New rector to be installed at Christ Episcopal in Reading [Religion Digest]

Jan. 28----The Rt. Rev. Kevin Nichols, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, will install Father Bryce Wandrey as rector of Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court St., Reading, on Sunday at 1 p.m. There also will be two worship services on Sunday: at 8 a.m., a spoken-word Eucharist, and at 10 family Eucharist with music. Adult forum will be held at 9 in the parlor, featuring David Emes with part two of "Christianity in the Dark: a Trip to the Rome Catacombs." Parking is available at the Abe Lincoln Parking Garage and the M&T Bank lot, both off of Washington Street. Handicap spaces are available on Court Street beside the church. Mid-week Eucharist will be held Wednesday at noon and 5:30 p.m. (the latter with optional anointing and healing). On Thursday at 11, a Morning Prayer service from the Book of Common Prayer will be held in the first-floor chapel. Go to rdgchristchurch.org for the Centering Prayer Zoom link or to learn more about us.

—Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m., with Holy Communion and music by the Reformation Choir and Bell Choir, under the direction of Dr. Heidi Rochlin. Breakfast will be served in the parish hall at 8:30. The annual congregational meeting will take place at 10:30. The worship service will be livestreamed on Reformation's Facebook page and may be viewed live or later at www.Reformationlutheran.org under worship videos. The Reading Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Slechta, will present a concert on Feb. 5 at 2:30 PM in the sanctuary. A free-will offering will be received.

—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. Adult Sunday school starts at 9:15. The annual meeting will immediately follow the worship service. Bring a covered dish to share. For more information, visit www.schwarzwalducc-pa.org.

—Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Washington Township, will worship Sunday at 9 a.m. The service will be led by the youth and their leaders, and they will also be presenting the sermon for the morning. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 and 10 in the Welcome Center. The adult Sunday school class will gather in the parlor at 10.

—St. Michael's Church, 529 St. Michaels Road, Tilden Township, will worship Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Youth of the congregation will lead the service.

—St. John's Lutheran Church, 4125 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, will hold in-person worship Sunday at 9 a.m., with Holy Communion and special music. The service also will be livestreamed on Facebook.

—St. John's Lutheran Church, 45 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, will worship on Sunday at 9:30 a.m., livestreamed on YouTube (St. John's ELC Boyertown). Children's Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Free drive through, take-out meal every Saturday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No registration necessary.

—St. John's Gernant's Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernant's Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Hall. Musician for the service will be Shirley Breininger, and a solo entitled "The Beatitudes" will be sung by the Rev. Fran Merkel, pastor. The worship will feature Appreciation Sunday, followed by a covered-dish luncheon in the hall. The church will provide chicken and hamburger BBQ for the meal.

—The United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave., will worship Sunday at 10:15 a.m. by YouTube, in person, by telephone and Facebook. Details can be found at sprucc.org and 1zion.org. A family movie night will be held today at 4 p.m. in Miller Fellowship Hall. Ice skating will be held on Sunday for all ages. Call the church office for information and to register, 610-621-5770. At 9 on Sunday, a Communion class will be held for children, teens and young adults who have not yet been confirmed. After worship, there will be a Christian education committee meeting. On Tuesday, a small-group introduction session will be held at 1:30 p.m., which is open to non-members if you would like to connect with a small group of people centered in Christian fellowship. Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 9 by Zoom. Wednesday evening Bible study meets at 6:30 by Zoom or in person.

—Schwarzwald Lutheran Church, 250 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will hold in-person worship Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

—Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Maidencreek Township, will hold a hybrid worship service on Sunday at 9 a.m. Music includes a piano selection by Kimberly Ayrton, guitar solo by Cynthia Steele and anthem by the Senior Choir. The service is livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found at www.maidencreekchurch.org.

—Epler's United Church of Christ, 1151 W. Leesport Road, Bern Township, will offer Food and Faith on Friday with a meal at 6 p.m. followed at 7 by an informal worship service, with Holy Communion, which will focus on current events and how faith allows people to find hope in a conflicted world. Dress is casual. All are welcome.

—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. Pray for our country and for each other.

—St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood, will have two worship services on Sunday, at 9, also online, and 10:30 a.m. Worship leaders will be Jim Goldman at 9 and Tina Koch at 10:30. The links to FaceBook and YouTube are found at www.stpaulsfleetwood.org.