Area congregations schedule special services and events
Bethel UMC
Spring City — The ECUC Community Service celebrating the season of Advent will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road.
St. Columbill RCC
Boyertown — Christmas Craft, Food Fest and Bake Sale will be held at St. Columbill Roman Catholic Church, 200 Indian Spring Road, today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carriage rides Saturday only from 1 to 4 p.m.
Cedarville UMC
North Coventry — Cedarville Boy Scout Troop 95 will sell Christmas Trees today and Sunday at the Coventry Parlor at Laurel Locks.
The annual Christmas Dinner will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday in the Family Life Center. Entertainment will be provided by Ted the Fiddler.
Cedarville Nights Community Dinner will be held from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Family Life Center with a menu of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable medley, rolls, salad and dessert. A donation of $5 per person or $18 per family is suggested. All are welcome.
Re-Creation will perform “An Evening of Christmas” at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Family Life Center. Join us for magical journey through the season with a sumptuous feast of all your favorite Christmas Classics! An offering will be accepted to support Re-Creation’s Veteran’s Mission for this free performance.
Coventryville UMC
Pottstown — Volunteers are welcome to help decorate the church for Christmas today starting at 9 a.m. at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road.
Sunday marks the start of Advent with a candle lighting at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services.
A Christmas Concert will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Owen J. Roberts High School’s acapella group, “The Naturals,” will be performing a festive concert. All are welcome for this special event and stay for light refreshments after the concert. Free will offering accepted. For questions call the main office at 610-469-9350.
First Presbyterian
Pottstown — There will be an Inquirers’ Class at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday at in the Library at First Presbyterian Church for prospective new members. Join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the annual “Hanging of the Greens” with Family Advent wreath making, Operation Backpack treat bag stuffing, lighting of the Advent candles and more. Please bring finger goodies to share.
Christ Lutheran
Barto — The first Advent candle will be lit in preparation of the coming of Christ during the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.
The Girl Scouts Troop 1994 will be hosting a Spaghetti Supper in the church’s social hall, 353 Congo-Niantic Road, on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8 in advance for adults, $9 at the door, and children 10 and under are $5.
St. Luke’s Lutheran
Obelisk — The Upper Frederick Fire Company will host a “Breakfast with Santa” fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon today with pancakes and sausages served in the Fellowship Hall at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road. Tickets may be bought at the door. Bring your children to enjoy a delicious breakfast and have a visit with Santa.
St. James Lutheran
Limerick — A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Friday from 1:30 to 6:15 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road. To sign up online go to www.redcrossblood.org, then use sponsor code st james limerick and follow instructions. Appointments are preferred, but not required.
Bethel Community
Pottstown — Observance of Advent begins at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday at Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St. A special Communion Liturgy for Advent will be used as part of the celebration of Holy Communion. The Praise Power Choir will render special music during this season of Advent.
St. Luke Lutheran
Gilbertsville — The first candle in the Advent wreath will be lighted during the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave. Following the service, an Advent Workshop will be held in Memorial Hall. Learn the history and meanings of the Chrismons which decorate our huge tree which will be in the sanctuary for Christmas. Those at the workshop will make Chrismons for the tree, as well as to take home.
The Community Clothing Rack will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday for clothing donations.
Shepherd of the Hills
Bechtelsville — Term 1 of Youth Club will end on Wednesday. Special practices for Christmas Eve will be held the following two weeks.
Helping Hands will hold its Holiday Dance on Friday evening at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road.
Trinity UCC
Pottstown — The first Sunday in Advent will be celebrated with communion at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover S. The church is decorated for Christmas and in preparation for the Historic Tour on Dec. 9.
Trinity is joining with Zion’s UCC for an Advent lunch and Bible study each Tuesday in December. The lunch will begin at noon. All are welcome.
St. John’s Lutheran
Phoenixville — The Coventry Singers present their Christmas concert “Silence….and the Glory” at 3 p.m. on Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle. The concert includes classical and traditional Christmas works including selections from Handel’s Messiah and Bach Cantata No. 142, “To Us a Child is Given.” More contemporary music include pieces by Dan Forrest and Will Todd. The concert concludes with the John Rutter “Gloria” accompanied by brass and organ.
The Coventry Singers, a choir of about 40 voices, have been performing in the Pottstown area since 1972. Additionally, the concert is presented at 3 p.m. today at Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown. The concert is free and all are welcome. A freewill offering will be accepted.
Zion’s UCC
Pottstown — Share in the preparation of the Nativity of Jesus on Sunday after church at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut Streets. Children’s and adult activities begin in their Sunday School Classrooms. All will join in to decorate the Sunday School Building. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Bring cookies for the “cookie contest” (and dessert!).
Women’s Fellowship will share their love of reading at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Presenters will be Cheryl Drake, Joan Miller and Kaaren Steiner. Worship leader is Betty Leister and Joan Clouser will provide refreshments. Share favorite book friends.
Trinity UCC and Zion’s UCC will share their second Soup and Bread devotional from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Zion’s. Join this Advent Preparation.
Pizza and Ping Pong will meet as usual at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
St. John’s UCC
Pottstown — The Annual Family Advent Night will be held at 5:30 p.m. tonight at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St. The night will begin with a covered dish social and include a visit from Santa Claus. All are welcome.
The first candle on the Advent wreath will be lit on Sunday at the 10:15 a.m. service. The congregation will celebrate Holy Communion and the annual Members’ Memorial will remember loved ones who have passed in the last year.
St. Peter’s Lutheran
Pottstown — The First Sunday of Advent with Holy Communion Worship Services and the Lighting of one candle on the Advent Wreath during the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St. Participants in the lighting of the Advent Wreath are Reginal Gladden and daughter, Jaycee, at the 8 a.m. service and Tanya and Donald Sutton at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Members’ Commitment Cards showing their financial support for 2019 will be dedicated at both worship services on Sunday.
The Seventh Annual Victorian Christmas Tea/ Luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. A Victorian menu of fruit, assorted tea sandwiches, beverages, and desserts will be served followed by a singalong and drawing of door prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Capital Campaign.
Lutheran Church Women will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday for their annual Christmas Dinner/Party at Michael’s Family Restaurant, Douglassville. Women are to bring a $5 gift for the gift exchange. Hostesses are Nancy Weaver and June Wright.
The Spoken Holy Communion Worship Service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Everyone is welcome.
Brownback’s UCC
Spring City — Holy Communion will be celebrated on the First Sunday of Advent at the 10 a.m. worship service at Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road. Following the service, all are invited to Social Hour in Fellowship Hall hosted by the Radel and Wysocki families.