Pottstown-area churches schedule Christmas Eve, Christmas Day services

Bethel Community

POTTSTOWN — On Sunday at 10:00 AM, it’s “Community Sunday School” for all ages. Encouraging all members (especially officers, children, youth, young adults) and friends of BCCP to join us. At 11:00 AM, it’s Christmas Eve Morning Worship when we celebrate “The Fourth Sunday of Advent” which is the “Sunday of Love.” The service is Live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BCCP575. The BCCP Food Pantry is Closed on Monday and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 8, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Bible Study on Tuesday at 6:00 PM and Thursday at 12:00 PM has been canceled due to the holiday. The next Pottstown Interfaith Choir rehearsal in preparation for the 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is scheduled at 7:45 PM at First Presbyterian Church on Jan. 4 and Jan. 11. Inviting everyone to participate!

Zion’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — Zion’s welcomes all to in-person worship on Christmas Eve beginning with special music at 6:30 pm followed by the candlelight worship service. Pastor Austin Chinault, Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover and Chestnut streets will have a message titled “Silent and Holy Night.” The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be shared on this most Holy Night. There will be no morning worship service or Sunday School this week. 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

St. Peter’s Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 564 Glasgow St., will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent at our 9:30 a.m. Worship Service and Holy Communion at our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:30 p.m. with Bridge Pastor; Rev. Dr. Ann Baly. Visitors are always welcome. Worship with us online via Facebook on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. or any time during the week on Facebook, YouTube, and our website: https://www.stpeterslutheranpottstown.com.

Trinity UCC

POTTSTOWN — Christmas Eve service will be held at Trinity UCC, 60 N. Hanover St., on Dec. 24, at 7:00 PM. There will be no Sunday morning 10:15 Worship Service. The Community meal will be served on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 5:00 PM. See our ad below for office hours and contact information. All are welcome.

St. James Lutheran

LIMERICK — St. James Lutheran Church is located at 93 Kugler Road. this Sunday is Christmas Eve and we will not have a morning service. Instead, we will have three evening services – 5:00 is the Contemporary Service, 7:00 will be the Traditional Service and 9:00 will be the Youth-Led Service. Both the Contemporary and Traditional services will be live-streamed. Thank you to all who participated in the Shining Star project and the Red Cross Blood Drive. On Sunday, Dec. 31, we will continue our Christmas celebration with Lessons and Carols at 10:00 AM. No other services will take place that day. If you have any questions, contact the church at 610-287-7231, ext 12. His Kids Christian Preschool has immediate openings for both preschool and pre-K. Call 610-287-0380 for more information.

St. John’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. John’s UCC, 11 S. Price St., welcomes all to join in worship on Sunday at 10:15 am. The Fourth Sunday of Advent will be observed with Jen, Isabelle, and Addison Moyer as readers. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 7:00 pm. Readers will be Erica, Andrew and Erik Moyer. If unable to join us in person, these services will be available for viewing on YouTube. Collections continue for The Little Pantry along with Operation 143.

Emmanuel Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Join Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover St., this Sunday as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent with worship at 10:45 AM. The service features traditional and contemporary aspects. Pastor David Lutcher will preside. The fourth candle in the Advent wreath will be lit as we hear the angel Gabriel tell Mary that God will give David’s throne to her son Jesus. Join us in the evening on Sunday, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve. There will be two opportunities to worship at Emmanuel. At 6:30 pm there will be a non-denominational service in the Chapel. Pastor Randy Shanley will preside. At 10:00 pm, a Lutheran service, with candlelight and communion will be held in the Sanctuary. Pastor Kay Braun will preside. A Prelude of Christmas music will begin at 9:30 pm. Services are broadcast live on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelPottstown. Outreach schedule for the coming week: Community Meals (use Walnut St. entrance) on Friday at 11:30 AM and Saturday at 5 PM (there will be no Monday meal this week). Emmanuel’s Closet Clothing Ministry will be closed through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. NA meetings (use Portico entrance) on Monday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Saturday at 12 PM and 6 PM.

Bethel UMC

SPRING CITY — Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, invites you to join us this Sunday, Dec. 24, for our worship service, at the special time of 10:00 am, and our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 7:00 pm, led by Pastor John Keretzman. STELLAR VBS is back for a one-day get-together! Would your children like a morning of fun in the Stellar Galaxy? Join us on Saturday, Jan. 6, from 9 am-12 pm, for an exciting morning of skits, storytelling, crafts, and singing. Save the date and respond via email to betheloffice952@aol.com Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bethelumchurch or visit our website at https://bethelumchurch.com for more information on church activities.

St. Luke Lutheran

GILBERTSVILLE — Join us at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wilson Ave., for worship on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for the fourth Sunday in Advent. Pastor David Luchter will lead us in worship. Communion will be celebrated. The gospel for the day is Luke 1: 26-38, The angel appears to Mary. Lector is Connie Hukari. The fourth candle on the Advent wreath will be lit. Services are broadcast at 91.3 FM and livestreamed at stlukegilbertsville.org. The Community Clothing Rack will be closed on Dec. 27.

Grace Lutheran

POTTSTOWN — Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte St., welcomes you to worship with us as we observe the Fourth Sunday of Advent, lighting the fourth Advent candle of Love, at 10:15 AM with Pastor Lauren Cain presiding over the communion service. This Sunday we will also be observing our Giving Sunday, with Operation 143 being the recipient of our special offering. Following the service, a reception will be held for Phyllis Rinehart, our Minister of Music, as she will be leaving us on Dec. 31. We invite you to worship with us at 6:00 PM as we celebrate our joint Christmas Eve Service with St. Paul’s UCC Church with Pastor Lauren Cain presiding over the communion service. Pre-service music will begin at 5:45 PM. Both services will be live-streamed on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GLCPottstown. The services will remain on Facebook for viewing at a time convenient to our members and friends.

First Baptist

POTTSTOWN — Join us this Sunday, Christmas Eve, as Pastor Marcia Bailey leads a worship of celebration at 575 N. Keim St. and on Zoom. To join our Zoom service, use the link on our website, www.FBCPottstown.org. Christmas Eve worship will be at 7:30 pm (no 4:30 pm worship) on Dec. 24. Our service will be one of the carols and candle lighting, poetry, music and prayer. Invite your friends and family to join us. New Year’s Eve worship will take place at 4:30 pm. This will be a more informal time of song, interactive reflection and looking toward the New Year. A perfect way to close out one year and welcome another (with time to attend your favorite party!). The VOICES Youth Group (ages 12-17) at the LGBT Center of Greater Reading at FBC meets on Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm at 575 N. Keim St. in Pottstown. If you have any youth in your life who might be interested in coming, just drop in or call 610-927-5531 for more info.

Cedarville UMC

NORTH COVENTRY — Join us for the 4th Sunday of Advent at 10:00 AM (single service) at 1092 Laurelwood Road (Sunday School for ages 4 through 5th grade). Also, Christmas Eve Services at 5:00 PM (Children/Family/Contemporary Candlelight – Family Life Center) and 8:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service (Choir, Bells, Brass – Sanctuary). Visit www.cedarvilleumc.org for resources and live-streamed worship (also on FB) or recorded services after Sunday. Next week: Dec. 31, Single Services in the FLC (no Sunday School). Don’t forget the Jan. 1st Pork & Sauerkraut dinner (take-out only) 11:00 AM -1:00 PM to fundraise for Mission First (Cedarville Church’s outreach at 414 E. High St. No Mission First Service on the 24th. To help (weekday assistance welcome) stop by or email Director: Clare@missionfirstpottstown.org or call her at 610-326-0560.

St. John’s ELC

BOYERTOWN — As children of God and disciples of Christ seeking peace and justice in the world, we welcome, affirm, and include all people into the fullness of God’s love. Join us for worship Sundays at 9:30 am and livestreamed on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown). Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday evening from 4:30-5:30 pm. No registration necessary. Christmas Worship – Dec 24 at 3 & 8 pm; Dec 25 at 10:30 am. Free Christmas Day Meal – Dec 25 at 11:30 am. Lessons and Carols – Dec 31 at 9:30 am. For updates and further details, check our website at stjohnsboyertown.org or call the office at 610.369.1024.

St. Paul’s UCC

POTTSTOWN — St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 927 N. Franklin St., invites you to join us for worship on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 9:00 a.m. Our service will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsuccpottstown. We will celebrate Christmas Eve with a joint service held at Grace Lutheran Church, on Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. It will include the sacrament of Holy Communion and the traditional Candle Lighting Service. Our Diaper Bank is open on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 10 am -12 noon. The next date is Dec. 27. The Diaper Bank assists Pottstown families in need with diapers, wipes and other baby essentials.

St. Gabriel Catholic

STOWE — Join us for the Fourth Sunday of Advent – Father Wilson and Deacon Ray will celebrate Mass on Saturday at 4 pm and Mass on Sunday at 9 am (the Rosary will be recited before Mass). Confessions will be heard on Saturday at 3 pm. O Come Let Us Adore Him – Christmas Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 4 pm on Sunday and Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated Monday at 9 am. We are now live-streaming services at https://stgabrielstowepa.org/livestream/ For more information, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sgsmstowe or our website https://stgabrielstowepa.org

Coventryville UMC

SOUTH COVENTRY — Join us Sunday at 7:00 PM for our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. The Rev. Tom Davis-Shappell will lead this carol and scripture-filled service, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 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 sandwiches. And don’t forget to close the shopping year with a visit to our Thrift Shop on Saturday, Dec. 30, 9 am-noon. Call the church office at 610-469-9350 if there are questions about any of these activities.

Brownback’s UCC

SPRING CITY — Join us this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service in the Chapel and 10 a.m. for our worship service in the Sanctuary led by Rev. Bill Wisneski. Our Traditional Christmas Eve service with Candlelight and Communion will be at 7 pm on Sunday, Dec. 24. Plan to arrive by 6:30 p.m. if you’d like to enjoy the many musical selections during the prelude. We will also have our regular Sunday service at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve. On Sunday, Dec. 31, we will share a special Christmas carol sing during worship. Our members have had the opportunity through December to vote on their favorite Christmas carols, and the most popular will be sung on the 31st! Join us at 640 Ridge Road, or you can watch the service from home at: https://www.facebook.com/BrownbacksChurch/live/ 

Christ Lutheran

BARTO — Christ Lutheran Church will worship on this Fourth Sunday of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Matthew Finney will be leading the congregation in the worship service and presenting the sermon. We will light all four candles on the Advent wreath. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the Welcome Center. Join us at 3:00 p.m. for our “Family” Christmas Eve service of Holy Communion and the presentation of “No Practice Christmas Pageant” during the service. Special prelude music will begin at 2:30 p.m. Then at 9:00 p.m., you are invited to our “Traditional” Christmas Eve service of Holy Communion and Candlelighting. Special prelude music will begin at 8:30 p.m. The church is located at 222 Niantic Road between Routes 663 and 100 about a mile east of Bally.

Calvary UCC

BARTO — Did you know that there are three ways to join us for Worship? Every Sunday for in-person Worship beginning at 9:30 am, with Pastor David Brumbaugh. Facebook at www.facebook.com/calvaryuccbarto for a Live stream of the Worship Service. Zoom by dialing from any phone, 1-646-558-8656, and entering the meeting ID 913 8085 8414, passcode 848423. Dec.24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Morning Worship begins at 9:30 am. Lighting the Advent candle of Joy. Guest Musicians: Pianist – Ron Stabinsky & Trumpeter – Dave Stahl. Epistle Lesson: Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38. Message “Guess What, Mary?” Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Worship at 4:00 pm with Holy Communion. Guest Musician: Organist – Ernie Yeagley. Festival of Lessons and Carols. Dec. 31 – First Sunday after Christmas/New Year’s Eve Day. Epistle Lesson: Galatians 4:4-7 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:2-12. Message “Where Has Wisdom Gone?”

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet

POTTSTOWN — Upcoming Shabbat services on Jan. 6 & 20. Services are both in-person and virtual, via Zoom. Visitors are welcome. Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz hosts noontime and evening adult education sessions. Contact: 610-326-1717. Email: Hesedshelemet575@gmail.com.

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