Bausman Memorial UCC in Wyomissing welcomes new pastor [Religion Digest]

Aug. 27—Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ, 1064 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, has welcomed the Rev. Joseph A. Motz as its new designated pastor.

Motz's experience spans over 20 years of summer camp ministry, state park chaplaincy and congregational ministry.

In 2020, he was awarded Lancaster Theological Seminary's Meck Award for distinguished service in the practice of pastoral ministry for his work of uniting churches, businesses, nonprofits and local government.

Motz earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and philosophy from Juniata College in Huntingdon, during which time he also studied abroad at Aberdeen University in Scotland. He earned a master's of divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, completed his Clinical Pastoral Education Level 1 at Reading Hospital and has engaged in foundational training for Gestalt Pastoral Care.

He is enrolled in an International Coaching Federation certified coach training program to become a professional certified coach in order to enhance his capacity for leadership development and congregational vitality.

Motz and his wife, Jessica, have three daughters: Natalie, 14; Olivia, 12; and Caitlyn, 7.

----Maranatha Baptist Church, 25 Gaul Road, Lower Heidelberg Township, will hold an installation service Sunday at 10:45 a,m, as the Rev. Matt Austin will be installed as the new senior pastor. Austin grew up in New Jersey and holds bachelor's and master's of arts degrees in ministry. He has been a Christian educator and pastor for 38 years. The Rev. Paul Connor Sr., Pennsylvania Association of Regular Baptists state representative, will provide the charge and installation message.

----Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court St., Reading, will host David Cullen's "Peace and Love Evensong" tonight at 5:30. For this event and all church services, masks are optional, and parking is available at the Abe Lincoln Hotel parking garage and the M&T Bank lot, both located off of Washington St. Parking is also available beside the church on Court St. for those with disabilities or who need assistance. On Sunday morning, there will be three worship services, all including Holy Eucharist: at 8, a said service (no music); at 9, a service for families with young children: and at 10:30, a service with music. To join the livestream, go to rdgchristchurch.org. On Thursday at 11, a Morning Prayer service from the Book of Common Prayer will be held at the Red Bridge recreational area, 2141 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, weather permitting.

—St. John's Lutheran Church, 4125 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, will hold in-person worship on Sunday at 9 a.m., with Holy Communion and special music. Masks are optional. The service also will be livestreamed on Facebook. There will be socializing and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

—The United Church of Christ in Robesonia will worship at 301 W. Penn Ave. at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday by You Tube, in person, by Facebook and by telephone. Details are available at 1zion.org and sprucc.org. Backpacks will be blessed and school supplies will be given to school children. Choir rehearsal starts on Thursday at 6 p.m. New members are welcome.

—Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Barto, will worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. The Houck and Kehs families will provide special music during the service. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then again following worship.

—Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m., with Holy Communion and the Reformation Summer Choir. There will be a blessing for teachers, learners and school staff. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook and may be viewed live or later at www.Reformationlutheran.org under worship videos. Together Time, a period of conversation and refreshment, will follow worship.

—St. John's Lutheran Church, 45 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, will hold worship on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Livestreamed worship continues on YouTube (St. John's ELC Boyertown). Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No registration necessary. Sunday school begins Sept. 11. Register at stjohnsboyertown.org.

—Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Maidencreek Township, will hold a hybrid worship service on Sunday at 9 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Jon Fogel preaching. Music includes Jamie Ayrton, trumpet; Sophia Ayrton, violin; Megan Esterly and Kimberly Ayrton, piano duet; and Kimberly Ayrton, organ. The service also is livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found at maidencreekchurch.org.

—Schwarzwald Lutheran Church, 250 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will worship in person on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

—Schwarzwald United Church of Christ, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will be holding an in-person and Zoom service on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. It will also be available on YouTube. For more information, visit www.schwarzwalducc-pa.org.

—Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Ave., Mount Penn, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Adam Dries will be guest organist.

—St. John's Gernant's Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernant's Church Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Hall, 12 Gernant's Church Road, which is handicap accessible. Prelude piano duet by Fern Kulp and Shirley Breininger ("When Morning Gilds the Skies"); vocal duet by Fran Merkel, pastor, and Shirley Breininger ("Abiding Love.")

—Epler's Church, United Church of Christ, 1151 W Leesport Road, Bern Township, will hold Food and Faith on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. with a meal followed by an informal worship service at 7, with Holy Communion.

—Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington, will hold in-person worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m., with Holy Communion. Music will be provided by the Skoniczin family and the Men's Ensemble. The service will be available online after 11:30 at graceshillington.org.

—Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Bern Township, offers live worship at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday in the grove across Route 183 from the church. Bring a lawn chair. You also can participate from your vehicle in the parking lot by means of an FM 87.9 transmission. Youth are welcome to bring their backpacks to be blessed.

—Kissinger's Church, 715 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, will hold an Hour of Prayer on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend to submit prayer requests and to pray for others.

—Zion's Lutheran Church, 354 Zion Church Road, Perry Township, will hold a family bike ride today on the D&L Trail/Lehigh Gorge Trail. The group will meet at the church at 9 a.m. A time of fellowship will be held after the approximately 20-mile ride. In-person worship will be held Sunday at 9 a.m., with Holy Communion. The service also will be available on Facebook Live and the church website, https://zionslutheran.org. Zion's Women of The ELCA will be holding a drive-thru food drive on Oct. 8 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Pre-order and payment due date is Sept. 25. Order forms are available on the church website.

—St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood, will have two worship services in the sanctuary, at 9 and 10:30 a.m. The 9 a.m. service also will be available on Facebook and YouTube; links can be found at www.stpaulsfleetwood.org. Worship leaders will be Alexis Ames at 9 and Stella Koch at 10:30. Special music will be "What a Wonderful World" with solo by

Lois Stilwell.

—Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave., Reading, will feature a musical offering by the Rev. Steven Ohnsman, pastor, performing "Holy Place" by Debbie Friedman, based on Exodus 25:8, at the 8 and 9:30 a.m. worship services on Sunday.