Trinity highlights

Sunday worship with healing and blessing of prayer shawls at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 S. Third St., Lehighton, begins at 9:30 a.m. Reservations must be made before the close of office hours Dec. 23. Enter the doors on Iron Street. No-touch forehead temperature will be completed. Masks covering the nose and mouth must be worn throughout the entirety of the worship service. There will be no singing. The Rev. Nancy Moore presides. Vicar Joshua Krenz assists.

The Service of Healing with prayers are said for those to help ease one’s emotional, physical and spiritual burdens to assist and cope with daily living. Prayer shawls are handmade by volunteers, and are to be used in times of joy or sorrow and ordinary times as a form of comfort during daily faith practices. The prayer shawls are available at no cost and may serve as a gift to a loved one.

Weekly reservations need to be made prior to the Sunday worship. Church phone: 610-377-4303. Email: telc1872@ptd.net. “Private message” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrinityLehighton.

Livestream audio is available at tlclehighton.com. Video with audio rebroadcasts are available on the Facebook page later on Sunday mornings. A Bible story according to the liturgical season and text is available weekly on Facebook, geared for children, while Sunday church school is paused.

On Christmas Eve, spoken indoor worship at Trinity is 9 p.m., reservation only.

The live Nativity at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 826 Mahoning Drive West, Lehighton, has been rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. Trinity is joining St John’s at 6 p.m. for live Nativity worship service with animals, hot cocoa, bonfires, Christmas carols, Holy Communion, fellowship and joy.

The Thrift Store has many seasonal items for purchase. Shopping and donation drop-offs are by appointment only. Please call 610-377-4471 to schedule an appointment. Hours for store hours and drop off of donations will be adjusted according to reservations received. Masks and social distancing are required. Due to limited space, no children under the age of 12 will be allowed. In addition, sales at a booth at the Slatington Marketplace will benefit the Trinity Thrift Store ministry through Jan. 3. All sales receipts support the food pantry.

The Food Pantry continues to be open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (and third Tuesday from 5:30-7 p.m.) with a drive-up setting and precautionary measures in place. Residents in need who reside in the Lehighton Area School District are eligible to receive prepackaged supplemental food items. Participants must remain in their vehicle at time of pickup. Pantry volunteers will assist pedestrians/those not in vehicles.

New Year’s Day pork and sauerkraut community dinner is Jan. 1 (snow date: Jan. 2). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event is by drive-thru pickup only. Reservations are required. Call 610-377-4303 by the close of business hours Dec. 30, and specify pickup time either noon to 1 p.m., or 1-2 p.m. The church office will be closed Dec. 25 and 28.

For the safety of all, you must remain in your car and wear a mask. Enter the drive-­thru on South Street, near the upper park. Turn onto Center Alley, continue south, turn right onto Iron Street, where meals will be placed in your car in front of Jack and Jill Preschool. The number of meals is limited to 150. A freewill offering would be appreciated to help offset the cost of the dinner.

BECC

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 222 North St., Lehighton.

• Dec. 24: Christmas Eve & Candlelight Service and Holy Communion, 7 p.m.

• Dec. 27: Worship service will be in-person as well as streamed live at 10:45 a.m. Jr. Church available for children up to sixth grade. Attendees are requested to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Live broadcast can be accessed on Facebook by searching for and liking @BethanyECLehighton.

• Tuesday: Women’s prayer group 10 a.m. online, prayer meeting, 7 p.m.

• Wednesday: Midweek online Bible study, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• BECC Second Blessings: If you have clothing or food needs, call church office at 610-377-0724. Due to COVID-19 we are NOT currently accepting clothing donations.

Stay informed of upcoming events by following us at www.facebook.com/­BethanyECLehighton or www.bethanylehighton.com. Church office: 610-377-0724. Email Pastor Tim Ream at pastortim@bethanylehighton.com.

Crossroads Community Church

Crossroads Community Church, 580 Coal St., holds Sunday worship services with Pastor Kevin McGraw. It is a place for a fresh start with God.

Contemporary worship service starts at 10 a.m. Services are currently being held indoors and we respectfully ask, for now, for compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 6-foot social distancing guidelines.

Tuesday evening prayer meetings from 6-7 p.m.

Communion: Last Sunday of the month.

New Discipleship Class: Sundays from 9-9:45 a.m.

For more information, you may call 484-225-6848 or find us online at www.crossroads-comm-church.org.

Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.