Area congregations schedule special services and events

Holy Trinity

Pottstown: A lecture, “Will YOU Be Left Behind? The RAPTURE in Light of Ancient Christianity” will be hosted at 9:30 a.m. today at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1236 Juniper St. The speaker will be the Very Reverend Archpriest Andrew Stephen Damick, pastor of St. Paul Orthodox Church in Emmaus. A light Lenten luncheon will follow the presentation. Fr. Andrew hosts the podcasts “Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy” and “Roads from Emmaus” on Ancient Faith Radio and is well known as a speaker for retreats. He is the author of the books An Introduction to God and Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy.

Birdsboro Nazarene

Birdsboro: The Clothing Closet will be open on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to noon in the basement of Birdsboro Nazarene Church, Third and Chestnut streets. It is open on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Each family will be allowed to shop free of charge for one large bag per family for needed clothing. Everyone from local communities, any township or borough, are welcome to benefit from this mission. Donations are also needed. Clean, stain free, smell free, current clothing (spring/summer), kids items, toys, books, household items, kitchen items, blankets, comforters, towels, clean rugs, small furniture, small appliances. Drop off times are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, or the second and fourth Saturday of each month during the event. For more information contact Betty at 610-575-0966.

Bethel UMC

Spring City: A Chicken ‘n Waffle Dinner will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today in Fellowship Hall at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road. The Union of Churches Lenten Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Parkerford Baptist Church, Parkerford.

First Presbyterian

Pottstown: Kinley Jane Feroe, child of God and daughter of Dana and Tim Feroe, will be baptized during the 10:30 a.m. worship on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church. Tommy Campbell with Camp Kirkwood will be visiting. Following worship, all are welcome in Fellowship Hall to fellowship together.

St. Luke’s Lutheran

Obelisk: The Praise Service will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road, led by the praise band, Messenger. The Lenten service on Wednesday will be led by the Senior Choir in Holden Evening Prayer.

Good Shepherd UCC

Boyertown: Lenten Meal will be held at 6 p.m., followed by Lenten Service at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Music programs include the Cherub, Youth and Senior Choir, Cantata Choir, Orchestra and Handbells. All are welcome.

Trinity UCC

Pottstown: There will be a congregational meeting at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., following the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on a proposal to do extensive repairs to the main slate roof at the church. Light refreshments will follow the meeting. All are welcome.

Shenkel UCC

North Coventry: The second monthly Pasta Dinner will be served from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road. On the fourth Wednesday of each month, take a break from cooking and treat yourself to a delicious pasta meal, complete with salad, bread and homemade desserts. Cost is $6 per person, kids under 8 eat free. This is a sit down dinner served by Consistory members.

St. James Lutheran

Limerick: The staff of His Kids Nursery School will serve a dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road. Devotions, discussion and music will be part of the Lenten Dinner service.

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville: The Community Clothing Rack at St. Luke Lutheran Church will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday for distribution on the lower level of the building. The soup supper will be held in Memorial Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday followed by the midweek Lenten service at 7:30 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal

Glenmoore: A concert of rarely heard pieces by Pierne, Kodaly, and Bach will be played on the beautiful organ at 8 p.m. on Friday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7 St. Andrew’s Lane, to celebrate Zack von Menchhofen’s achievement of Colleague status with the American Guild of Organists. Von Menchhofen recently celebrated his first decade as organist and choirmaster at the church. All are welcome. Admission is free, but attendees may bring a can of soup for the outreach collection.

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown:

The 10:15 a.m. Sunday worship service at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, continues in the Chapel Building. Church volunteers will prepare and serve the Community Meal at noon on Friday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Orders for lilies, daffodils and/or tulips at $8 each are due by Wednesday, April 5. They will grace the sanctuary on Easter and are placed in the memory or honor of family and loved ones. They will be taken home or given to shut-ins after the service. Women’s Fellowship annual Hoagie Sale is now in full swing until May 31. Tickets for the $7 Ice House hoagies are available from members of Women’s Fellowship.

New Goshenhoppen UCC

East Greenville: A dance will be held from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, 1070 Church Road. There will be a variety of music, good food and fellowship. Cost is $12. For more information contact Bev at 215679-4309 or Christos at 215-620-3567.

St. John’s Lutheran

Phoenixville: Singers are invited to join in the annual “St. John’s Choir and Friends” concert on Sunday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle. Performed will be “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest. This stunning new requiem, composed in 2012-2013, will be accompanied by the Providence Chamber Orchestra joined by Janet Witman, harp. The performance will be conducted by F. Thomas Snyder, III, director of music at St. John’s. Rehearsals are scheduled at the church on Sundays, March 26, April 2, 9, 23, and 30 from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday May 7, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. A light supper will follow the May 7 rehearsal. Music will be provided for the singers. For additional information contact Tom Snyder at ftsiii@gmail.com.

Bethel Community

Pottstown: Special music will be provided by the Men of Valor Choir at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St. The church will host its 2nd Annual Jazz Concert featuring Bennie Sims and Friends at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are on sale Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., immediately following service on Sunday and at the door. Donation is $40.

Mount Carmel UMC

St. Peters: A Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. today at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road. The agenda will be prayer, breakfast, Bible trivia, devotional and topic for discussion. For more information contact Mike at 484-716-1630. Refreshments will be served after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. Everyone is welcome.

St. John’s UCC

Pottstown: Members of St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., are collecting food items for Operation Backpack through mid-April. All orders forms for peanut butter eggs are due on Sunday. Planning continues for the Eggstravaganza to be held on April 15.

Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian

Phoenixville:

A St. Patrick Day Social will be held after the 4 p.m. Liturgy today at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 301 Fairview St. A corned beef and cabbage dinner will be served. Everyone is invited to make a Lenten pilgrimage to Eastern Rite Catholic churches in the area for spiritual renewal. Vespers Services will be celebrated at 3 p.m. on Sunday at St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, 203 Jacob Street, Mont Clare. Light refreshments social will be held afterwards.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

Pottstown: Aayla Marie Hofer has completed her Class Studies and will receive First Communion at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St. Sunday is the last day to sign up to purchase freshly baked Apple Dumplings that will be available for pickup on March 26. All proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign Appeal. The imaginary Lenten “Walk to Jerusalem” gathered momentum during week two collectively walking 764 miles crossing through three countries (Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria). Prize winners were Cindy Clouser and Lillian King. The Lenten series “At the Crossroads–Judgment” will continue at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The service includes readings from scripture, sermon dialog by Pastor John Smolik and Nancy Dunning, and anthem by the senor choir.