Congregations schedule services, special events

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Worship at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM on Dec. 19 and will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve service at 7 PM. Masks and social distancing will be required to participate in these services. Trinity will offer a free takeaway meal on Tuesday, Dec. 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.

St. Peter’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow Street, will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent at our 9 a.m. Holy Communion Worship Service. Tara, Mel and Brianna Cusick will share the Blessing and Lighting of four candles on the Advent Wreath symbolizing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Visitors are always welcome. The state’s pandemic guidelines will be observed. Sunday’s Worship Service may be accessed live at 9 a.m. on Facebook or any day and time during the week on Facebook, YouTube, and our Website: https://www.stpeterslutheranpottstown.com. Annual Church Congregational Meeting will take place immediately following the 9 a.m. Worship Service. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Friday, Dec. 24, at 4:30 p.m.

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) located at 301 King St., is live on Zoom this Sunday, Dec 19, at 4:30 pm for the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Join us as we continue our Advent series “Making Peace with Christmas.” This week Pastor Marcia Bailey will meditate on “Love in the Midst of Community.” You can find the link on our website at www.FBCPottstown.org. We’re singing together this Sunday. Join us on the front steps at 301 King St. at 1 pm on Dec 19 to sing carols and enjoy each other’s company. We’ll have warm beverages and chairs for those who need them. 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 20, at 7 pm. Christmas in the Courtyard on Christmas Eve! 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, candles, decorations, luminaries, music and fellowship. Rev. Bailey will lead a service filled with lessons and carols as we sing together to celebrate Christ’s birth. Bring a mask and join us for this uplifting Christmas Eve Worship Service.

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Dec. 19 is the Fourth Sunday in Advent and Zion’s welcomes all to worship in person worship at 10:15 am. The fourth candle of the Advent wreath symbolizing Love will be lit as we continue our journey through Advent. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message titled “Out of Bethlehem.” The Sunday School Christmas Program with youth and adults will be Sunday at 9 am in the Chapel Building. Light snacks will be available before the program. For those who wish to worship virtually, join us on Zion’s Facebook Page later at www.facebook.com/zionsucc.

Congregation Hesed shel Emet

POTTSTOWN — Congregation Hesed shel Emet, 575 N. Keim St., welcomes guests for Shabbat services in person or via Zoom. Attendees for services and upcoming holiday events should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Upcoming Shabbat services will be held Dec. 18 and Jan. 8, 2022. To RSVP for services or to obtain the Zoom link, please email the office at hesedshelemet575@gmail.com or call 610-326-1717. Visit our website at www.hesedshelemet.com for more information. Congregation Hesed shel Emet is located in the Bethel Community Church of Pottstown building.

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Join Cedarville United Methodist Church Sunday services held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 8 AM & 11 AM (Traditional), 9:30 AM (Contemporary) as we light the Fourth Advent Candle, symbolizing peace. Masks are required in the building. CedarKidz/CedarTweenz is held at 9:30 along with KidzWorship at 11:00 AM. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for current announcements, resources, live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. Small group Bible Studies wrap up for the Advent Study “Almost Christmas.” Re-Creation returns with their Christmas Show: Rockin’ Little Christmas! on Dec. 18, 7 PM. Christmas Eve Services will be held at 4 PM Children & Family Service (Sanctuary), 6:00 PM Contemporary Service (Family Life Center) and 8:00 PM Traditional Service with Choir, Handbells, Brass & Organ (Sanctuary). Mark your calendar for the Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner sponsored by the Youth Group on Saturday, January 1, 2022, in the FLC 11 AM-2 PM (dine-in or take-out available). Youth Group: Sunday School 10:45-11:45 AM. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E High Street, continues to serve our community. Current need: Donate to the housing of the homeless. Contact Clare@missionfirstpottstown.org or call Clare at 610-326-0560 to donate.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., invites all to join in worship on Sunday at 10:15 am. Masks are mandatory for in-person worship. The Fourth Sunday of Advent will be celebrated. Join us for a family service of Christmas scripture and hymns on Christmas Eve at 7 pm. The service will be streamed on Facebook and will also be available on YouTube for viewing later in the evening.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join us virtually or in person this Sunday at 10 AM and Christmas Eve at 7 pm for our worship service. To watch the service from home, go to: https://www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/live/

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 19, with a worship service at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Matthew Finney will be leading the congregation in the worship service and preaching the sermon. Prior to the worship service, Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then again following worship. The Confirmation class will meet in social hall for class at 10 a.m. The Adult Bible Study Class will be held at 10 a.m. in the parlor. Parishioners should wear a mask. The Handbell Choir will rehearse on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Senior Choir rehearsing at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 24, we will celebrate Jesus’ birth at our Christmas Eve services at 3:00 p.m. and then again at 9:00 p.m. Both services will be services of Holy Communion, but the 9:00 p.m. will include candle lighting. The Handbell Choir and Transformation will play/sing at the 3 p.m. service and the Senior Choir will sing at 9 p.m. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.

Bethel Community

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 11 AM, you are invited to worship with Bethel Community Church of Pottstown for the “Fourth 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. Our special guests will be Bennie Sims Trio and Sister Joyce Lake along with the BCCP Music Ministry. In-person worship is permissible and masks are optional with social distancing for those fully vaccinated. 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. The Pottstown Vaccine Clinic is Open Tuesday from 12 PM to 6 PM and Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM. The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being administered. Booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer are administered. Appointments for children 5 to 11 years old are now accepted for the Pfizer BioNTech pediatric vaccine at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19vaccine. In addition, appointments are being accepted for the flu shot at www.montcopa.org/flu or call 610-278-5117 and speak to someone who can help you register. WalkIns are accepted. Transportation to “Clinic” is available by calling 610-3261700. Clinic sponsored by Pottstown Ministerium. On Thursday at 12 PM, it’s In-Person (Lower Sanctuary) & Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215383-1625 Code 198087. For more information, call 610326-1700.

Coventryville UMC

SOUTH COVENTRY — Parents and guardians take advantage of some free childcare Saturday at Coventryville United Methodist Church from 10 am-7 pm. Drop-ins are welcome, or full-day care works too. It’s perfectly timed help during this busy season. More details can be found here https://coventryvilleumc.org/2021/12/14/holidaytime-for-me/. On Sunday, join us for the Fourth Sunday of Advent worship services at 9:30 AM (contemporary) or 11:00 AM (traditional). To view the services from home, visit the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel. Bible Study will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 10:30 am. Then at 12:00 pm, the OWLS Women’s Group will have their annual Christmas Luncheon complete with merry stories and games. 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.

St. Luke Lutheran

GILBERTSVILLE — Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Advent. St. Luke Lutheran Church. 35 Wilson Ave., will celebrate this season in the church year with the customary lighting of the Advent wreath. We are pleased to have member Ruth Nice share her message with us. Kathy Billger will lead the

service. Join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30, a.m. Service broadcast on 91.3 FM and livestreamed at stlukegilbertsville.org. A Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing Congregational Council members will be held following the service. The Community Clothing Rack will be closed on Dec. 22. It will reopen Dec.29 for shoppers from 1-4 pm

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 Fourth Sunday of Advent. For those choosing to worship from home, 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. A Christmas Eve service will be held on Friday, Dec. 24, at 11 PM. Pastor Bruce Davidson will preside over the service of Communion and Candlelight. An extended prelude of special music will begin at 10:30 PM. 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). Emmanuel’s Closet is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 pm to 3 pm, every other Tuesday and Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm and Friday from 11 am to 1 pm; free Community Meals are served in the Genesis Room on Monday at 5 pm, Tuesday at 6 pm, Friday at 11:45 am, Saturday at 5 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. Scout Troop 1299 meets on Monday at 7 pm. Youth between the ages of 11 and 17 are invited to come and experience a unique handson learning opportunity reflecting budding interests and unlocking a world of discovery to forge a path for the future. 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. 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 Fourth Sunday of Advent on Dec.19 with worship in our Sanctuary beginning at 9:15 AM. Pastor Bruce Davidson will preside and Holy Communion will be offered. Masks required. 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. A Christmas Eve service will be held on Friday, Dec. 24, at 7 PM. Pastor Ann Baly will preside over the service of Communion and Candlelight. An extended prelude of special music will begin at 6:45 PM.

St. John’s ELC

BOYERTOWN — 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. Masks required at all indoor events and worship. Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday evening (except Dec 25) from 4:30-5:30 pm. No registration necessary. For updates and further details, check our website, stjohnsboyertown.org, or call the office at 610.369.1024.

St. Gabriel Catholic

STOWE — “Nothing compares to being there.” Join us for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Wilson and Deacon Ray celebrate 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. Masks are not required for those fully vaccinated. We are now live streaming services for those who cannot make it to church due to health concerns: 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. We will need help decorating the church for Christmas following the 9 am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 19. Join us for Christmas. Father Wilson and Deacon Ray celebrate Mass on Friday, Dec. 24, at 4 PM and Saturday, Dec. 25, with Mass at 9 AM. Sunday, Dec. 26, Mass will be celebrated at 9 AM. No Vigil Mass on Dec. 25. For more information visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa.org

First Presbyterian

POTTSTOWN — Join First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St., on Sunday, Dec.19, for Sunday School at 9:15 am and worship at 10:30 am. During worship, our choir will play Mark Hayes “Magnificat,” and the Chancel Handbells will ring merrily on high. Join us again at 5 pm for our Quiet Christmas Service. At this Advent Service for Wholeness, we will hold space for grief and sorrow in this season of waiting.

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, December 19, at 9:00 a.m. Masks are required for anyone who is not fully vaccinated, and highly recommended for all others. 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. Our Christmas Eve Worship Service will be held at 7 p.m., with the sacrament of Holy Communion and the traditional Candlelighting Service.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion on Friday, Dec. 24, at 4 PM, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. All are welcome.

Butter Valley

BARTO — Christmas Eve Service at Butter Valley Community Church, 2600 Old Route 100, Bally, Dec. 24, 6:30 PM Piano Prelude, 7 PM Service of Carols and Candlelight. For more information, call 610-8452429 or visit www.buttervalleycc.org

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