Trinity Happenings

Trinity’s Women of the ELCA meets Thursday at 7 p.m., in the Conference Room. The theme: “Christmas Bells are Ringing.” Bring a bell and share why it is your favorite. All are welcome.

Sunday Worship with Holy Communion at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 S. Third St., Lehighton, begins at 9:30 a.m. Communion is served by continuous line with wafer placed in your open hand, and wine or grape juice in a small cup. Gluten free wafers are available to those with allergy issues. Synodically Approved Lay Minister SALM Kathy Long presides.

All are invited to attend Coffee Fellowship following the worship service.

Sunday Church School classes for students age 3 through grade 6 and confirmation preparatory instruction classes for students grades 7-8 begin at 10:45 a.m.

Livestream audio is available at the church website (tlclehighton.com). Video with audio rebroadcasts available on the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrinityLehighton) later on Sunday mornings. Church phone: 610-377-4303.

Dec. 24 worship services: 9:30 a.m. worship observes the fourth Sunday of Advent. There will then be a 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Family worship with Holy Communion and a family message and a 9 p.m. Traditional Candlelight worship includes Holy Communion.

The church office and building will be closed Dec. 25.

The Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays (and third Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) with an outdoor drive-up setting. Residents who reside in the Lehighton Area School District are eligible to receive supplemental food.

The Trinity Thrift Store hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Donation drop-offs are accepted during store hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, limited to five bags or boxes. Sales receipts support the food pantry. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinitythriftstore.

Looking ahead, the church will host a bus trip to Sight and Sound Theater Thursday, April 11, 2024, for “Daniel.” Call the church office to reserve your seat. Payment is due Feb. 22.

BECC

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 222 North St., Lehighton, will hold Morning Worship at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school will be held at 9:30 a.m. and Junior Church for ages 6-12.

• Tuesdays: Prayer meeting, 7 p.m.; Girl Scouts Troop 3620 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

• Wednesdays: Boy Scouts at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

• Thursday: Men’s Bible Study, 5 a.m. at BECC.

Upcoming events:

• Dec. 17: Christmas caroling following morning worship. Bring your own lunch.

• Dec. 24: Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Stay informed by visiting www.facebook.com/BethanyECLehighton, www.bethanylehighton.com. Church office: 610-377-0724, email gregorycomp@gmail.com.

St. John’s

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Mahoning, 826 Mahoning Dr. W., Lehighton will hold an Advent worship service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. There will be a soup supper and service.

Christmas caroling will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. It will include the Confirmation class.

Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. The book “Home Sweet Christmas” by Susan Mallery will be discussed.

There will be joint worship services for Christmas Eve at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary with Holy Communion; 3, 5 and 10 p.m. at Dinkey Memorial Church, Ashfield.

Community Cupboard: Dinkey Memorial Church has a food cupboard available to those in need of supplemental food resources. It is available to members of Dinkey Memorial and St. John’s, and to residents of East Penn Township. The distribution is the third Thursday of every month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Dinkey’s Social Room, located below the sanctuary.

Bus Trip: St. John’s & Dinkey Memorial churches are scheduling a bus trip for April 18, 2024 to the Daniel show at Sight and Sound. Ticket includes the bus, Sight and Sound tickets, meal at Bird & Hand Restaurant and tip for the bus driver. Any questions, contact Deb Scheckler, dscheckler@gmail.com or 484-866-3710. Deadline to reserve your tickets with payment is as soon as possible. Payment should be made out to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Mahoning.

For more information, call the church office at 570-386-9960 or ask Deb Scheckler.

Ben Salem UCC

Ben Salem UCC, 1965 Church Hill Road, Lehighton will hold an 8 a.m. worship service with a Praise Band; 10:15 a.m. traditional service; and Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. Communion service will be the first Sunday of each month.

Upcoming events

• Dec. 17: Sunday School program at the 10:15 a.m. worship service.

• Dec. 24: Christmas Eve services, 9 a.m. worship service; 2 p.m. Christmas Eve service with Praise Band; 7 p.m. candlelight service.

Visit www.bensalemucc.com or Facebook for more information.

Christ Evangelical

Christ Evangelical Free Church, 2420 Blakeslee Blvd., Drive, West in Lehighton holds weekly worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Sunday School for children and youth every Sunday 11 a.m. (except the first Sunday of the month)

Sister Chix (support group for widows and divorced women) is held the last Sunday of each month at noon. Please bring your lunch; we supply dessert and coffee. If you’d like to attend, please contact our office at 570-386-4547. Please leave a message if you call outside of office hours (noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday)

Men’s Bible Workshop is held at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

AWANA for Children and Youth is held at 6 p.m. every Wednesday.

The Food Pantry is from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. Please bring a driver’s license or some other form of ID.

Upcoming events

• The Names of Jesus, Family Christmas Program will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 17. There will be something for everyone, music, puppets and skits.

For more information on events, visit the church’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/christEFree; and for more information on the church, visit www.christfc.net or call 570-386-4547.

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