Free lunch

The South Ward Playground Association is conducting a free summer lunch program for all local children up to and including the age of 18. Lunches are served weekdays, from noon to 1 p.m., at the South Ward Playground.The program is an off shoot of the free school lunch program, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The non-discriminatory program is open to all children regardless of race, origin, religion, etc. In addition to a healthy lunch, participants will be offered a variety of summer activities.The playground is located between Penn and Race streets in Tamaqua's South Ward.Soup socialTrinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., sponsors a monthly free soup social the first Saturday of each month. The next social will be held July 7, from 4-6:30 p.m. Participants are to use the lower parking lot at the entrance to Founder's Hall.The public is welcome to attend.Cross countryThe Tamaqua Cross Country Boosters will meet July 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Sisters Mexican Cantata. Parents of students in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the monthly service at the Tamaqua ABC High Rise will be held at 6 p.m.; Twisting the truth group meets at 6:30 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, Acts of Worship-Drama group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Playground Pals at 11:45 a.m., at the South Ward Playground, End Times group meets at 11 a.m. at the Tamaqua ABC High Rise; Wednesday, Waterside Whistle Stop at 2:30 p.m., at the Bungalow, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., The Story group meets at 6:30 p.m., TYM staff meeting at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Vacation Bible School meeting at 10 a.m., End Times group meets at 1 p.m. at the Majestic House Apartment Complex, Made to Crave group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9:30 a.m., VBS flyer distribution begins at 10:30 a.m., Racing Fuel for the Spirit group meets at 11 a.m.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. Summer Sunday school will meet at 10:15 a.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, food co-op meets at 9 a.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m. at Miller's Grove; Thursday, prayer group will meet at 4:45 p.m., worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m.Zion LutheranThe Rev. Jeffrey Kistler will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.The blanket ministry will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday.Vacation Bible School will be held next week, from Monday through Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. each evening.Calvary UMThe Rev. Ed Bean will officiate at this Sunday's 10:25 a.m. worship service for Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church. All services and activities from now through Labor Day will be held at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, 614 Valley Rd.Also on Sunday, a time of praise, worship and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m., at the tabernacle.Calvary will be sponsoring two gospel concerts this month. The Dixie Melody Boys will perform at 7 p.m. on July 12 and The Pickerings will perform at 7 p.m. on July 19. Both concerts will be held at the tabernacle and are open to the public.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m.The consistory will meet at 6

p.m.on Wednesday, July 11.