Hope Lutheran, Bowers, celebrates 40th

Hope Lutheran Church, Bowers
Hope Lutheran Church, 550 Fleetwood Road, Bowers, recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

Sunday, November 4, 2012, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bowers PA celebrated 40 Years of ministry in its current location. Hope came out of two churches,

St. Paul’s Lutheran located in Lyons which was built in 1868 and Trinity Lutheran in Bowers built in 1901. Due to a fire that destroyed the Trinity Church two active congregations merged to become one. On January 1, 1969 Hope was founded. On November 5, 1972 Hope held its first worship service in the new building.

Pastor Thomas Reinsel who was the first pastor of Hope preached at the Anniversary service on All Saints Sunday, November 4. Current and former choir members came together making a large choir. The bell choir also played. There was a dinner the evening before at Janell Hall and Catering in Bowers. Members of the congregation, former pastors and interns were invited. After worship on the 4 there were refreshments and fellowship.

Dec. 1 - Women of Hope Christmas Cookie Sale at Renningers Market 9 a.m.

Dec. 2 - Advent Worship with Holy Communion 10:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9 a.m. - Kids Church 10 a.m.

Dec. 5 - Finance Committee meeting 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 - Chime Choir practice 9 a.m.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kutztown

St. John’s will be sponsoring a “Christmas Breakfast with Friends” on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 8-11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The breakfast will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes. Plus a serving of sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, juice, and coffee. Only pancakes are all-you-can-eat, correction from previous publication. Children 3 and under are free. Bring two non-perishable items to be donated to Friend, Inc., and $1 will be deducted from an adult breakfast. Get in the holiday spirit, enjoy a terrific breakfast, and help Friend, Inc. Hope to see you there!

Zions Union Church
Outdoor Live Nativity on Dec. 8 (rain date Dec. 9) at Zion’s Union Church Maxatawny, Route 222 and Church Road, Maxatawny. Shows will run between 5 and 7:30 p.m. and are held every half hour with the last show at 7 p.m. Reenactment of Christ’s birth with actors and live animals. Refreshments; free will offering of a canned item to donate to Friend Inc. Contact person: Susan Haas; 610-207-3738.

Trinity Lutheran
A live, interactive nativity, like you’ve never seen before will take place on Dec. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 W. Main Street, Kutztown. Along with mission partner, Hope Lutheran Church, Reading, the streets of Bethlehem will come alive as it was over 2,000 years ago. Families will hear, smell and taste what life was like when Jesus was born. Bethlehem will be bustling with census takers, bread bakers and Roman soldiers. Innkeepers will offer rooms to those coming for the census. Children will be able to touch their surroundings and talk with the people of Bethlehem as they move about in their daily lives. View the starry night sky as seen by the shepherds, tending their sheep. Come into the stable, and view all its wonder as Mary and Joseph look upon their baby Jesus and share their experience with you. Live animals, games, crafts and food will enhance the power of that one special night.

Youth and adult members of Trinity Lutheran Church and Hope Lutheran Church, Reading, will come together to reenact this one, special night. It is geared towards people of all ages, especially children. This is an outreach, extended to all in the community, regardless of faith or denomination. We welcome you to come and enjoy the real reason for the Christmas season!

St. Paul’s U.C.C., Kutztown
St. Paul’s Women’s Guild will host the Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s U.C.C., 47 South Whiteoak St., Kutztown. Includes Christmas mice, baked goods, ornaments, cookies, crafts, food, eat-in or take out, decorations, white elephant. Call 610-683-3393.

Huff’s Union Church
Hereford Township

Sunday, Dec. 2, worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion at both services. 9:15 a.m. Confirmands meet. Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m. After the 10:30 service there will be a congregational meeting.

Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Buildings & Grounds Committee meets.

Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. Church decorated for Christmas.

Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. the Progressive Dinner will start.

Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. we will host Christmas Sharing at Topton Lutheran Home.

Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Ladies Aid meet.

Annual German Advent Worship Service, a candlelight service of Word and Sacrament in the German Language (Hochdeutsch) will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in Huff’s Union Church, Alburtis (Hereford Township). Worship materials will be printed in both German and English. To learn more contact Huff’s Union Church at 610-845-2626 or email pastor@ huffschurch.com.

Huff’s invites you to drop in anytime between 3 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9 to experience a Country Christmas Open House: Christmas music performed on a variety of instruments by a variety of choirs and soloists, a Christmas carol sing along, a scavenger hunt, an opportunity to dress up and have photo taken with the nativity scene, seasonal decorations, refreshments and more.

Maidencreek Church
Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Blandon, Dec. 2 at the 9 a.m. worship service we will light the first Advent candle, confirm four youth and celebrate Communion. At 2 p.m. we will hold our Advent Event. Adults and children are invited to participate in making crafts to take home or give to shut-ins. At 4 p.m. will gather for a covered dish meal. At 6 p.m. we will hold our First Sunday Worship Service with an interactive sermon and Communion.

Salem E.C. Church
2150 Old 22

Lenhartsville
This week at Salem Church: Our Worship Services were held at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School was held at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Gerald Baum presented the message “Who Do You Say I Am?” based on Matthew 16:13-17. Our nursery attendant was Kolleen Long. Our Junior church leader was Amy Rice. If you attended the early service, you were greeted by Dena Marie Bruno. If you attended the late service, you were greeted by June Weiskircher.

Upcoming Events: We have worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., and Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Our Men’s Group meets Monday at 7 p.m. Pilates is Wednesday at 6 p.m., and volleyball is Thursday at 7 p.m. Youth Breakaway is the last Sunday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m.

Please feel welcomed to come and join us at any time. For more information on Salem church and our events you can visit us on the web at www.wearesalem.org or call the church office at 610-562-5033. Our weekly bulletins, sermon outlines, and monthly newsletters are also posted on our web page.