Reading Eagle: Cumru Township church to re-dedicate altar at cemetery [Religion Digest]

May 21—Parishioner Kevin Grossman and his brother Kyle have restored the outdoor altar at St. Stephen the Martyr Memorial Cemetery in Millmont. St. Stephen's Polish National Catholic Church in Cumru Township was founded in 1927, and the congregation's cemetery was established one year later.

The two men received permission from the parish committee to restore the 94-year-old treasure. With the project nearing its completion, the congregation is holding a re-dedication and memorial service on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Kevin Grossman explained that the stonework was deteriorating and the mortar was crumbling in many places.

"Once we completed all of the structural work and repairs," Kevin said, "my brother, Kyle integrated some appropriate artwork."

"Beneath each art panel is a title," Kyle said, "with most of it in English, but one title is in Aramaic, the ancient language spoken by Jesus."

The Rev. Donald E. Wunderlich, pastor, will celebrate Mass and bless the restored edifice. In addition, a special remembrance of veterans of the military will take place.

The Earl Eshelman Memorial VFW Post 9045, Mohnton, will participate with an honor guard unit, and two members of the congregation, both veterans, will lay the memorial wreath.

A reception for refreshments and fellowship will follow at the parish hall, 20 St. Stephen's Church Lane.

----Allegheny Lutheran Church, 1327 Alleghenyville Road, Brecknock Township, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ordinations of the Rev. Charles Charles and the Rev. Dr. Foster McCurley Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The service will include a brass quartet, handbell and senior choirs and a recorder solo by musician Rainer Beckman from Philadelphia. Following the service, a covered dish luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall. In recognition of this anniversary, monetary gifts will be forwarded to the United Lutheran Seminary Student Scholarship Fund in Philadelphia to support individuals entering the ministry.

—The Council for United Church Ministry in Reading will be offering an Ascension Day Service of Word and Sacrament at Olivet Reformed United Church of Christ, 1648 Centre Ave., Reading, on Thursday at 6 p.m. Host pastor the Rev. Michael A. Baal will lead worship. A time of fellowship with refreshments will follow the service.

Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Barto, will worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center and then again following worship. Adult Sunday school will be held at 10:15 in the parlor. The Confirmation class will meet in Room E at 10:15.

—Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will hold in-person worship Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masks are optional. The 10:30 service will be livestreamed on Facebook and can be viewed at www.Reformationlutheran.org under worship videos. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:30.

—Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington, will hold a service of Holy Communion with special music by the Senior Choir, in-person at 9:30 a.m. and online after 11:45 at graceshillington.org. Adult Sunday school is at 8:45, children's Sunday school is at 9:30 and there is a fellowship gathering after worship.

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

—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. Sunday school meets at 10:15 in the Fellowship Hall.

—Schwarzwald Lutheran Church, 250 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will hold in-person worship Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The recorded services will be available the next day on Facebook.

—Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Bern Township, offers live worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m., or participate from your vehicle by means of an FM 87.9 transmission or on Facebook.

—Zion and St. Paul's United Church of Christ will worship together in person at 301 W. Penn Ave., Robesonia, at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, as well as by YouTube and by telephone. Details can be found at 1zion.org or sprucc.org. The handbell choir will ring. A congregational meeting will be held after worship. A free community meal will be offered on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

—Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Maidencreek Township, will hold a concert featuring Sixty/30 tonight at the Oley Fairgrounds, 26 Jefferson St., Oley. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the band plays from 6 to 9. Tickets are $20 and include food. Bring lawn chairs. Also, the church will hold a hybrid worship service Sunday at 9 a.m. Music includes two pieces by clarinetist Maynard Koplin; the senior choir; a Kimberly Ayrton organ solo as well as two congregational hymns. In-person worship is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found at maidencreekchurch.org.

—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). Children's Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. — register at www.stjohnsboyertown.org. Free drive-through, take-out meal every Saturday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No registration necessary.

—St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood, will have two worship services in the sanctuary on Sunday, 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. Special music at 9 will be "In Celebration of Music" with the Bell Choir and organ and at 10:30, "Love is Patient and Kind" by the Chancel Choir with Carol Aulenbach and Heidi Pierce on bells. Worship leaders will be Carol Aulenbach at 9 and Vicky Garl at 10:30.

—Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley, will hold an all-you-can-eat breakfast today from 8-11 a.m. Breakfast includes pancakes with sausage, bacon, pastries, coffee, tea and juice. Cos is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12; children ages 4 and under free. Proceeds will benefit future mission trips. Sunday worship is both in-person and via Zoom at 10:15 a.m. Links can be found at www.friedensuccoley.org.

—Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court St., Reading, will hold three worship services on Sunday, all including the 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. Masks are optional. Parking is available at the Abraham Lincoln parking garage and the M & T Bank lot, both off of Washington street. Parking next to the church on Court Street is available for those who are disabled or need assistance. On Thursday at 11, 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. To join the livestream of the service and meeting and to find access to Centering Prayer Zoom, go to rdgchristchurch.org.

—Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave., Reading, welcomes Betsy Majewski as guest preacher Sunday at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services. Majewski is a Commissioned Minister and Lancaster Theological Seminary graduate. For more information, go to www.calvaryreformeducc.org.

—Kissinger's Church, 715 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, will hold an hour of prayer on Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend to submit prayer requests and to pray for others.

—Bern Lutheran Church, 820 W. Leesport Road, Bern Township, will hold the Berks Festival of Faith free supper and worship service for people with special needs, their family and friends on Tuesday. The meal is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by worship at 5:45, in Fellowship Hall. Main course and dessert will be provided by Zion Lutheran Church in Perry Township.