Congregations schedule services, special events
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, Dec. 26, at 9 a.m. Masks are required for anyone who is not fully vaccinated, and highly recommended for all others, in accordance with CDC and county recommendations. We have resumed our social hour in Fellowship Hall following worship. Our service is also broadcast live at 9:00 a.m. from our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ stpaulsuccpottstown.
St. John’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — St. John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., welcomes all to worship on Sunday at 10:15 am. The First Sunday after Christmas will be celebrated. If unable to join us in person, the service will be available on YouTube later in the day. Our Little Pantry is stocked weekly with food, water and personal care items for community members in need. Food is also being collected for Operation 143 which provides backpacks with food for school children in Pottstown and the surrounding area school districts. Thank you to everyone who continues to support these very important Mission Projects.
Zion’s UCC
POTTSTOWN — Dec. 26 is the First Sunday after Christmas and Zion’s welcomes all to in-person worship at 10:15 am. Zion’s will have a 225th Rededication Service of the Old Brick Church. Rev. Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets, will have a message titled “Dedicated to God.” Memories and highlights of Christmas’ past will be shared. There will not be Sunday School this week. For those who wish to worship virtually, join us on Zion’s Facebook Page later at www. facebook.com/zionsucc. Stay tuned … livestreaming will be available very soon!
First Baptist
POTTSTOWN — Worship at First Baptist Church (ABCUSA) is live on Zoom this Sunday, Dec. 26, at 4:30 pm as Pastor Marcia shares a special Christmas story. You can find the link on our website at www.FBCPottstown.org. Our offering for December is the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO). You can donate online on our website, or you can mail a check to the church office with RMMO in the memo line. Merry Christmas from everyone at FBC!
St. Peter’s Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the First Sunday of Christmas with a special Lessons and Carols Worship Service at 9 a.m. The Service consists of Christmas Carols and readings by Kourtney High and Sherry Mann from the Old Testament and the Gospels telling the Christmas story. Visitors are always welcome. State pandemic guidelines will be observed. Worship with us online via Facebook on Sunday at 9 a.m. or on any day and time during the week on Facebook, YouTube, or our Website: https://www. stpeterslutheranpottstown. com.
Coventryville UMC
SOUTH COVENTRY — On the First Sunday after Christmas, there will be one service to premiere at 11:00 AM on the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel. This previously recorded Christmas worship service is titled “Clothed in Love,” and features a sermon by EPAUMC’s Bishop Schol and prayers and scriptures presented by Extended Cabinet members. Solo vocalist, ensemble musicians, and bell choirs provide a rich variety of sacred, Christmas music. Join us online to view this special service. Midweek, the seniors’ group will have lunch and play rounds of Bingo. Meet in the Chrisman House at 12 pm on Wednesday. Bring a prize from around your house (a beautiful extra Christmas decoration, a new unlit candle, an unopened box of candy, etc.) and place it in a gift bag for your contribution to the prize stash. For more information about CUMC, visit CoventryvilleUMC.org or call 610-469-9350.
Trinity UCC
POTTSTOWN — Worship at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in the Sanctuary at 9:30 am on Dec. 26 and will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Masks and social distancing will be required to participate in these services. Trinity will offer a free takeaway meal on Tuesday, Dec. 28 between 4:30 and 5:30 pm. 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.
Cedarville UMC
NORTH COVENTRY — Join us this Sunday for a single service held at 1092 Laurelwood Road at 10 am. Masks are required in the building. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for current announcements, resources, live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. Enjoy a New Year’s Day Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner sponsored by the Youth Group on Saturday, Jan. 1, in the FLC 11 am-2 pm (dine-in or takeout available). For planning and to avoid sell-out https://forms.gle/cR8whmQYYz4bN33YA Menu includes pork or hot dogs, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, applesauce, rolls, dessert and drinks. Adults $9, Children 10 and under $5. Mission First, an outreach of Cedarville UMC, located at 414 E High St., continues to serve our community. Current needs: Donate to the housing of the homeless, it’s cold and help is needed with the cost of housing (@ $450/week for 16 weeks/room). Due to Covid, group shelters are not possible. Also: shelf-stable food items (flip-top cans when possible), notes of encouragement, sheets (no twin) new or slightly used, clean blankets (no twin or throw size), men’s T-shirts (S, M, L) and 3-in-one body wash. Contact Clare@missionfirstpottstown.org or call Clare at 610-326-0560 to donate.
Brownback’s UCC
SPRING CITY — Join us virtually or in person this Sunday at 10 am for our worship service. We enjoyed our 7 pm Candlelight service on Christmas Eve and hope you enjoyed wherever you worshipped. To watch the service from home, go to https://www.facebook. com/BrownbacksChurch/ live/
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the First Sunday of Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 26, with a worship service at 9:00 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 again following worship. The Confirmation class will meet in social hall for class at 10:00 a.m. The Adult Bible Study Class will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the parlor. It is recommended that parishioners wear a mask when entering the church, during worship and upon leaving. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.
St. John’s ELC
BOYERTOWN — Christmas Day worship at 10:30 am, followed by a free takeout Christmas meal from 11 am-1 pm. We are open for inperson worship Sundays at 9:30 am. Livestreamed worship continues on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown). Children’s Sunday School at 9:30 am — register on our website. Masks required at all indoor events and worship. Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday evening (except Dec 25) from 4:30-5:30 pm. No registration necessary. For updates and further details, check our website at stjohnsboyertown.org or call the office at 610.369.1024.
St. Luke Lutheran
GILBERTSVILLE — On Sunday, Dec. 26, we will have a hymn festival. Kathy Billger will lead the service, and Joe Vendetti will be the lector. The gospel lesson for that day is Luke 2:41-52, which tells of the boy Jesus increased in wisdom, and in divine and human favor. Join us in the sanctuary for worship at 9:30, a.m. You can also listen to the service on 91.3FM, or watch the livestream at stlukegilbertsville.org. The Community Clothing Rack will be open on Dec. 29 for shoppers from 1-4 p.m. Church is located at 35 Wilson Ave.
Congregation Hesed shel Emet
POTTSTOWN — Congregation Hesed shel Emet, 575 N. Keim St., welcomes guests for Shabbat services in person or via Zoom. Attendees for services and upcoming holiday events must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Upcoming Shabbat services will be held on Jan. 8 & 22, 2022. Celebrate Tu B’shvat on Jan. 21. To RSVP for services or to obtain the Zoom link, email the office at hesedshelemet575@ gmail.com or call 610-3261717. Visit our website at www.hesedshelemet.com for more information. Congregation Hesed shel Emet is located in the Bethel Community Church of Pottstown
building.
Bethel UMC
SPRING CITY — Sunday worship at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, will be held indoors at 8:30 am and 10 am. Church website: www.bethelumchurch.com
Bethel Community
POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 11 am, you are invited to worship with Bethel Community Church of Pottstown for the “First Sunday after Christmas.” 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 and will resume on Monday, Jan. 10. The Pottstown Vaccine Clinic is Open Tuesday from 12 pm to 6 pm and Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm. The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are administered. Booster doses for Moderna, Johnson & Johnson 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/COVID-19vaccine. 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. Transportation to “Clinic” is available by calling 610-326-1700. Clinic sponsored by Pottstown Ministerium. Thursday In-Person and Virtual Bible Study is canceled until Jan. 6, 2022. For more information, call 610-3261700. Everyone is invited to New Year’s Service on Friday, Dec. 31, at 10:30 pm.
Emmanuel Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — Join Emmanuel Evangelical Lu
theran Church, 150 N. Hanover St., for a worship service of Lessons and Carols in our Sanctuary this Sunday at 10:45 AM. Come celebrate the birth of Christ with Word and song. The service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/emmanuel.pottstown at 10:45 am. It will also be posted on our website http://www.emmanuelpottstown.com/ and on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCBQzq980Tf11SCyPX2G21mg. 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 hours of operation. 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 pm. 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 reflecting budding interests and unlocking a world of discovery to forge a path for the future. 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 noon. For more information, call 484-300-5508.
Grace Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., will hold a Service of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 26 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.
SUBMIT YOUR NEWS: 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.