Congregations schedule services, special events

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) is live on Zoom this Sunday, Nov 28, at 4:30 pm for the First Sunday in Advent. Join us as we begin our Advent series “Making Peace with Christmas.” Guest pastor Natalie Massaglia will speak to us about “Hope in the Midst of Trauma.” You can find the link on our website at www. FBCPottstown.org. We have a special podcast study “Understanding Christmas” meeting on Zoom at 7 pm every Monday in Advent. Check the Advent 2021 page on our website for links to the podcast episodes as well as the Zoom meeting and then join in the first discussion on Monday, Nov 29, at 7 pm. The book group will meet again on Dec 6 at 7 pm on Zoom. We’re reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett, and we would love for you to join our conversation. All FBC groups are free and open to anyone, so invite a friend to join with you. Mark your calendar! FBC will meet in person in our courtyard at 301 King St on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, at 7 pm for a special worship service of Lessons and Carols. Come enjoy the bonfire, decorations, luminaries, music and fellowship.

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Worship at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in the Sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28, and will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. This is Totenfest Sunday where we remember those who have passed this past year. Masks and social distancing are required. Trinity will offer a free takeaway meal on Tuesday, Nov. 30, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Access is available in the parking lot at the rear of the church. See our ad below for office hours and contact information. All are welcome.

Bethel Community

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 11 a.m., you are invited to worship with Bethel Community Church of Pottstown for the “First Sunday of Advent” which is a period (four weeks) of spiritual preparation to make ourselves ready for the coming or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. In-person worship is permissible and masks are optional with social distancing for those fully vaccinated. In addition, the service is Live on Facebook @https://www.facebook. com/BCCP575 or dial-in by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. BCCP Food Pantry is Closed Monday. The Pottstown Vaccine Clinic is open Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being administered. Booster doses of Moderna and Pfizer are administered. Appointments for children 5 to 11 years old are now accepted for the Pfizer BioNTech pediatric vaccine at www. montcopa.org/COVID19vaccine. In addition, appointments are being accepted for the “Flu Shot” at www.montcopa.org/flu or call 610-278-5117 and speak to someone who can help you register. Walk-Ins are accepted. Clinic sponsored by Pottstown Ministerium. On Thursday at 12 p.m., Bible Study is canceled due to the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information, please call 610-326-1700.

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Nov. 28 is the First Sunday in Advent and Zion’s welcomes all to worship in person worship at 10:15 am. The first candle of the Advent wreath will be lit as we begin our journey through Advent. Communion will also be shared. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message titled “The END! (And the BEGINNING!)” Sunday School for youth and adults will be held in the Chapel Building at 9 am. For those who wish to worship virtually, you are welcome to join us on Zion’s Facebook Page later at www.facebook.com/ zionsucc.

St. Paul’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., invites you to join us for in-person worship on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 9 a.m. We will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent with the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you are worshipping with us from home, have your bread and wine handy so you may participate. Masks are required for anyone who is not fully vaccinated, and highly recommended for all others. We have resumed our social hour in Fellowship Hall following worship. Our service is also broadcast live at 9 a.m. from our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsuccpottstown. Continuing throughout the month of November, a “Thankful Tree” can be found in our sanctuary. You are invited to write something for which you are grateful and then place it on the tree. St. Paul’s is collecting toys that will be donated to the Pottstown Cluster for local children in need in time for Christmas. Bring new, unwrapped toys to church from Nov. 28-Dec. 16. A collection box will be located in the narthex. Toys can be donated on Sundays and on Wednesdays when the office is open.

St. Luke Lutheran

GILBERTSVILLE — Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent! St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave., will celebrate this new season in the church year with the customary lighting of the Advent wreath, and enjoying a hymn sing of wellknown Advent hymns, including “O Come, O Come Immanuel,” and, “My Lord, What a Morning.” The service will be led by Kathy Billger. We invite you to join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30 a.m. Service is also heard on 91.3FM and livestreamed at stlukegilbertsville, org. COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK will be open Dec. 1 for donations, and Wednesdays, Dec. 8 15, and 22 for shoppers from 1-4 p.m.

First Presbyterian

POTTSTOWN — Join First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St., on Sunday, Nov. 28, for Sunday School at 9:15 am and worship at 10:30 am. Following worship, the Sr. Seekers will meet to assemble the college care packages. Join us at 5 pm for our “Hanging of the Greens” sanctuary unveiling and Peace Garden caroling.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., celebrates the First Sunday of Advent at 10:15 am worship. Masks are mandatory. The service will be available for viewing later in the day on YouTube. Members Memorial will also be observed during the service, recognizing Members who have passed in the last year. The congregation is collecting boxes of stuffing for the Pottstown Cluster Holiday Meal. Our goal is 200 boxes. Balls will be on the tree in the Sanctuary for gifts for families in need. As always, the Little Pantry is stocked with food, water and personal care items for community members in need and food is also being collected to benefit Operation 143. Thanks to all who support our many Mission Projects.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join Brownback’s United Church of Christ, 640 Ridge Road, virtually or in person this Sunday for our annual Hanging of the Greens worship service at 10 am, followed by an Advent Workshop complete with lunch and activities! To watch the service from home, go to https://www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Join us for Sunday services held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM (Traditional), and 9:30 AM (Contemporary). CedarKidz/CedarTweenz is held at 9:30 along with KidzWorship at 11:00. KidZoom will continue at 10:30; please contact Lea@cedarvilleumc.org for a link. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for current announcements, resources, live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. Join a small group Bible Study for an Advent Study “Almost Christmas.” No Youth Group this week; enjoy family time. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E. High St., continues to serve our community. Current needs: shelfstable food items (flip-top cans, when possible), notes of encouragement, sheets (no twin) new/slightly used, clean blankets (no throws/ twin). Additionally: men’s jeans, waist sizes 29, 30, 34 all lengths (no 32-inch waist), men’s t-shirts (S, M, L), 3-in-1 body wash for men & women. Contact Clare@ missionfirstpottstown.org or call Clare at 610-3260560 to donate.

Christ Episcopal

POTTSTOWN — Christ Episcopal Church, 316 E. High St., is collecting new and gently used shoes through Dec. 19. Drop off at church on Sundays from 8 to 1130 AM, during office hours, or at drive-by collections on Saturday, Dec 11, from 10 AM to 12 PM. 6th Annual Cookie Walk with Hoagie and Homemade Soup Sale on Saturday, Dec.11 from 9 AM to 1 PM — Hoagies — $7, Cookie — $8/lb, Soup — $8/qt. Advanced soup and hoagie orders are appreciated at www.ChristPottstown.org

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the First Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Nov. 28, with a Holy Communion worship service at 9 a.m. Pastor Matthew Finney will be leading the congregation in the worship service and preaching the sermon. Prior to the worship service, Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then after worship, there will be Coffee & Conversation as well. The Adult Sunday School Bible Class will be held in the parlor after the worship service. The Confirmation class will meet in social hall at 10:15 a.m. It is recommended that parishioners wear a mask when entering the church, during worship and upon leaving. The Handbell Choir will rehearse on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Senior Choir rehearsing at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.

Emmanuel Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — You are invited to join Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover St., for worship in our Sanctuary this Sunday at 10:45 AM as we observe the First Sunday of Advent. The service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/emmanuel.pottstown at 10:45 am. As soon as it is available, it will also be posted on our website http://www.emmanuelpottstown.com/ and on our YouTube channel at https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQzq980Tf11SCyPX2G21mg. Due to recent staffing changes, be aware that access to the church building (other than Sunday morning) will be by appointment only unless you have a key or code. Going forward, Wonderspring

School office staff will only “buzz in” those who are affiliated with the school. Appointments to access the building can be made by calling the church office at 610-323-4312. There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 12, immediately following the worship service to present, discuss and vote on the 2022 budget. Emmanuel’s Closet, a ministry that supplies clothing to those in need, is currently

accepting the following items for men, women and children: new and packaged underwear and socks, gently used denim jeans (no dress pants, please), sweatshirts and hoodies, sweatpants, sneakers and snow boots, travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap). Items may be dropped off during the hours noted below. Community Outreach Schedule — Emmanuel’s Closet is open Monday and Wednesday from 1-3 pm, every other Tuesday and Saturday from 4-6 pm and Friday from 11 am to 1 p.m. Free Community

Meals are served in the Genesis Room on Monday at 5 pm, Tuesday at 6 pm, Friday at 11:45 am, Saturday at 5 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. Scout Troop 1299 meets on Monday at 7 pm. Youth between the ages of 11 and 17 are invited to come and experience a unique hands-on learning opportunity. Two other local congregations share the word of Christ from our location on Sunday mornings! Agape Life Ministry, under the leadership of Pastor Randy Shanley, meets in the Chapel at 9:30 AM. For more information, call 610-323-4509.

Restoration Life Center under the leadership of Pastor Joyce Wilkerson, meets in the Chapel at 12 noon. For more information, call 484300-5508.

Grace Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., will observe the 1st Sunday of Advent on Nov. 28 with worship in our Sanctuary beginning at 9:15 AM. All in attendance are required to wear a face mask and social distance, regardless of vaccination status. The service will be livestreamed on our Facebook

page https://www.facebook.com/GLCPottstown, and a recorded version of the service will be posted as soon as available on our website https://gracechurchpottstown.org, YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKgJA-RV1AwzJW5LhKr67uA and Facebook page. The service will remain on these online platforms for viewing at a time convenient to our members and friends.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Free Community Giveaway — coats, books, lunch to go and

more! Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon-1 p.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. All are welcome.

Area churches are invited to share their news for our weekly listings. Email information to Mercury Editor Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas@pottsmerc.com. Information will run on a space-available basis. Must use the words “Church News” in the subject line of your email. The submission deadline is Thursday at noon for Saturday publication.