Recent and Upcoming Events
Women's Monthly Luncheon
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 11:30am (reservation deadline May 8)
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 11:30am (reservation deadline June 5)
Each month on the second Thursday the women of the church and their friends are invited to attend a luncheon at the Country Fare Restaurant in Myerstown (located at 498 E. Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown). This is just an informal social gathering to spend time together and get to know each other better. The women meet at 11:30am to avoid some of the lunch time rush. It makes for a very pleasant gathering.
If you are interested in attending, please let Rev. Mary Etta Mest know so that she may reserve a table large enough to fit everyone. She will need to know by the Monday of the luncheon week. She may be contacted at 610-659-2775 or mestme@aol.com. We hope that you will join us!
Youth Fellowship Group Bi-Monthly Meetings
Thursday, May 11 & 25, 2023 from 6:00-7:00pm
Thursday, June 8 & 29, 2023 from 6:00-7:00pm
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.
Youth Group Advisors Meetings
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5:30pm
Thursday, June 8, 2023 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.
Women's Fellowship Group Meeting
Monday, May 15, 2023 at 7:00pm
No meetings during June and July.
Will resume Monday, August 21, 2023 at 7:00pm
For more information, please contact Sue Hiester, chairperson, or any member of the 21st Century Christian Women's Fellowship Group.
Soup 'n' Such & Kids Clothing Closet
Held on the Last Thursday of the Month
Currently Dine-In or Take-Out: Subject to Change
Thursday, May 25 from 4:00 - 6:00pm
Thursday, June 29 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
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.
5th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
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 Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Family Fishing Program!
Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 2:00-4:00pm
Blue Marsh Stilling Basin
Do you like to fish? Do you wish you knew more about how to fish? Are you a little rusty and need a refresher course? The Youth Group is organizing a Family Fishing Program for all ages. It will be held in the afternoon on Sunday, May 7th at the Blue Marsh Stilling Basin. The Fish and Boat Commission will be presenting the program to teach families about fishing. Children and their parents are invited to attend (children should be accompanied by an adult). If you have a fishing rod bring it along, if not there will be some rods available to share. The Commission does need a head count about a month prior to the event so that they may plan accordingly. The instructor's fishing license will cover everyone fishing that day so an individual license will not be necessary. Please check your calendar and put your name on the sign-up sheet at church if you will be able to attend. We will meet in the church parking lot around 1:00pm and drive over together, or you may meet the group at the Stilling Basin. The program will begin at 2:00pm. This is a free program. NO fee.
Festival of the Christian Home
Mother's Day
6th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
For information about the Lenten worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Church World Service Blankets of Hope
Fund Raiser
May 14 to June 18, 2022
Church World Service (CWS) was born in the wake of the devastation of World War II. At that time 17 denominations came together to work in partnership to help those torn and crippled by the war. With the passage of time the specifics of their programs have shifted and evolved, but the CWS family has grown. Their foundation of collaboration and welcome has remained unshakable. They proudly serve as the toolbox that our neighbors near and far use to build healthy, dignified and safe lives. They stand ready to help families around the world recover from disasters and displacement. CWS Blankets are all about sharing love with a blanket - a simple act of kindness for those going through a difficult and devastating experience.
From Mother's Day until Father's Day, the Evangelism and Mission (E&M) Committee will be sponsoring a fund drive. We are hoping that you will consider remembering or honoring your mother, father or loved one by donating $10 for each sponsored blanket. A sample CWS blanket will be on display at church during this time period. For every $10 donation, a red heart will be attached to the blanket. At the end of the collection period, a list of the donors and those being honored or remembered will be published in the bulletin.
By honoring your loves one(s) we can help bring hope to people that feel disenfranchised, who are suffering the loss of their homes due to natural disasters, or those who are seeking refuge in a welcome center anywhere in the world!
To place an order please click on this CWS Blanket Fund Raiser Form link.
Print out the form and send it to the church along with your payment. Please note the details found on the order form. All orders must be paid for when placed. Paper copies of the order form are also available on the upstairs hallway table at church, or you may contact the church office and a copy will be sent to you. All orders are due by Sunday, June 18. Paper copies should be mailed to the church at:
St. Paul's UCC, 301 West Penn Avenue, Robesonia, PA 19551
Thank you in advance for placing an order!
Ascension Sunday
7th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
On Sunday, May 21 we will have our annual celebration of the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Ascension Day is celebration of the day when Jesus took his disciples to Bethany and blessed them, as he was lifted up into heaven. This was forty days after Easter Sunday, and ten days before Pentecost. After Jesus was lifted into heaven, the disciples gathered in worship with great joy! This was the last day that Jesus would be physically walking the earth with his disciples, and we are reminded in this scripture by two men in white robes (presumably angels) that Jesus would in the future return in the same way in which he was seen going into heaven.
The Ascension Sunday worship service includes the ceremony of extinguishing the Paschal Candle, which has been lit every Sunday during the season of Easter, symbolizing that Jesus is no longer physically present with us, for he has ascended! From Pentecost through Epiphany, the Paschal Candle will be placed near the baptismal font, symbolizing that it is through our baptism that we ascend with Christ. During the rest of the church year, we will only be lighting the Paschal Candle for baptisms and funerals/memorials, as a part of that symbolism of ascending with Christ at the time of our earthly death, through our baptism.
This is an important day for all of the disciples of Christ to gather together as one body. For it is a day that we show one another our mutual support, and our life together as the Body of Christ here on earth, now that he has Ascended. It is important for us to follow the example of those first disciples, and gather, worship, pray, and fellowship together on this day to prepare for the Holy Spirit coming into our lives. It is also important for us to gather together and be centered on the Spirit, for as we are about to enter the longest season of the church (Pentecost), the Holy Spirit is about to send us out into the world in mission and ministry, and we need the strength of the Spirit and the support of one another to faithfully live out God’s calling in that season.
We hope for all to gather together in worship, praise, prayer, and fellowship, as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord! Alleluia!
For information about the worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
Pentecost is the day that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' disciples as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. It also marks the birth of the Christian Church.
It was on the 50th day after Easter when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as they were praying together. They received the Spirit's gift of speaking in various languages (tongues), and they immediately began preaching about Jesus Christ to the Jewish people who had gathered in masses in Jerusalem from all over the world. The crowds were in the city for the Feast of Shavuot.
This Sunday also begins teh church's summer schedule. Worship will continue at 10:15am, but there will be NO Sunday school, and NO Junior Worship for the summer months. Our regular Sunday schedule will resume the Sunday after Labor Day (September 10).
For information about the worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Wine & Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 3, 2022 from 3:00-6:00pm
We will be offering our community a Wine & Strawberry Festival on the first Saturday of June from 3:00-6:00pm.
We are planning wine tasting from local wineries (including strawberry wine slushies), live music, a bouncy house and inflatible slide for kids, crafts for kids, prayer tent, hot dogs, popcorn, cake, ice cream, and of course strawberries.
To help with the festival in general, please contact Cory Putt. To help cook and serve food, please contact Brian Keppley, chair of the Men's Fellowship Group.
With over 500 people attending last year, we hope that this second annual festival will again be a great way for us to connect with our neighbors and offer a fun activity for our community.
Trinity Sunday
1st Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
Celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday is a Feast Day celebrated by Christians all over the United States and the world. The purpose of this holiday is to celebrate the symbolic nature of the Trinity - which is God, the father; Jesus, the son; and the Holy Spirit. All of which are separate entities upon themselves but are also one and the same entity. This is also known as the Christian Godhead as God incarnate in one 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 Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Patriot Days
Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11, 2023
Our Youth Group will be having a campout at the Daniel Boone Homestead for the annual Patriot Days Encampment.
Tentatively, we will leave the church parking lot on Friday, June 9 at 6:00pm, and return to the church parking lot on Sunday, June 11 at about 11:00am. For those just joining on Saturday, participants are expected to be there on Saturday by 11:00am and remain until the close of worship on Saturday evening.
The cost is $10 per person for campout. For those just coming on Saturday, the cost is $15 for those over 10 years old and $10 for those 10 years old and younger.
We will need male and female CHYLD Worker Status approved chaperones for this event. Those younger than youth group age, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
We need a tentative headcount by the Thursday, May 11 Youth Group meeting. Payment and final registration is due at the Thursday, May 25 Youth Group meeting.
To register, please contact the church office or Pastor Ben.
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
For information about the worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Father's Day
3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
For information about the worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Monday, June 19, 2022 to Thursday, June 22, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Vacation Bible School is coming! This joint event, sponsored by the churches of United Church of Christ of Robesonia (formerly St. Paul's UCC and Zion UCC of Womelsdorf) and St. Daniel's Lutheran Church, will take place the third week in June. It will be an evening event that starts at 6:00pm and concludes at 8:00pm. This year it will take place at St. Daniel's Lutheran Church (480 Big Spring Road, Robesonia).
This year's theme is Holy Week:
- Day 1 will be Palm Sunday
- Day 2 will be Maundy Thursday
- Day 3 will be Good Friday
- Day 4 will be the Resurrection
Youth from 3 years old and up to about age 11 (those entering 6th grade in the fall) are invited to attend. We hope that you will set aside the time to bring your children, grandchildren, and friends. Please contact the church office (610-621-5770) if you have questions.
To register for this event please click on the this Holy Week VBS link. It will take you to pdf registration form. Please fill it out, print it and send it to: UCC of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Avenue, Robesonia, PA 19551. You may also scan and save the completed form to your computer and then email it to the church at office@sprucc.org. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the church. Leave a message if no one answers and the church secretary, Geri Gammel, will call you back.
Hymn Sing
4th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 10:15am
Hybrid: Live Stream, Phone Stream, Facebook Live, & In-person
COVID Safety Precaution Level for this Sunday = Low
On Sunday, June 25 during the worship service we will have a Hymn Sing. This will not be a spontaneous event, but a planned one. In other words, if you would like to request a particular hymn, please contact the church office by phone or email. We may also have another way to submit your requests, but that is currently in the works. Start thinking now about what hymns you would like to hear and sing. There will be a deadline for hymn submissions.
For information about the worship services, please contact Terry Pastor (Vice Chair of the Worship Committee) or any member of the Worship Committee.
Annual Car Show
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Save the date for our 17th Annual Car Show, and look for more information here in the future.
For more information and to help with this event, please contact the Men’s Fellowship Group, chaired by Brian Keppley, or contact Head Deacon - Cory Putt.
Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park
Sunday, August 13, 2023 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
8:00pm - park closes
Hybrid Worship at St. Paul's on August 13
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 St. Paul's UCC 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
Sunday School Resumes
Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 9:00am
Sunday school will resume the Sunday after Labor Day. We are very much looking forward to reconnecting with youth and adults, after what has hopefully been a restful and re-energizing summer break, as we learn more about the Bible and God's love for us revealed in its teachings.
Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Mark your calendars and save the date for our 2nd Annual Oktoberfest. Look for more information in the future.
We are planning beer, wine tasting, food, live music, prayer tent, inflatables and crafts for kids, and more.
For more information and to help with this event, please contact the Men’s Fellowship Group, chaired by Brian Keppley, or contact Head Deacon - Cory Putt.
Family Movie Night
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 4:00pm
Strengthening Personal Finances
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7:00pm
A little (or a lot) uncertain about your personal finances? Come to this free workshop to learn ways in which you can feel better and more confident about your personal financial situation.
Please register by Sunday, October 1, 2023, so that we can prepare enough handouts and have sufficient refreshments available by contacting the church office at office@sprucc.org or 610-621-5770 or using the sign-up sheet in the upstairs hallway.
This financial workshop is being offered by Roger Yoh, a personal finance expert from Thrivent Financial, which is a Fortune 500 Company and the financial branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Some of you may know Roger as a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School.
"Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2023 World's Most Ethical Companies" (The Reading Eagle, April 11, 2023, page A8).
~ ~ ~ Upcoming Events in 2024 ~ ~ ~