Church News & Local Events

Trinity Lutheran Church

1749 S. MAIN ST., BECHTELSVILLE

We have returned to in-house worship service, with two services, 8a.m. and 10:30a.m. We will also continue to livestream our services at 10:30a.m. If you wish to worship in-house, please call the church office and make a reservation with the secretary, we can only accommodate 25. Please place your offering envelope in the plate in the Narthex. Any questions, please contact the church office.

The Church Office Door now has a Mail Slot, if you wish to drop off your offering envelope or other mail, after church office hours, you may do so.

WAWA HOAGIE COUPONS are available to purchase for $4 per coupon and now we are supporting “In Ian’s Boots & the PJ Project. The coupons are available in the church office, Monday through Thursday, 9a.m. to 2p.m. You save on the cost of the hoagie and a portion of the purchase price comes back to In Ian’s Boots and the PJ Project. Miller Keystone has canceled all May blood drives creating a deficit of a one day supply due to the startup of elective surgeries. The Blood Centers are open and are encouraging donations done with physical distancing and following CDC recommendations. The Reading location is near the airport. Call 610-926-6060for an appointment. The Allentown location is near Lehigh Valley Hospital. Call 610-820-0962for an appointment.

Need a ride? We have volunteers in the congregation who are willing to provide transportation to medical appointments, etc., for those who can’t find a ride. Please contact Pastor Zaiser 610-322-0901if you need a ride or would like to volunteer as a driver.

Vacation Bible School in Birdsboro

St. Paul’s UCC and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, both of Birdsboro will hold a Vacation Bible School, Aug. 2to 6at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5 Brooke Manor, Birdsboro. The program will run from 6:30to 8:30p.m. with supper served at 6p.m. The Bible school will be held outdoors and will be using COVID-19 precautions. Registration will be limited to 50participants on a first come first served basis. Please register by July 19. For questions or to register, call St. Mark’s at 610-582-8167.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

45 N. READING AVE., BOYERTOWN

Due to the coronavirus, all events have been temporarily canceled. This includes our Saturday evening meal and worship services. Our office will also remain closed. Vacation Bible School free To-Go Boxes will be available in July. Visit our website to sign up for yours.

Join us online for worship and messages on our YouTube channel (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and Facebook page.

For updates, please check our website (stjohnsboyertown.org) or call 610-369-1024. Please leave a voicemail message in the event of an emergency and a staff member will return your call.

Good Shepherd UCC

35 W. PHILADELPHIA AVE., BOYERTOWN

On Sunday, July 5, Good Shepherd will begin its Parables & Growth series as we and continue to worship on-line. Our services can be found online at www.gsuccboyertown.org. We invite everyone to connect with us online for worship, prayers, and other resources. You can connect with us on our website or like us on Facebook (facebook. com/GoodShepherdUCCBoyertown/).

While we are in the process of social distancing, please check out our website daily for inspirational messages from Pastor Matthew Hoover and Pastor Kimberly Berenotto. We hope there you may find peace in the midst of anxiety and a community that will pray for you and your needs whether you are out of work or an essential worker. You can find information on our website about e-mailing our pastors with your prayer requests or any other requests.

St. Luke Lutheran Church

35 WILSON AVE., GILBERTSVILLE

We invite you to join us for worship at 9:30a.m. every Sunday. On this Sunday, and more to come, we invite you to worship with us via livestream video from St. Luke. You will see that we are now worshipping outdoors, in our parking lot, as well as in lawn chairs around our pavilion! Our hearts are open, and our prayers abound!! You’re welcome to find us on our Facebook page. You can look at www.stlukegilbertsville.org. Our livestream worship will continue at 9:30 on Sundays. Should weather be inclement, we will not meet outdoors, but only via livestream.

Sunday is the fifth Sunday after Pentecost, and, at St. Luke, the gospel lesson from Matthew 11:16-19, 25-29, about the yoke of discipleship. 28- “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29- Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” On Wednesday evenings, we invite you to join us at 7:15, as we share in “Silence, Simplicity, and Prayer.”

Community Clothing Rack opens July 1from 9a.m. to noon for donations. Beginning July 8, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of the month shoppers are welcome from 9a.m. to noon. Masks and physical distancing required. Enter through far door, sanitize hands. Four clients will enter with a 20-minute shopping time limit. Exit through hall door, again, sanitizing hands. Restrooms will not be available for client use. Should there be few clients at the CCR, it may not stay open until noon. If the county should return to the yellow or red phase, the Clothing Rack will need to close. Your cooperation is appreciated! Should you need to contact us at St. Luke, please call 610-367-9738.

Christ Lutheran Church

222 NIANTIC ROAD, BARTO

We invite you to worship with us, now that we are able to worship together but still maintaining social distancing, on this the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, July 5, at our worship service beginning at 9a.m. Pr. Ann Baly will lead the congregation in the worship service and present the sermon for the morning. Those ministering at this service are: Lector/Assistant Minister: Denise Hoffman.

Those attending worship are required to wear a mask, maintain social distance of at least 6feet at all times, enter the church through the side door on the Congo-Niantic Road side, and exit through the front doors, unless you require the use of the elevator. Communion, sharing of the peace, and hymn singing is not being observed at this time and please bring your Bible from home if you so choose. If you do not feel comfortable attending church, your health is compromised or you feel sick, it is okay to stay home.

The church office hours will resume to Monday through Friday from 9a.m. to 2p.m. The Property Committee will hold a meeting on Monday, July 6 at 7p.m., maintaining social distancing and wearing masks in the Welcome Center. The Christ Union Cemetery will hold their meeting on Tuesday, July 7at 6:30p.m. in the Welcome Center maintaining all the guidelines.

1855 Allegheny Mennonite Meetinghouse

39 HORNING ROAD, MOHNTON (NEAR ALLEGHENYVILLE)

Outdoor Historical and Inspirational Service will be held on Sunday, July 19at 6:30p.m. John L. Ruth, a leading historian, author and speaker who has contributed significantly to the understanding of Mennonite history, faith and culture over several decades, will speak on “Good News from Old Amsterdam”. He will talk about a large, carefully cataloged deposit of correspondence from the years of 1616-1784that relates to the experience of the Mennonites from Switzerland and Germany who founded the Lancaster

Mennonite community. Please bring a lawn chair and the Church and Sunday School Hymnal. For confirmation of the event, more information, or directions, contact Grace at jgsen@windstream.net or 717-278-8459.

AREA EVENTS July 6

Berks Photographic Society presents “Our Internal Lens: A Discussion on Biases in Photography” 7:30to 9:30p.m. As photographers, the way we view the world, and our biases, shape every image we make. In a discussion with Margo Reed, Ashok Sinha and Jeff Schaeffer, photographers will examine where we see our personal interests or biases influence our imagery. Held via Zoom and open to the public. For members, meeting details on the website. For non-members, email info@ berksphotographic.com.

July 2 & 9

Exeter Community Library Children’s Story Time: via Zoom for ages 2and older. Stories, songs, activities, and crafts. Select story times include materials for a free craft that may be picked up at the library at a later date. (Miss Laura will provide instructions.) July 2 at 10to 10:30a.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 722 7819 4940 Password: 9CKsSG and July 9 at 10 to 10:30 a.m. via Zoom Meeting ID: 7227819 4940Password: 9CKsSG

July 6 to 10

Exeter Community Library Chick-fil-A Spirit Week: at Exeter Chick-fil-A, 4675 Perkiomen Ave., Reading. A portion of proceeds from all orders benefit the Exeter Community Library when you mention the library at the time of purchase. All week long.