Cumru Township Church to rededicate altar at graveyard

Parishioner Kevin Grossman and his brother Kyle 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 a year later.

The two men received permission from the parish committee to restore the 94-year-old treasury. As the project draws to a close, the congregation is holding a new dedication and memorial service on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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

“Once we completed all the structural work and repairs,” Kevin said, “my brother, Kyle, incorporated proper artwork.”

“Beneath each panel of art is a title,” Kyle said, “most of which are in English, but one title is in Aramaic, the ancient language spoken by Jesus.”

Reverend Donald E. Wunderlich, pastor, will celebrate Mass and bless the restored building. In addition, a special commemoration of army veterans 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.

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• The Allegheny Lutheran Church, 1327 Alleghenyville Road, Brecknock Township, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ordinations of Rev. Charles Charles and Rev. Dr. Foster McCurley on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The service will include a brass quartet, bell and choirs seniors and a recorder solo by Philadelphia musician Rainer Beckman. After the service, a covered lunch will be organized in the village hall. In recognition of this anniversary, monetary donations will be forwarded to the United Lutheran Seminary Student Scholarship Fund in Philadelphia to support those entering the ministry.

• The United Church Council for Ministry in Reading will offer a Word and Sacrament service on Ascension Day at the Reformed Olivet United Church of Christ, 1648 Center Ave., Reading, on Thursday at 6 p.m. . Host pastor, Reverend Michael A. Baal, leads worship. A moment of conviviality with refreshments will follow the service.

Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Barto, will worship Sundays at 9 a.m. Coffee and conversation will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center and again after worship. Adult Sunday School will be at 10:15 a.m. in the parlor. The Confirmation class will meet in Room E at 10:15 a.m.

• The Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Avenue, Exeter Township, will hold in-person worship on Sundays at 8.30am and 10.30am. Masks are optional. The 10:30 a.m. service will be streamed live on Facebook and can be viewed at www.Reformationlutheran.org under worship videos. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:30 am.

• Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington, will host a Holy Communion service with special music by the Senior Choir, in person at 9.30am and online after 11.45am at graceshillington.org. Adult Sunday School is at 8:45 a.m., Children’s Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and there is a fellowship meeting after worship.

• Schwarzwald United Church of Christ, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will hold 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.schwarzwalduc-pa.org.

• St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4125 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, will hold an in-person service Sunday at 9 am, with Holy Communion and special music. Masks are optional. The service will also be streamed live on Facebook. Sunday School meets at 10:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

• Schwarzwald Lutheran Church, 250 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will hold in-person worship on Sunday at 10.30am. The registered services will be available the next day on Facebook.

• Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Bern Township, offers live worship on Sundays at 9:30 am, or join in from your vehicle via FM 87.9 or 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. Sunday, as well as via YouTube and phone. Details can be found at 1zion.org or sprucc.org. The choir of bells will ring. A meeting of the congregation will take place after the service. A free community meal will be offered on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Maidencreek Church, 261 Main St., Maidencreek Township, will hold a concert with Sixty/30 tonight at Oley Fairgrounds, 26 Jefferson St., Oley. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the band plays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include food. Bring lawn chairs. Additionally, the church will hold hybrid worship Sunday at 9 a.m. The music includes two pieces by clarinetist Maynard Koplin; the main choir; an organ solo by Kimberly Ayrton and two congregational hymns. The in-person worship is streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Links can be found at maidencreekchurch.org.

• St. John’s Lutheran Church, 45 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, will hold worship Sunday at 9:30 am Livestreamed worship continues on YouTube (St. John’s ELC Boyertown). Sunday school for children is at 9:30 a.m. — register at www.stjohnsboyertown.org. Free drive-thru, take-out meals every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. No registration necessary.

• St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood, will have two sanctuary worship services on Sunday, at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The 9 a.m. service will also be available on Facebook and YouTube; links can be found at www.stpaulsfleetwood.org. Special music at 9 a.m. will be “In Celebration of Music” with the Bell Choir and organ and at 10:30 a.m. “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 a.m. and Vicky Garl at 10:30 a.m.

• Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley, will host 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; free for children 4 and under. 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 Street, Reading, will hold three services on Sunday, all including the Holy Eucharist: at 8 am, a said service (no music); at 9 am, a service for families with young children; and at 10:30 a.m., a service with music. Masks are optional. Parking is available at the Abraham Lincoln parking lot and the M&T Bank parking lot, both off Washington Street. Parking next to the church on Court Street is available for people with disabilities or who need assistance. On Thursday at 11 a.m., the Common Prayer Book Morning Prayer Service will be held at the Red Bridge Recreation Area, 2141 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, weather permitting. To join the live stream of the service and meeting and to access Centering Prayer Zoom, go to rdgchristchurch.org.

• Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Center Ave., Reading, welcomes Betsy Majewski as a guest preacher Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services. Majewski is a commissioned minister and a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary. For more information, visit www.calvaryreformeducc.org.

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

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