Recent and Upcoming Events
Precautions Due to the Coronavirus
We are taking a number of precautions here at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), while simultaneously still seeking to provide meaningful, appropriate, and important spiritual support, especially in such times when there is fear, anxiety, and illness. We thank you for your understanding, patience, support, and prayer as we seek to discern how best to be in ministry in this moment of time.
Please look at the below upcoming events for changes in activities. Please click on this March 14, 2020 Letter to the Congregation About Precautions link for more detailed information.
There will be NO Sunday school or after worship fellowship beginning on March 15.
Beginning on Sunday, March 22 - until further notice - worship will be Live Stream and through Zoom ONLY. We will live stream the worship services, so that you are able to watch it on the internet from at home. To view the worship service online, click on this Live Stream link to view worship on St. Paul's UCC YouTube Channel, or click on this Zoom link. For a list of cancellations, click on this Cancellation Page link.
Our Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC has provided additional information and resources on their website at the following address: https://psec.org/resources/coronavirus/. You can read more from the national UCC church by clicking on this UCC National Leadership Speaks About Coronavirus link.
As the course of the Coronavirus changes over time and as we receive information from the CDC and other officials, our plans and decisions may also change accordingly. Please continue to check here and on our Cancellation Page for more information.
Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
The Sunday before Easter is "Palm Sunday" and "Passion Sunday." Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Passion Sunday commemerates the beginning of Holy Week. We will have our traditional "Blessing of the Palms" this Sunday, and we will have enough palms for everyone to be able to take a blessed palm branch home with them.
For more information about this worship service, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson and Terry Pastor Co-Chairperson).
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 6:30pm
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
On Maundy Thursday Jesus gathered with the disciples for the Feast of Passover. They shared in a meal. He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and instituted the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). He then took his disciples to a garden to pray, where he was betrayed and crucified.
You are invited to participate in this worship service through Live Stream or Zoom. The Maundy Thursday worship bulletin is available at this bulletin link. Within that bulletin is a prayer for you to use for your evening meal. You are invited to purchase bread and wine/juice ahead of time, as the Pastor will lead us in a commune service, as we all comune from our homes.
(Please note, with having Tenebrae included in our Maundy Thursday worship service, we will not be having a separate Good Friday worship service).
For more information about this worship service, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson and Terry Pastor Co-Chairperson).
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
We will have one Easter worship service this year at 10:25am (rather than two), so that we can join together as one church, at one time, as one Body of Christ, even when separated by social distancing, and celebrate in the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour who through the sacrifice of himself, saves all of us from sin and death. We will have a children's sermon, regular sermon. downloadable children's bulletins, lighting of the 2020 Paschal Candle, and Holy Communion through a door drop off.
(For more information on communion this year, please see the April 3, 2020 E-Newsletter entitled "Easter Communion" or contact the church office).
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 (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson and Terry Pastor Co-Chairperson).
Easter Flowers
Pick Up: After Worship Service on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
Flowers sprouting out of the ground are signs for us as Christians of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter, and the rebirth to new life we experience through him. Flowers also add to the beauty of the Easter season at St. Paul's UCC. The Decorating
Committee has taken orders for potted Easter Flower plants and put them on display in the sanctuary for Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! Dedication of the flowers to honor or remember special loved ones will be printed in the April/May Herald. Thank you to all who placed orders!
You may take home your flowers after the worship service on Easter Sunday. Please contact Denise Unger of the Decorating Committee to set up a time that is convenient for you and the Decorating Committee.
Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
Traditionally, the scripture reading for the Second Sunday of Easter is Jesus' appearence to the disciples in a locked room following his resurrection.
You can view a Mine Craft retelling of this story created in 2017 for our "Game" themed Holy Humor Sunday worship service by clicking on this A Mine Craft Telling of Jesus Appearing to Thomas - Created by Steven link. (You may need to turn up the brightness of your screen to view the video well).
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Holy Humor Sunday
Cake Sundae
Happy New Birthday Party
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:25am - POSTPONED
We are postponing this years' Holy Humor Sunday to a Sunday when we can once again gather together in the sanctuary and fellowship hall, and hope to make this into a grand celebration!
This year's Holy Humor Sunday theme will be that of the new birth of new life we receive through the Easter resurrection of Jesus Christ. During worship we will have our usual children's sermon, children's bulletins, choir anthem, and sermon; and we will also have activities for children, humor, special decorations, and more. You are invited to come dressed as you would for a party, or a children's/adult's birthday party, or just casual. After worship, during the fellowship time, we will have cake - a lot of cake. Although, you do not need to bring any food or drink, you are invited to bake/bring a cake, soda or punch, or other side snacks. Please contact anyone from the Worship Committee if you have questions about what to bring.
Each year for Holy Humor Sunday we select a different theme. Generally, the Worship Committee begins the selection process in January. In the past few years the youth group has selected the theme and put together this fun worship service. This year the youth group chose a theme that would revolve around birthday cake.
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
St. Paul’s UCC has 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 (Lynelle Heimbach, chair; or Terry Pastor co-chair) 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:
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"
Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
Traditionally, the reading for the Third Sunday of Easter is "Jesus' Walk to Emmaus" following his resurrection. This passage reminds us to look for Jesus in our daily walks through life.
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Elder Abuse Workshop
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 1:00pm - CANCELLED
Our guest speaker from the Phoebe-Berks retirement community will be providing us with information to increase our awareness, understanding, and prevention of elder abuse.
Due to the social distancing needs and the efforts to help keep people safe, especially our most vulnerable population, the Elder Abuse Workshop scheduled for April 26 has been cancelled. We hope to offer this in the future when we are able to back together again in person.
Soup 'n' Such & St. Paul's Clothing Closet
Last Thursday of the Month from 4-6pm
Changes due to COVID-19
Beginning April 30 - Soup 'n' Such is Take Out ONLY - see instructions below
Beginning March 26 - The Clothing Closet is temporarily CLOSED until further notice.
Until the social distancing restrictions are lifted and we can safely distribute clothing, we unfortunately need to close our children's clothing closet.
Description
Once a month St. Paul's UCC offers "Soup 'n' Such" and "St. Paul's Clothing Closet".
Soup 'n' Such is a free meal for all served from 4:00-6:00pm on the last Thursday of the month.
(Volunteers are welcome to come and help prepare and set up at 2:00pm).
St. Paul's Clothing Closet offers a free bag of gently used children's clothing from 4:00-6:00pm.
Donations of gently used, clean clothing, in good condition can be placed under the roof at the Pearl Street entrance to the church building (there will be a sign indicating where to place the bags of clothing); or donations can be made during normal office hours or Sunday mornings.
Schedule for 2020
January 30
February 27
March 26 - cancelled due to the Corona Virus
April 30 - TAKE OUT ONLY - see instructions below
May 28 - TAKE OUT ONLY - see instructions below
June 25
July 30
August 27
September 24
October 29
November - TBD
December - TBD
Instructions for Take Out during the COVID-19 Restrictions
The following is for your safety and the safety of those serving.
- Please wear a face covering, particularlly if needing to speak with one of the volunteers
- Enter from Pearl Street (the road beside the church building)
- Follow the volunteers' directions into the parking lot.
PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR CARS.
- The food will be given to you in the parking lot from 4:00 - 6:00PM, or until it runs out.
- Please do NOT start lining up prior to 4:00PM
- We might be able to drop food off at your front door, for a limited number of people.
If you are living within the area, and are quarantined in your home due to the COVID-19 virus or are awaiting test results, depending on supply/demand of food and available volunteers, we might be able to drop a meal off at your front door. If you would be interested in us doing so, please contact the church office with your name, address, and phone number.
As health guidelines continually change during this pandemic, please check our website for any potential updates in the process. It is important that we do this in a way that is as safe as possible for the recipients and volunteers.
Volunteers
Donations
More Information
You can click on this Soup & Such link for more information and for this year's schedule, or contact the chairperson of the Mission Committee, Steve Miller.
You can click on this St. Paul's Clothing Closet for more information, or contact coordinator Robin Henning. We are continually looking for donations of gently used children's clothing.
Good Shepherd Sunday
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
The 4th Sunday of Easter is also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday". Join us in hearing how Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
During this worship service we will be blessing the pre-filled communion cups for distribution during the week that we might all share in communion through the live stream on the following Sunday, May 3.
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Festival of the Christian Home and Mother's Day
Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
The second Sunday of May is both "Mother's Day" (in the secular calendar) and the "Festival of the Christian Home" (in the Christian calendar). On this Sunday we give thanks for all the mothers and motherly figures in our lives who have blessed us. On this Sunday we also give thanks for the ways in which our Christian faith has been taught in our homes.
This year, as a part of our celebration of the Festival of the Christian Home, we will be partaking in communion in our homes. We will be using pre-filled communion cups with unleavened bread enclosed. The elements will be blessed during the previous Sunday's worship service (May 3), and then delivered to homes (for those living in the area) on the following Tuesday and Wednesday, so that we have them for the May 10 live stream worship service. If you would like communion delivered to your home, please contact the church office with the number of cups needed in your home. We will be giving priority to members, but expect to have a limited supply of additional cups that we can deliver to friends, family, and neighbors on a first come basis while supplies last.
Those bagging will be practicing social distancing, feeling healthy, have normal temperatures, and wearing gloves and masks. Those delivering will likewise need to have normal temperatures, feeling healthy, wearing gloves, and will simply set a bag with the communion elements at your front door, knock, and leave. We will be delivering early in the week, to add to your assurance that the use of the communion will be long after the survivability of the virus on any of the surfaces.
If you would like to help with the bagging or delivering, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org. We will be limiting how many people are bagging at one time, to help with social distancing.
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, and/or to help with some of our special Mother's Day preparations, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Draped In Black
Sunday, May 17, 2020
During the worship service on Sunday, May 17 we will be offering Prayers of Remembrance for the Rev. George Miller, who served as the Pastor of St. Paul's UCC for 26 years and Pastor Emeritus for 18 years.
As we together remember and mourn Rev. Miller, who had pastored so many others during their darkest valleys and times of grief and losss, we have draped the church building in black, including the bell tower, church sign, outside cross, lecturn and pulpit, and the "Miller Fellowship Hall" sign. After a few weeks, we will take down the black material, and replace it with white cloth. White being the symbolic color of resurrection, after a period of mourning, we celebrate the resurrection that Rev. Miller shares with Christ through his baptism, the same resurrection joy which Rev. Miller had shared with so many others throughout his life.
The church building had previously been draped in black following the death of the Rev. Thomas Leinbach 111 years ago, in May 1909.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
During our 10:25am live stream worship service, we will be pausing in prayer, as one family of faith, to remember and give thanks for our brother in faith and Pastor Emeritus of St. Paul's UCC, the Rev. George Miller. Please also look for a future announcement in regard to a public memorial service for Rev. Miller, for which we currently need to wait, due to safety needs of social distancing.
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Heidelberg Catechism Discussion/Study
Sundays at 12:45pm - Online Only
Begins on Sunday, May 17
Pastor Bob Masenheimer will be leading a Zoom study/discussion of the Heidelberg Catechism, including the study of the scripture upon which it is based. Since 1563, the Heidelberg Catechism has been used to teach the fundamentals of the Christian faith for those of the Reformed Tradition. What is at the core of our beliefs? Join in this study/discussion to deep your understanding of scripture and of our Reformed theological roots.
The study will be held Sundays, beginning on May 17 from 12:45pm to about 1:30 or 1:45pm.
We have more information (including the log on information) on our Adult Study Group page by clicking on this Heidelberg Catechism Discussion/Study Group link.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream Only
This morning, Pastor Bob Masenheimer, our Minister of Music will be offering the children's sermon, sermon, and pastoral prayer. This worship service will be by live stream only (we will not have the Zoom feature this Sunday), and as such, there will still be a children's sermon, it just will not be interactive for this Sunday.
Ascension Day is the Thursday between the 6th and 7th Sunday of Easter. We will be following our tradition of celebrating the Ascension of Christ on this the 7th Sunday of Easter. We will have the liturgy of extinguishing the paschal candle during the worship service.
We hope you will join with us in Memorial Day prayers this Sunday, as we remember all gave some, and some gave all.
Easter is not merely a celebration of resurrection that takes place on one day, but is a celebrate of resurrection over the course of seven weeks. Join us on line and in spirit over the course of this seven weeks, as even though we are physically apart during social distancing, we are together as one through our risen lord, Jesus the Christ.
For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Pentecost Sunday
Happy Birthday to the Christian Church!
Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 10:25am
This Year: Live Stream & Zoom Only
On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples after Jesus had ascended into heaven ten days earlier on Ascension Day. As such, Pentecost is also the celebration of the birthday of the Christian Church. The following season of Pentecost, is the season of the church in mission. It is a season of every member of the church, as a disciple of Christ and as a part of the Priesthood of All Believers, going out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through both our words and actions.
For more information about our worship services throughout the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Conrad Weiser Baccalaureate Service
Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 7:30pm
The following has not yet been updated since the outbreak of COVID-19. We are awaiting updates regarding the Baccalaureate services in regard to the needs of social distancing
The annual Conrad Weiser Baccalaureate Worship Service will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 7:30pm in the Conrad Weiser High School auditorium. The annual baccalaureate is organized and led by the Conrad Weiser Ministerium and the Conrad Weiser graduating class.
PSEC Annual Spring Meeting
Thursday, June 4 - Saturday, June 6, 2020 - CANCELLED
The Annual Spring Meeting of our Pennsylvania Southeast Conference (PSEC) of the United Church of Christ has been cancelled for 2020 due to the social distancing precautions related to COVID-19.
For more information, click on this PSEC Annual Spring Meeting 2020 link and/or contact our delegates: Jon Henning and Geri Gammel
Trinity Sunday
First Sunday after Pentecost
Summer Schedule Begins
Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 9:25am
During the months of June, July, and August, we are on our summer worship schedule, as such there is no Sunday school and worship is at 9:25am. We will continue to have children's bulletins and children's sermons throughout the summer. If we are meeting in person, we will also continue to have junior worship on the second and third Sundays of the month (where the elementary age youth are dismissed to the downstairs Sunday school area after the children's sermon for more in-depth age-relevant learning of the day's scriptures).
As we post this article, we do not yet know if we will be able to worship in person on this Sunday. However, regardless of whether we worship in person or not, we will still be live streaming our worship services. To view the live stream, click on this live stream link.
Trinity Sunday is the celebration of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one. We celebrate this on the First Sunday after Pentecost, as it was on Pentecost Sunday that the Holy Spirit came upon the church.
The season of Pentecost, is the season of the church in mission. It is a season of every member of the church, as a disciple of Christ and as a part of the Priesthood of All Believers, going out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through both our words and actions. The growth in followers of Christ from our witness is symbolized by the green paraments (symbolic of growing green plants).
For more information about our worship services throughout the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Youth Group Bonfire
Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 6:30-8:00pm
Our annual Youth Group bonfire burning of the Jack Frost Parade Float has been postponed to Sunday, June 7.
We will gather (while remaining socially distant) in the field of one of our youth group members for the burning of the float. Please wear a face covering when you come. For the street address, please contact the church office at Office@sprucc.org or 610-621-5770 (because this is a private residence, we are not posting the address on our website). Due to social distancing precautions, you must provide your own transportation to and from the field from your home; adult advisors and chaperones will not be able to provide transportation in their vehicles.
On a separate fire we will be roasting marshmallows for s'mores. We will have individually prepackaged s'more ingredients (so that we will not be sharing in a common bag of marshmallows or a common box of crackers). Please contact the church office ahead of time with your planned attendance, so that we can be sure to have enough s'more kits for everyone who would like one. (If at all possible, please let us know before 3:00pm, Thursday, June 4 of your expected attendance). If you have your own roasting fork, you may bring that along. If not, we will have other roasting forks, which we will sanitize in-between users.
For more information, please contact Beth Miller, Geri Gammel, or Pastor Ben Motz.
Youth Fellowship Group Bi-Monthly Meetings
Thursday, May 14 & 28, 2020 at 6:00pm - by Zoom
Sunday, June 7 at 6:30pm - bonfire
(No Thursday, June 11 meeting, we will have the June 7 bonfire instead)
Thurs, June 25 at 6:00pm - Social Distancing in Parking Lot
For our social distancing parking lot meeting, please bring along a chair and face covering. We will be in a large circle, keeping family units at a social distance. If your parents want you to wear your mask throughout the meeting, please do so. If you enter the building and/or are less than eight feet apart from a person outside your home, please wear a face covering. Also, if you enter the building, please wash your hands, and use your hip or elbow on the crash bar (not your bare hand) to exit the building, so that you are not touching any surfaces after you have washed your hands. If you and/or your parent(s)/guardian(s) have any safety concerns, please contact the church office or any of our youth group adult advisors.
Our regular youth group meetings are on the second and last Thursdays of the month from 6:00-7:00pm, and are intended for grades 5-12 (and/or up to age 21).
During our monthly meetings we have time for fellowship, prayer, learning, fun, and the youth planning for their own upcoming activities, all with appropriate adult supervision (who are approved through our SafeConduct process).
Click on this Youth Fellowship Group link to go to our youth group page for more information about our youth group, upcoming youth group activities, additional youth group links, and more.
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 9:25am
The season of Pentecost, is the season of the church in mission. It is a season of every member of the church, as a disciple of Christ and as a part of the Priesthood of All Believers, going out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through both our words and actions. The growth in followers of Christ from our witness is symbolized by the green paraments (symbolic of growing green plants).
As we post this article, we do not yet know if we will be able to worship in person on this Sunday. However, regardless of whether we worship in person or not, we will still be live streaming our worship services. To view the live stream, click on this live stream link.
For more information about our worship services throughout the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Father's Day
Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 9:25am
The season of Pentecost, is the season of the church in mission. It is a season of every member of the church, as a disciple of Christ and as a part of the Priesthood of All Believers, going out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through both our words and actions. The growth in followers of Christ from our witness is symbolized by the green paraments (symbolic of growing green plants).
As we post this article, we do not yet know if we will be able to worship in person on this Sunday. However, regardless of whether we worship in person or not, we will still be live streaming our worship services. To view the live stream, click on this live stream link.
For more information about our worship services throughout the season of Pentecost, and/or to help with the planning of our special Father's Day preparations, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson).
Robesonia Blood Drive
The Robesonia Community Blood Drive takes place once a quarter, and rotates among the below four Robesonia churches. Our blood drive is done through the Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Blood Drive Schedule
Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 2:00-7:00pm
at St. Paul's UCC, Robesonia
April 2020 - Day/Time TBA
Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 8:00am-1:00pm
Additional Information with regards to the June 20, 2020 blood drive:
Due to the COVID-19 virus, several changes have been made in the way donors and their
donations are processed:
1. The goal is to keep to a minimum the traffic in the donor area.
2. All donors will need an appointment. If you are a "walk-in" and there is an open appointment
time, then you may be able to donate. However, there are no guarantees. It is best to
schedule an appointment time by calling 1-800-223-6667 or scheduling online at
3. Donors should arrive at their appointment time. Donors will not be allowed to stand around
in the area.
4. All donors will need to wear a mask. Prior to entering the donation area/room, everyone will
have their temperature taken. Once cleared, they will check in at the table and will be given
instructions as to where to sit.
5. Donors will then be taken to the registration area to collect their information and answer their
questions.
6. Donors are then escorted to the donor chairs and the donation process will begin.
7. Once the donation is completed the donors will remain in the donor chairs for their recovery
period where they will be watched for reactions and provided with a beverage and snack.
8. The registration area, chairs and etc. will be disinfected between each donor.
September 2020 - Day/Time TBA
December 2020 - Day/Time TBA
Hartman Center
UCC Church Camp
Summer Opportunities from June 14 - July 27, 2020
Early Bird Discount Registration is Due: March 31, 2020
The Hartman Center is an United Church of Christ camp church located in Milroy, PA in our neighboring Penn Central Conference of the UCC. The summer camp schedule and brochures are now available. There are summer camp options from June 14, 2020 to July 27, 2020. There are also (as of January 2020) summer camp jobs available at the Hartman Center.
The Hartman Center is nestled in the foothills of the Seven Mountains region of Pennsylvania and offers half-week and weeklong summer camps for children, youth, and adults with a variety of interests, including a soccer camp, art camp, STEM camp, family camp, adventure camp, nature camp, fishing camp, and more. During summer camp you will have the opportunity to explore God in creaion, connect to God's spirit, know the joy of Christian community, while having fun in the outdoors.
You can find Hartman Center brochures on the blue visitor table in St. Paul's upstairs hallway or through our church office at office@sprucc.org or 610-621-5770. One of the best ways to get information is to go to the Hartman Center website at www.hartmancenter.com; you can also contact the camp directly at program@hartmancenter.com or 1-717-50-CABIN.
Schuylkill Valley Baccalaureate Service
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 6:30pm
The annual Schuylkill Valley Baccalaureate Worship Service will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 6:30pm at the Schuylkill Valley High School, hosted by the Schuylkill Valley Ministerium.
This is a revised date (from the original June 4 date), due to the stay-at-home orders. Please check back for possible changes and updates due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park
Sunday, August 16, 2020 at 10:30am
We will be gathering for worship at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA at Pavilion Tent #4 on the third 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 - rides and water park open
11:15am - lunch at Pavilion Tent #4
8:00pm - water park closes
9:00pm - park closes
More Seating
We will have more seating at the pavilion this year. Our attendance for this worship service has grown every year. This is our most well attended worship service of the summer! We were able to reserve even more picnic tables this year than we have in past years.
Worship in the Sanctuary of St. Paul's on August 16
For those who are unable to journey with us to Knoebels, we are planning to have a worship service in our sanctuary at 9:25am.
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
Incoming Confirmation Class
Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 6:00pm
Preregister by Sunday, August 16, 2020
This school year's confirmation class program we tentatively begin on Sunday, September 13 at 6:00pm. The first class is for students and their parents.
In the event that we are unable to hold classes in person due to the pandemic, we plan to have virtual classes this coming fall through conference calls (such as Zoom).
The recommended age to begin the confirmation program is when entering 8th grade. Older students are certainly welcome, as our students as young as 7th grade.
Please preregister for this class, so we can be sure to have enough materials for the first day, by contacting the church office at 610-621-5770 by Sunday, August 16.
For more details and information, click on this Confirmation Class Program link, which will take you to the page on our site dedicated to the confirmation program.
~ ~ ~ Upcoming Events in 2021 ~ ~ ~
Annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner
Friday, January 1, 2021
Save the date. Our annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner will be on Friday, January 1 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
WORSHIP TIMES
(Regular Schedule: Sept 1 - May 31)
Sunday School at 9:15AM
Sunday Adult Studies at 9:15AM
Sunday Worship at 10:25AM
(Summer Schedule: June 1 - Aug 31)
Summer Sunday Worship 9:25AM
What is the UCC?
Find out about the United Church of Christ and the history of this wonderful organization on our What is UCC page.
About St. Paul's UCC
Come to the About Us section to meet the staff, and find out what we're all about!
Join Us!
If you're curious about what a truly nurturing community of believers is like, then you should come to the Join Us section to find out how you can get involved. We hope you join us.
New Pix
Come to the photo gallery to check out our most recent pictures.
Site Administrator and
Office Staff Login
