Trinity Happenings

Sunday worship with Holy Communion at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 S. Third St., Lehighton, begins at 9:30 a.m. Licensed Lay Minister Kathy Long presides. Coffeehouse fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m. in Luther Hall.

Livestream Sunday worship available on the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrinityLehighton) or on the church website (tlclehighton.com).

The final midweek Lenten soup supper will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Supper is followed by 7 p.m. worship.

Sunday Church School and confirmation classes begin at 10:45 a.m. with a Palm Parade around the block, pending favorable weather conditions. Classes do not meet April 20.

Church initiatives:

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

The pantry volunteers will receive a blessing of thanks for their 55-plus years of ministry during the May 4 worship service. A light brunch will follow. All volunteers, past and present, are invited.

The Trinity Thrift Store hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Household goods and clothing donations will be accepted during store hours. There is a five bag limit. Use door 2 to bring clothing inside.

Holy Week worship

schedule:

• Holy Thursday, April 17, with Holy Communion and stripping of the altar. Fifth grade students receive their First Communion.

• Good Friday, 7 p.m., Tenebrae worship, the seven last words of Jesus.

• Easter Sunday, April 20, 9:30 a.m., festival worship with Gospel Procession and Holy Communion.

Looking ahead:

Mothers and/or daughters are invited to a Mother’s Day luncheon at 11 a.m. on May 10. There is no cost but RSVPs are required by May 2. Call the church office during office hours.

First Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church, 304 Mahoning St., Lehighton, also holding a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sale. Orders are due by April 27 and delivery is May 4.

For more information, call 610-517-1527.

BECC

Upcoming events:

• April 13: Easter Egg hunt for church children after service and visitation to shut-ins.

• April 18: 6:30 p.m. Good Friday service.

• April 20: 6:30 a.m. Sunrise service in upper park. Community is invited. 10:45 a.m. service to follow.

Stay informed by visiting www.facebook.com/BethanyECLehighton, becc.churchtrac.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 with Communion at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

Sunday school takes place at 9:30 a.m.

Spring bazaar: April 11 from 5-7:30 p.m. and April 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. on April 12 for ages up to 12.

Council meeting: 6:30 p.m. April 14,

Book Club: The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 22. The book “We Were The Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter will be discussed.

Community Cupboard: Dinkey Memorial Church in Ashfield has a food cupboard available to those in need who are members of Dinkey Memorial and St. John’s or residents of East Penn Township. The distribution is the third Thursday of every month from 3:30-5 p.m. in Dinkey’s Social Room. For more information, speak with Pastor Tony.

Cemetery decorations: All Christmas decorations be removed from the cemetery by April 11. Please be sure to put your cemetery decorations in the garbage container marked specifically for “cemetery decorations.”

Clothing drive: A spring time clothing drive is taking place at the church for April and May. There is a large box in the Narthex for items. Items should be only for the spring and summer months. Donations will be given to homeless and those in need.

Congregational meeting: The next meeting will take place on May 4 after the morning worship in the social hall. The purpose of the meeting is for approval on the purchase of a new chair lift for the sanctuary. Information is available in the church office after the next council meeting on April 14.

Ben Salem UCC

Ben Salem UCC, 1965 Church Hill Road, Lehighton, will hold Sunday Worship at 8 a.m. with a Praise Band and at 10:15 a.m. for a traditional service that is also livestreamed on the church website. Communion service will be the first Sunday of each month.

Sunday school is held at 9 a.m. Sunday and is open to anyone from nursery through youth.

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

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

Lenten schedule:

All services during this time will be held at 7 p.m.:

• April 17: St Peter’s Church, 184 Saint Peters Road, Tamaqua.

• April 18: Ben Salem UCC, Lehighton.

Fundraiser events:

• Ham and dandelion dinner to be held from 3-6 p.m. on April 26.

Visit www.bensalemucc.com or Facebook for more information or call the office at 570-386-3870.

Christ Evangelical

Christ Evangelical Free Church, 2420 Blakeslee Blvd., Dr., West in Lehighton holds Palm Sunday worship service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The church also announced Passion Week services:

• Good Friday: 7 p.m. service.

• Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. Sunrise service and 10:30 a.m. worship service.

Ministries during the week:

Sister Chix, a support group for widows and divorced women, is held the last Sunday of each month at noon. Bring a lunch, but dessert will be provided. To attend, call 570-386-4547. Enter through the lower parking lot entrance.

Faithful Servants Lunch Workshop for women who have lost their husbands is held at 11 a.m. on May 3. This lunch series will be a question-and-answer time with local trusted businesses who provide services for home repair/care, auto repair, financial assistance, estate planning and other services. Learn what to look for to avoid potential problems and to understand what to expect financially.

ESL classes are held at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. To register, call the church office. Enter through the upper parking lot.

Men’s Bible workshop is the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Lower parking lot entrance.

AWANA — Kids Bible Club is held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Upper parking lot entrance.

Prayer Shawl Ministry is held the second Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m.

A Food Pantry takes place the third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m.-noon. Lower parking lot entrance.

For more information, contact the church office at 570-386-4547. Please leave a message if calling outside of church hours.

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

Visit www.christfc.net for more details.