Congregations schedule services, special events
St. John’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., welcomes all to worship at 10:15 am on Sunday. The second advent candle will be lit representing faith. The service will be available for viewing later in the day. St. John’s is collecting boxes of stuffing for the Pottstown Cluster’s Holiday Meal. Gifts are also being collected for families in need. Balls with gift ideas are available in the Sanctuary.
Zion’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — Dec. 5 is the Second Sunday in Advent and Zion’s welcomes all to worship in person worship at 10:15 am. The second candle of the Advent wreath will be lit as we continue our journey through Advent. Communion will also be shared. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of
Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message titled “I Will Send the One.” Sunday School for youth and adults will be held in the Chapel Building at 9 am. For those who wish to worship virtually, you are welcome to join us on Zion’s Facebook Page later at www.facebook. com/zionsucc.
Bethel Community
POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 11 AM, you are invited to worship with Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St., for the “Second Sunday of Advent” which is a period (four weeks) of spiritual preparation to make ourselves ready for the coming or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Sunday is “Family Lord’s Supper and Remembrance” Sunday. 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 closed Monday. On Thursday at 12 PM, it’s InPerson (Lower Sanctuary) & Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215383-1625 Code 198087. For more information, call 610326-1700.
First Presbyterian
POTTSTOWN — Join First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St., on Sunday, Dec. 5, for Sunday School at 9:15 am and worship at 10:30 am. We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper during worship. Following worship, there will be a brief Session meeting to welcome new members. Confirmation at 5:00 pm and Jr. Seekers at 6 pm.
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 on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m. We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you are worshipping from home, have your bread and wine handy so you may participate. We have resumed our social hour in Fellowship Hall following worship. Our service is also broadcast live at 9:00 a.m. from our Facebook page at: https:// www.facebook.com/ stpaulsuccpottstown. St. Paul’s is collecting toys that will be donated to the Pottstown Cluster for local children in need in time for Christmas. Bring new, unwrapped toys to church until Dec 16. A collection box will be located in the narthex. Toys can be donated on Sundays and on Wednesdays when the office is open.
First Baptist
POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) is live on Zoom this Sunday, Dec 5, at 4:30 pm for the
Second Sunday in Advent. Join us as we continue our Advent series “Making Peace with Christmas.” Pastor Marcia will speak to us about “Peace in the Midst of Chaos.” You can find the link on our website at www.FBCPottstown. org. We have a special podcast study “Understanding Christmas” meeting on Zoom at 7 pm every Monday in Advent. Check the Advent 2021 page on our website for links to the podcast episodes as well as to the Zoom meeting. Then join in the discussion on Monday, Dec 6, at 7 pm. The book group will meet again on Dec 6, at 7 pm on Zoom. We’re reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. All FBC groups are free and open to anyone, so invite a friend to join with you. FBC will meet in-person in our courtyard at 301 King St on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, at 7 pm for a special worship service of Lessons and Carols. Come enjoy the bonfire, decorations, luminaries, music and fellowship.
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 observe the Second Sunday of Advent. The service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/emmanuel.pottstown at 10:45 am. It will also be posted on our website http://www.emmanuelpottstown.com/ and on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQzq980Tf11SCyPX2G21mg. Emmanuel will once again be the “Cookies & Punch Refreshment Stop” for the Pottstown Historic Holiday House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1-5 pm. The tour features the homes in the heart of Pottstown’s Historic District. Available for purchase will be the 2022 Historic Pottstown Calendar
“Windows of Pottstown,” a photo collection of Pottstown’s stained glass by Carol Brightbill including Emmanuel’s Ascension window! There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 12 immediately following the worship service to present, discuss and vote on the 2022 budget. Emmanuel’s Closet, a ministry that supplies clothing to those in need, is currently accepting the following items for men, women and children: new and packaged underwear and socks, gently used denim jeans (no dress pants, please), sweatshirts and hoodies, sweatpants, sneakers and snow boots, travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap). 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 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.
Grace Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., will observe the 2nd Sunday of Advent on Dec. 5 with worship in our Sanctuary beginning at 9:15 AM. 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/UCKgJARV1AwzJW5LhKr67uA and Facebook page.
St. Peter’s Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate
the Second Sunday of Advent at our 9 am Holy Communion Worship Service, welcoming The Rev. Elaine C. Quincey as our Interim Pastor. Church Council President Kim High will implement a special Litany of Welcome and introduce Pastor Elaine to the congregation as we continue on our new journey. The Advent Blessing and Lighting of the first and second candle on the Advent Wreath, symbolizing Hope and Peace, will be performed by Cindy Clouser and Terri Kollar. Visitors are always welcome. Sunday’s Worship Service may be viewed live at 9 am on Facebook or viewed any time during the week on Facebook, YouTube, and our website: https://www.stpeterslutheranpottstown.com. Poinsettia order deadline — Monday, Dec. 6, call the office. Annual Congregational Meeting — Sunday, Dec. 12, immediately after the 9 a.m. worship service.
St. Gabriel Catholic
STOWE — “Nothing compares to being there.” Join us as we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Father Wilson and Deacon Ray will say Mass on Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday morning at 9 am (the Rosary will be recited prior to Mass). Confessions are heard on Saturday from 3 to 3:45 pm. We are now live streaming services for those who cannot make it to church at https://stgabrielstowepa.org/livestream/ Daily Mass schedule is Monday to Thursday at 9 am. The Rosary will be recited prior to Mass at 8:30 am. There is no daily Mass on Friday. Eucharistic Adoration will follow Mass on Wednesdays until 5 pm with Benediction at 5 pm. American Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2-7 pm in the social hall. Sign up online. www.redcrossblood.org/give. Visit our Facebook page www.face
book.com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa.org
Bethel UMC
SPRING CITY — Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, will worship indoors at 8:30 am and 10 am on Sunday.
Brownback’s UCC
SPRING CITY — Join us virtually or in person this Sunday for our worship service and communion at 10 am. To watch the service from home, go to: https://www.facebook. com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/
Coventryville UMC
SOUTH COVENTRY — Coventryville United Methodist Church — The Owen J. Roberts Friends of the Arts Committee will hold its Tree Festival at Coventryville Church starting at 11 AM until 2 PM. Check it out for crafts, music, and raffles! On Sunday, join us for the Second Sunday of Advent worship services at 9:30 AM (contemporary) or 11:00 AM (traditional). To view from home, visit the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel. Bible Study will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 am. Learn about Proverbs with Pastor Stacey. Starting at 8 am on Thursday, Moms in Prayer will meet in the Chrisman House for fellowship and school-focused prayer. For more information, visit CoventryvilleUMC.org or call the church at 610-4699350..
St. John’s ELC
BOYERTOWN — Midweek Advent Worship, Wednesday, Dec 8 & 15 at 7 pm. Director’s Big Band Christmas Concert Saturday, Dec 18, at 7 pm — free admission. Christmas Eve worship at 3, 7 and 9 pm. Christmas Day worship at 10:30 am, followed by a free take-out Christmas meal from 11 am-1 pm. We are open for in-person worship Sundays at 9:30 am. 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 4:305:30 pm. No registration necessary.
St. Luke Lutheran
GILBERTSVILLE — Dec. 5 is the second Sunday in Advent. St. Luke Lutheran will celebrate this new season in the church year with the customary lighting of the Advent wreath. We welcome Pastor Susan Sosnin as she will lead us in worship this day. We invite you to join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30, a.m. Service is broadcast on 91.3FM and we livestreamed at stlukegilbertsville, org. Community Clothing Rack will be open Wednesdays, Dec. 8, 15, and 22 for shoppers from 1-4 p..m.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the Second Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 5, with a Holy Communion worship service at 9 a.m. 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. Intergenerational Sunday school, for ages 3 to 103, will be held in the parlor after the worship service. The Confirmation class joins the Intergenerational Sunday School and then will meet in the social hall for their extended class until 12:45 a.m. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.
Calvary UCC
BARTO — Free Community Giveaway — coats, books, lunch to go and more! Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon-1 p.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. All are welcome.
Trinity Church
BOYERTOWN — A Service of Remembrance, Healing and Hope will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, at Trinity Church of Boyertown, 250 Sweinhart Road. A special time to gather and remember loved ones, find comfort in healing and find hope in God’s word for tomorrow. Message presented by Dr. Don Eisenhauer, author of “Coach Yourself Through Grief.” Candle lighting in memory of loved ones. Light refreshments to follow service. For more information or directions, call 610-369-1507.
Cedarville UMC NORTH COVENTRY
— Join us for Sunday services held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 8 AM and 11 AM (Traditional), and 9:30 AM (Contemporary) as we light the Second Advent Candle, symbolizing HOPE. Masks are required in the building. CedarKidz/CedarTweenz is held at 9:30 along with KidzWorship at 11 AM. KidZoom will continue at 10:30 AM; please contact Lea@cedarvilleumc. org for a link. Small group Bible Studies continue for the Advent Study “Almost Christmas”. Upcoming Events include MillerKeystone Blood Drive on Dec. 13, 2-7 PM. To schedule an appointment, visit GIVEaPINT.org and use sponsor code 2028. Also, a Women’s Christmas Tea on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 6:30-7 PM with entertainment by Wahl Street Music. ReCreation returns with their Christmas Show: Rockin’ Little Christmas! on Dec. 18, 7 PM. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E. High St., continues to serve our community. Current need: Please donate to the housing of the homeless, it’s getting cold and we need help with the cost of housing. Contact Clare@missionfirstpottstown.org or call Clare at 610-326-0560 to donate
Area churches are invited to share their news for our weekly listings. Email information to Mercury Editor Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas@pottsmerc. com. Information will run on a space-available basis. Must use the words “Church News” in the subject line of your email. The submission deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.