Area congregations returning to in-person worship
Zion’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — Zion’s United Church of Christ will celebrate World Communion Sunday with a service of prayers for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost: “Jesus Sets the Table for the World.” Rev. Austin Chinault will preach on the sermon “Press on Toward the Good for the Prize of the Upward Call of God.” (Philippians 3: 4-14). The Youth Sunday School classes met on Sunday Sept. 20 outdoors abiding distancing and mask regulations. Discussion was howwe are able to continue faith in these difficult times. They will continue this week on the topic of Unity weather permitting with Joan Miller, superintendent. To participate in Pastor Austin’s weekly YouTube service: access the website http://www.zionspottstown.org, then check on the link “online services.”
Bethel Community
POTTSTOWN— Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Communion packets will be distributed in the parking lot and again on Sunday from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM. On Sunday at 11:00 AM, it’s “Holy Communion” Sunday and BCCP Worship Service will be in-person and masks must be worn at all times and social distance. In addition, the worship service will be Live on Facebook at Bethel-Community-Church-of-Pottstown or dial-in by calling 215383-1625 Code 198087. On Thursday at 12:00 Noon, it’s Virtual Community Bible Study by calling 215-3831625 Code 198087. Topic of discussion will be “Revealed Love” based on Genesis 45. On Friday at 12:00Noon, it’s Virtual Community Prayer Service by calling 215-3831625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is open Second, Third and Fourth Mondays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and new Applications are being accepted. Formore information, please call (610805-9084).
St. Peter’s Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost with Holy Communion services at 8am and 10:30. Video worship will be availableat 10:30am on YouTube and Facebook. Pastor Smolik will preach on Matthew 21:33-46 “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants.” Lectors will be Kourtney High and Joanne Smolik. For up to date messages, call the church at 610-323-5044.
St. Gabriel Catholic
STOWE— Join us and Father Kiernan for Mass this weekend— Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 9 am. Confessions are heard on Saturday at 3:30 pm. Thank you to everyone who helped make Confirmation so beautiful this past Tuesday and special thanks to our celebrant Archbishop Perez! Boscov’s Friends and Family event is Oct. 14 & 15. Mention St. Gabriel’s Women’s Society at checkout and you will receive 20% off your purchase and the Society will receive 5%. Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa.org
First Presbyterian
POTTSTOWN— First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown has resumed in-person worship services on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. If you are interested in joining us, please sign up on the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown website or by calling the church office at (610) 3260620.The service will also be live-streamed on the church You Tube channel. The prelude and announcements will begin at 9:25 am. Bruce Main of Urban Promise will be preaching on Sunday, Oct. 11. Join us for this year’s virtual CROP Walk October 1118. You can walk with the Junior High Seekers and other church members following worship on the 11th, or walk at a time, place, and distance of your own choosing. Sign up for the First Presbyterian team and take a picture. https://www.crophungerwalk.org/pottstownpa/ Team/View/137988/FirstPresbyterian-Church.”
St. Paul’s UCC
POTTSTOWN— St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., will celebrate World Wide Communion on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the 9:00 a.m. worship service. Join us in the sanctuary. We will be holding a Hoagie Sale on Saturday, Oct. 17. Just $7 for an Italian or Turkey Hoagie. Deadline for orders is Oct. 11. Hoagies can be picked up between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Orders will be brought outside to your car. If you are unable to return an order envelope to church, you can call to place your order (610-3232068).
Brownback’s UCC
SPRING CITY— Joinus on this World Communion Sunday for our two worship services, an outdoor service at 9 a.m. and our traditional indoor service at 10 a.m. Rev. Mark Stryjak will lead both services and will be preaching on Wisdom for the Way. Church is located at 640 Ridge Road. To watch our 10 a.m. service at home go to https://www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/ or joinus inperson. For the 9 a.m. outdoor service in our parking lot, bring a comfortable chair and your face mask.
First Baptist
POTTSTOWN— Join First Baptist Church via Zoomon Sunday, Oct 4, at 10:30 am for World Communion Sunday. This week FBC welcomes back our former pastor Rev. Marvin A. Marsh as we continue worshipping around the theme “In Pursuit of Justice.” The meditation this week will focus on “God’s Sovereignty Is on the Table.” We are receiving contributions for World Mission Offering as well as for school supplies for Pottstown students. You can donate online via our website, or you can mail a check to the church office at 301 King St, Pottstown, PA 19464. Just note which offering you are donating to in the memo line. Our Little Free Libraries are open and waiting for you! If you find yourself near the corner of King St and Charlotte St in Pottstown, come explore the books in the Little Free Libraries at FBC. Our library stewards add new books often. Join us in fellowship! Check our website for the Zoom link each Sunday: www.fbcpottstown.org
Grace Lutheran
POTTSTOWN— We invite you to join us for worship in our Sanctuary this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 9:15 AM as we observe Word Communion Sunday. This Sunday’s service will also be broadcast live at 9:15 AM on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GLCPottstown/. A recorded version of the service will be posted as soon as available on our website https://gracechurchpottstown. aswell as onour Facebook page and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgJARV1AwzJW5LhKr67uA/ During the month of October we will celebrate our Harvest Home Ingathering. This year, we will be collecting monetary donations for the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities as the Cluster is not accepting the usual donations of non-perishable food items. Please mark your envelope for “Harvest Home.” Calling all those who knit and crochet - join our Prayer Shawl Ministry in the Lounge on Oct. 6 at 6:30pm. Those with little or no experience are also welcome— we will help you learn (or relearn) how to knit or crochet. We make shawls plus other projects. We provide yarn and needles. The Pottstown “Virtual” CROP Walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11. This year we will not be walking as a group, but churches or families can walk together and choose their own route/ mileage. Walkers don’t have to walk that day — you can do it any time before or after. Register at: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/pottstownpa. If you participate, take pictures and send them to the church office to be posted on our social media pages.
Coventry UMC
SOUTH COVENRY — Coventryville United Methodist Church - Safely join us for worship this Sunday morning at 9:30 (contemporary) or 11:00 (traditional). For those who prefer a virtual option, both services will be live streamed to the “Coventryville UMC” YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeSkOcz5xHKcucCYmbN2Sw. Our new Bible Study continues Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2:00 and 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. All are welcome to this “Reconnecting” program that delves into the ministry of John Wesley. Questions? Please call the main office at 610-469-9350.
St. John’s ELC
BOYERTOWN— On Sundays, an 8:00 am brief parking lot worship service will be held. At 9:30 am our recorded worship service will be shown in the sanctuary for those unable to view our services online. This is limited to 25 attendees. Holy Communion will be offered at both services. Worship and messages will continue to air on our YouTube channel (St. John’s ELC Boyertown) and Facebook page (St. John’s Lutheran Church of Boyertown). For updates and further details, please check our website (stjohnsboyertown.org) or call 610.369.1024.
St. John’s UCC
POTTSTOWN— St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., will celebrate the Rite of Confimation on Sunday during the 10:15am worship service. Being confirmed are Alexa Dinnocenti and Addison Moyer. The service will be held in the Sanctuary. The Congregation will also be participating in World Wide Communion during the service. Consistory will meet on Monday, Oct. 5, at 7:00 pm.
St. Luke Lutheran
GILBERTSVILLE— We invite you to join our worship at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday at 35Wilson Ave. We are now worshipping outdoors, in our parking lot, as well as in lawn chairs around our pavilion! 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 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, and, at St. Luke, the gospel lesson from Matthew 21:33-46. This is the parable of the vineyard owner’s son. On this Sunday, all “well-behaved” pets are invited to join their owners for worship as they receive a special blessing. On Wednesday evenings, we welcome you to join us at 7:15, as we share in “Silence, Simplicity, and Prayer.” COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK! On the first Wednesday of the month, the Clothing Rack will be open – 1:00 – 4:00, p.m. for donations! The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of themonth- shoppersarewelcome – 1:00-4:00, p.m.
Trinity UCC
POTTSTOWN — The Events Committee of Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., will meet on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10:30 A Min Fretz Chapel. Weather permitting, the 9AM Sunday worship service will be held inthe parking lot at the rear of the church. Holy Communion will be offered to all. A free “take away” meal will be prepared by Boy Scout Troop 10 and offered on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Access to the meal is at the rear of the building in the parking lot. Please see our Ad below for office hours and contact in-
formation.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO— We invite you to worship with us on this the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday at our worship service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Ann Baly will lead the congregation in a Holy Communion worship service, with prepackaged elements, and present the sermon. Confirmation Class will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the social hall so that social distancing can occur. The Property Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.
Area churches are welcome to share their news for our weekly listing. Email information to Mercury Editor Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas@pottsmerc.com Use the words “church news” in the subject line. Deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.