Reformation Lutheran in Exeter Township to hold community block party, recognize first responders [Religion digest]

Sep. 10----Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will celebrate God's Work, Our Hands Sunday beginning with worship at 9:30 a.m. with Holy Communion and the Reformation Choir. Exeter Township first responders will be present for a special blessing as well as observance of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The service will be livestreamed on Reformation's Facebook page and may be viewed live or later at www.Reformationlutheran.org under worship videos. A Community Block Party will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the grounds of the church and neighboring Wegman Dental property beginning with a 9/11 tribute hosted by Reformation Cub Pack 315. Comalli Taqueria of West Reading and Jakes of Mount Penn food trucks will be onsite as well as tents featuring vegetarian and gluten free offerings, DQ ice cream sundaes and baked goods. Free children's activities including face painting, balloon artist, photo booth, inflatable moon bounce and obstacle course. Health screenings and nonprofit community groups will join first responders on the avenue. Music will be provided by the Reading Symphony Jr. Strings Chamber Orchestra at 11, the Exeter Community Band at noon and acoustic guitarist Mark James at 1.

—Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington, will celebrate Rally Day on Sunday as Sunday school returns with a blessing of the backpacks. An in-person service of Holy Communion will be held at 9:30 a.m. with music led by the Senior Choir. Fellowship gathering and our "God's Work. Our Hands" service project after worship. Online worship available after 11:30 at graceshillington.org.

—St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church,2020 Chestnut Hill Road, Robeson Township, invites anyone interested in being baptized to an inquiry session on the process to be held on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the church in classroom No. 2. For more information, call 610-856-1006.

—Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Barto, will worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. Quilts and prayers shawls that were made by members of the congregation will be blessed. Coffee & Conversation will be held at 8:30 in the Welcome Center. Join the Mercy Ministry Committee in the parlor for the assembly of personal care kits that will be given to Lutheran World Relief, as part of "God's Work, Our Hands" that the ELCA Synod has organized. The F.U.N. committee will provide snacks.

—Zion's Lutheran Church, 354 Zion Church Road, Perry Township, will worship outdoors Sunday at 10:30 a.m., including Holy Communion and first responder recognition. Bring a lawn chair. Service will be indoors in case of inclement weather. A picnic luncheon will follow at 11:30 with fellowship, and games. The Fellowship Committee will provide BBQs. Backpacks will be assembled with school supplies and blessed. The backpacks were sewn by Zion's Happy Knotters. Sunday school for ages 3-adult will be held at 9:15 a.m.

—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. A new member will be received during the worship service. Three candles will be lit for the three locations of 9/11 and a reading and prayer will be given. A candle is lit every Sunday to pray for the country of Ukraine. A congregational meeting will be held after the service concerning the naming of the new congregation. Fellowship follows the meeting. At 9 a.m., Tuesday Morning Bible Study welcomes everyone by Zoom. (See 1zion.org) A 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Evening Bible Study on the book of Acts is hybrid. (See sprucc.org)

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

a talent show featuring musicians, singers, comedians and speakers from the congregation. Light refreshments will be served.

—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. There will be a sandwich sale on Sept. 24. To preorder your sandwiches, call the office at 610-779-0850. For more information visit www.schwarzwalducc-pa.org.

—Maranatha Baptist Church, 25 Gaul Road, Lower Heidelberg Township, will hold a Harvest Conference "Bright Hope for Tomorrow," a time of music and timely messages addressing today's crises from a biblical worldview. Meetings will be held Sunday through Wednesday, Sunday at 9:45 and 10:45 a.m. and weeknights at 7 p.m. Evangelist Mike Manor will be bringing the messages for each service.

—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.

—St. John's Gernant's Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernant's Church Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m., with Holy Communion. Soloist will be Rich Koenig ("Shepherd of Love"). Musician will be Shirley Breininger. Bible study will be held on Tuesday at 1 p.m.

—Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court St., Reading, will hold three worship services, each including Holy Eucharist: at 8, a said service (no music); at 9, a service for families with young children; and at 10, a service with music. Masks are optional. Parking is available at the Abe Lincoln Hotel parking garage and the M &T Bank lot, both off of Washington St. Parking is also available beside the church on Court Street for those with disabilities or who need assistance. An elevator is available. To join the livestream, go to rdgchristchurch.org. On Thursday at 11 a.m., 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.

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

—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.

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

—St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood, will have one worship service in the sanctuary on Rally Day Sunday at 10:30 a.m. featuring Marian & Friends. The service also will be available on Facebook and YouTube; links can be found at www.stpaulsfleetwood.org. Worship leader will be Tina Koch. The service will be followed by the church picnic on the church grounds.

—Lighthouse Christian Center will sponsor a roller skating session with Christian music next Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at Skateaway, 2275 Lancaster Pike, Cumru Township. Cost is $5 for tickets purchased in advance, $6 at the door; both include food. Contact Clara at 484-529-3245 or Ana at 484-793-5659 to purchase tickets. Rental fees are are $4 for roller skates and $5 for inline skates.

—Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Maidencreek Township, will hold a hybrid worship service on Sunday at 9 a.m. with a blessing of students and teachers. Music includes Kimberly Ayrton and Megan Esterly; piano duet; Jamie Ayrton and Amy Powlus, trumpet duet; Kimberly Ayrton, piano; and an anthem by the Senior Choir. The in-person service is livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found at www.maidencreekchurch.org.