Area congregations schedule special services and events

Bally Mennonite

Bally: A Pancake Breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. today at Bally Mennonite Church, Route 100, in the church fellowship hall. Included will be pancakes, French toast, sausage, scrapple, OJ, tea and coffee. The cost is a donation. Proceeds will provide funds for the Bally Community Center, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide a haven for kids of the area to come and have some good clean fun, play games, sports or just relax. Christian owned and run, the center is based on Christian principles of relating to one another in conduct, word and attitude.

Bethel UMC

Spring City: Union of Churches Lenten Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road.

Thomas Paine Unitarian

Collegeville: Composer and pianist Catherine Marie Charlton to speak at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, on “Wyeth Walks: Spiritual Transformation through Nature.” Charlton has studied the art and creative philosophies of the Wyeth family. Andrew Wyeth was known to take nature walks every day. So, in addition to immersing herself in studying the Wyeths, she began to take nature walks of her own, seeking both insight into the creative process and inspiration for her music. What evolved were hundreds of walks, chronicled in blog postings and photographs. Steinway artist Charlton has recorded a dozen albums and is recognized as a stellar performer of improvisational music.

Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian

Phoenixville: Everyone is invited to make a Lenten pilgrimage to Eastern Rite Catholic Churches in the area for spiritual renewal. The next Vespers Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 427 W. Walnut St.

First Presbyterian

Pottstown: While the teachers have their annual Appreciation breakfast on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, the children will have a pajama party in Fellowship Hall. The Sr. Seekers will have fun in “Captured in Coventry” at the Coventry Mall from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday with Bible study to follow. The Faith and Nature Group will be meeting at the church at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday to travel to the Daniel Boone Homestead for a tour.

First UCC

Royersford: A final combined worship service will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday at First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St., with East Vincent UCC. The two churches will be looking back at their accomplishments together for the past 11 years they have been yoked. There will be a combined choir anthem led by Carol Hanebury. Jake and Alex Roach will also be performing special piano solos. Holy Communion will be celebrated and the One Great Hour of Sharing special mission offering will be received. Food and Fellowship will be held after worship.

St. Luke’s Lutheran

Obelisk: The Lenten service on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road, will be led by the Senior Choir in Holden Evening Prayer.

Calvary UCC

Barto: The Annual Chicken Pot Pie Dinner will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. tonight at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100. The church meets at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays during Lent to focus on “Who is Jesus?”

St. James Lutheran

Limerick: The youth of St. James will meet at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road, to finalize plans for the Box City Event which will be held next weekend to raise money to help Ministries at Main Street. Church Council members will serve a dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Devotions, discussion and music will be part of the Lenten Dinner service.

Trinity UCC

Pottstown: Plans are underway for a mid-week children’s program that will begin in September at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 Hanover St. Interested members are invited to the first planning session at 9 a.m. on Sunday in Fretz Chapel. The program will offer dinner, bible study for all ages and will be open to the public.

Bethany Evangelical

Oley: Gospel Music Night featuring Bobby Hamm and the Bluegrass Brothers at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Bethany Evangelical congregational Church, 38 covered Bridge Road.

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville: The Community Clothing Rack will not be open on Wednesday at St. Luke Lutheran Church for distribution of clothing, since it is the fifth Wednesday of the month. The soup supper will be held in Memorial Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and worship at 7:30 p.m.

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown: Family and friends are welcomed back to the refurbished sanctuary for the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets. Following this there will be a Thank You/Farewell luncheon for Supply Pastor Christine Pifer-Foote. Sunday also marks One Great Hour of Sharing. Organized by the Apostle Paul to respond to a famine, this support continues today to provide aid to those in distress both near and far. The popular potato filling of Zion’s annual Ham Supper will be available for Easter for $10 a pan. Deadline is April 2, to be picked up April 13. The order form is in the Tymes or contact the church.

Shepherd of the Hills

Bechtelsville: William Sheeler will received his Eagle Scout award at ceremonies today at 1 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road. There will be a congregational information meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Coventryville UMC

Pottstown: The Thrift Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road. The Senior Lunch Bunch will hold their monthly luncheon and fellowship on Wednesday. All those 55 and over are welcome. For information or to make a reservation call the church at 610-469-9350. Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the luncheon.

St. John’s UCC

Pottstown: Food collection continues for Operation BackPack at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St. Orders are being taken for Easter flowers which will decorate the sanctuary and should be handed into Keith Edlund by April 2. Preparations are ongoing for the Eggstravaganza to be held April 15. Crafts, an egg hunt and refreshments will all be part of the fun.

St. Paul’s UCC

Pottstown: Pottstown will observe One Great Hour of Sharing will be observed at the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St. The Wednesday evening Lenten series will continue at 7:15 p.m. This weeks theme will be “Goodness and Mercy, Really?” — The Burden of Doubt.

Bethel Community

Pottstown: The Usher’s Ministry will meet at 1 p.m. today at Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St., and all those interested in the ministry are asked to attend. Special music will be provide by the Youth Sounds of Praise Choir during the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday.

Brownback’s UCC

Spring City: All are invited to the Union of Churches mid-week Lenten Service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday being held at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

Pottstown: The fourth week Lenten series “At the Crossroads–Compassion” continues at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The service includes readings from scripture, sermon dialog by Pastor John Smolik and Cindy Clouser, and anthem by the senor choir.

First Baptist

Pottstown: Rev. Robert Walk will be welcomed to the pulpit on Sunday at First Baptist Church, 301 King St. He will be using John 9 as his scripture reading. Volunteers from the congregation will be stuffing Easter eggs and making baskets for Pottstown Cluster to give out, and for the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt on April 15. The Community meal will be served on Monday at Christ Episcopal Church.

Bethany Evangelical

Barto: A free clothing giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 14 Church Hill Road. More info on Facebook at “Overflowing Blessings Ministry.” Donations are being accepted in the red bins in the church parking lot.

Mount Carmel UMC

St. Peters: There will be refreshments available to all after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 2203 Harmonyville Road. Volunteers will work at “In Ian Boots” at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information call 610-459-9151.

Shenkel UCC

North Coventry: Members of Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road, will serve the Community Meal at noon on Monday at Christ Episcopal Church, 316 E. High St., Pottstown. This program is sponsored by the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. There is no restriction on who may attend the meal.