Spirit of Christmas

It's never to early to begin planning for the Christmas season as the Spirit of Christmas Committee will meet at 6 p.m., on July 30, at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce office, 114 W. Broad St.Anyone interested in helping to plan this year's event is welcome to to attend.Middle school newsChristopher Czapla, principal of the Tamaqua Area Middle School, has announced an orientation session will be held Aug. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m.Parents of sixth graders, as well as seventh and eighth graders new to the district, are welcome to attend.Information will be presented on student schedules, activities, facilities and discipline.Individuals will meet in the school district auditorium, then have the opportunity to hear a special presentation on "cyberbullying" from Janene Holter of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.Tours of the building will also be offered.Homeroom assignments will be posted on the school's front/main door as of Aug. 2.SAL programsThe Tamaqua Salvation Army has scheduled a Vacation Bible School for the week of July 30 through Aug. 3. There is no charge for the VBS, which will be held daily from 4-6 p.m. This year's theme will be "Sin Busters."Sessions are open to all children between the ages of 6 and 12.To register, call (570) 668-0410.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:4 a.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, Acts of Worship-Drama group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Playground Pals at 11:45 a.m., at the South Ward Playground; Wednesday, Waterside Whistle Stop at 2:30 p.m., at the Bungalow, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., The Story group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9:30 a.m., Racing Fuel for the Spirit group meets at 11 a.m.Calvary EUM ChurchAll services will be held at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, 614 Valley Road, through Labor Day. The Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will lead the service.Sunday school classes for tiny tots to all senior adults start at 9:15 a.m., Sunday. Praise and worship with music and singing, to include the message of "Searching for a Path" will start at 10:25 a.m. Special music by Aaron Bean Batalka and others.Bible study group will meet at 6:30 p.m. followed by an hour of praise and prayer at 7 p.m.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met on July 19, at the Tamaqua Community Center. There were 87 members present.Invocation was given by Rose Valle entitled "Gods Wonders." President Jean Machamer conducted the business meeting. Vice president Nancy Gerber gave her report and the secretary report. Secretary report was accepted by Jean Hromyak and Doris Yager. Machamer discussed the senior picnic.Next week they will be celebrating June and July birthdays. There was a new flag donated by state Sen. Dave Argall.The meeting was closed by Norman Baker and Jane Tartar.