NEWS & NOTES

Power to the girls

Christ Lutheran Church: RSVP by July 18 for a Girl’s Empowerment Weekend July 28-30 at the church at 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin. It is a camp geared toward girls entering sixth- and seventhgrades. This program will include activities such as crafts, a movie, panels, speakers, games and discussions about what to expect in middle school, body image, self-esteem, safe friendships and relationships, substance abuse, money management, social media and other topics. This program will include a sleepover from Saturday July 29 to Sunday July 30. A conversation with parents about changing expectations will be held on Friday night. There is a $10 registration fee which will go toward purchasing items for the program, such as craft supplies and food, but scholarships are available. Call (215) 2568738 or visit www.christlc.org.

Boys basketball

Bethany Bible Fellowship Church: A Push the Rock boys basketball camp for ages 8-12 is held 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 17-21. Call (215) 855-2449 or email bethanyoffice@bethanybfc.org.

Parents and kids

Congregation Beth Or: At 5:45 p.m. July 21, all young families are welcome to celebrate an age-appropriate Family Shabbat. The service will be outside on the Lakeside Terrace, weather permitting. A potluck dinner will follow. RSVP to Sharon at scarlin@bethor.org. Also, Camp Parent & Me classes meet at 10:30 a.m. on four consecutive Friday mornings starting July 21. It’s open to parents and children 6-24 months. Cost is $15 per class or $50 for all four classes. Go to https://bethor.org/campparent-and-me-2017. Zion Mennonite Church: The fifth annual Wednesday Night Races continue every Wednesday until Aug. 16. Registration is from 5:30 to 5:50 p.m. and the races begins promptly at 6. All participants receive a ribbon at the end of their race. This event is free and for all ages. Call the church for more information at (215) 723-3592. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Play and Pray Moms and Tots Group runs 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays in local parks for playground fun. Contact Kelly at Kelly.mazeroski@verizon.net for more information. All are welcome.

Special service

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, celebrates Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with “Israel Sunday.” The service will highlight God’s love of Israel and some of the most important passages from Hebrew scriptures. Cantor Elizabeth Shammash from Tiferet Bet Israel synagogue will enrich the worship with songs from Hebrew and Jewish traditions. All are welcome. Call (215) 6994604.

Out to a movie

Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, invites the community to a free showing of “Moana” with popcorn and ice cream novelties. Show time is 7 p.m. July 21. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit www.christ-covenant.org.

Sharing a meal

Christ Lutheran Church: The church at 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin, has a new Dinner Worship service that’s held at 6 p.m. Thursdays. Dinner church is a family friendly, participating service with a covered dish meal. Bring your favorite dish to share. For more information, call the church office at (215) 256-8738, visit the church’s Facebook page or go to www.christlc.org.

Music notes

St. Luke’s United Church of Christ: Soprano Brenda Morrone will provide special music during the Sunday 10 a.m. worship service at St. Luke’s, 125 N. Main St., North Wales. She will sing a medley of songs arranged by Laura Bergzuist, that includes “A Mighty Fortress,” “Rock of Ages,” “Victory in Jesus” and “Because He Lives.” See www.uccnorthwales.org. St. John’s United Church of Christ: Guitarist Don Reese will perform special music at the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday. In addition, a ukulele ensemble will play “For the Beauty of the Earth,” arranged by Don Reese. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www.st-johns-ucc.org.

Enrollment open

Central Schwenkfelder Church: Registration is open for Happy Days Preschool, which offers developmentally appropriate programs for children 3-5 years old. Two-day, threeday and four-day programs are available, with options for an extended session and Lunch Bunch. Contact Charlotte at happydayspreschool.registrar@gmail.com or (610) 584-4900, ext. 300. The church is off of Valley Forge Road, Worcester. Mater Dei Catholic School: The Lansdale school is accepting registration for full- and half-day preschool and kindergarten. Call (215) 368-0995. Grace Christian School: Registration for children kindergarten through sixth-grade is open at the school at 320 N. Third St., Telford. Call (215) 7235896 or go to www.gcsonline.org. Zion Mennonite Church: Zion Mennonite Nursery School, located in Souderton, is now enrolling for the 2017-2018 school year for 3- to 5-year-olds. Check out www.zionmennonite.org or call (215) 7233592.

Let’s eat

Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will host a free Community Picnic Style Dinner (hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, macaroni salad and dessert) at 5 p.m. Sunday. No reservations are required. The congregation welcomes all ages to have dinner in the fellowship hall. Also, the church hosts a free community hot breakfast including scrambled eggs, pancakes, breakfast meat, toast, fruit and beverages 8 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall. Call (215) 256-8101. Trinity Lutheran Church: TLC Dinner Together, a community meal, is held 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays for a $3 donation. All members of the community are welcome and invited. There will be a Kid’s Corner for children to play. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale.

For kids

Trinity United Church of Christ: A Telford Community Vacation Bible School meets at 12:30 p.m. July 23, then 9:30 a.m. to noon July 24-27. Montco Bible Fellowship: The Vacation Bible School “Galactic Starveyors — Discovering the God of the Universe” is held 6:30 to 9 p.m. July 17-21. Adult classes are also available. The church is at 160 E. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-0899 or visit www.montcobf.org. Zion Mennonite Church: A Children’s Theatre Day Camp for ages 6-14 is being held for two weeks, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 24-Aug. 4. The children will act, sing, paint, create and perform “Seussical Kids.” The camp costs $350 and the final performance on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. is free to all. Samantha Brannon, Zion Mennonite Church’s music director and Pennridge High School’s musical director, will be joined by the artistic director at Pennridge, Donna Hipp, to lead the camp. For more information, email swingonastar@yahoo.com.

Crosspoint Baptist Church: “Galactic

Starveyors” is the theme of Vacation Bible School for children 5-12, held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 23-27 at 64 Allentown Road, Franconia Township. It features games, snacks, songs, crafts and more. The journey will culminate with a special parent program on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. Pre-register at http://crosspointbaptistchurch.org/vbs. You can also call (215) 7232002. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: VBS Hero Central uses music, science, crafts, heroic recreation and Bible stories to help kids (and leaders) discover their strength in God. Join in for family dinner at 5:30 p.m. This Vacation Bible School for ages 5-12 starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 July 16-20. St. Peter’s is at 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Contact Jennifer at (215) 699-4604, ext. 14 or dcm@stpetersnorthwales.org. Also, registration is open for Summer Art Camp at St. Peter’s at www. stpetersnorthwales.org. There will be sessions for grades K-6 July 24-28 and July 31-Aug. 4th. The instructor is artist Renee Erwin. Grace Lutheran Church: A “Maker Fun Factory” Vacation Bible School is held 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 16-20. Kids 4 years old through eighth-grade can participate in Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play teamwork-building games and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos to take home and play with all summer long. Each day concludes with the Funshop Finale that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8:15 p.m. Dinner is included and an adult class is available for any parent or community member that is interested. Call (215) 855-4676 or register at https://vbspro.events/p/events/hatfieldcommunityvbs. Little Zion Lutheran

Church: Vacation Bible School begins July 24 at the church, 267 Morwood Road, Franconia Township. Register at www.littlezion.org.

Gather together

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: The church at Fourth and Broad streets in Lansdale hosts a discussion group on various topics each Monday from 2 to 3 p.m. This is open to the community. Anyone who would like to connect with others in a discussion group setting is invited. The Sunday service is at 10 a.m. Fairview Village Church: Celebrate the Journey, a Bible-based support/recovery program, meets at 6:45 p.m. Fridays at The Village Norristown, 329 E. Main St., Norristown, and 6:45 p.m. Mondays at Fairview Village Church, 3044 W. Germantown Pike, Worcester. Large group gathering of prayer and praise, as well as a lesson, begins at 6:45 and small group time takes place from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Most groups are gender-based — men with men, and women with women. Some groups address a specific need; others are designed to allow each person to bring their unique challenges to a safe place. Each group is strictly confidential and is led by trained leaders with similar life experiences. For information on the Friday Celebrate the Journey, contact Megan at megan. brooks@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7729. For information on the Monday Celebrate the Journey, contact Pastor Kelly Yetter at Kelly.yetter@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7717. Christ Lutheran Church: A local chapter of PFLAG, the national organization that supports Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbian/Gay and Transgender individuals, meets

at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month in Weaver Hall. For questions or additional information, contact Sue at sdaubert@ yahoo.com. Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church: Singles Connection, a non-denominational Bux-Mont area group for single, widowed, divorced and separated adults age 45+ meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 165 W. Main St. (Route 113), Silverdale. For information, call (215) 593-9995 or email carolonline1@verizon.net. Celebrate Recovery: This group meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at Franconia Mennonite Church, Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Holy Hour

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The monthly Holy Hour to pray for the needs of the church (especially vocations to the priesthood) will be held on the Thursday evening, before the first Friday of every month, at 7 p.m. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield.

Study

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: The church at Fourth and Broad streets in Lansdale will be holding a weekly Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. All are invited to

attend. Congregation Beth Or: Torah study takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays in the second floor meeting area at the Willow Grove Giant supermarket, 315 York Road.

Play time

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A 50+ Club meets for Games Day the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Parish Library, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Bring a snack or favorite game. All are welcome. Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Weekly Wednesday Bingo is held at Presentation of Our Lord, 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food available for purchase, and the games begin at 6:45. Admission is $10 for boards, $15 for paper. Extra games are available, with a $250 prize. For questions call (215) 362-9599. St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church: The church at 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, hosts bingo Tuesday nights. Games start at 6:45 p.m. and cost is $13, extra for bonus sheets and rip-offs. Visit www.stanneukrainiancc.com or email stannesecretary@comcast.net.

Help others

Christ Covenant Church: During July, Christ Covenant Church, 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting Lamb Foundation’s Cornucopia Cupboard with donations of non-perishable food. Items especially needed in restocking their food pantry are: canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, 100 percent juice, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, beans, instant pudding, dry cereal, canned tuna and salmon, disposable razors, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, bleach, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, paper towels and toilet paper (all other supplies are useful). Contributions may be dropped off at the church office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 9 to 11 a.m. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit www.christ-covenant.org.

Save the date

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The 13th day of each month through October, you can pray before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the SMG Chapel, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield.

To be included in Worship Notes, please send an email to religion@ thereporteronline.com. For more information, call (215) 648-1125.