News & notes
Inspirational birthday
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir: During the course of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s lifetime, he has personally counseled thousands to lead lives grounded in spiritually and selfless service, having read and replied to more than a half-million letters from individuals of all walks of life. A celebration of the birthday of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj is held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at 2021 E. Township Line Road, Hatfield.
Music director named
Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church: Sam Samuel III has been hired as the director of contemporary music at HVPC. Samuel has a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Langston University and is currently working toward his M.Ed./Ph.D. in choral conducting at Temple University. Along with working 17 hours a week at HVPC, Samuel teaches at Chester Charter School for the Arts and serves as worship pastor at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Over the years, he has served as minister of music, music director, organist, audio engineer, worship leader, studio engineer and producer. In addition to organ and keyboards, he also plays saxophone and other woodwinds. He regularly vlogs about music and technology. Originally from Oklahoma, Samuel is a single father of a 10-year-old daughter.
Santa Photos
Tabor United Methodist Church: The church at 2209 Hendricks Station Road, Woxall, Upper Salford, is having “Pictures with Santa” 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8. This event is free. In addition to pictures, your child/children can decorate cookies, work on Christmas crafts and enjoy milk, hot chocolate and other goodies. Go to www.taborumc.org or call (215) 234-4852. Emmanuel Lutheran Church: Free photos with Santa are offered 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at 69 W. Broad St., Souderton. Bring your own camera. There will also be a free community breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Pick up your tree
Trinity Lutheran Church: A Christmas tree sale of Douglas and Frazier firs continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on the Valley Forge Road side of the church, near the playground. The proceeds support an Appalachian Service Project trip. The trees are priced from $30-$65. Each tree can have a fresh cut trunk and will be bound and placed in your car by the students. If needed, local delivery can be arranged.
Advent
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Midweek advent meditations will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday nights through Dec. 19 at 211 S. Main St. North Wales. These are 30-minute services. Call (215) 699-4604.
Family Worship Center: The Family Worship Center Music and Drama Ministry presents “Christmas at Our House” at 7 p.m. Dec. 8-9 at 1000 Troxel Road, Towamencin. Reminiscent of Christmas variety shows in years gone by, you can enjoy music and sketches on the main stage, and a side–stage story of a family gathering together for a fun-filled Christmas dinner. All are welcome and admission is free. A free-will offering will be received. Trinity Lutheran Church: Celebrate Jesus’ birthday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9. The party will include cake, crafts for kids, Christmas cookies and a photo room and photographer for family pictures. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church’s new director of contemporary music is Sam Samuel III.
Special services
St. John’s United Church of Christ: The annual White Gift Service takes place at the 10:15 a.m. service on Dec. 9. Gifts of all kinds, and for all ages, are welcome, but toys and clothing for children and youth are especially appreciated. All gifts should be wrapped in white paper and clearly marked with regard to size, gender and age for whom the gift would be most appropriate. The gifts will be distributed to Christian Network Outreach Church in Norristown, Living Water United Church of Christ in Philadelphia and Urban Promise in Camden, N.J. All are welcome to participate. Note that there will be no 8 a.m. service that day. Music will be provided by the Children’s Choir, United Voices and the Chancel Choir. The church is at 500 W. Main St, Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www.st-johns-ucc.org. Tiferet Bet Israel: The monthly Shabbat gathering for families with children from birth to 4 years old is led by young family member and TBI congregant David Kuperstein, and features singing, storytelling and other interactive experiences. The service at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 15 will be approximately 40 minutes, followed by a bimah adventure to help lead Adon Olam in the main sanctuary. TBI is at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain. Visit www.tbibluebell.org.
Let’s talk
Congregation Beth Or: A live stream presentation from the Jewish Theological Seminary on anti-Semitism in America starts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. A Q&A, led by Nancy Baron Baer of the Anti-Defamation League will follow. Beth Or is at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.
Music notes
North Penn Church of Christ: The 11th annual ArCoNet Holiday Concert starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 in the church’s auditorium at 300 N. North Wales Road, Montgomery Township. Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors.
St. Peters Covenant Church: The vocal group Voice Is performs songs of the season at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the sanctuary at the corner of Church Road and Hilltown Pike, Hilltown. There will be a piano prelude starting at 7 by Joseph LePosa. A freewill offering will be received. Call (215) 822-9375.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, celebrates the Second Sunday in Advent with Holy Communion services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. God’s Misfits (children’s choir) will sing at the early service, and the St. Peter’s adult choir will sing “Prepare the Way” at the late service. A special Holiday Santa Shop, sponsored by the Youth Group and St. Peter’s Thrift Shop, will be available in the Fellowship Hall following the 10 a.m. service. All are welcome, and there is handicap access and off-street parking. Call (215) 699-4604. Bucks County Choral Society: An “A Child’s Christmas” program is performed at 11 a.m. Dec. 8, with kid-friendly Christmas songs and a visit from Santa, at Doykestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St., Doylestown. “Joyful Sounds of Christmas” pairs the choral society with the Fairmount Brass Quintet at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 5194 Cold Spring Creamery Road, Plumstead Township. For tickets and more information call (800) 838-3006 or visit www. buckschoral.org.
Play time
Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Bingo will be held every Wednesday. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food available for purchase, and the games begin at 6:30. Admission is $10 for boards and $15 for paper. The church is at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin. For more information leave a message at (215) 3629599.
Study
Tiferet Bet Israel: A Torah study with Rabbi Woodward and Rabbi Danielle is held at 11 a.m. Dec. 14 in the library at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain, of the parashat ha-shavua (study of the weekly Torah portion). Go to www.tbibluebell.org. Congregation Beth
Or: Torah study takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, between Shabbat services, at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.
For parents
Tiferet Bet Israel: “The Woke Parent: Making Meaning out of the Magical Mess of Parenthood” is led by Lauren Weinberg from Lasting Change Wellness and Rabbi Danielle, and is a Shabbat morning experience beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 15. Your children are welcome to experience Shabbat friendly programming and come together at 11:15 a.m. for a tot-centered tefillah experience. The synagogue is at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain.
Trinity Lutheran Church: Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS) is open to mothers of infants through kindergarten 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 in the church parlor at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Topics of discussion are facilitated by speakers and include relationships, motherhood, health and wellness, and families and faith. A light breakfast and childcare are provided. For more information contact Wendy at wteschner@gmail.com. Zion Mennonite Church: My Toddler and Me is an opportunity for parents and other caregivers of 2and 3-year-olds to get out and to meet others. Enjoy stories and crafts 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton. For more information call the church at (215) 723-3592 or visit www.zionmennonite.org.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Mom and Tot group meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays in the Parish Hall, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Email Kendra for more information at itpmentor209@yahoo.com.
Shopping time
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church’s thrift shop at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, is open Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Browse holiday clothing for women and children, coats, a winter boutique line, attic treasures, jewelry, books, linens, maternity items and vintage items. There are surprise sales every week. Call (215) 699-4604.
Help others
North Penn Mosque: Donations of winter hats, gloves, coats and blankets for adults and children in need in the Philadelphia area are being accepted through Dec. 8 at 600 Maple Ave., Lansdale.
Christ Covenant Church: During December the church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting Shepherd’s Shelf in Kulpsville with donations of non-perishable food/items. Supplies especially needed in restocking the pantry are: canned soups, canned fruits/vegetables, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, 100 percent fruit juice, peanut butter and jelly, tuna, canned chicken, beef stew, spaghetti sauce, chili, pasta, instant potatoes, minute rice, Hamburger Helper and Spaghetti-O’s, personal hygiene products, diapers, baby food, cleaning supplies, paper products and pet food. Contributions may be dropped off at the church office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 to noon. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit christcovenant.org.
Let’s eat
Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, offers a free Community Hot Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month. For more information call (215) 256-8101 or visit christ-covenant.org.
Gather together
Church of the Holy Spirit: An Al-Anon Family Group, Pathway to Peace, meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the church, Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. If you have, or have had, a family member, friend or coworker whose drinking or drug use is affecting or troubling you, contact Judy at jemorice@gmail.com. Franconia Mennonite Church: Celebrate Recovery meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the church on Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.
Tai chi and yoga
Tiferet Bet Israel: During Shabbat Yoga from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 8 you can experience spiritual teachings inspired by the rhythm of the Hebrew calendar, both from study of this week’s portion, Miketz, and the physical practice of yoga postures. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat if you own one. All levels of yoga experience are welcome. TBI is at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain. Check www.tbibluebell.org. Church of the Holy Spirit: Tai chi sessions for beginners are held at 10 a.m. Saturdays at the church, Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford. Intermediate level sessions are held at 8 a.m. Saturdays. Yoga sessions start at 7 p.m. Mondays.