contact John@cedarvilleumc.org for directions. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Items needed for Wednesday night meals at 414 E. High Street include individual snacks: chips, pretzels, popcorn, variety boxes, Tastykakes/Hostess sweets, individual cookies and halo’s or oranges. Contact Clare@ missionfirstpottstown.org to drop off or for additional details.

St. Paul’s UCC

Pottstown — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., will not be holding an in person service in the sanctuary this Sunday, Aug. 30. A video tape of the service will be available on Pastor Stewart’s Facebook page. On Sunday, September 6, we will return to worship at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary, and will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. The service will also be broadcast live on Pastor Stewart’s Facebook page.

Bethel UMC

Spring City — Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road. Holy Communion is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. in the Shick Shack Pavilion. 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). Feel free to bring a lawn chair or remain parked in your car. Clear Out Your Garage or Basement! Boy Scout Troop #4 Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser - Postponed until September 11 & 12th.

Calvary UCC

Barto — In-person worship is held Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and also on Facebook Live @calvaryuccbarto. The 94th Annual Vegetable Beef Soup To Go and

Bake Sale, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon until we are sold out. $7.00/ quart. To order, call 610-6525023 or email: calvaryucc@ gmail.com Visit www.calvaryuccbarto.com

Brownback’s UCC

Spring City — join us on this Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost for our worship service at 10 a.m. Rev. Mark Stryjak will lead our service and will be offering a Blessing of the Backpacks and Face Masks, to mark the start of the school year. You can easily watch our service from home or attend in person. Face masks are required to attend and we will observe all CDC guidelines, including social distancing and temperature checks at the door. To watch our service at home go to: https://www.facebook. com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/ or join us in person!

Trinity UCC

Pottstown — Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will be live streaming its 9 AM worship service on You Tube on Sunday, Aug. 30. The service will be available later in the day on Trinity’s Website: trinityuccpottstownorg. In addition, Pastor Nichole Jackson will lead a “Back to School Prayer Service” on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 1 PM in our parking lot. Masks must be worn, and social distancing will be followed. This service will offer love and support for students, teachers, administrators, school board members, support staff and parents. Those in attendance will receive a hand-held token that may be used when anxious, fearful, or stressed. Anyone involved in the school community is invited to attend and participate. Trinity will also offer a free “take away” meal on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5 PM. Access to the meal will be in our church parking lot at the rear of he building. See our add below for office hours and contact information.

First UCC

Royersford — First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington

St., continues to have worship on Facebook Live (search for First UCC, Royersford) on Sundays at 11 am.

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. The Grace Early Learning Center is currently accepting applications for the Summer Camp Program. Contact the center at 610-323-9435 or graceearlylc@gmail.com.

St. John’s ELC

Boyertown — On Sundays, an 8:00 am brief parking lot worship service will be held. At 9:30 am our recorded worship service will be shown in the sanctuary for those unable to view our services online. This is limited to 25 attendees. Holy Communion will be offered at both services. Worship and messages will continue to air on our YouTube channel (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and Facebook page (St. John’s Lutheran Church of Boyertown). For updates and further details, 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.

St. James Lutheran

Pottstown — The congregation invites the community to join us for drive-in communion service in the St. James parking lot on Saturdays at 7:00 PM, located at 1101 E High St. Vehicles will enter from Cedar Street (between the law offices and the funeral home) and follow the direction of the parking attendant. Worshipers are asked to remain in their cars at all times and tune the radio to 107.1 FM. Masks should be kept on hand in the event you must exit your car. For any questions or for inclement weather, contact the office, 610-326-2810. Join us at www.stjamespottstown.org for Pastor’s blog, weekly worship videos, weekly bulletins and announcements.

Bethel Community

Pottstown — On Sunday at 11:00 AM, Bethel Community Church of Pottstown Worship Service will be in-person for those willing to wear a mask at all times and social distance. In addition, the worship service will be Live on Facebook at Bethel-Community-Church-of-Pottstown or dial-in by calling 215-3831625 Code 198087. On Monday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the BCCP Food Pantry will be open. On Thursday at 12:00 Noon, it’s Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215383-1625 Code 198087. Also on Thursday at 12:00 Noon, BCCP will have a “Free Food Giveaway” open to everyone. On Friday at 12:00 Noon, it’s Community Prayer Service by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is open Second, Third and Fourth Mondays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and new Applications are being accepted. For more information, please call (610-805-9084).

Butter Valley Community

Bally — Community Yard Sale/Bake Sale/Car Wash. Saturday, Sept. 5, 7 am – 2 pm. Lunch items available. Car wash by donation from 7 am to 1 pm. Benefits Missions. 610-845-2429. www. buttervalleycc.org

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown — On the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will preach on “The Ultimate List.” The website for Sunday Services is http://www. zionspottstown.org, then check on the link “online service.” The weekly YouTube service can be seen from there. Zion’s organist Keith Clattenburg and wife Laura provide music from the sanctuary’s or

gan.

St. John’s UCC

Pottstown — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., continues to hold Sunday worship in Fellowship Hall beginning at 9:30 am. Masks are mandatory and seating is set up for appropriate social distancing. The service will also be available for viewing on St. John’s

YouTube channel.

First United Methodist

Phoenixville — First United Methodist Church, 865 S. Main St., is now offering on-site worship services. There is a sign-up link on the church web page (www.fumcphoenixville.org) to make reservations. Reservations for each coming Sunday appear on Monday mornings. If you would like to take part, but do not have internet access,

call the church at (610) 933-5936. Services are also livestreamed at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. at www.facebook.com/ FirstUnitedMethodistPhoenixville

Area churches are welcome to share their news for our weekly listing. Email information to Mercury Editor Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas@pottsmerc. com Use the words “church news” in the subject line. Deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.