Recent and Upcoming Events

 

 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 31, 2024

6:45am - Sunrise Worship

In-person Only

     Our Easter Sunrise worship service will begin outdoors around a fire with candlelight, right before sunrise, and conclude in the sanctuary.  There will be the processional of the cross, the return of the light to the sanctuary, and Holy Communion.

     Because this worship service begins outdoors and ends in the sanctuary, this year's sunrise worship service will be in-person only.  However the 10:15am worship service will be hybrid.

 

9:00am - Sunday School

     We will have our usual Sunday school classes for all ages at our usual 9:00am time.

 

10:15am - Worship

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live & In-person

     Our second Easter worship service will take place at our regular time 10:15am.  We will have a children's sermon, regular sermon. children's bulletins, available nursery, the choir, the bell choir, and Holy Communion.   Join us for the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

     For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Larry H., Chairperson; and Terry P., Vice Chairperson).

 

Easter Envelope

     In members' offering envelope packets, there is a special Easter offering envelope.  Check back here in the near future for additional about this envelope.

     To make a secure donation online, click on this Easter Offering link.

     For more information, please contact Cory Putt (Head Deacon) or any of the Consistory Deacons.

Walking Group

Saturday, April 6 - 8:30am

     Our monthly Walking Group will meet on Saturday morning at 8:30am at the Wernersville State Hospital.  The walk is scenic and not difficult - flat with paved macadam.  The group usually makes 2 or 3 loops.  You are welcome to do as many as you have the time for.  Friends and pets are welcome.  Come fellowship with us!

 

 

Holy Humor Sunday 

2nd Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 7, 2023 at 10:15am

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live & In-Person

     Each year we pick a different fun theme for Holy Humor Sunday.  This year our theme is the "Beach".  How does this year's "Beach" theme relate to Christianity and the Easter message?  Join us to find out.

     During this worship service there will be pauses for children's hands-on activities, humorous interuptions, special decorations, and more.

     You are invited to come dressed for the theme in "beach wear" (please do NOT come in "swim wear"), or just come in casual or bright colored clothing (Holy Humor Sunday is also known as "Bright Sunday").  Dressing for the theme might mean: t-shirt or sweatshirt from your favorite beach, Hawaiian shirt, etc.

     To watch on the live stream click on this Holy Humor Sunday Live Stream link; to download this Sunday's bulletin go to This Sunday's Bulletin link.

 

What is Holy Humor Sunday?

     Holy Humor Sunday is an opportunity to let our hair down - way down - with a very upbeat and fun service, following the somber season of Lent.  It is a day of humor and light-hearted fun. 

     Holy Humor Sunday shares its roots with that of April Fool’s Day.  When Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, he defeated death, and in doing so the Great Deceiver (i.e. the Devil) was deceived - bested by the best trick ever.  From deceiving the Great Deceiver on Easter, April Fool’s Day came to be celebrated on April 1st, and Holy Humor Sunday came to be most commonly celebrated on the Sunday following Easter Sunday.
     This ancient Easter custom was begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity.  For centuries Holy Humor Sunday has been celebrated by Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant countries going by a variety of names, including "Bright Sunday" (the Sunday after Easter) and “days of joy and laughter” with parties and picnics the week after Easter to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.  Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced.
     The custom was written about by early church theologians, including Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom.  These theologians called it “Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh,” referring to God playing a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead.
     The custom began to fade by the mid 1900s in many churches.  In 1988 the Fellowship of Merry Christians, which bi-monthly publishes The Joyful Noiseletter, began to encourage churches to resurrect “Bright Sunday” celebrations and to call it “Holy Humor Sunday.”  The first theme they encouraged was: “Jesus is the LIFE of the party.”  The Fellowship of Merry Christians encourages churches in general to uplift the joy and humor found in scripture and in our Christian faith.  You can learn more on their website at: https://www.joyfulnoiseletter.com/hhsunday.asp
     We have been celebrating Holy Humor Sunday annually since 2014.  Previous themes and pictures from those worship services can be found on the “Photos” page of our website.

     The Worship Committee begins considering themes each January for the next Holy Humor Sunday, and we welcome individuals to share ideas.  For the past few years our youth group or confirmation class came up with and developed the theme

     For more information, contact any member of the Worship Committee (Larry H, Chairperson; Terry P, Vice Chairperson) or contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.

 

Previous Holy Humor Themes

     You can view pictures from some of our previous years by clicking on the following links:

          2023 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Outer Space"

          2022 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Good News"

          2021 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "There's No Business Like God's Business"

          2020 Holy Humor Sunday - Cancelled due to COVID-19

          2019 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Drawn to Christ"

          2018 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Medieval"

          2017 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Game On!"

          2016 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "Come Fishing"

          2015 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: “From Zeroes to Heroes”

          2014 Holy Humor Sunday - Theme: "A Childlike vs. A Childish Faith"

 

 

 

Young Children & Their Families Ministry

Planning Meeting

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 9:15am

Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 9:15am

      After our 9:00am Sunday school opening, Pastor Ben will be meeting with parents, grandparents, and other adults interested in the planning of our activities for our Youn Children & Their Families Ministry.  We seek to plan activities that are especially appropriate for children under 5th grade and members of their family.

Healing Service

Third Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10:15am

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person

     We hope you will join us this Sunday for a Service of Healing.  During this worship service, there will be a time when people can: (1) remain in their pews in prayer; (2) come forward and light a candle to offer a prayer; and/or (3) make a prayer request for healing to one of our prayer teams, who will pray for you and offer an annointing of oil in prayer.

     For those worshiping at home, we invite you to have a candle set before you for the healing portion of this worship service.

     For more information about our worship services, or how to help with the music, liturgy, readings, decoraing, greeting, AV, etc, you can contact our Worship Committee, including: Larry H. (chair); Terry P. (vice chair); and Diane M.

 

 

 

Church History Event

Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 11:45am to 2:00pm

 

 

Capital Campaign Committee

March & April 2024

Presentation: Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 11:30am

      We are looking for members to serve on a Capital Campaign Committee.  This committee will review "capital improvement projects" suggestions within the church, help provide the Consistory with recommendations and guidance for which projects to prioritize, and make a recommendation to the congregation for the congregation's final vote of approval of projects.  Current suggestions include: addressing the repair needs of the bell tower, replacing a non-functioning heat pump in our HVAC system, a digital marque, etc.

     This committee will provide leadership for utilizing capital campaign resources to determine financially how much our congregation can provide in additional support for a capital campaign, research grant options, investigate business sponorship, and look at other sources of potential financial support.  This committee will also provide leadership for how funds will be raised for this campaign.  It is anticipated this will involve a multi-year pledged capital campaign fund drive.

     For more information and/or to express an interest in serving on this committee, please see Pastor Ben, Pastor Mary Etta, George McLain (Consistory Pres), Kirk Aulenbach (Consistory VP), or Cory Putt (Head Deacon).

 

Soup 'n' Such & Children's Clothing Closet

 

Held on the Last Thursday of the Month

Currently Dine-In or Take-Out: Subject to Change 

Thursday, April 25 from 4:00 - 6:00pm

Thursday, May 30 from 4:00 - 6:00pm

     On the last Thursday of the month from 4:00-6:00pm, we offer a free meal, which we call "Soup 'n' Such" and free children's clothing (one bag per child) through our "Kids Clothing Closet".  You can also schedule an appointment to pick up clothing by calling the office at 610-621-5770.

     In addition to food and clothing, we would be happy to be in prayer with you individually and/or add a name and a need to our prayer chain or prayer list.

     All are welcome to share in this meal -- we do NOT have any income, residency, or religious affiliation requirements.

     Through these two ministries we seek to share live out the teachings of Christ in sharing the love of God in both practical and spiritual ways (Matthew 25:14-46).

 

Volunteers

     Volunteers are welcome to come and help prepare and set up at 3:00pm, and of course are also welcome to share in the meal.  Volunteers are also needed earlier in the week and earlier that day to help with the preparations.

 

Donations

     We accept donations of gently used, clean clothing, in good condition, which can be placed under the roof at the Pearl Street doors on the left.

     Monetary donations enable us to purchase the food to make these meals possible.  Click on this Supporting Soup 'n' Such link for information about donating.

 

More Information

       For more information about these ministries click on this Soup 'n' Such or Kids Clothing Closet links.

Stay-Near-Home Mission Trip

Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 1:00-6:00pm

     We are planning a "Stay-Near-Home Mission Trip" on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 1:00-6:00pm.

     We are looking for potential local home projects, that can be accomplished by a team on that particular day.  Examples include: yard work, painting, moving furniture, power washing, and the like.

     Please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org by Sunday, April 14 with your suggested a request (the earlier your request is made, the more likely your request will be chosen as one of our projects for this spring).  After receiving the request, a member from the Property Committee will arrange a time with you to look over the proposed project, the committee will then determine which of the proposed projects we will attempt to do this year.  The number of projects we will be able to do will depend upon the number of volunteers we have to help with the projects.

     To sign up to help with the projects, please contact any member of the Property Committee or the church office.

 

Ways to Help

     In addition to helping with the projects themselves, there are many other ways in which we need help on this day, including worship, prayer, food, supervision of youth, and planning.  You can contact the church office or any member of the following committees to help with these various areas of ministry.

     To help with projects themselves, please contact the Property Committee.

     To help with worship & prayers, please contact the Worship Commitee.

     To help with the supervision & transportation of youth, as well as potential games or crafts with younger children, please contact the Christian Education Committee.

     To help with food serving & preparation, please contact the Fellowship Committee.

     To help with organizing Time & Talent sheet information and help with fund-raising for the projects & food, please contact the Consistory Deacons.

     To help with communication & overall planning of the day, please contact the Evangelism & Mission Committee.

 

Schedule for the Day

      1:00pm - meet at the church parking lot for prayer, scripture, and instructions

      1:15pm - leave for the worksites, pray with the owner as a group, and begin projects

      4:30pm - head back to the church building

      5:00pm - closing worship

      5:30pm - dinner

      6:00pm - depart for home

 

 

 

5th Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 28, 2023 at 10:15am

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person

     During worship we will be celebrating in Holy Communion.  For those joining us virtually, you are invited to have your own bread and wine/grape juice for the Pastors to bless during the live stream.

     For information about the worship services, please contact Larry Hollahan (Chairperson of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.

 

 

 

Trampoline Park

April - TBD

       The Young Children & Their Families Ministry is planning an event at a trampoline park in April.  Please check back.  We'll post details here, as they become available.

 

 

 

Confirmation Sunday

6th Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 10:15am

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person

     During worship we will be celebrating in receiving our five confirmation students into full membership.  We hope you will join with us in celebrating with them.

     To participate virtually, click on this Confirmation Sunday - Live Stream link.  To view or download the bulletin by click on this worship bulletin link.

     For more information about our confirmation program, click on this Confirmation Program link.  For information about this and other worship services, please contact Larry Hollahan (Chairperson of the Worship Committee), the pastors, or any member of the Worship Committee.

 

 

 

 

Ascension Sunday

7th Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 10:15am

Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person

     During this worship service we will be extinguishing the Paschal Candle as we bring a close to the Easter Season.

 

     To participate virtually, click on this Ascension Sunday - Live Stream link.  To view or download the bulletin by click on this worship bulletin link.

 

     For information about this and other worship services, please contact Larry Hollahan (Chairperson of the Worship Committee), the pastors, or any member of the Worship Committee.

 

 

 

Reading Phillies

Friday, May 24, 2024 at 6:45pm

     Our Young Children & Their Families Ministry is planning an outing to the Reading Phillies on Friday, May 24 at 6:45pm.  This activity is not just for youth, but open to the congregation, and you are invited to bring friends and family with you.

     Check back here for more information about tickets, pricing, and how to sign up.

 

 

 

Patriot Days

Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16, 2024

     Mark your calendars....

     Our Youth Group will be having a campout at the Daniel Boone Homestead for the annual Patriot Days Encampment.

     For more information about the Youth Group, please contact our adult advisors: Pastor Ben Motz, Geri Gammel, or Beth Miller.

 

 

 

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Monday, June 17 to Thursday, June 20, 2024

     Save the dates and check back here in the near future for more information and registration forms for our 2024 summer evening Vacation Bible School (VBS) program.

     For more information, contact anyone on our Christian Education Committee or the church office.

 

 

 

Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park

Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 10:30am

     We will be gathering for worship at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA at Pavilion Tent #4 on the second Sunday of August at 10:30am. 

     Friends, family, visitors are all very welcome to participate.  There is NO park admission fee.  There is NO parking fee.  You need only to pay for ride tickets (for whatever rides you may wish) and any food you may wish to purchase there.

Schedule at the Park

          10:00am - begin to gather at Pavilion Tent #4

          10:30am - worship at the pavilion

          11:00am - pool opens

          12:00pm - park opens

            6:00pm - pool closes

            7:00pm - park closes

 

Hybrid Worship at UCC of Robesonia on August 11

     For those who are unable to journey with us to Knoebels, we are planning to have our usual in-person and virtual worship service in the sanctuary of UCC of Robesonia at 10:15am.

Previous Year's Photos

     To view photos from previous year's click on the following links:

           Knoebels 2016 - Facebook Photos

           Knoebels 2015 - Website Photos

           Knoebels 2015 - Facebook Photos

           Knoebels 2014 - Website Photos

           Knoebels 2014 - Facebook Photos

 

 

 

~ ~ ~ Upcoming Events in 2025 ~ ~ ~

 

 

 

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