Historical open house

The Tamaqua Historical Society is planning a holiday open house at the Tamaqua Historical Society and Museum on Nov. 30. The buildings will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. in conjunction with the Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival.

The society will hold a free wine and cheese reception, with holiday music on the old time player piano, and book signings by two local authors, Donald Serfass and Peg Grigalonis.

Serfass is the author of “Ironsteps — Illustrated History of Tamaqua,” while Grigalonis is a co-author of a recently released book on the history of “Lakewood Park.” The authors will be available from 6 to 8 p.m.

The annex will feature an art exhibit of the work of J.G. Scott, a prominent Tamaqua commercial artist, as well as the Spirit of Christmas Cookie Contest.

Admission is free.

Soup social

The next monthly community soup social at Trinity United Church of Christ will be held this Saturday. The social will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the social hall.

The meal is free to the public and everyone is welcome to enjoy the soup, desserts, refreshments and time with friends.

For more information, or to volunteer, stop by the church, 22 Lafayette St., or call 570-668-4139.

West Penn Lions

The West Penn Lions Club meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month as they work toward helping others, both locally and nationally.

Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. at the West Penn Township Annex, located just off Route 309. For further information, call 570-386-2272.

Primitive Methodist

Pastor Rick Clemson will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday in American Primitive Methodist Church. The service will include the reception of new junior members and a guest missionary. Sunday school classes are held at 9:30 a.m.

Also on Sunday, church decorating will begin at 10 a.m. and the monthly worship service at the Hometown Nursing Center will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Calvary Evangelical

The Rev. Philip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, an evening of praise and worship will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The next prayer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 6.

Upcoming events include: Dec. 10, annual church Christmas party, call 570-668-3359 to register; Dec. 17, annual Sunday school Christmas program during the 10:45 a.m. service and Christmas candlelight service at 6:30 p.m.

Bethany EC

The Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, children’s practice for the Christmas Eve special will be held at 11:45 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday, Celebrate Recovery is at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, prayer gathering at 9 a.m., Celebrate Recovery training at 10 a.m., TYM REMIX meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m., TYM staff meeting is at 8 p.m.; Thursday, musician practice is at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, community Advent breakfast at 8 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.