Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) 248-6741 or by email at living@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 352 Sixth St., Lewistown, PA 17044. Items must be received by Tuesday for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions.

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First Bakers UMC to host Bible study

McCLURE — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a Bible study every Wednesday at 7 p.m. The church will also host a youth group for individuals under age 18 on the first Thursday of each month, except July.

Schrader UMC to host special speakers

MILROY — Schrader United Methodist Church will host the following speakers during its 8:30 a.m. services:

• Dec. 1 — Eric Packard

• Dec. 8 — Eric Packard

• Dec. 15 — Pastor Mike Bailey

• Dec. 22 — Pastor Justin Sellers

• Dec. 29 — Greg Stuck

Stony Run Mission upcoming events

McALISTERVILLE — Upcoming events at Stony Run Mission, 2825 Evendale Hill Rd., McAlisterville:

• Dec. 1 — Wayne Hummel will share at 6 p.m.

• Dec. 8 — Pastor Ron Landis will share at 10:15 a.m.

• Dec. 14-15 — “Drive Through Bethlehem” Live Nativity each night from 6-8 p.m. Stay in your car and drive through Bethlehem to experience the journey that led to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

• Dec. 15 — Christmas program at 9:15 a.m.

• Dec. 22 — No evening service.

• Dec. 29 — Holy Candlelight Communion service at 6 p.m.

Worship Services at Trinity Lutheran

McALISTERVILLE — Trinity Lutheran Church, 420 Main St. in McAlisterville.

Our Harvest Home collection for the Juniata County Food Pantry ends Dec. 1. Please bring non-perishable food items to the front of the sanctuary. For the Christmas Angel project, please deliver your gifts between 4-5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.

Please join us in worship Dec. 1, as we begin to wait and watch for the birth of Jesus during the season of Advent. The annual Community Blue Christmas Service will be Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mifflin (304 Juniata St.). This service is for all who struggle during the holidays. The children’s Christmas program will take place during worship on Sunday, Dec. 22.

This year, TLC will host two services on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24). “Christmas in the Barn” will begin at 3 p.m. at the Sawmill Heritage Farm in McAlisterville. The Candlelight Service will begin at 7 p.m. at the church. All are welcome.

Watch our services live on our Facebook page or posted on our YouTube Channel and website, www.trinitymcalisterville.org. Worship begins at 9 a.m. Social time and children’s and adult Sunday School take place after worship. Check out our website and Facebook page to find out more about what’s coming up at TLC.

Services at Upper Room Worship Center Cafe Church

BELLEVILLE — The Upper Room Worship Center Cafe’ Church, 4567 E. Main St. in Belleville.

Worship services Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Services at Grace Baptist Church in Port Royal

PORT ROYAL — Services at Grace Baptist Church, Spruce Hill Grange, 20378 Rte. 75 S. in Port Royal.

• Sunday worship — 10:15 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• Sunday School — 9 a.m.

• Wednesday Bible study and youth program — 7 p.m.

For more information, call (717) 527-4296.

Port Royal Lutheran Parish news

PORT ROYAL — We welcome you to worship with us each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Port Royal Lutheran Church is located at 402 Market St., Port Royal. Care meals are delivered the first Wednesday of each month. Quilters meet each Monday at 9 a.m. For more information, call (717) 527-4152.

Services at Parkview Church of the Brethren

LEWISTOWN — Parkview Church of the Brethren. Sunday School at 9 a.m. Worship service at 10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m. All are welcome.

Centre Evangelical Lutheran Church services

MIFFLINTOWN — Centre Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation continues to meet every Sunday in the community room of the church at 9259 William Penn Hwy., Mifflintown, with fellowship and snacks at 10 a.m. and services beginning at 10:45 a.m. Join us for fellowship and services.

Centre Lutheran congregation is urging our community to help our southern neighbors recover from hurricane Helene by donating to Lutheran Disaster Response. Monetary donations can be made by phone at (800) 638-3522 or by mailing a check to Lutheran Disaster Response, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA, 22116-8009. Please designate your contribution as “Hurricane Response” so 100% will be used to assist those affected by hurricanes.

St. John’s annual Holiday Gift Show

BELLEVILLE — The 13th annual Holiday Gift Show at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3597 W. Main St., Belleville, is Saturday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be quality hand-crafted gifts and fine art. Homemade ham potpie, soups and baked goods available. Various proceeds benefit St. John’s Christian daycare and preschool.

Services and events at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

LEWISTOWN — Services and events at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 21 S, Main St., Lewistown.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m, we will celebrate the beginning of Advent with a service of Choral Evensong. Sung by eight Penn State students, the music will draw on the musical heritage of the ancient church, including the canticles that would have been chanted by cathedral choirs. The service will combine elements from the services of Evening Prayer and Compline (or vespers).

On Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m., we will have a holiday concert led by Crooner and Co. Swing Band from State College. Founded in 2018 and comprising a dozen musicians, the performers pride themselves on blending standards and favorites with pop music in the swing style, serving as a bridge between the jazz vocalists of past decades and modern vocalists of today. Enjoy their rendition of holiday favorites and you will be invited to sing some of our favorite Christmas carols.

Both concerts will be followed by refreshments in the Parish House. While the concerts are free, we will take up a collection to benefit Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, our community food bank.

‘Follow the Star’ Nativity exhibition in Lewistown

LEWISTOWN — “Follow the Star, a World Nativities Exhibition” will present Nativity sets collected from around the world in the rear vestibule of St John’s Lutheran Church, N. Main St., Lewistown on Dec. 5 and 6 from 5-9 p.m. The Nativity scene is a meaningful expression of the Christian faith, providing a compelling visual focus during the Christmas season. The exhibition will show how artists have adapted the Nativity scene to represent their own spiritual and cultural heritage. The settings for the Nativities will be created by various local owners who will share their personal collections with the public during the annual Lewistown Ice Festival with the theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

If you are willing to set up and display your personal Nativity set(s) at the “Follow the Star” exhibition, please email Ann Lauder (ann@lauderville.com) to reserve a space. Email to include: Owner’s name, phone number for contact information, and Nativity scene information if known (country of origin, approximate age, number of pieces, or interesting details.) Set up will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec.5.

Christmas Cantata at St. Stephen’s Lutheran

MIFFLINTOWN — This year’s Community Christmas Cantata, “A New and Glorious Morn!” (Celebrating The Life and Life of Christmas) will be performed at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Licking Creek Rd., Mifflintown.The 60-voice volunteer choir will be directed by Mr. Kevin Cunningham, retired Juniata High School band and chorus director. Admission will be free of charge. A freewill offering will be collected to benefit the local Juniata County Food Pantry. Snow date (if needed) is Sunday, Dec. 22.

Christmas carols at Rhodes Memorial UMC

LEWISTOWN — The community is invited to sing Christmas carols at Rhodes Memorial United Methodist Church, 500 Highland Ave., Lewistown on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will follow the indoor singing. Bring a friend and your singing voice.

Christmas Eve Service at Trinity United Church of Christ

LEWISTOWN — The Christmas Eve service at Trinity United Church of Christ, 20 Oak St., Lewistown, will be Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. with Pastor Eric Marsteller. Everyone is welcome.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Calvary Bible Church

LEWISTOWN — The Christmas Eve candlelight service at Calvary Bible Church, 100 Calvary Ln., Lewistown, will be Dec. 24 from 6-7 p.m.

Grief share at Allensville Mennonite Church

BELLEVILLE — A grief share will be held every Thursday from Jan. 9 to Apr 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Allensville Mennonite Church. Register online at grief share.org or call Zach Knepp at (717) 437-6821 for help. Cost is free. All are welcome. Allensville Mennonite Church is located at 1156 Rte. 655, Belleville.