Area congregations schedule special services and events

Holy Trinity Orthodox

Pottstown — The Annual Christmas Cookie Sale will be held from 9 a.m. until sold out today at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1236 Juniper St. A variety of homemade traditional and ethnic cookies are being offered for sale. Limited quantities of ethnic pastries such as nut rolls, poppy-seed, and apricot rolls will be available as well as pierogies, halupki (stuffed cabbage), halushki (buttered noodles and cabbage), and homemade soups. Gift basket raffles are featured this year.

Holy Ghost Orthodox

Phoenixville — A Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today at Holy Ghost Orthodox Catholic Church, Bridge and Starr streets. Ethnic Foods such as halupki, pierogi, haluski, kielbasa sandwiches, soup. Nut rolls, bread, cookies, other baked goods. Crafts, mini flea market.

First Presbyterian

Pottstown — A Service for Wholeness will be held at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church. We will lift up those who grieve or struggle in this season of Advent.

Centennial Lutheran

Kimberton — The second candle of the Advent wreath will be lit during the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Centennial Lutheran Church, 1330 Hares Hill Road.

All are invited to an Advent Soup Supper at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. An Advent worship service will follow at 7 p.m.

The annual Christmas book Drive is being held with books being collected to be distributed to the children at the Phoenixville Area Learning Center. In addition, for the Christmas Missions Giving, gift items and monetary donations are being collected for local families and individuals in need. Donations can be brought in until Dec. 16.

Christ Lutheran

Barto — The second Advent candle will be lit during the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.

The Ladies Night Out holiday gathering will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at Pizza Como in Pennsburg. Ladies are encouraged to sign up in the narthex.

St. James Lutheran

Limerick — The annual Advent Craft Expo will start at 2 p.m. today at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road. Participants can make Christmas decorations and gifts. The Christmas trees will be decorated by the youth. Caroling will be included and it will be followed by cookies and hot chocolate.

Cedarville UMC

North Coventry — The Contemporary Cantata will be performed on Sunday at 9 a.m. at Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road. Special music and carols will be featured at the 8 a.m. service. At the 11 a.m. Traditional Service, the Chancel Choir will present the cantata Song of Emmanuel by Lloyd Larson. Larson weaves new songs with favorite carols and the spoken word to tell the good news of the Christmas story. This musical service will be an inspiration for all who attend

The Miller-Keystone Blood Center will be in the Family Life Center on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations may be scheduled online at GIVEaPINT. org code 4234 or call 1-800B-A DONOR. Walk-ins welcome.

A Ladies and Girls Christmas Tea will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. An evening of fellowship, finger foods and cookies will be shared along with entertainment by accordionist, John Collins.

Cedarville Nights Community Dinner will be held from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. A donation of $5 per person or $18 per family is suggested. All are welcome.

The “Nifty-Fifty+” Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday at noon catered by the Coventry Ice Cream Parlor. Entertainment will be provided by the OJR Naturals, an acapella singing group.

First UCC

Royersford — The choir will sing at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday at First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St., celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent.

Bethel Community

Pottstown — Today at noon, Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, 575 N. Keim St., will launch the reorganization of Mission’s Ministry to respond to where the most people have the most need in both Word and action.

The “Second Sunday of Advent” will be observed including the lighting of the Advent Wreath by Rev. Leroy Burger, assistant pastor. Immediately following the service, Pastor Ross will facilitate a critical meeting of the Board of Deacons.

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. All are welcome.

St. Luke Lutheran

Gilbertsville — The second Sunday in Advent will be observed at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave, and the second candle in the Advent wreath will be lighted. Immediately following the service, a brief congregational meeting will be held to elect members to Congregation Council. Presently, there are four positions that can be filled.

The Community Clothing Rack will be open Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. for clothing donations, and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday for clothing distribution.

St. Paul’s UCC

Pottstown — Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. today at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St. Join us for eggs, pancakes and sausage (by donation).

The Second Sunday of Advent will be celebrated at the 9 a.m. worship service with Rev. Ann Few at the pulpit.

Coventryville UMC

Pottstown — The Thrift Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road.

There will be a free Pancake Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. today in Grace Hall. Take pictures, play games, make crafts, listen to stories, and have fun.

A Spaghetti Dinner will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. today. The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors over 65 and kids under 5 are free. Dine-in or take-out is available.

The Second Sunday of Advent will be observed with candle lighting at both the 9:45 and 11 a.m. services.

St. John’s UCC

Pottstown — The Social Committee of St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., is hosting a Cardmaking Night at 6 p.m. tonight. All supplies are provided and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

A Budget Meeting will be held after the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday for the congregation to vote on the 2019 budget. All members are strongly urged to attend.

Shepherd of the Hills

Bechtelsville — A congregational meeting will be held at the conclusion of both services on Sunday at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 527 Hoffmansville Road, to approve the 2019 budget and to elect William Wilson to a three-year term on the Consistory.

Rehearsal for the Christmas Eve program will be held Wednesday from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m.

The Preschool Christmas program will be held Friday at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. It is open to all.

Brownback’s UCC

Spring City — The Second Sunday of Advent will be celebrated at the 10 a.m. worship service at Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road, with the children and youth presenting “Crazy, Busy, Peaceful, Holy Night.” Following the service, all are invited to our “Milk and Cookies, Coffee and Tea” themed Social Hour in Fellowship Hall. All are invited to bring their favorite batch of cookies, plated and ready to be served.

St. Peter’s Lutheran

Pottstown — The Annual Congregational Meeting of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will be called to order by President David Cremi following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The agenda will include the general order of business, adoption of the 2019 Financial Budget, update on handicap accessibility for the building, update on the Capital Campaign Appeal, and election of five members to serve a three-year term on church council. Nominations are David Cremi, Tom Miller, Darlyn Snyder, Tanya Sutton, and Charles Wagg. Appreciation is extended to the members of Church Council whose terms have expired: David Cremi, Nancy Dunning, Kim High, Tom Miller and Darlyn Snyder.

Sunday is the last day to bring in cold weather accessories/gifts for all ages of hats, scarves, mittens and gloves and to be place on or under the Giving Tree. Items will be delivered to the Outreach Center this week.

Zion’s UCC

Pottstown — Lighting the second Advent candle at the 10:15 a.m. worship service at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will be the Andres-Bartolini family.

Zion’s will be participating in the Annual Holiday House Tour on Sunday with the church open from 1 to 5 p.m.

Advent Soup and Bread will be at Trinity UCC from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Join this Advent preparation.

Poinsettia orders in memory/honor of members and friends are due by Thursday. They will decorate the altar area for the holidays.

Deadline for cranberry sauce for the Cluster is Wednesday.

Trinity UCC

Pottstown — Members of Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., are being asked to visit the “Angle” tree, located in the church vestibule. Gift tags are available to be taken, and the wish lists filled. Those benefiting from the gifts are various families in the community. Members are asked to wrap the gifts and bring them to the church for distribution on Dec. 23.