Churches adjust worship services to pandemic restrictions
St. Paul’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., Pottstown, will continue with virtual only worship on Sunday, December 6. Services will be broadcasted live on the church’s new Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/stpaulsuccpottstown. This Sunday we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. Consistory members will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7:00 p.m. The Take Out Pot Pie Sale that was scheduled for Dec. 12 has been canceled due to the increasing cases of COVID-19, and the concern for safety for all.
St. Peter’s Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent with Holy Communion services at 8 am and 10:30 am. Video worship will be available at 12:30 pm on YouTube and Facebook. Pastor Smolik will preach on Mark 1 – “Orange Cones” in our lives. Lectors will be Nancy Dunning and Melinda Deamer. Advent wreath lighting will be performed by Nancy Dunning and Tara Cusick. Evangelism Committee will meet Monday, December 7 at 6:45pm and Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00pm with face masks and social distancing. For up to date messages, call the church at 610-3235044.
First Presbyterian
POTTSTOWN — Sunday, Dec. 6, is the second Sunday in Advent at First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St. Join us for worship at 9:30 a.m. Sign up on the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown website or by calling the church office at (610) 326-0620. Wearing a mask and social distancing are required to enter the church building. The service will also be livestreamed on the church You Tube channel.
St. John’s ELC
BOYERTOWN — Worship is live streamed on Sundays at 9:30 am on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and will then be posted later in the day for viewing. Holden Evening Prayer service available online Wednesday, November 9 and 16 on YouTube or through our website. Free drive through, take-out meal every Saturday evening from 5-6:30 pm. No registration necessary. For updates and further details, please check our website or call the office. Please leave a voicemail message in the event of an emergency and a staff member will return your call.
First Baptist
POTTSTOWN — Worship is live via Zoom this Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 pm at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) located at 301 King St. Join us for the Second Week of Advent as we light the candle of Peace and meditate on “Watching in the Shadows.” This week is also communion Sunday, so have something small to eat and drink ready. Our Monday Night Book Group meets next Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 pm on Zoom. The book is Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Always a Guest.” Anyone can join…even if you don’t have the book! We encourage you to participate in as many or as few sessions as you can and invite a friend. We’d be delighted for you to add to our conversation. Check our website for the Zoom links: www.fbcpottstown.org
Zion’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — Dec. 6 is the Second Sunday in Advent. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message titled “The Prince of Peace.” The Moser family will light the second candle in the Advent wreath to symbolize “Peace.” Sunday School for youth and adults will not meet this week. Stay tuned for possible changes in our worship opportunities. All are welcome to join us for our Sunday YouTube service this week available on the website https://www. zionspottstown.org, then click on the link “online services.”
Coventryville UMC
SOUTH COVENTRY — Join us in celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent with special prayers and candle lighting at Coventryville United Methodist Church. Services are at 9:30 AM (contemporary) and 11:00 AM (traditional) with Pastor Will Humes leading worship. For those who prefer to view from home, both services will be live-streamed to the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel - https:// www.youtube.com/channel/ CYmbN2Sw. On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive from 2:00-7:00 PM in the church hall. Signup at RedCrossBlood.org. Drop-ins are welcome, just be prepared to wait. Each pint of blood collected can help save up to three lives. Make a difference! If you have questions, please contact the main office at 610649-9350 or church@coventryvilleumc.com.
Trinity UCC
POTTSTOWN — Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent at its 9:30 AM live streamed worship service. The service will be available on YouTube only, and later in the day, on Trinity’s web site: trinityuccpottstown. org. Pastor Nichole will offer a time of prayer and reflection every Wednesday beginning at 1 PM. Join her on our Facebook page. A free take-away meal will be offered on Tuesday, December 8 at 5 PM. Access to the meal will be in the parking lot at the rear of the church. Consistory will meet on December 8 at 7 PM via Zoom Chat. See our ad below for office hours and contact information.
St. John’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — St . John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., will be celebrating the second Sunday in Advent at 10:15 am worship service. The service is being held in the Sanctuary with masks being mandatory and will also be videotaped and posted online for viewing. Christmas balls are available for gifts for the family the congregation is supporting this holiday season. The annual Budget Meeting will be held immediately after the worship service on Dec. 13.
St. Luke Lutheran
GILBERTSVILLE — On Sunday, and more to come, we invite you to worship with us via livestream from St. Luke. You’re welcome to find us on our Facebook page. Please look at www.stlukegilbertsville.org Our livestream worship will be on at 9:30, a.m. every Sunday. Please note that, based on a recommendation from the bishop of the Southeast PA Synod, all services will be livestreamed only until further notice. Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent. In Mark 1:1-8, we see John appear from the wilderness. On Wednesday evenings, we welcome you to join us at 7:15, as we share in “Silence, Simplicity, and Prayer.” Community Clothing Rack is closed until further notice.
First UCC
ROYERSFORD — First UCC, 367 Washington St., will livestream worship on Facebook at 11 am (search for First UCC, Royersford). It is the Second Sunday of Advent and Kathy Bieski will be our musician. We are collecting gift cards for Bethany Children’s Home The Church Women will meet on Monday night via Zoom and the Consistory will meet Thurs night via Zoom.
Cedarville UMC
NORTH COVENTRY — Visit www.cedarvilleumc. org for current announcements and resources and join us there Sunday for live worship at 9:30 (Contemporary) or 11:00 am (Traditional) or recorded services after Sunday. Due to the increase in coronavirus cases, in-person worship is temporarily suspended. This week we continue an Advent study with the message: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas (by Adam Hamilton), INCARNATION: Our Saviour and the Need for Saving. No Computer? Dial 610-8509173 to listen to the sermon later in the week. Youth Bible Study Sunday 6:00-6:30 and Youth Group 6:30-7:30 this week via Zoom. Contact john@ cedarvilleumc.org for details. Enjoy Children’s LIVE ZOOM on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm with story lessons. Contact lea@ cedarvilleumc.org for ZOOM details.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — We invite you to worship with us on this the Second Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 6, our worship service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pr. Ann Baly will lead the congregation in the worship service of Holy Communion and present the sermon. Worship Assistant at the 9 a.m. service is: Lector/ Assistant Minister; Terry Flicker and Greeter; Sue Hoffman. Confirmation class will have their class from 4 – 6 p.m., location TBD. Ladies: if you plan on attending the Lutheran Ladies Lunch on Tuesday, December 8, please let Sue Hoffman know your lunch order from Main Street Pub by Monday, December 7. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the ladies will meet in the social hall at 12 noon for the Lutheran Ladies Lunch. Handbell rehearsal will on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Bethel Community
POTTSTOWN — Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Communion Packets will be distributed from the Parking Lot (Weather Permitting). On Sunday from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Communion packets will be distributed from the Parking Lot (Weather Permitting). On Sunday at 11:00 AM, you are invited to worship with BCCP inperson and masks must be worn at all times and social distance. In addition, the service is Live on Facebook at Bethel-Community-Church-of-Pottstown or dial-in by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is closed on Monday but reopens on Monday, Dec. 14, at 6:00 PM. On Thursday at 12:00 Noon, it’s Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215383-1625 Code 198087. On Friday at 12:00 Noon, it’s Virtual Community Prayer Service 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, please call (610805-9084).
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. Submission deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.