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. 

     You can find a summary of our precautions and COVID-19 updates on our News page by clicking on this Coronavirus Precautions link.

     Please continue to check here and on our Cancellation Page for information about cancellations.

 

 

 

Annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner

Friday, January 1, 2021

     Yes, we will be having our annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on New Years Day!  This year however, for the safety of all, it will be take-out ONLY.  

     The meal includes pork, sauerkraut, green beans, mashed potatoes, applesauce, a roll, and cake.  The cost is $12.00 per person.  As this is take-out, we only have one price this year (as opposed to previous years, when it was all you can eat and different costs based on age).  You can pay when you pick up with cash or a check (payable to St. Paul's UCC in Robesonia).  You can also pay online in advance by clicking on this online giving link; enter "Pork Dinner" plus number of meals in the "Fund-Raiser" line; print your receipt; and bring your receipt with you.  If paying in advance online, those online orders must be made by 6pm Thursday, December 31, to ensure sufficient meals will be set aside for you.  We will continue serving meals until 1:00pm, or until we run out of food; we are making extra this year, but do recommend you come early.

     You can pick up your dinner on Friday, January 1 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.  Look for attendants directing traffic for directions for the drive up along Pearl Street.

     This fund-raiser helps us begin the New Year well, by giving financial support to the many ministries and mission efforts of St. Paul's UCC at the beginning of January.  If you are not interested in pork and sauerkraut for New Years, but would still like to offer financial support on New Years Day, you can make an make an online contribution, or send a contribution to "St. Paul's UCC; 301 West Penn Ave; Robesonia, PA 19551."

     For those who are perhaps new to the area, pork and sauerkraut on New Years Day is a tradition for many/most Pennsylvania-German (Pennsylvania-Deustche) families.  It is a delicious way to begin the new year.  Komm onct and eat yourself full!

 

 

 

Epiphany Sunday

10th Day of Christmas

Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 10:30am

Virtual ONLY: Live Stream & Phone Stream

     Epiphany is the celebration of the arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem, revealing the good news of the Christian message and the reign of Christ being for the whole world.

     If we receive enough Christmas Eve Candlelight Selfies, we hope to include those as a slide show on this Sunday to help in additional way for us to connect with one another during this time of social distancing.

     We will also have the virtual choir signing as a part of this worship service.

     There will be NO in-person or Zoom option for worship this Sunday.

     For more information about our Epiphany worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

Sunday School

     Youth and Adult Sunday School Classes are CANCELLED for December 27, 2020 and January 3, 2021.  Click on the following links to check out our Online Children & Youth Sunday School Resources and our Online Adult Study Resources to engage in God's word at home.

 

 

 

Robesonia Blood Drive

     The Robesonia Community Blood Drive takes place once a quarter, and rotates among the four Robesonia churches.  Our blood drive is done through the Miller-Keystone Blood Center.

Blood Drive Schedule

      Please check this site for updates to the blood drive schedule.  The following is the listing of the month and location for the upcoming schedule:

 

           Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 2:00-7:00pm

                at St. Paul’s UCC, Robesonia

           Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 12:00-7:00pm

                at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, Robesonia

           Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 8:00am-1:00pm

                at St. Paul's UCC, Robesonia

           Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 2:00-7:00pm

                at St. Daniel's Lutheran Church, Robesonia

           Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 2:00-7:00pm 

                at Trinity Lutheran Church, Robesonia

 

 

 

Baptism of Christ Sunday

Agapé Love Feast

1st Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 10:30am

Virtual ONLY: Live Stream & Phone Stream

     The Sunday after Epiphany (the Sunday after January 6) is the celebration of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, and a day in which we especially remember and celebrate in our shared baptism with Christ.

 

     This year, we will be sharing in a Love Feast during our online worship service on Sunday, January 10 at 10:30am.  This will be in place of our January communion worship service (however, a Love Feast is not Holy Communion).  A Love Feast is a communal meal that takes place during a worship service, but unlike in the sacrament of Holy Communion, there is no consecration of the elements by an ordained minister (in the sacrament of communion we consecrate the elements of bread and wine/grape juice).   Although for many of us, our August 2, 2020 worship service was perhaps our first Love Feast experience, the practice of a Love Feast for bringing Christians together in fellowship dates back to New Testament times and is mentioned by name in Jude 1:12.

     It is our hope that during this time of social distancing, uniting around a common meal, while separated by distance, might help us to feel more connected to one another and our Lord.

     For this online worship service, we invite you, from the comfort of your home, to have a simple food (such as a pastry, donought, cracker, or bun) and a simple drink (such as coffee, tea, water, or lemonade).  During the online worship service, the worship leader will direct us to eat and drink of our communal meal together.

     More information about this Love Feast can be found in the August 2020 & January 2021 issues of The Herald.  You can also find an excerpt from that issue by clicking on this Love Feast Information link.  Also, so that you might become a little more familiar with this faith practice, below is a United Methodist Church YouTube video about how Love Feasts were commonly celebrated in United Methodist Churches prior to COVID-19.

     Click on this Bulletin link for the regular bulletin, children's bulletins, and Communitas.  Click on this Live Stream link to view the worship service.

      For more information about our Epiphany worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Youth Group Advisors Meetings

Thursday, January 14, 2020 at 5:30pm

Thursday, February 11, 2020 at 5:30pm

     The Adult Youth Group Advisors meet on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30pm (half an hour before the youth group meeting).  Our adult advisors are approved through our SafeConduct process, and seek to provide a well supervised, safe, fun, and meaningful youth group experience.

     For more information about our Youth Group, click on this Youth Fellowship Group link.

 

 

 

Youth Fellowship Group Bi-Monthly Meetings

Thursdays, Jan 14 & 28, 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm - Virtual ONLY

Thursdays, Feb 11 & 25, 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm - Virtual ONLY

     As weather permits, we will be holding our youth group meetings in the church's parking lot, while practicing social distancing.  Please bring along a lawn chair and face covering.  We will be in a large circle, keeping family units at a social distance.  In the event of inclement weather we will spread out by family unit in the fellowship hall, while wearing face coverings.  Face coverings need to cover both your mouth and nose.  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).

     Due to the scheduling of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, there will be only one youth group meeting in November and only one meeting in December.

     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.

 

 

 

2nd Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 10:30am

Virtual ONLY: Live Stream & Phone Stream

     We look forward to having the Rev. Cean James, Associate Conference Minister share the word with us virtually on this Sunday.

     We will also be remembering our sisters in faith, Elizabeth Phillips and Sara Walker during this worship service.

     There will be NO in-person or Zoom option for worship this Sunday.

     For more information about our Epiphany worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Communications Workshop

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 6:00pm

     On Tuesday, January 19 from 6:00-6:45pm Pastor Ben is offering a Communications Workshop. This workshop is designed to: (1) help provide you with guidance to help make sure your articles are providing the congregation with the information they need to know what you are talking about and what your activity is all about; (2) go over the format needed to submit articles to the office secretary; and (3) to make sure your articles, posters, and flyers fit the necessary guidelines to be used within St. Paul's UCC.
     This workshop will be held via Zoom; please look in the January issue of the newsletter for the login informaton or contact the church office.
     This workshop is free and open to all members and open to visitors. This workshop is for any person who wishes to submit an article for the newsletter, bulletin, website, or hang a flyer in the church building. All elected leaders, as well as anyone who might be interested in communicating within the church through the newsletter, bulletin, flyers, posters, website, facebook, or E-News should attend this workshop.
     This workshop is free. No advance registration is needed. However, we encourage you to sign up in advance, so that we can email you the materials in advance. To sign up, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.
     If you took this workshop in the past, it will be similar to the 2019 workshop. However, if you have not taken this workshop since 2017 or before, there have been changes and there will be new information, so you should attend this workshop, also.
     For more information, please contact Pastor Ben Motz at 610-621-5770 or PastorMotz@sprucc.org.

 

 

 

Missional Approach Workshop:

Reclaiming the Great Commission

Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 6:00-8:00pm

     As part of our overall ministry and growth plan, we have adopted the Missional Approach as our philosophy to evangelism and church growth. The Missional Approach to evangelism and church growth is all about reclaiming the Great Commission and living out the Great Commandment.
     Pastor Ben will be offering a workshop on the Missional Approach on Wednesday, January 20 from 6:00-8:00pm via Zoom. Please look for the Zoom login information in the Janaury issue of the newsletter. This free workshop is open to members and visitors alike. Preregistration is encouraged, so that we can email you the materials in advance and/or get you hard copy printouts. To register, please contact the church office at Office@sprucc.org or 610-621-5770 by Sunday, January 17.
     All Consistory members and all Standing Committee Chairpersons are to attend this training at least every other year. If you did not attend this refresher last year, you should attend this workshop this year, as well as other leaders and staff. If you are a leader who cannot attend on this date, please be in contact with Pastor Ben at 610-621-5770 orPastorMotz@sprucc.org to see if an additional date might be possible.

 

 

 

Service of Ordination & Installation

3rd Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 10:30am

Virtual ONLY: Live Stream, Phone Stream, & Zoom

(NO In-Person Worship)

     Tentatively, we are planning to ordain and install the new church leadership for 2021 on this Sunday.

     For more information about our Epiphany worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Soup 'n' Such  &  St. Paul's Clothing Closet

Take Out ONLY until further notice.

Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 4:00-6:00pm

Thursday, February 25, 2021 from 4:00-6:00pm 

Last Thursday of the Month

 

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, and of course are also welcome to share in the meal.

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

     St. Paul's Clothing Closet offers a free bag of gently used children's clothing for each child in

       a family.  We also accept donations of gently used, clean clothing, in good condition.  Clothing 

       may 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 may be made during normal

       office hours or Sunday mornings.

 

Changes Due to COVID-19

Since April 30, 2020 - Soup 'n' Such has been Take Out ONLY

Click on this COVID-19 Take Out Safety Procedures link for more information.

Currently - the Clothing Closet is  By Appointment ONLY.

To schedule an appointment, please contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.  Please leave your name and phone number.  Your contact information will be given to Robin, the Clothing Closet coordinator.  She will contact you and set up a time convenient for both of you.  Please do NOT bring your children to that appointment.  A mask must be worn at all times.   Click here will additional details. 

Schedule for 2021

     Click on this Soup 'n' Such Schedule link for the full 2021 schedule.

Instructions for Take Out during the COVID-19 Restrictions

     Click on this COVID-19 Take Out Safety Procedures link for instructions about the safety process for picking up the take out meals.

     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.

 

 

 

4th Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 10:30am

Virtual ONLY: Live Stream, Phone Stream, & Zoom

(NO In-Person Worship)

     For more information about our Epiphany worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Transfiguration Sunday

Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 10:30am

   On Sunday, February 14 we will have our annual Transfiguration Sunday worship service at 10:30am.

     Transfiguration Sunday takes place on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (the last Sunday in the Epiphany Season before we begin the Season of Lent).  The gospel lesson for Transfiguration Sunday is that of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up the mountain, where Jesus is transfigured (changed into dazzling white) before their eyes, and he is joined by Moses and Elijah.

     For more information about this worship service, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

     This year, St. Paul's UCC in Robesonia and Zion UCC in Womelsdorf, will be having a combined Ash Wednesday worship service.  We will post more information about the details of that worship service here by the beginning of February; in the meantime, mark your calendars.

     Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  The season of Lent includes the 40 days and six Sundays before Easter.  It is a season of penitence as we reflect upon our personal sins, which led to the need for the sacrifice of Jesus’ life for us upon the cross.  The root word of “Lent” means “to lengthen,” referring to the lengthening of days as we anticipate the longer days of spring and the new life granted through the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter -- moving from darkness to light.

     Click on this "Why Ashes on Ash Wednesday" link to learn more about the use of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

     For more information about this worship service, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Wednesday Afternoons in Lent

Wednesday, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2021 at 12:00noon - TBD

     Every year during Lent, the Conrad Weiser Ministerium rotates among five different churches within our school district offering a Wendesday noon worship service followed by a free luncheon.  Due to the pandemic, what we will offer in 2021 has not yet been determined.  When we receive new information, we will post that information here.

     For more information about this study series, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Wednesday Evenings in Lent

Wednesday, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2021

     This year, St. Paul's UCC in Robesonia and Zion UCC in Womelsdorf, will be having a combined study series during the Wednesday's in Lent.  For everyone's safety during this pandemic, we plan to offer this through Zoom. 

     The time and topic have not yet been picked.  We will post more information about the details of that worship service here by the beginning of February; in the meantime, mark your calendars.

     For more information about this study series, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Laetare - 4th Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 10:30am

     Laetare Sunday is a Sunday of "Joy" as we pass the half way point of the somber season of Lent.  In some traditions, Laetare Sunday is a day to take a small break in your Lenten fast.  In some churches, pink/rose colored paraments are used to highlight this day, as the liturgical color of "joy".  Let us join together - even if by live stream - in joy of the Good News of our Lord.

     For more information about our healing service, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:30am

      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.  Annually, we have our traditional "Blessing of the Palms" this Sunday, with enough palms for everyone to be able to take a blessed palm branch home with them.  Many people keep these palms behind a family photo, with their Bible, on the mantle, or some other cherished place until the following Transfiguration Sunday.

     For more information about this worship service, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 1, 2021

     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.

     (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 & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 10:30am

Sunday, April 4, 2021 Sunrise - TBD

    We normally have two worship services on Easter: one at sunrise and the other at our usual 10:30am worship time.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we had one combined 10:30am worship service.  No determination has yet been made for Easter of 2021.  As gathering recommendations continually change, we plan to make that determination closer to Easter.

     For more information about our Easter worship services, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Remembering the Rev. George Miller

Saturday, May 1, 2021 - Time TBD

     We hope that by May 2021, a vaccine for the coronavirus will have been developed and distributed, allowing us to once again gather as a large group in the sanctuary.  We are planning for Saturday, May 1, 2021 as the memorial service for the Rev. George Miller, our Pastor Emeritus.  The time of this service has not yet been determined.

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Award Presentation

May 2021 - Tentatively

     Steven Motz, a member of St. Paul's UCC, completed his Eagle Scout rank in December 2019, but due to the coronavirus has not yet had the opportunity to have a ceremony to be awarded the rank.  His Eagle Scout project was setting up the Live Stream technology, software, and hardware upon which we so greatly rely during this pandemic.  We are hoping that large public gatherings in church sanctuaries will again be permitted by May, and are therefore tentatively planning his award ceremony for May 2021.

 

 

 

Confirmation

Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 10:30am

     We hope that you will join us for worship on Sunday, May 23 at 10:30am when we celebrate in the Rite of Confirmation, and welcome the newest and youngest members of our congregation!

 

 

 

Special Edition 2021 General Synod

Sunday, July 11, 2021 - Sunday, July 18, 2020   

     General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC) is the national decision-making body for the denomination. It meets every two years and consists of over 600 delegates from various congregations and conferences. The General Synod is responsible for giving general direction to the evangelistic, missionary, and justice programs of the UCC.

     The dates for the United Church of Christ’s first virtual General Synod have been set. The 33^rd biennial gathering will take place online July 11-18, 2021 (from 5:00-9:30pm EDT). The Sunday to Sunday schedule is the first in a series of changes planned for this event, themed “Rooted in Love”. Pre-Synod events will occur July 7-10.

     To learn more please click on this UCC link.

 

 

 

Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park

Sunday, August 8, 2021 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.

     We are especially looking forward to this year, as we needed to cancel our 2020 event due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

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

.

Worship in the Sanctuary of St. Paul's on August 8

     For those who are unable to journey with us to Knoebels, we are planning to have a worship service in our sanctuary at 9:30am.

 

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 2022 ~ ~ ~

 

 

 

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