Soup social

Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., will host an outreach soup social from 4-6 p.m. Saturday as part of its monthly "Feeding the Hungry" program. The public is welcome to attend and share in the free soup, friendship and God's love.Garden club newsThe Lewistown Valley Garden Club held its annual Christmas party in the social hall of Zions Church, Lewistown Valley. In lieu of a gift exchange, members donated to a local charity. Outgoing president June Leiby conducted a short business session.The event included a pot luck dinner and social games.Arrangement theme for the meeting was "He Is Born," using a wooden container and dried flowers. First place was awarded to Mary Bridygham, with Evelyn Adams earning second place.A meeting to plan for the upcoming year will be held in January, at a date to be announced, at the home of new president, Kathy McGee. The next regular club meeting will in March and will include an installation of officers.SS. Peter and PaulSS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will observe First Friday this week with confessions at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls will begin at 9 a.m., with the exception of parishioners in the Tamaqua ABC Hi Rise, Coaldale and Hometown. Communion calls were made to those areas on Thursday morning.Jan. 4 is a Fatima Saturday. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by a Recitation of the rosary and Devotions before the 8 a.m. Mass.Members of the parish Holy Rosary Society will attend the 8 a.m. Mass this Sunday and receive Holy Communion as a group. A rosary will be said before the Mass.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. A contemporary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA, including nursery and primary church. Sunday school classes, for all ages, will meet at 9:15 a.m. at the church.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, northeast district meeting at 9 a.m. at Bethany.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. This Sunday's service will include Holy Communion.Also this Sunday, a breakfast fundraiser will begin at 10:15 a.m.; the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m.; Daisies, Brownies and Scouts meet at 6 p.m.Thursday activities include: prayer group meets at 4:45 p.m., cherub choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m., junior choir practices at 7 p.m. and senior choir meets at 7:30 p.m.This Saturday Boy Scout Troop 755 will hold its Christmas celebration from noon to 5 p.m.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include special music by the Calvary Band. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, a time of praise, worship and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m.An hour of praise and prayer will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.