Congregations offer in-person and virtual worship services
POTTSTOWN — Members and friends of Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will worship together via a live video broadcast on YouTube on Sunday, March 21, at 9:30 AM. Pastor Nichole Jackson will offer a “Children’s Sermon” during the service. The service will be available later in the day on our website, trinityuccpottstown.org. On Wednesday, March 24, members of Trinity and Zion’s UCC will join together via Zoom Chat at 10 AM for a joint Bible Study. Call the church office during business hours to get the link to the meeting. See our ad below for office hours and contact information. Trinity will offer a free “take away” meal on March 23 from 4:30-5:30 PM. Access to the meal will be from the parking lot off King Street. All are welcome.
First Presbyterian
POTTSTOWN — Join us for in-person worship on Sunday, March 21, 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 YouTube channel. On Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m., join us in the Peace Garden and Prayer Labyrinth for our Outdoor Communion/Service for Wholeness. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket, a mask, and perhaps a friend!
Brownback’s UCC
SPRING CITY — Join us virtually or in person on this Fifth Sunday of Lent for our traditional worship service at 10 am led by Rev. Mark Styjak. We will enjoy a special service where we will dedicate our refurbished piano in memory of Gladys Mosteller. To watch the service from home, go to https://www.facebook. com/BrownbacksChurch/live/
St. Peter’s Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Lent with guest pastor Rev. Susan Folks. Under the suggestion from our bishop, in-person worship has been suspended until further notice. Video worship will be available on YouTube and Facebook Sunday @12:30 pm by typing: st peter’s lutheran church pottstown pa Wednesday Lenten videos will be available March 17 and 24. Wednesday Lenten Video Service may be seen anytime on YouTube & Facebook after 7 pm. Lenten Discipline “Walk to Jerusalem” continues until March 28. During these weeks of individual collective challenges, we will focus on improving our health in body, mind, and spirit through healthy eating, exercise, and mind stimulating activities and daily devotions. Open to all age groups and activity levels. For up-to-date messages, 610-323-5044.
St. John’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — St. John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., will celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Lent at 10:15 am in the Sanctuary. The worship will also be available on YouTube at St. Johns UCC Pottstown. If attending in person, masks are mandatory. St. John’s Little Pantry continues to offer water, food items, and personal care items. St. John’s mission is to help those in our community who have food stability needs. Thank you to all who continue to donate to this important project.
First Baptist POTTSTOWN
— First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) located at 301 King St. Rev. Dr. Marcia Bailey, Pastor. Worship is live via Zoom this Sunday, March 21, at 3:45 pm. Join us as we continue to observe the Lenten season. FBC, in collaboration with other Pottstown faith communities, is hosting a community forum called Seeking Balance: Fairness in Educational Funding in Pennsylvania. This Sunday, March 21, at 4:15 pm on Zoom, we will hear from Pa. State Rep. Joe Ciresi, from the 146th Dist., and Pa. State Rep. Wendi Thomas, from the 178th Dist. Visit our website www.FBCPottstown.org/School-Funding-Forum for more information and links to join. This month we are receiving the offering for America For Christ. You can give online on our website or by making a note in the memo line of your check. Check our website for the Zoom links and join us in fellowship: www. FBCPottstown.org
Zion’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — March 21 is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut Streets, will have a message titled “The Source of Eternal Salvation.” Sunday School for youth and adults will meet via “Google Meet” on Sun., March 21, at 11 am. 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.” A coalition of Pottstown area faith communities are hosting a forum titled “Seeking Balance: Fairness in Educational Funding” Sunday, March 21, at 4:15 pm on Zoom. State Rep. Joe Ciresi, 146th Dist. & State Rep. Wendi Thomas, 178th Dist., will speak about the direct effects of funding disparities. Join the forum at https://ministrelife. zoom.us/j/93862003402.
Emmanuel Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 150 N. Walnut Street, is holding in-person worship in our Sanctuary this Sunday at 10:45 AM. Services are also broadcast on our Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/emmanuel. pottstown. A recorded version of the service will be posted as soon as available on our website http://www. emmanuelpottstown.com/ as well as on our Facebook page and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCBQzq980Tf11SCyPX2G21mg. The service will remain on these online platforms for viewing at a time convenient to our members and friends.
St. John’s ELC
BOYERTOWN — Worship is live-streamed on Sundays at 9:30 am on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and also is available later in the day for viewing. Midweek Lent service livestreaming March 24 at 7 pm on YouTube. Holy Week services will be livestreamed on YouTube, including Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 7 pm, Good Friday, April 2, at 7 pm, Easter Vigil, April, 3 at 7 pm, and Easter Sunday, April 4, at 9:30 am. Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday evening from 4:30-5:30 pm. No registration necessary. For updates and further details, check our website or call the office.
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. Look at www.stlukegilbertsville. org Our livestream worship will be on at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. All services will be livestreamed until further notice. Sunday is the fifth Sunday in Lent. The sermon text for the day is Jeremiah 31:3134. It is about a new covenant, written on the heart. “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Wednesday will be our fifth midweek service in Lent. Join us at 7:00, p.m. on stlukegilbertsville.org COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK is open open on March 24 for “shopping.” Times of operation are 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cedarville UMC NORTH COVENTRY
— Visit www.cedarvilleumc. org for current announcements, and resources. Join us there Sunday for worship at 9:30 (Contemporary) or 11:00 am (Traditional) or recorded services after Sunday. Service links are also found on the Cedarville UMC Facebook page. Pastor Pat is preaching Sunday with the message for the fifth Sunday of Lent “Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercy” (Isaiah 6:1-8) When we repent of our sin, God does not delay providing us with the mercy and forgiveness we so desperately need. During Lent, you can trust that God will forgive you. No Computer? Dial 610-850-9173 to listen to the sermon later in the week. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC at 414 E. High St., continues to serve the homeless and the needy in our community with food and clothing. The needs at this time are Men’s sweatpants, size small/medium, men’s sneakers, (only sneakers) size 10, 10-1/2, and especially 11, men’s pull-on athletic type shorts, all sizes and travel size mouthwash. This week Youth Group will meet Sunday night at Cedarville 5:30-8:00. For details, contact john@cedarvilleumc.org
Coventryville UMC SOUTH COVENTRY
— Coventryville United Methodist Church - Saturday, our kitchen will be open for take-out from 4:00-6:00 PM. Stop by for a Crusted Chicken Pot Pie Dinner. The menu includes pot pie, coleslaw, roll & butter, applesauce, and a dessert. Prices are Adults: $12, Students & Seniors (65 & older): $10, and Kids (5 & under): Free! On Sunday, join us in-person for the Fourth Sunday in Lent services at 9:30 AM (contemporary) or 11:00 AM (traditional). Please be masked and observe social distancing. For those who prefer to view from home, both services can be viewed on the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeSkOcz5xHKcucCYmbN2Sw. On Friday, the 26th, CUMC will host a Red Cross Blood Drive with extended hours from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to register. If you have questions, please contact the main office at 610-4699350 or church @coventryvilleumc.com or check our website at CoventryvilleUMC.org.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on the Fifth Sunday of Lent on Sunday, March 21, at 9 a.m. Pr. Matthew Finney will lead the congregation in worship and present the sermon for the morning. Diane Houck will be the guest musician playing on the piano for this Sunday. On this Sunday, National Quilt Day, the quilts that were made by members of the congregation will be blessed during the service. Confirmation class will have their class at 10:15 a.m. in the social hall with masks on and social distancing. 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. The church council will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the Welcome Cen
ter. A mid-week Lent service, led by Pr. Matt Finney, will be available to view on the church’s Facebook page on Wednesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m.
Mount Carmel UMC
ST. PETERS — Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road, Reverend Dennis Emrick, Pastor. Church office 610469-9151. Due to Covid concerns, connect with us via our website www.mountcarmelumc.org. for all times and days for our indoor and virtual services and programs. Connections to Bible study, sermon archives, prayer requests, virtual Men’s Breakfast every third Saturday of the month, virtual women’s coffee held weekly and the church bulletin are on the web site. In person AA Meetings are held weekly on Tues. and Thursday @ 7 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on Palm/Passion Sunday on Sunday, March 28, at 9 a.m. Pr. Matthew Finney will lead the congregation in a worship service of Holy Communion and present the sermon for the morning. We will bless and distribute the palms during the service. Our acolyte/ lector/assisting minister for the morning will be Denise Hoffman. Confirmation class will have their class at 10:00 a.m. in the social hall with masks on and social distancing. Endowment Request Proposals are due to the Endowment Committee by Wednesday, March 31. We will join members of St. Paul’s. Lutheran, Sassamansville for a Maundy Thursday service in their sanctuary on Thursday, April 1, at 7 p.m. On Friday, April 2, at 7 p.m., members and friends of St. Paul’s are invited to Christ Lutheran for a Good Friday service in our sanctuary. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.
Holy Trinity
POTTSTOWN — The Annual Spring Bazaar at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Pottstown, is almost here. Pre-order sales only. Curbside Pickup on Saturday, March 27. Pirogies, Halupki, Halushki, Nut rolls, Home-made Baked Goods & Soups. Visit the church website to order: www.holytrinitypottstown.org. Order forms available through March 20.
Christ Episcopal
POTTSTOWN — Christ Episcopal Church is holding a “bag sale” of its winter inventory; shoppers can fill a bag $1 on March 24. The store will be open from 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM and bags will be provided. Safety protocols will be followed, including social distancing and masks; additional details can be found on our website at www. christpottstown.org.
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.