Congregations schedule services, special events

SCHWENKSVILLE — Heidelberg United Church of Christ in cooperation with Camp 387 of the Patriotic Order Sons Of America will host a Service of Worship and Remembrance in honor of the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11. The service will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Local first responders and military personnel will be recognized at the service. Light refreshments will be served outside following the service. All are welcome to attend. Heidelberg United Church of Christ is located at 251 Perkiomen Ave. Schwenksville, PA 19473.

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Worship at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM on Sept. 12 and will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Masks and social distancing required. Trinity will offer a free take-away meal on Tuesday, Sept. 14, between 4:30 and 5:30 PM. Access is available in the parking lot at the rear of the church. See our ad below for office hours and contact information. All are welcome.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

POTTSTOWN - St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost at our 9 am Worship Service with The Rev. Dr. Kenneth S. Nelson as the Guest Minister. Visitors are always welcome. Sunday’s Worship Service may be viewed on our website: https://www.stpeterslutheranpottstown.com. God’s Work, Our Hands - A Day of Service will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service to spend time making inspirational collages or working on the Lawn. Coffee and cookies will be served. Worship/Music Meeting at 6:30 pm Monday. Seniors Luncheon

at 11:30 am Wednesday, at Exeter Family Restaurant, Reading. For reservations, call the Church Office. Order Apple Dumplings now thru Saturday at $4.50 each by calling the church office. Pick up and pay for dumplings on Sunday, Sept. 26.

St. Paul’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., invites you to join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 9:00 a.m. Masks are strongly encouraged. We have resumed our social hour in Fellowship Hall following worship. The service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/stpaulsuccpottstown. St. Paul’s will be holding a Take-Out Only Pot-Pie Dinner, Saturday, Sept. 11. Cost is $10 for each dinner, which includes a quart of Pot-Pie, roll, pepper cabbage, and dessert. Pick-up time is between 4 and 6 p.m. To place an order, call 610-323-2068. We will be serving the Community Meal at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, September 16.

Bethel UMC

SPRING CITY — Sunday worship at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, will be held indoors at 8:30 am and 10 am. Mask required for non-vaccinated. A special program, “Draw Near to God,” by Chosen Peoples Ministries, will be offered at both services. All members of the Christian and Jewish communities are invited. A love offering will be received after each presentation. Church website: www. bethelumchurch.com

Congregation Hesed shel Emet

POTTSTOWN — Congregation Hesed shel Emet, 575 N. Keim St., welcomes guests for Jewish High Holidays

services in person or via Zoom. Attendees for services and holiday meals should be fully vaccinated and masked. Kol Nidre Wednesday, Sept. 15 - services at 6:15 pm. Yom Kippur Thursday, Sept. 16 - services at 9:15 am; Yizkor service at 5:00 pm followed by Neilah. To RSVP for services or to obtain the Zoom link, email the office at hesedshelemet575@gmail.com or call 610-326-1717. Visit our website at www.hesedshelemet for more information. Congregation Hesed shel Emet is located in the Bethel Community Church of Pottstown building.

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Sept. 12 is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost and Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut sts., welcomes all to in-person worship at 10:15 am. Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. Kimberly Stryjak will have a message based on the theme —The Tongue. For those who wish to worship virtually, you are welcome to join us and view later on Zion’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ zionsucc.

First Presbyterian

POTTSTOWN — Join First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St., for in-person worship on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 10:30 a.m. Sign up on the church website or by calling the church office at (610) 326-0620. Wearing a mask is required indoors.

Bethel Community Church

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 10 AM, it’s Community Bible Study Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 North Keim St. At 11 AM, you are invited to worship with BCCP for “Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost” when Pastor Ross will deliver the morning message on the subject “The Tongue - A Restless

Evil.” In-person Worship is permissible and masks are optional with social distancing for those fully vaccinated. In addition, the service is Live on Facebook @https://www.facebook. com/BCCP575 or dial-in by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is open at 5:00 PM. The Pantry’s Schedule is Second, Third and Fourth Mondays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Open to everyone. The Pottstown Vaccine Clinic is Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM and the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being administered. Appointments are being accepted for a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals. Online registration for the third dose is available at https://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Vaccine. In addition, required back-to-school immunizations are offered (Tdap and Meningococcal). To register for the “Back-to-School” immunizations, schedule an appointment at https:// www.montcopa.org/2758/ Back-to-School-Vax. Sponsored by Pottstown Ministerium. On Thursday at 12:00 PM, it’s Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. For more information, please call 610-8059084.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., welcomes everyone to our worship service at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall. Masks are mandatory. Seating is set up to meet social distancing guidelines. The service will also be videotaped and posted on YouTube after the service is over. St. John’s Little Pantry continues to serve members of the community with food stability needs. The Pantry is located in our front yard facing High Street and is filled weekly with water, food and personal care items. St. John’s is also supporting Operation 143 which supplies food to children in the Pottstown and surrounding school districts. Thank you all to those who help St. John’s support these important Mission projects.

Coventryville UMC

SOUTH COVENTRY — The Coventryville Thrift Shop at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road, will be open Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9:00 AM12:00 PM. Stop in, spend, and save on the unique inventory of clothes, accessories, home goods, and more! Sunday will be special with just one blended service at 11:00 AM followed by a Welcome Picnic for Pastor Stacey at 12:00 PM. Weather permitting it will be in the church pavilion. Otherwise, the event will be held in Grace Hall. Later in the week, Bible Study returns on Wednesdays. Join Pastor Stacey in prayer, reading scripture, and lively discussion. Choose a time at either 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM. Bring an open heart and a Bible. All are welcome! Contact the main office at 610469-9350 or church@coventryvilleumc.com, or visit CoventryvilleUMC.org.

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) is live on Zoom this Sunday, Sept 12, at 10:30 am as Pastor Marcia Bailey meditates on how “Only Love Overcomes Evil.” You can find the link to join our website at www.FBCPottstown.org. The Book Study Group meets Monday, Sept 13, at 7:15 pm on Zoom. We are reading Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color by Khristi Lauren Adams. Would you like to join this free group? For more info, visit www.FBCPottstown. org/Parable-of-the-BrownGirl. Join us online in fellowship!

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Join us for Sunday services held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM (Traditional), and 9:30 AM (Contemporary). Masks required. CedarKidz/CedarTweenz is held at 9:30 along with KidzWorship at 11:00. KidZoom will continue at 10:30; please contact Lea@ cedarvilleumc.org for a link. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for current announcements, resources, live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. The sixweek, all-church study “The Walk” will begins Monday with Pastor Sherry’s sermon and the follow-up Bible Study classes. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E High Street, continues to serve the needy in our community with an Emergency Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Wednesday Night Meals and Laundry Love. Contact Clare@ missionfirstpottstown.org or call Clare at 610-3260560 to donate non-perishable foods.

Grace Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., will observe the 16th Sunday after Pentecost on Sept. 12 with worship in our Sanctuary beginning at 9:15 AM. All in attendance are required to wear a face mask and social distance. The service will be live-streamed on our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/GLCPottstown, and a recorded version of the service will be posted as soon as available on our website https:// gracechurchpottstown.org, YouTube channel https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgJA-RV1AwzJW5LhKr67uA and Facebook page. The service will remain on these online platforms for viewing at a time convenient to our members

Emmanuel Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — You are invited to join Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover St., for worship in our Sanctuary this Sunday at 10:45 AM as we celebrate the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. This week’s worship assistants are June Newman, Greeter; Bod Schwanger, Lector; Kathy Cook, Worship Leader; and

Dennis DiLabio will deliver the message. The service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/emmanuel.pottstown at 10:45 am. As soon as it is available, it will also be posted on our website http://www.emmanuelpottstown.com/ and on our YouTube channel at 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. Emmanuel is excited to announce that two other local congregations

share the word of Christ from our location on Sunday mornings! Agape Life Ministry, under the leadership of Pastor Randy Shanley, meets in the Chapel at 9:30 AM. For more information, call 610323-4509. Restoration Life Center under the leadership of Pastor Joyce Wilkerson meets in the Chapel at 12:00 noon. For more information, call 484-300-5508. A Neighborhood Flea Market will be held in Emmanuel’s parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 9, between 8 AM and 1 PM. Plan to come out to shop for oneof-a-kind finds, baked goods, and Emmanuel memorabilia! Lunch will also be served. Spaces are also available to rent for you to sell those gently used items you no longer need! Call the church office at 610-323-4312 for more information. Community Outreach Schedule - Emmanuel’s Closet is open Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Tuesday and Saturday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm; free Community Meals are served in the parking lot on Tuesday at 6:00 pm, Friday at 11:45 am, and Saturday at 5:00 pm.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Vegetable Soup To Go, Bake Sale and Basket Raffle, Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11 am – 1 pm, at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. Worship at Calvary UCC is Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Service is livestreamed on Facebook Live and Zoom. Worship Leader: Pastor Dave Brumbaugh.

St. Luke Lutheran GILBERTSVILLE

— Sunday is the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We invite

you to join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30, a.m. You can also listen to the service on 91.3FM, or watch as we livestream at stlukegilbertsville, org. The sermon text for the day is Mark 8:27-38 – Peter’s confession of faith. Communion is celebrated every Sunday. Following the service in the sanctuary, a picnic will be held in the pavilion. There will be a catered luncheon. Guessing jars, Bingo, and lots of fun. COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK will be open on Sept. 15 and Sept. 22 for shopping. The Clothing Rack is operating from 1-4 p.m. Church is located at 35 Wilson Ave.

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Matthew Finney will be leading the congregation in worship and preaching the sermon. Prior to the worship service, Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then after worship, there will be Coffee & Conversation as well. Confirmation Picnic will be held later Sunday afternoon from 4 – 6 p.m. at the home of Butch and Roxanne Fox. This picnic is for students who will be eligible for Confirmation (8th grade and up), parents, and mentors. Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 10:15 a.m. in the social hall. The Property Committee will meet on Monday, Sept. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m., Quilt Tying will be held in the social hall followed by the Ladies Lunch with meet-up time at 11:30 in the parking lot and lunch

at Jenn & Jessie’s, Oley at 12 noon. The Handbell Choir will rehearse on Wednesday, Sept. 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Senior Choir at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 17, Pr. Matt’s office hours will be from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join us virtually or in person this Sunday for our worship service at 10 am led by Rev. Mark Stryjak. After service, we will celebrate the beginning to our next year at Brownback’s with a carnival-themed lunch, moon bounce, and lots of other fun! To watch the service from home, go to: https:// www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/live/

St. John-Hill

BOYERTOWN — St. John-Hill United Church of Christ will host a free summer concert featuring Crow Hill Bluegrass on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Hill Church Picnic Grove, 620 Hill Church Road, Boyertown. The public is invited to attend. Food available at 3:30. Event will be held rain or shine. A free-will offering will be accepted. For more information: 610-367-8114 or http:// www.stjohnhillucc.org

Peace in Zion Church

ZIEGLERVILLE — Pulled-Pork BBQ Fundraiser to benefit the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry on Saturday, Sept. 18, Drive-thru from 3:006:00 PM at Peace in Zion Church, 234 Big Road

(Route 73), Zieglerville. Tickets are $12 prior to Sept. 13, after which tickets are $13.

Bally Mennonite

BALLY — Bally Mennonite Church is hosting a “Music in the Park” event at the Bally Community Park on Sept. 25 from 2 PM-7 PM. (raindate Sept. 26) There will be 9 local musicians/acts, various genres, performing between 2 PM & 6 PM. From 6-7 PM there will be a praise and worship time led by Bally Mennonite Church. The day will include food, vendors and children’s times. Fun for the entire family! For questions, or to obtain a vendor spot please call the church at 610-8457780.

Mt. Carmel UMC

ELVERSON — Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road, is hosting its Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 12 pm – 4 pm. Join us for some food, fun and fellowship! Enter the Pie Baking Contest! Bring a chair and listen to music! Rummage Tables and Baked Goods! Kids Activities and Food! Call 610-469-9151 to enter the pie baking contest or to reserve a rummage table.

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. The submission deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.