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.

 

 

 

Christmas Candy Orders

Orders Due: Sunday, October 31, 2021

Pickup: Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 9:00am-1:00pm

     It's that time of year again....time to order Christmas CANDY!!  The 21st Century Christian Women's Group will soon be making Christmas candy, but they need to have an idea of just how much to make.  Click on this 2021 Candy Order Form link for a candy order form.  Please indicate "dark chocolate" or "milk chocolate."  Print order forms are also available at the church next to the "Candy Order" basket found upstairs in the hallway.  If you would like the church to send you a print order form, please call or email.

     To place your order, you can email it to the church office at office@sprucc.org, or place it in the "Candy Order" basket (upstairs second floor hallway).  To email your order, you can either: (1) fill out the form, scan or take a pic of it, and email it to office@sprucc.org or (2) simply email a typed order to office@sprucc.org.

     You can pay by check, cash, or electronically online.  To pay online, click on this Pay Online link, enter your amount in the "Fund-Raiser" line and type "Candy Order" as the description.  If paying by check, please make it out to the 21st Century Christian Women's Group, and indicate "Candy Order" on the memo line.  All orders must be paid for when ordered.  You are responsible for the orders placed.

     Your order will be available for pickup on Saturday, November 20, 2021 (during the Christmas Bazaar) from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

     For questions or more information, please contact the church office.

 

 

 

Youth Group Advisors Meetings

Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 5:30pm: Postponed until next month

Thursday, November 11, 2021 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

Thursday, Oct 14, 2021 - Postponed to Sunday, Oct 17 at 6:00pm at

                                                   Duncan's Corn Maze

Sunday, Oct 17, 2021 at 6:00pm at Duncan's Corn Maze 

Thursday, Oct 28, 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm - Outside In-Person

 

Thursday, Nov 11, 2021 from 6:00-7:00pm - Outside In-Person

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 - No meeting: Thanksgiving Day

    Beginning April 29, as weather permits, we will be holding our youth group meetings in the church's parking lot, while practicing social distancing at our normal 6:00-7:00pm time.  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).

     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.

 

 

Soup 'n' Such &  

 Dine-in or Take Out: Subject to Change 

St. Paul's Clothing Closet

 Open During Soup & Such

Last Thursday of the Month

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

No Soup & Such during November due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

During November the Clothing Closet will be open by appointment; call the church to set up a time.

 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.  The Clothing Closet is open during Soup & Such - the last Thursday of the month from

       4:00-6:00pm.  If you are unable to come on that particular day, you may set up an appointment

       to come at another day/time.  Please call the church office at 610-621-5770, leave your name

       and phone number, and our coordinator, Robin, will get back to you.  

       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.  

 

Schedule for 2021

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

 

Volunteers

Donations

More Information

     You can click on this Soup & Such link for more information and for this year's schedule, or contact Chief Cook, Steve Miller, or the chairperson of the Mission Committee, Geri Gammel.

     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.

 

 

 

15th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 10:00am

A Celebration Worship Service at Zion UCC in Womelsdorf

St. Paul’s UCC - Closed to In-Person Worship

 

     On Sunday, September 5th St. Paul’s UCC will be closed to in-person worship in order for our Pastor and members to be present in support of Zion’s congregation at their final worship service.  If coming in person, please note that social distancing for seating might not be possible, as attendance is expected to be greater for this final worship service.  There will be representatives from both the Covenant Association of the UCC and the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC present; Pastor Ben Motz will be offering the Benediction; and Pastor Bob Masenheimer will be playing the organ for their final worship service.

     We will be broadcasting using our Live Stream, Phone Stream, and Facebook Live from their sanctuary, for everyone to participate virtually.  Thank you, Kirk.  We will not be using our Zoom this Sunday; however, you can also participate via Zion UCC's Zoom log in, which is Meeting ID: 889 4662 4289 and Password: 579687 (to log in with a telephone, call: 1-301-715-8592 to join the audio via phone).
     The service will begin at 10:00am.  Please be aware that there is limited parking.  Those attending may want to park in the parking lot at Conrad Weiser West Elementary School and walk over.
     Please keep the congregation of Zion UCC in your prayers as they go through this transition, especially on September 5th.

 

Return to Regular Schedule

Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 10:15am

Sunday Worship at 10:15am

Sunday School - Will Resume on Sunday October 3 at 9:00am

     We will return to our regular Sunday worship schedule on Sunday, September 12, 2021 (the second Sunday in September).  Worship will begin at 10:15am.  We will have a refreshment time together with Zion UCC following our worship services.

     On September 12, we will be celebrating a baptism, remembering the lives lost on 9/11 (the 20th anniversary of that tragic attack), and blessing teachers, students, and backpacks (for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday).

     Sunday school will begin October 3 at 9:00am.  If this date changes, updated information will be found here on the website.

     Our regular schedule runs from September (after Labor Day) to May (the weekend before Memorial Day); and our summer schedule runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.  

     For more information, please contact the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

Baptism & Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 10:15am

Baptism

     During our worship service, we will be sharing in the Sacrament of Baptism for Brooke Sell. 

     We hope that you will be able to join us either in person or vitually for this worship service, and help us celebrate this special day for Brooke.

     All preschool, school age youth, college and graduate students are welcome and invited to bring their school backpacks with them to worship on this Sunday for a "Blessing of the Backpacks", as students return back to school with our prayers.  Visitors, friends, members, and students of all ages are welcome to bring their backpacks and participate in the blessing.

     During this worship service we will also have special prayers for students, school teachers, and Sunday school teachers as they begin the new school year.

     For more information, please contact the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

Neighborhood Mission Work

Stay-Near-Home Mission Trip

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Rain Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021

Need to Know Deadline: ASAP

     On Saturday, September 18 the congregations of St. Paul's UCC in Robesonia and Zion UCC in Womelsdorf will be going on a mission trip together, without even leaving Berks County!  On this day, we will be sharing the love of God within our community by helping people needing assistance with small but important projects in and around their homes.

     We are compiling a list of potential projects, which the Property Committees of both churches will evaluate and make the decisions as to which ones we will do this September.  If you or someone you know in the community has an indoor or outdoor project, with which we can potentially be of help, please let us know.  Examples of potential projects include pruning, weeding, trimming, patching drywall, hauling trash from a basement to the curb, painting a fence, etc.

     If you are available to help with our Mission Trip, we would like to know that too.  Please click on the following link which will take you to our Interest Survey. 

     If you are not available to help, but would like to provide monetary support for our mission work efforts, you can do so by making a secure online donation by clicking on "Online Giving" at www.sprucc.org, and type "Mission Project Fund" in one of the mission lines.  These funds will be used to help provide supplies, such as paint, brushes, cleaner, etc. 

     Whether you can help or have a potential project that you would like the committee to consider, we need to know by ASAP.

     The schedule for the day will be to meet at 1:00pm in St. Paul's parking lot.  Have an opening devotion & reflection, receive instructions, and then be sent off.  We will work until 5:30pm at our mission project sites, then return to St. Paul's at 6:00pm for dinner and concluding worship.

     We are excited to be working with Zion UCC of Womelsdorf.  We look forward to serving together, as the Body of Christ, that people might experience the love of God through us.

 

Vacation Pictures - Catching Up with Each Other

Ketchup Sunday

Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 10:15am

    After worship on Sunday, September 19 we will be celebrating in our annual “Ketchup Sunday,” with hot dogs, ketchup, and other refreshments.
    We hope this fellowship time will give us a chance to catch-up with each other after our summer vacations.  To help with catching up, you are invited to e-mail the Pastor pictures from your summer vacation at PastorMotz@sprucc.org.  During the fellowship time we will include those pictures in a slide show.  We hope to have a projector outside (if good weather).  If you have multiple pictures from this summer, yes, please send multiple pictures - the more the merrier, as it will help make the slide show that much more interesting.  Please send those pictures by Tuesday, September 14.

    Additionally, we will be celebrating in this fellowship time with members of Zion UCC, and we are inviting them to submit pictures, as well.  We hope this will be a good opportunity for the members of our two congregations to get to know one another a little better.

    Ketchup Sunday is also about catching up with our missed offerings. If you look through your offering envelope packet, you may find a few from this past year that you haven’t yet used.  If so, you are invited and encouraged to bring those with you on September 19 (with an offering in them) and place them in the offering plate to be blessed and uplifted to God, and in doing so “Catch-Up” in your support of Christ’s ministries through his church.  If you cannot attend, yes, you can mail those offerings to the office or contribute online electronically.  We are to give regularly and proportionally back to God throughout the year out of the blessings God has given to us - all that we have and are is from God.

    Whether you submit pictures or not, and whether you bring your envelopes or not, we hope that you will come, join in the refreshments, and catch up with your church family as we begin the fall.

Robesonia Blood Drive

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

     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

 

 

 

18th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     For more information about our worship services during the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

 

 

World Communion/Neighbors in Need Sunday

19th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     A combined worship and communion service with Zion UCC.

     World Communion Sunday is a time for remembering that around the globe - in different languages, with different traditions and customs, and in various forms of liturgy - the Lord's Supper is celebrated throughout Christendom.  

     During the worship service we will receive the Neighbors in Need (NIN) Special Offering.  In 2021 the NIN "Unfailing Love" offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities.  Most UCC churches collect this offering on the first Sunday in October as part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time.  If you would like to give to NIN (one of the UCC's Five for Five Special Mission Offerings), please use the green "Online Giving" button found in the side bar to the right.  Please indicate the amount of your donation and 

 

     For more information about our worship services during the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

 

 

Sunday School Resumes - All Ages

Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 9:00am

     On Sunday, October 10, in-person Sunday school will resume for all ages.  We have classes for adults and all ages of youth (Pre-school and up).  We hope you will come!  Classes will go from 9:00-9:45am.

 

 

 

20th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     For more information about our other fall worship services, please contact Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair of the Worship & Education Committee.

 

 

 

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     We will once again be worshiping with Zion UCC in the sanctuary.  While it may be convenient to worship from home, there's NOTHING like worshiping in person, especially with more people in the sanctuary.  After the worship we will gather with Zion for fellowship and snacks in the Miller Fellowship Hall.  Please join us!  

 

     For more information about our fall worship services during the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

 

 

Duncan's Corn Maze Youth Group & Family Event

Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 6:00pm

      Everyone is invited to Duncan’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch on Sunday, October 17, 2021. This event initially was a Youth Group event, but it has been opened up to include church families, friends, and relatives. We will meet at the maze at 6:00pm. Our adventure will start while it is light, but will most likely end after dark. Dress appropriately and bring a flashlight. The cost is $10/person, children 5 and under are free. In order to get a group rate ($9/person) we need to place advance reservations. Please contact the church office via phone (610-621-5770) or email (office@sprucc.org) to make your reservation. Not sure that you will be able to make it? Hesitant about making a reservation?  If you can make it, but did not make a reservation, that's okay.  Meet us there at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, you may still be able to get the group rate.

     There are several other fun family activities in addition to the maze that are free or low cost: pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, climb the giant bales and giant slide, corn box, hay bale jungle gym, giant sling shot game, etc.

     Worried because the next day is school. Don’t worry! We will start around 6:00pm, but how long you stay is up to you. This will be a FUN event! We hope that you will be able to join us!

 

 

Bible Study - The Book of Acts

Wednesday Evenings

Beginning Wednesday, October 20, 2021, from 6:30-7:30pm

Hybrid: Zoom & In-person in the Miller Fellowship at church 

     Beginning October 20 we will have a Wednesday evening Bible study using the book, Acts 1-12: God Moves in the Early Church, written by Chuck and Winnie Christensen.  This study teaches about the beginning of the Christian Church after Jesus ascended into heaven.  It was a time when the disciples needed to begin making decisions and providing leadership without Jesus being physically there with them to lead the church. 

     All in our community are welcome to participate.  There is no fee to participate.  Although it would be nice to have the study book, it is not necessary to participate.  However, a Bible will be needed (any version).  If you do not have a Bible, come to the church to participate, and a Bible will be supplied.  The study is being hosted at St. Paul's UCC, led by Pastor Mary Etta Mest, and is a combined study by Zion UCC and St. Paul's UCC.  It will be a hybrid study and go from 6:30-7:30pm.  Those who would like to participate from home should use the Zoom information found below.  Those who would like to participate in person should come to the church.  A large screen will be set up in the Miller Fellowship Hall.  The schedule will be as follows:

October 20
October 27
November 17 (Not November 24)
December 15 (Not December 22 or December 29)
January 19
January 26
February 16
February 23
We will meet a total of 8 times. During each meeting we will cover 2 sessions found in the Bible Study book.

 

The same Zoom numbers will be used each week.
To join the Zoom meeting use the following:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87452124156?pwd=RzI3dTI4Uy8vWGpBQnRzOGV2bnlrdz09

Meeting ID: 874 5212 4156
Passcode: 783249

For people joining with telephone, choose one of these numbers:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

 

     For more information, please contact Elsa Wertz or Terry Pastor, who provide leadership of our Christian Education Committee.

 

 

 

22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     For more information about our worship services during the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

 

 

Youth Group Activity

Cocoa Bomb Making

Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 12noon

     On Sunday, October 24, the youth will be gathering at church to make cocoa bombs.  What is that?!!  Cocoa bombs are a delicious combination of cocoa mix and marshmallows in a molded chocolate sphere decorated on the outside with sprinkles, shaved chocolate, drizzled chocolate, or whatever the imagination can dream up.  What do you do with it?!!  Heat up some milk, place a sphere in a mug, cover it with hot milk, and then just watch it melt and release all the goodies inside.  A delicious hot, sweet beverage for consumption on a cool day, or just if you want a nice sweet beverage.  The youth will be making them to sell at the Christmas Bazaar.  It should be a lot of fun for the kids to make, and delicious for those who choose to buy them at the Bazaar.  The youth will also be sharing a meal together at the church while the chocolate hardens in their molds midway through the process of making the cocoa bombs.

     Youth Group is for kids in grades 5-12 (and/or up to age 21).  They do not need to be members of St. Paul's Church.  During our twice monthly meetings we have time for fellowship, prayer, learning, fun, and the youth planning for their own upcoming activities, all with appropriate adult supervision.  Questions?  Contact the church office.

 

 

 

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Reformation-Reconciliation Sunday

Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 10:15am

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

     For more information about our worship services during the season of Pentecost, please contact any member of the Worship & Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson; or Terry Pastor, Vice Chair).

 

 

 

Trick or Treating in Robesonia - Come for a Treat!

Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm

     Stop by the front of the church building on Robesonia's Trick or Treat Night on Sunday, October 31 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm to get a sweet treat!

     We are inviting members to donate individually wrapped candy in advance for us to hand out.  Please bring your donations to church by Sunday, October 24.  They should be placed in the orange tub found in the upstairs church hallway.  With the bags of candy, we will be including a small flyer sharing some of the ministries within our church that might be of interest to young trick or treaters.  We are also looking for persons to help hand out the candy, decorate the front of the church for the evening, and help take down the decorations afterwards.  We always have a fun time.  If you would be interested in helping with any of that, please contact the Evangelism Committee, Robin Henning - Chairperson.

 

 

 

Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 9:00am-1:00pm

     Sponsored by St. Paul's 21st Century Christian Women's Group, the bazaar includes homemade candy, a large basket raffle, baked goods, chow chow, preserves, attic treasures, and soup & BBQ to go.  Always a FUN event, we hope to see you there!

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Award Presentation

Fall 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.

     This was previously rescheduled from May 2020, to the summer of 2020, and then to May 2021, as we were hoping that large public gatherings in church sanctuaries would again be permitted by this May; however, as we will still not yet be able to have large gatherings, we are postponing this award ceremony again to the fall of 2021.

 

~ ~ ~ Upcoming Events in 2022 ~ ~ ~

 

 

Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park

 

Sunday, August 14, 2022 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 - pool opens

 

          11:15am - lunch at Pavilion Tent #4 (please supply your own food and beverages)

 

          11:00am - park opens

 

            6:00pm - pool closes

 

            9:00pm - park closes

 

.

 

Virtual Worship at St. Paul's on August 14

 

     For those who are unable to journey with us to Knoebels, we are planning to have a worship service in the sanctuary of St. Paul's UCC 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

 

 

Back to Top of Page