Trinity Happenings

Sunday worship with Holy Communion at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 S. Third St., Lehighton begins at 9:30 a.m. Included in this time is special recognition and blessing for all active and retired nurses, medical workers and first responders in commemoration of Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing. Synodically Approved Lay Minister Kathy Long presides.

Livestream Sunday service will be available at the church website (tlclehighton.com) or on the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrinityLehighton). Church phone: 610-377-4303.

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. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinitythriftstore.

A Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 26 in the conference room. The theme: stories of Peter and his importance to the church.

Looking ahead: The next free movie night will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21. The movie is “IF.” Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefits the youth group.

Christ Evangelical

Christ Evangelical Free Church, 2420 Blakeslee Blvd., Dr., West in Lehighton holds weekly worship service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. There is a morning prayer time at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for children and youth every Sunday at 11 a.m., except the first Sunday of the month.

AWANA — Kids Bible Clubs begins in September. It is held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. AWANA is open to children ages 3 to 12th grade. To register, visit https://christfc.net/awana-bible-club-2/.

A Prayer Shawl Ministry for those who love to knit and crochet is held the second Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m.

Men’s Ministry is the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.

A Food Bank takes place the third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. Please bring a driver’s license or some other form of ID.

Ladies Bible Study is held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and every Friday at 10 a.m.

ESL Classes will begin in September. To register, visit https://christfc.net/esl-classes/.

If you’d like to attend any of these events, contact the church office at 570-386-4547. Please leave a message if calling outside of church hours.

Visit the Facebook page for regular updates on these ministries at www.facebook.com/christEFree.

Visit our website at www.christfc.net for more details or call 570-386-4547.

BECC

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 222 North St., Lehighton, will host Sunday Morning Worship at 10:45 a.m. Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m.

• Tuesdays: BECC council meeting, 6:30 p.m.

• Thursdays: Men’s Bible Study, 5 a.m.

Upcoming event: Lumber River Quartet, Southern Gospel music, will be held on Aug. 25 during the morning worship at 10:45 a.m.

Stay informed by visiting www.facebook.com/BethanyECLehighton, www.bethanylehighton.com. Church office: 610-377-0724. The church pastor is Dale Oplinger, 610-730-7212.

St. John’s

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mahoning, 826 Mahoning Dr. W., Lehighton will hold worship service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

The church is holding a doughnut sale. Orders are due by Aug. 18.

Grief Support will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.

Jammin’ for Jesus practice will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.

Dinner and Discussion will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. This is a bring your own dinner event. For more information, call Cheryl Kistler at 610-533-5723.

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. If you or anyone you know would benefit from receiving food from the Community Cupboard, please speak with Pastor Tony.

Blessing of the Backpacks takes place at the Aug. 25 10:45 a.m. worship service.

St. John’s will hold its Community Picnic on Aug. 25 after the joint worship service, from noon to 3 p.m. Congregation members are asked to donate their favorite dessert to share with everyone. Bingo prizes and $25 gift cards are also needed. All money collected from the Gift Card Raffle will be donated to the Linda Schoenberger Memorial Swim Fund, which provides lower income families and children the opportunity for a free family season pass to Baer Memorial Swimming Pool.

Book Club will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. The book “How to Stop Time” by Matt Haig will be discussed.

Looking ahead: A bus trip to “Noah” at Sight & Sound Theatres is being scheduled for May 7. More information will be announced in the future.

Ben Salem UCC

Ben Salem UCC, 1965 Church Hill Road, Lehighton, will hold Sunday Worship at 9 a.m. for the Sundays of August. Communion service will be the first Sunday of each month. Each Sunday features one of the music groups: Daybreak Band, Handbell Choir or Senior Choir.

• Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., Senior Choir practice.

• Thursday at 6:45 p.m., Handbell Choir practice.

Looking ahead:

• Sept. 8: 9 a.m. Sunday school Rally Day.

• Fall Festival, 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 27; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28.

• Spaghetti dinner: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 16.

• Stick bun sale: Orders due by Oct. 6.

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

Franklin Township Memorial Service

The community is welcome to attend The Franklin Township Soldiers K.I.A. Memorial Service at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14 at Phifer’s Ice Dam.

This service first started in 1988 by teacher Larry Hill and his students at Franklin Elementary, When the school closed in 2018 a new monument was erected by former student Tim Seltzer and the support of the Franklin Twp. Lions Club at the Phifer’s Ice Dam by their pavilion.

A new Memorial Service Committee was formed of former students and teachers to continue the tradition in honoring these Franklin Township Heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice so we may live in freedom. This year’s participants are former and present Lehighton students and teachers and the Lehighton UVO.

The guest speakers this year are: former Franklin teacher Justin Fritz, former Franklin student Sydney “Schafer” Zarelli and former Franklin student and Franklin Twp. serviceman, Kirk Cressley - Coast Guard. Plus, well over 30 former students honoring these heroes.

A few volunteers to say a soldier’s name and war are still needed. Any former Franklin Elementary student interested in being a part of the annual event can call Brenda Eckley at 610-377-7548.

To submit a news item, email tneditor@tnonline.com.