Worship news & notes

Diwali

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir: The Hindu New Year is traditionally celebrated with Annakut — or a “mountain of food.” Celebrate with Grand Annakut Darshan 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 10. Every year 500 unique thals (vegetarian delicacies) are offered in devotional gratitude for the past year and to seek blessings for the New Year ahead. The Annakut offering includes devotionally prepared snacks, sweets, pickles, spicy dishes, salads, fruit drinks and other items. Arti timings are noon and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Mahaprasad timings are 1 p.m. onwards. BAPS is at 2021 E. Township Line Road, Hatfield.

Bharatiya Temple: Diwali Mahotsav continues with a dinner at 6 p.m. Nov. 10, followed by a movie for children and a DJ and dancing at the temple at 1612 County Line Road, Montgomery Township. Tickets are $15, free to children under 5.

Drive safely

Congregation Beth Or: A twopart AARP Safe Driver Class is offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 13-14. Completion of the class could lead to a discount on your auto insurance. Cost is $15 for AARP members, $20 for nonAARP members. RSVP to Jillian at (215) 646-5806.

Book club

Indian Valley Public Library: The Grace Methodist Church book club meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the library at 100 E. Church Ave., Telford. All are welcome.

Place your order

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Orders are being accepted through Nov. 30 for pierogies, kielbasa, and nut and poppy seed rolls. Call (215) 362-9599 and leave your name and phone number. Orders will be available for pickup on Dec. 15 at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin.

Music notes

Gwynedd Friends Meeting: Philadelphia bluegrass band Tookany Creek plays Nov. 10 at the Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse at 1101 DeKalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8. A $7 donation is requested to support the musicians. Additional proceeds go to charity. Light refreshments are available for sale. For further information call (267) 421-9394 or check www. gwyneddmeeting.org/Coffeehouse.html.

Christ United Methodist Church: An organ dedication recital with Sandor Kadar starts at 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at 1020 S. Valley Forge Road, Towamencin. Church of the Holy Spirit:

A concert by baritone soloist, and Muhlenberg College voice professor Brian Ming Chu begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the church at 2871 Barndt Road at Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford. A free will offering will be received and a dessert reception will follow the concert. See www. churchoftheholyspirit.us.

St. John’s United Church of Christ: The St. John’s United Ringers, the hand bell choir at St. John’s UCC, will play “Simple Gifts,” a Shaker tune arranged by Carl Wiltse, at the 10:15 a.m. service on Nov. 11. In addition, the Chancel Choir will sing “Give Almes of Thy Goods” by Christopher Tye. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org.

Lend a hand

Congregation Beth Or: A knitting circle will be making hats and blankets for local hospital patients and soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14. RSVP to Faye at febx@ comcast.net.

Play time

Presentation of Our

Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Bingo will be held every Wednesday. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food available for purchase, and the games begin at 6:30. Admission is $10 for boards and $15 for paper. The church is at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin. For more information leave a message at (215) 362-9599.

Study

Tiferet Bet Israel: Torah study for the parashat ha-shavua (study of the weekly Torah portion) with Rabbi Woodward and Rabbi Danielle is held at 11 a.m. Nov. 16 in the library at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Bible study is held at 11 a.m. Thursday mornings in November. The topic is salvation. The church is at 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Call (215) 6994604.

Church of the Holy Spirit: A chronological study of the New Testament is held 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 13. Contact Marge at revexmarge@ gmail.com if interested. Montco Bible Fellowship: “How to Understand the Bible” is the topic of Wednesday night Bible study, held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the church at 160 E. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-0899 or visit www.montcobf.org. Trinity Lutheran Church: Dwelling in the Word meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in Room 125-127 at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, to discuss Acts 17. Bring your favorite Bible. Congregation Beth Or: Torah study takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, between Shabbat services, at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. At 10:45 a.m. Nov. 10 there will be extended Torah study with rabbinic intern Janine Jankovitz Pastor.

For kids

Trinity Lutheran Church: Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS) is open to mothers of infants through kindergarten 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 in the church parlor at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Topics of discussion are facilitated by speakers and include relationships, motherhood, health and wellness, and families and faith. A light breakfast and childcare are provided. For more information contact Wendy at wteschner@gmail.com.

Zion Mennonite Church: My Toddler and Me is an opportunity for parents and other caregivers of 2- and 3-year-olds to get out and to meet others. Enjoy stories and crafts 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton. For more information call the church at (215) 7233592 or visit www.zionmennonite.org.

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Mom and Tot group meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays in the Parish Hall, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Email Kendra for more information at itpmentor209@yahoo.com.

Shopping time

Tiferet Bet Israel: The Women’s League of TBI opens a Holiday Shop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. There will be more than 40 vendors featuring children’s items, clothing, home items, jewelry and other gifts. TBI is at 1920 Skippack Pike, Whitpain. Visit www.tbibluebell.org.

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church: A Christmas bazaar is set for 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. There will be more than 60 vendors, a raffle table with prizes, breakfast and lunch, a Secret Santa Shoppe, a visit from Santa and more. The church is at 424 S. Main St., North Wales.

St. Mary Catholic Church: The Saint Mary Christmas Craft Show and Bazaar is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16th and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17. There will be more than 60 crafters in the Parish Hall and Saint Mary School, 40 Spring Mount Road, Lower Frederick. There will also be musical entertainment, homemade soup, chili, pulled pork, pierogies, kielbasa sandwiches, golumpki, hot dogs, walking tacos, pizza, candy, raffle baskets filled with goodies, pictures with Santa and more. Take a chance at winning the 50⁄50 or one of more than 50 raffle baskets on display. For more information visit www.churchofsaintmary. org or call (610) 287-8156. Souderton Mennonite Homes: A Holiday Bazaar takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at 207 W. Summit St., Franconia Township. Highlights include crafters, vendors, baked goods, holiday specials in The Corner Store, and oyster stew in the Apple Orchard Café. This event is open to the public. For more information contact Alta at (215) 723-9881.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church’s thrift shop at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, is open Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Browse a new fall boutique line, attic treasures, books, music, housewares, jewelry, linens, vintage items, and clothing for women and children. Surprise half-price sales are offered each week. Call (215) 699-4604.

Help others

Congregation Beth Or: Nonperishable boxed or canned items are being accepted for a Thanksgiving food drive through Nov. 15 in the main lobby vestibule at the synagogue at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. Thanksgiving meal items will go to benefit the food cupboard in Roslyn. Also, through Nov. 18 the religious school lobby will have a place to donate toiletries for American soldiers.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: St. Peter’s annual Food Drive for Manna on Main Street is taking place through Nov. 25. Donations of non-perishable food and gravy may be brought to church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, and placed in the bins near the doors, or in the specially marked containers throughout the building. Call (215) 699-4604.

Christ Covenant Church: During November the church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting Lamb Foundation’s Cornucopia Cupboard with donations of the following items: canned fruit and vegetables, canned beans, peanut butter, jelly, 100 percent fruit juice, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, canned tuna and salmon, disposable razors, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, bleach, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, paper towels, toilet paper and other supplies. Contributions may be dropped off at the church office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 to noon. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit christ-covenant.org.

Let’s eat

Trinity Christian UCC: A community turkey dinner is held 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10, with options to eat in or take out. Walk-ins are welcome at 2009 Church Road, Skippack. Cost is $14 for ages 12 and up, $7 for children 5-12. Call (610) 454-7744.

St. John’s United Church of Christ: A Spud Lunch, featuring baked potatoes with a variety of toppings, is offered during fellowship time following the 10:15 a.m. service on Nov.

11. A free-will offering will be collected to raise funds for the National Youth Event in July 2020 at Purdue University. All are welcome. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org.

Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek: An oyster and ham dinner is served 4 to 8 p.m. Nov.

10. With eat-in and take-home options, you’ll get all-you-caneat fried oysters, baked ham with sides and dessert. The church is at 171 Church Road, Franconia Township. Tickets are $15, $5 for children 4-12. Proceeds benefit missions and youth ministries at Christ Reformed Church. Call (215) 723-7338.

Trinity Lutheran Church: Join in TLC Dinner Together, a community meal offered every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is a donation of $3 per person. The church is at 1000 W Main St., Lansdale.

Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, offers a free Community Hot Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month. For more information call (215) 256-8101 or visit christcovenant.org.

Lifelong learning

Congregation Beth Or: Call Barbara at (215) 646-5806, ext. 220 to RSVP for a class on “Diversity of the American Jewish Community: Language, Culture and Identity” on Nov. 13.

Gather together

Zion Mennonite Church: A Grief Share support group meets 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton. Call (215) 723-3592 for more information.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: People Undergoing Pain

meets every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at the church, 211 S. Main St., North Wales.

Souderton Mennonite Church: A support group for dementia caregivers is held at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month in the Connections Cafe, across from the Fellowship Hall at 105 W. Chestnut St., Souderton.

Church of the Holy Spirit: An Al-Anon Family Group, Pathway to Peace, meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the church, Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. If you have, or have had, a family member, friend or coworker whose drinking or drug use is affecting or troubling you, contact Judy at jemorice@gmail.com. Franconia Mennonite

Church: Celebrate Recovery meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the church on Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Tai chi and yoga

Church of the Holy Spirit: Tai chi sessions for beginners are held at 10 a.m. Saturdays at the church, Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford. Intermediate level sessions are held at 8 a.m. Saturdays. Yoga sessions start at 7 p.m. Mondays.

Travel plans

Congregation Beth Or: At7 p.m. Nov. 12 will be a meeting to discuss a Jewish cultural perspective trip of Spain and Portugal, scheduled for Oct. 22Nov. 4, 2019. Beth Or is at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. To be included in Worship Notes, please send an email to religion@ thereporteronline.com.