NEWS & NOTES

Signs of Easter

Blooming Glen Mennonite Church: A free Easter egg hunt for ages 12 and under is held rain or shine from 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 8. The church is at 713 Blooming Glen Road, Hilltown Township. For information call (215) 257-3431 or visit www.bgmc.net. Bring your Easter basket. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: After all Masses Sunday — 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. — will be Easter egg hunts, as well as a pancake breakfast in Drexel Hall. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield.

Recycle it

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: The church at South Main Street and Lincoln Avenue, Telford, holds a Scrap Metal Recycling event 8 a.m. to noon April 8 in the Lincoln Avenue parking lot. Drop off the following free of charge: all scrap metals and products such as bicycles, lawn mowers, small and large appliances (including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers), car batteries, radiators, insulated wire, holiday light sets and more.

Drive safely

Congregation Beth Or: Take a basic AARP Driver Safety Course, and potentially get a discount on your car insurance. It’s held April 4 and 5 at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin, and is open to AARP members and nonmembers over 50. Bring your driver’s license. The course fee is $20, $15 for AARP members (must show member card). RSVP with payment to Jillian at jglick@ bethor.org or call (215) 6465806, ext. 234. Checks should be made payable to AARP.

The Bible and the Quran

Church of the Holy Spirit: The Episcopal church at 2871 Barndt Road at Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford, will have a program on “The Bible and Quran” with the Rev. Bob Coble and guest speaker Bachir Soueidan at the 9 a.m. adult forum on Sunday. For more information, call (215) 234-8020 or visit www. churchoftheholyspirit.us.

Box city

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Youth from the North Penn area will be raising awareness about homelessness at the church, 211 S. Main St., North Wales, and to raise funds for the Main Street Homeless Shelter in Pottstown. Starting at 3 p.m. today. During they will hear real-life stories about homelessness, discuss this social issue and experience sleeping outside overnight in a cardboard box.

Guest speaker

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A licensed clinical social worker from Family Services of Montgomery County will speak about an Elder Care Assistance Program that provides mental health talk therapy in older adults’ homes, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 5 in the Parish Library, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Contact Jennifer at (215) 721-0199, ext. 225 for further information or to register, or e-mail at jrose@ chs-adelphis.org. Franconia Mennonite Church: Pastor Bill Martin speaks about “The Salmon Effect” and Matthew 7: 1323 during the 10:15 worship service Sunday. The church is at 613 Harleysville Pike, Franconia.

For women

Congregation Beth Or: The Sisterhood group holds a Women’s Unity Seder at 2 p.m. Sunday. Local faith groups have been invited to join in the Seder, which will include a special Haggadah incorporating social justice readings. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required by going to https://bethor.org/ sisterhood-womens-unityseder or contacting Arlene at abswvs125@gmail.com. Contact Lori at lorimotis@ aol.com with any questions.

Faith forum

Church of the Holy Spirit: The church at 2871 Barndt Road at Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford, will show the 2013 documentary “Hellbound?” at the monthly First Friday Faith Forum on April 7. In the video various religious leaders capture a range of beliefs about the nature of hell. The evening begins with a potluck supper at 6 p.m., followed by the film at 6:30 and discussion afterwards. All are welcome. For more information, call (215) 234-8020 or visit www.churchoftheholyspirit.us.

Lent happenings

St. Jude Catholic Church: From 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 5 “Francis X 2” will explore how St. Francis DeSales and Pope Francis, though separated by 400 years, shared similar goals for living the Christian life. The church is at 321 W. Butler Ave., Chalfont. The guest presenter is Father John Kolodziej, an Oblate of St. Francis DeSales and Assistant Principal for Student Affairs at Father Judge High School. There is no cost to attend. Registration is encouraged at faith@stjudechalfont.org or (215) 822-9225, ext. 234. First Baptist Church: A “People at the Cross” Wednesday Evening Lenten Service begins at 7 p.m. April 5 at 700 N. Broad St., Lansdale. Rev. Dr. Max Jaouen of Lansdale United Methodist Church will deliver a message on “Mary, wife of Clopas.” Call (215) 855-8364. Hatfield Community Lenten Services: On April 5 at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Clay Moyer will deliver the message “At the Crossroads — Obedience” at Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, 100 S. Main St. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: Stations of the Cross starts at 7 p.m. Fridays in Lent. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Daily Mass will be at 7 and 8:30 a.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Wednesday evening Lenten candlelight worship services will be held Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Emphasis will be on meditation and prayers. All are welcome. The church is at 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Call (215) 6994604. Trinity Lutheran Church: Wednesday Lenten Services are held at noon (Service of the Word) and 7:30 p.m. (Holden Evening Prayer) through April 5 at Trinity, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Christ Lutheran Church: Lenten Soup Suppers begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday nights at the church, 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin. The community is invited to join the dinners, followed by a Lenten worship service. For additional information or directions, call (215) 2568738. Visit www.christlc. org. Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church: A series of soup suppers is held 6 p.m. Wednesdays through April 12 at 837 Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd. The suppers are followed by concerts at 6:30. A free will offering will be accepted. For questions, call (215) 699-9159 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Church of the Holy Spirit: The Episcopal church at 2871 Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford, will mark the Lenten season of reflection and renewal with weekly Lenten dinners, discussions and devotions. Thursdays through April 6, starting at 6 p.m., there will be a potluck Lenten soup and salad supper. The supper will be followed by a “Course for the Christian Journey,” and the evenings will end with sung Compline. For more information, call (215) 234-8020 or visit www. churchoftheholyspirit.us.

Lifelong learning

Congregation Beth Or: A “The Trefa Banquet with Rabbi Gerber” Lifelong Learning Class starts April 4. RSVP at https://bethor. org/lifelong-learning- 2016-2017-course-registration-1.

Enrollment open

Zion Mennonite Church: Zion Mennonite Nursery School, located in Souderton, is now enrolling for the 2017-2018 school year for 3- to 5-year-olds. Check out www.zionmennonite.org or call (215) 723-3592.

Let’s eat

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The Breakfast Club meets April 6 in the Narthex after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. All are welcome. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will host a free community hot breakfast including scrambled eggs, pancakes, breakfast meat, toast, fruit and beverages 8 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month in the fellowship hall. All ages are welcome. Call (215) 256-8101. St. John’s United Church of Christ: An Appreciation Breakfast for fire, police and ambulance corps personnel; and all those who help in any way in the life of the church and those who serve our community is held at 9 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the Assembly Hall, 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. The menu will include scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes, pancakes, sausage, bacon, a fruit tray and assorted beverages. Call (215) 8555489 or visit www.st-johnsucc.org. St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church: Potato with cheese pierogie sales are held every Wednesday through April 5. Orders can be called in from 9 a.m. to noon. You must speak with a kitchen worker (no voicemails) at (215) 343-9809. Pickup is from noon to 3 p.m. If you need to make an evening pickup, mention it when placing the order. The church is at 1545 Easton Road, Warrington. Trinity Lutheran Church: TLC Dinner Together, a community meal, is held 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays for a $3 donation. There will be a Kid’s Corner for children to play. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale.

Music notes

St. John’s United Church of Christ: The ensemble United Voices at St. John’s United Church of Christ will sing “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” by Rick Founds at the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday. In addition, the Chancel Choir will sing “Lazarus” with soloist Bill Leslie. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. All are welcome. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org. Gwynedd Friends Meeting: The Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse hosts folk/ acoustic Native group Spirit Wing at 8 p.m. April 8. Gwynedd Friends Meeting is at 1101 DeKalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd. Doors open at 7:30. A $5 donation is suggested to help support the musicians. Additional proceeds go to charity. Light refreshments are available at modest cost. For further information call (267) 4219394 or visit www.gwyneddmeeting.org/Coffeehouse.html. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The St. Peter’s Belles will provide music at the 8:30 a.m. service Sunday. The Cherubs will sing at the 10 a.m. service. The church is at 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Also, a free spring concert by the Houghton College Choir is presented at 7 p.m. April 7 in the sanctuary. A small reception with dessert snacks will follow the concert. Call (215) 699-4604. St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church: The church at 750 Skippack Pike, Whitpain, presents a Songs of Fools and Spring concert with singer Corinne Mammana and pianist Joe Benedict at 4 p.m. Sunday. A free-will offering will be taken for Laurel House. Trinity Lutheran Church: Accompanied by a 32-piece orchestra, The Choristers perform Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” in English at 7:30 p.m. April 8 at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. For

tickets, call (215) 542-7871 or go to www.thechoristers.org.

Gather together

Zion Mennonite Church: The Grief Share Support Group meets Thursdays from 1to 2:30p.m. This group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them meets for nine weeks. Call Marcia at (215) 723-9111 for more information. You are welcome to begin attending at any session. Zion is on Cherry Lane in Souderton. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: The church at Fourth and Broad streets in Lansdale hosts a discussion group on various topics each Monday from 2to 3p.m. This is open to the community. Anyone who would like to connect with others in a discussion group setting is invited. The Sunday service is at 10a.m. Fairview Village Church: The church at 3044W. Germantown Pike, Worcester, hosts GriefShare, a Biblebased support group for people grieving the death of someone close. It is a place where you can be with people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement. The group meets in Room 515on Mondays from 10a.m. to noon or from 6to 8p.m. There is a $15workbook charge. For more information, contact Donna at donna.tarnowski@fvcn.org, (610) 539-3333, ext. 7709, or see www. fairviewvillagechurch.com/ griefshare. Also, Fairview Village Church hosts Celebrate the Journey, a Bible-based support/recovery program that meets at 6:45p.m. Fridays at The Village Norristown, 329E. Main St., Norristown, and 6:45 p.m. Mondays at the church,

3044W. Germantown Pike, Worcester. Large group gathering of prayer and praise, as well as a lesson, begins at 6:45and small group time takes place from 7:30to 8:45 p.m. Most groups are genderbased — men with men, and women with women. Some groups address a specific need; others are designed to allow each person to bring their unique challenges to a safe place. Each group is strictly confidential and is led by trained leaders with similar life experiences. For information on the Friday Celebrate the Journey, contact Pastor Marquetta at mrieger@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7718. For information on the Monday Celebrate the Journey, go to www.fairviewvillagechurch.com/celebrate-journey or contact Pastor Kelly Yetter at Kelly.yetter@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7717. Christ Lutheran Church: One of the toughest transitions of life is life after the death of a loved one. Whether it is a spouse, child, parent or close friend, the grieving process can take a toll. It is a difficult journey to navigate alone. Grief Share is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. To learn more about this program, or for additional information, contact Kim at KJA610@aol.com or the church office at (215) 2568738. The church is at 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin. Also, a local chapter of PFLAG, the national organization that supports Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbian/Gay and Transgender individuals, meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month in Weaver Hall. For questions or additional information, contact Sue at sdaubert@yahoo.com. Silverdale Brethren in

Christ Church: Singles Connection, a non-denominational Bux-Mont area group for single, widowed, divorced and separated adults age 45+ meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 165W. Main St. (Route 113), Silverdale. For information, call (215) 593-9995or email carolonline1@verizon.net. Celebrate Recovery: This group meets 7to 9p.m. Mondays at Franconia Mennonite Church, Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Stop and shop

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The St. Peter’s Thrift Shop, 211S. Main St., North Wales, has a new spring and summer line, including clothing for women and children, jewelry, gifts, housewares, art, attic treasures, books, music and linens. Also, browse the vintage collection. Hours are Wednesdays from 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. and Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m. Local charities benefit from your purchase. Call (215) 6994604.

Study

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: A Bible study, “Immersion of the Book of Matthew,” continues at 7p.m. April 6in the Gathering Room of the Education Building, 211 S. Main St., North Wales. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: An Endow Women’s Study Group discusses “St. John Paul’s Letter to Women,” an introduction to the Christian concept of woman and her role in the Church, the family, society and the world. It meets at 7p.m. Sundays through May 21at the SMG Parish Center, Lower Level, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Visit www. endowgroups.org to register or call (215) 421-1919. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: The church at Fourth and Broad streets in Lansdale will be hold-

ing a weekly Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. All are invited to attend. Congregation Beth Or: Torah study takes place at 9:30a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 239Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. Central Schwenkfelder Church: Thursday nights are for reading and studying the New Testament with the Bethel Bible Program 7 to 9p.m. Thursdays through May (no meetings the fourth Thursday of the month). The church is at 2111Valley Forge Road, Worcester. Dates will be decided by the class members. Each lesson has a picture with concepts noted and several pages of reading, as well as assignments of scripture. The emphases throughout the sessions are your concerns dealing with each week’s concepts and the readings in the program and New Testament. For questions, call Allen at (610) 584-5379or e-mail tennislob31@comcast.net.

ESL

Montco Bible Fellowship: Registration is open for free English as a Second Language classes. Sessions continue through May 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $30 for books. The church is at 160 E. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-0899 or visit www.montcobf.org.

For men

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The men’s faith studies group That Man Is You meets Wednesdays from 6to 7:30a.m. in The Parish Center, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Registration forms are in the narthex. Contact Ron at (215) 393-3763.

Play time

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Participate in Spring Basket Bingo, with filled Longaberger basket prizes, at noon Sunday at 1564Allentown

Road, Towamencin. Doors open at noon and lunch will be available. Tickets are $20in advance, $25at the door. Call (215) 852-3463. St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church: The church at 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, hosts bingo Tuesday nights. Games start at 6:45p.m. and cost is $13, extra for bonus sheets and rip-offs. Visit www.stanneukrainiancc.com or email stannesecretary@ comcast.net.

For parents

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Play and Pray Moms and Tots Group runs 9:30to 11a.m. Thursdays in the Parish Center basement, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Contact Kelly at Kelly.mazeroski@verizon.net for more information. All are welcome. St. Stanislaus Catholic Church: Infants, children and their parents and grandparents can play and do fun activities together. Little People Playgroup meets most Tuesdays from 9:45to 11:30a.m. in the Parish Center, behind the church at 51Lansdale Ave. and Main Street, Lansdale. For more information, call (215) 855-3133. Trinity Lutheran Church: If you are the mother of an infant through kindergartner, Trinity’s Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group is for you. It meets Wednesdays at 9:30a.m. in Hyson Hall, 1000W. Main St., Lansdale. Childcare and breakfast will be provided. For questions, contact Ashley at (215) 275-8212or ashleybellhan@ comcast.net.

For caregivers

Christ Lutheran Church: A monthly meeting for caregivers is held the third Sunday of each month at 7p.m. in the church library. Sometimes you can prepare for it, and sometimes it happens unexpectedly, but there will come a time in life when we will

have the opportunity to give back to our parents, spouse or loved one the love and care they gave to us. With this responsibility though, comes many questions and often there are difficult decisions to be made. This will be an opportunity to come together, lend support, learn how to prepare, and encourage each other. The church is at 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin. For more information email Kim at KJA610@aol.com or call (215) 256-8738.

Help others

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Baby Bureau donation box will be in the Narthex through April 12. Visit www. thebabybureau.org or contact Rosemary at (215) 855-2781 or rmgerhart@verizon.net for any questions. Trinity Lutheran Church: Volunteers interested in helping the homeless in the Montgomery County area during cold nights are welcome to help staff the church’s shelter. Available shifts are: intake runs 8p.m. to midnight; overnight midnight to 6a.m.; and breakfast shift 6to 8 a.m. In addition, donations of men’s boots and gloves, and underwear sizes medium and large are also needed. No other clothing is needed at this time. For more information or to volunteer, call Joe Toy at (215) 375-2928.

Try yoga

Trinity Lutheran Church: Gentle yoga and meditation is held at 7p.m. Wednesdays in Rooms 105-107. Contact Rosa at rosagiletti@comcast. net. The church is at 1000W. Main St., Lansdale.