Congregations schedule services, special events

POTTSTOWN — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ is giving away school supplies to any family in need on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m. at 927 N Franklin St. On Sunday, Sept. 19, St. Paul’s UCC invites you to join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary at 9 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

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Worship at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM on Sept. 19 and will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Masks and social distancing will be required to participate in the service. Trinity will offer a free take away meal on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 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.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road, virtually or in-person this Sunday for our worship service at 10 am led by Rev. Mark Stryjak. To watch the service from home, go to: https://www.facebook. com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/

Grace Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., will observe the 17th Sunday after Pentecost on Sept. 19 with worship in our Sanctuary beginning at 9:15 AM. Pastor George Harpel will preside over the communion service. Masks required. The service will be livestreamed 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.

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 17th Sunday after Pentecost. The Third Sunday Mission Message will be presented by Abby Grosso, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 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 Adult Sunday School Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Genesis Room. Emmanuel also is home to two other local congregations that 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 610-323-4509. 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 one-of-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. Trunk-orTreat will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, between 6 PM to 8 PM. Bring the costumed kiddies out to Emmanuel’s parking lot (located behind the church) for some fun and goodies!

Bethel Community

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 10 AM, it’s Community Bible Study. At 11 AM, you are invited to worship with BCCP for “Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost” when BCCP will show “Appreciation” to our Director of Music, Mr. Hezekiah Hill and Mrs. Gwen Hill. In-person worship is permissible and masks are optional if fully vaccinated. In addition, the service is Live on Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/BCCP575 or dial-in by calling 215-3831625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is open Monday at 5 PM. The Pantry’s Schedule is Second, Third and Fourth Mondays from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Open to everyone. The Pottstown Vaccine Clinic is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 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-toschool 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, call 610-805-9084.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., welcomes all to worship at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall. Masks are mandatory and seating is set up to meet social distancing guidelines. Worship will continue to be held at this time for the remainder of September. The Little Pantry, located in the front yard on High Street, continues to be stocked weekly with food, water, and personal care items for community members in need. We are also collecting food donations to support Operation 143, which benefits the school children in Pottstown and surrounding school districts. St. Peter’s Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost at our 9 am Holy Communion Worship Service with The Rev. Dr. Kenneth S. Nelson as the Guest Minister. Visitors are always welcome. The state’s pandemic guidelines will be observed. Sunday’s Worship Service may be viewed on our website: https://www.stpeterslutheranpottstown.com Sunday is the last day to order Apple Dumplings at $4.50 each for pick up at the church on Sept. 26. Executive Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm Monday and Church Council will meet at 7 pm.

Coventryville UMC

SOUTH COVENTRY — Coventryville United Methodist Church - The Button Club meets Saturday at 9:00 AM in the Chrisman House. On Sunday, join us for onsite services at 9:30 AM (contemporary) or 11:00 AM (traditional).

Our women’s group, the OWLS, will meet for a picnic lunch on Tuesday, the 21st, at 10:00 AM in the Pavilion or the Chrisman House if there’s inclement weather. Please bring a side dish and Bible to share in the fellowship. Bible Study sessions will be held on Wednesday, the 22nd, at 10 am and 7pm. Choose your time to learn with Pastor Stacey about Proverbs. Starting at 8 am on Thursday, Moms in Prayer will meet in the Chrisman House. This group’s mission is to pray for children, schools, and all that comprises the learning environment. Newcomers are welcome to all these events! If you have questions, contact the main office at 610-469-9350 or church@coventryvilleumc.com, or visit CoventryvilleUMC.org.

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Sept. 19 is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost and Zion’s welcomes all to worship in person worship at 10:15 am. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message about “Who is the Greatest.” For those who wish to worship virtually, you are welcome to join us on Zion’s Facebook Page later at www.facebook.com/zionsucc. Also, the UCC congregations in Pottstown will release an Anniversary Video on Sept. 20, 2021. This date marks 252 years since the pastor’s first report of a German Reformed congregation in Pottstown. (German Reformed is one of the denominations to form the United Church of Christ.) Trinity, Zion’s, St. Paul’s and St. John’s share a common heritage in Pottstown. The video will speak of our history and our vision of how to minister together now and into God’s future. Access to the video will be available on each church’s media sites.

First Presbyterian

POTTSTOWN — Join us on Sunday, Sept. 19, for Sunday School at 9:15 am and worship at 10:30 am. Sign up on the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown website or by calling the church office at (610) 326-0620. Join us at 9:15 am in the Community Room for “Covid - Looking back at Where We Were and Looking Ahead to Where We are Going.” Join us a panel of church members and friends reflect on serving on the front lines in the battle against Covid.

St. Luke Lutheran

GILBERTSVILLE — Sunday is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost! We invite you to join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30, a.m. Should you not feel ready to return to indoor worship, listen on 91.3FM, or watch as we livestream at stlukegilbertsville.org. The sermon text for the day is Mark 9:30-37. Communion is celebrated every Sunday! COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK will be open Sept. 22 for shopping. It will be closed on Sept. 29, as that is the fifth Wednesday of the month. The Clothing Rack is now operating from 1-4 p.m.

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) is live on Zoom this Sunday, Sept 19, at 10:30 am as Pastor Marcia meditates on celebrating what God has made and talks about our responsibility to care for the earth as our home. You can find the link to join on our website at www.FBCPottstown.org! Our Little Free Libraries are restocked often. If you are in the neighborhood near 301 King St., drop by and check out the books for both adults and children. Our Guided Meditation Group meets on Tuesday,

Sept 21, at 7 pm on Zoom. You can find the link on the Group Life page of our website. Join us online in fellowship!

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Join us for Sunday services held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 8 am and 11:00 am (Traditional), and 9:30 am (Contemporary). Due to the rise of the Covid variant in our three counties, we have reinstated the wearing of masks. CedarKidz/CedarTweenz

is held at 9:30 am along with KidzWorship at 11 am. 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. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E High St., 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 610-326-0560 to donate non-perishable foods.

St. John’s ELC

BOYERTOWN — St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is open for in-person worship Sundays at 9:30 am! Registration required in advance on our website or by calling the office. Livestreamed worship continues on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown). Children’s Sunday School at 9:30 am - register on our website! 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 at stjohnsboyertown.org or call the office at 610.369.1024.

First UCC

ROYERSFORD — First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St., 8:30 am Men’s Breakfast Club will meet at Lakeview Cafe; 10 am Sunday School will start back up; 11 am Worship in the Sanctuary. Worship will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page (search for First UCC, Royersford)

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, Sept. 19, with the worship service at 9 a.m. Pastor Matthew Finney will be leading the congregation in worship and preaching the sermon. During the service, members are asked to partake in the “God Work, Our Hands” event by bringing items to display how their hands do God’s work within the congregation. We will also bless the quilts our quilters assemble for those in need. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then after worship, there will be Coffee & Conversation as well. The Handbell Choir will rehearse on Wednesday, Sept. 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Senior Choir at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 24, The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.

Peace in Zion Church

ZIEGLERVILLE — PulledPork BBQ Fundraiser to benefit

the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry on Saturday, Sept. 18, drive-thru from 3:00-6:00 PM at Peace in Zion Church, 234 Big Road (Route 73), Zieglerville. 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. (rain date 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 610845-7780.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Worship on Sept. 19 will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Pennsburg UCC & on FaceBook Live and Zoom. Worship Leader: Pastor Dave Brumbaugh. Annual Fall Flea Market, Bake Sale, Craft Show and Basket Raffle, Saturday, Oct. 2, 8–11 AM, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. Rain or shine. Outdoor vendor space is available ($10/spot). Register at www.calvaryuccbarto. com

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.