Pottstown-area churches schedule worship services, special events

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Sunday Worship Service at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., will take place in-person and live-streamed on Trinity’s YouTube page at 10:15 AM on Sunday, Dec. 4, at a joint worship service with Zion’s UCC at their church. Trinity will offer a free meal on Tuesday, De. 6, at 5 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.

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. 4, at 9 a.m. We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. Our service is also broadcast live at 9:00 a.m. on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsuccpottstown. Our Diaper Bank is now open on Wednesdays from 10 am-12 pm. The Diaper Bank will assist Pottstown families in need, with diapers, wipes and other baby essentials. Our Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 am until 2 pm. The Bazaar will include vendors, crafters, a cookie walk, baked goods, soups, and a white elephant table. Breakfast and lunch items will also be sold.

Emmanuel Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — You are invited to join Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover St., this Sunday as we celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent at 10:45 AM in our Sanctuary. Our service features both traditional and contemporary aspects. Pastor Bruce Davidson will preside over the communion service and the Fazekas family will light the first candle on the Advent Wreath. Services are broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/emmanuel.pottstown. They are also posted on our website at http://www.emmanuelpottstown.com and on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQzq980Tf11SCyPX2G21mg. To view our schedule for the upcoming week, download our bulletin at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZsJEyk9h7hrB_RLaOEAwSZDokKJ_BGbN/view?usp=share_link.

St. James Lutheran

LIMERICK — St James Lutheran Church is located at 93 Kugler Road. Dec. 4 is the second Sunday in Advent and we will have the second of four Advent Craft Experiences following the 9 AM Contemporary Service. During this time, children will “Make and Take” ornaments or other decorations for Christmas. Join us for this event and either church service at 9 or 10:45 AM. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. We will also continue to bless those in need through Operation Shining Star. Families will be given a $50 Giant gift card to purchase food for their Christmas dinner. New this year – Donate to Shining Star as a special Christmas gift for someone you love and we will send you a special tribute card to give them. Contact Bobbie Hoffman at Dofd@stjameslimerick.org to honor someone special this year. We are hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Dec. 16 from 1:30-6:30 PM. To make an appointment, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800­-RED CROSS (1-800­-733-2767).

First UCC

ROYERSFORD — First United Church of Christ, 367 Washington St., 10 am Sunday School for all ages, 11 am Worship, Rev. Susan Scott preaching, Holy Communion, 4 pm Family Advent Night.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join us this Sunday at 10 am for our worship service led by our new designated pastor, Pastor Bill Wisneski. Worship Play will be available for grades K-6 after the Word for All Ages. On Thursday, Dec. 8, our next Young at Heart luncheon and program will occur. call the church office to sign up by Sunday, Dec. 4, at Noon. 610-495-6788. Most Sundays after church, our Confirmation class will meet, and every other week our youth have Donuts & Discussion during worship. Then, on Sunday evenings, our kids are back for the PRAY program. Join us at 640 Ridge Road, or you can watch the service from home at: https://www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/live/.

First Presbyterian

POTTSTOWN — Join First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 N. Evans St., on Sunday, Dec. 4, for Sunday School at 9:15 am and worship at 10:30 am. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated during worship. Join us immediately following worship in the Community Room for our Alternate Gift Market hosted by the Mission Committee.

St. Luke Lutheran

GILBERTSVILLE — Join St. Luke Lutheran Church, 35 Wilson Ave., Sunday at 9:30, a.m. as we observe the Second Sunday in Advent. Our interim pastor, Pastor Susan Folks, will lead us in worship. Communion will be celebrated. Dave Janzow is lector. The Gospel lesson for the day is Matthew 3:1-12, where we remember that a voice cries “Prepare the way of the Lord.” We will light the second candle on our Advent wreath. Services are broadcast on 91.3 FM and livestreamed at stlukegilbertsville.org. COMMUNITY CLOTHING RACK will be open Dec. 7 for donations, and Dec. 14 and 21 for shoppers from 1-4 p.m.

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Zion’s United Church of Christ welcomes all to a joint worship service on Dec. 4, the Second Sunday in Advent. Worship will begin at 10:15 am at Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets. The Advent wreath will be lit by Diane Andres and Heather Dickey. Pastor Marti Smith, Trinity United Church of Christ will share the message. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be shared. We are also blessed to share the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for Mackenzie Hayes Frey Rhoads, daughter of Catherine and Jeff Rhoads. Sunday School for youth and adults will meet at 9 am in the Chapel Building. For those who wish to worship virtually, you are welcome to join us live or later on Zion’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/zionsucc.

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN ​— This Sunday, Dec 4, at 4:30 pm, First Baptist Church (ABCUSA), will meet on Zoom for the Second Sunday in Advent as Pastor Marcia Bailey meditates on “Catching a Vision.” This is also communion Sunday, so have something small to eat and drink prepared. Join us using the link on our website. Our Learning Community will meet online this Sunday, Dec 4, at 9:15 am. We’re listening to and discussing an episode by the Salt Project’s Strange New World podcast on “The Poetry of Advent.” Look for links to the podcast episodes and the Zoom meeting on the Advent 2022 page of our website. FBC is proud to host the Pottstown satellite location for The LGBT Center of Greater Reading. We hope you’ll check out the VOICES Youth Group (ages 12-17) on Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm. Your teen can drop in or you can call 484-513-3170 for more information. Parking and entrance off of Charlotte St. Our mission offering for December is for the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering, a gift to all American Baptist clergy persons who have served congregations at home and abroad. You can donate on our website or by mailing a check with “RMMO” in the memo line to PO Box 1096, Pottstown, PA 19464. Check out our website www.FBCPottstown.org for links and more info.

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent at 1092 Laurelwood Road with services at 8 AM & 11 AM (Traditional), 9:30 AM (Contemporary). Children ages 4 to 6th grade are dismissed from the 9:30 and 11 services for Sunday School. Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for resources and live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. Nursery care is available at 9:30 & 11. Contact Lea@cedarvilleumc.org if you can participate in the Christmas Eve Children’s pageant (4 PM Service). Practices are Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 6 PM and Saturday, Dec. 24, at 10 AM. Next Sunday, is a single service at 10 AM in the FLC featuring a Cantata by the combined Praise Team/Chancel Choir. Sunday, Dec. 4, is the Christmas Dinner at 5:30 PM which is preceded by the Coventry Singers concert at 3 PM. Youth Group will attend the Cedarville Christmas Dinner followed by the Youth Gift Exchange. Bring a wrapped gift (no more than $10). On Dec. 11, Re-Creation returns at 3 PM with the Alumni Show (FLC). CUMC is committed to 120 $25 Target Gift Cards for OJR Students and 250 cans of corn for Cluster Christmas meals. Mission First (Cedarville Church’s outreach at 414 E High Street) will continue a weekly Worship Service at 3:00 PM led by Pastors and community leaders to welcome nearby friends and neighbors. To help, stop by or email clare@missionfirstpottstown.org or call her at 610-326-0560.

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet

POTTSTOWN — Upcoming Shabbat Services will be 9:30 a.m., on Dec. 3 and 17.  Erev Shabbat services are on Friday, Dec. 9.  First night of Chanukah is Sunday evening, Dec. 18.  Services are both in-person and virtual, via Zoom.  Visitors are welcome.  Rabbi Kravitz will host luncheons and evening adult education sessions on select dates.  For information, contact the office: 610-326-1717. Email: Hesedshelemet575@gmail.com. Congregation Hesed shel Emet is located at 575 N. Keim St.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s United Church of Christ, 11 S. Price St., welcomes all to join in worship on Sunday at 10:15 am. The service will be available for viewing later in the day on YouTube. The Second Sunday of Advent will be celebrated. Matt Moyer and his family will light the Second Advent candle. St. John’s is participating in the Historic House Tour on Sunday beginning at 1 pm. We look forward to welcoming all on the tour to enjoy our beautifully decorated Sanctuary.

St. John’s ELC

BOYERTOWN — Join St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church for worship Sundays at 9:30 am and livestreamed on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown). Children’s Sunday School at 9:30 am – register online. Handel’s Messiah, sponsored by St. John’s and performed by Reading Choral Society on Dec. 4 at 4 pm at Boyertown High School. Tickets available online at readingchoral.org. Director’s Big Band Christmas Concert on Dec. 10 at 7 pm at St. John’s – free admission. Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday evening 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.

Grace Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., welcomes you to worship with us at 10:15 AM on Sunday, Dec. 4, as we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the second candle on the Advent wreath. The Rev. Lauren Cain will preside over the communion service. There will be an informal chat with Pastor Cain after the 10:15 service with light refreshments. The service will be live-streamed 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.

Bethel Community

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 11 AM, you are invited to worship with Bethel Community Church of Pottstown for the “Second 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. BCCP Food Pantry is Closed on Monday. On Tuesday at 6 PM, it’s Community Bible Study (In-Person: Library) or Virtually by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. On Thursday at 12 PM, it’s Community Bible Study (In-Person: Library) or Virtually by calling 215-383-1625 Code 198087. For more information, please call 610-326-1700. Calling all musicians, soloists and singers interested in the Pottstown Mass Choir. For more information, call 610-326-1700 or 610-805-9084.

Coventryville UMC

SOUTH COVENTRY — Come visit Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road, on Saturday, Dec, 3, from 11 am-2 pm and see the sights of the season at the Owen J Roberts Friends of the Arts Tree Festival. Stop in, bid on some displays, and enjoy some lunch! On Sunday, join us to celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent with a special candle-lighting ritual, music, and scriptures that prepare us for Christ’s coming. Services are at 9:30 AM (contemporary) and 11 AM (traditional). Visit in person or view the live stream from home on the Coventryville UMC YouTube Channel. On Tuesday from 4-6 PM, there is a frozen food giveaway of Wawa breakfast sandwiches. Pick up early while supplies last! Bible Study & Prayer will be held on Wednesday, from 9:30-10:30 AM. Also on Wednesday, CUMC will host a GriefShare program starting at 6 PM. All are invited. Questions about church activities may be directed to the office at 610-469-9350 or Church@CoventryvilleUMC.com.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Upcoming at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100: Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 am – 1 pm, is our Free Community To-Go Meal and Cold Weather Gear giveaway! Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. (lunch and free cold-weather gear are available to everyone while supplies last). Sunday, Dec. 4, is the Second Sunday of Advent. Lighting the Second Advent Candle – PEACE. Guest Vocalist, Debi Wahl. Scriptures: Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12. Message “What Happens at Baptism?” Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8-11 am, we will hold a Christmas Shopping Event! The upper-level Fellowship Hall will feature a 25-cent sale. The lower-level indoor flea market will also be open for shoppers! Sunday, Dec. 11, is the Third Sunday of Advent. Lighting the Third Advent Candle – LOVE. Special Music, Craig Kenney on trumpet Scriptures: Matthew 11:16-21. Message “There is Freedom within God’s Providence.” Any questions may be directed to the church office at calvaryucc@gmail.com or 610-652-5023.

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this the Second Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 4, with a worship service led by Pr. Matt Finney, who will also be presenting the sermon for the morning. The Adult Sunday school class will meet after worship in the parlor and the Confirmation class students will meet at 10 a.m. in room I. A “Bruncheon” will be held immediately following the service in the social hall. Members are asked to sign-up or contact Nancy Fioriglio. The Property Committee will meet on Monday, Dec.5, at 7 p.m. in the Welcome Center. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m., the Worship & Music committee will meet in the Welcome Center. The Handbells will rehearse on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 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.

St. Gabriel Catholic

STOWE — Join us for The Second Sunday of Advent.  Father Wilson and Deacon Ray will celebrate Mass on Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday morning at 9 am (the Rosary will be recited prior to Mass).  Confessions are heard on Saturday from 3 to 3:45 pm.  We are now live-streaming services at https://stgabrielstowepa.org/livestream/  We need help to set up the outdoor nativity set on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 11:30 am.  Contact Maria Boyer if you can help. The Women’s Society will be raffling off a Christmas basket valued at $150. We will be selling chances for $1 each or 6 for $5 after each Mass. Stop by the Church lobby to see it and take a chance. American Red Cross Blood Drive on Dec. 5 and 19 from 2-7 PM in the social hall. Prospective donors, call 1- 800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment. For more information visit our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa.org

First Church of Brethren

POTTSTOWN — The annual Cookie Sale Walk will be held at the First Church of the Brethren, 371 N York St., on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8-10 am. Customers choose their cookies from tables filled with a wide variety of homemade cookies. Cost $8.00 per pound. Park in the church lot. For more information, contact pottstownbrethren@gmail.com.

Holy Trinity Orthodox

POTTSTOWN — The Annual Christmas Cookie Sale Walk will be held at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 1236 Juniper Street (at the corner of Mervine Street), on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 am until sold out. Customers can walk the Cookie Line to choose from a variety of homemade traditional and ethnic cookies. On-site parking is available. Look for the church with the gold domes. For more information, visit www.holytrinitypottstown.org/

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS: Area houses of worship are invited to share their news for our weekly listings. Email information to Mercury Editor Tony Phyrillas at tphyrillas@pottsmerc.com. Submissions will run on a space-available basis and are subject to editing. Must use the words “Church News” in the subject line of your email.