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, 21 S. Brown 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.

• • •

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:

• Nov. 16 — Pastor Harold Sharp

• Nov. 23 — Pastor John Looney

• Nov. 30 — Eric Packard

• Dec. 7 — D.S. Michelle Bodle

• Dec. 14 — Pastor Bernard Carpenter

• Dec. 21 — Anthony Carpenter with Pastor Bernard Carpenter

Stony Run Mission upcoming events

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

• Nov. 16 — Steve Smith will share at 6 p.m.

• Dec. 7 — The Fuller Family will share with a Christmas concert at 6 p.m.

• Dec. 13 and 14 — A “Drive Through Bethlehem” each evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Drive-thru live Nativity. Stay in your car and drive through Bethlehem to experience the journey that led to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

• Dec. 14 — Christmas program at 9:15 a.m.

• Dec. 21 — No evening service.

• Dec. 28 — Holy Candlelight Communion at 6 p.m.

Worship services at Trinity Lutheran Church

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

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. on Sunday mornings. Social Time and Children’s and Adult Sunday School take place after worship. Check our website and Facebook page to find out more about what’s coming up at TLC.

The Harvest Home collection for the Juniata County Food Pantry ends Nov. 16. Please place your donations in the front of the sanctuary. The Pantry needs stuffing, gravy, canned sweet potatoes and brownie or cookie mix for their Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes. Hunters Sunday is Nov. 23. Wear hunting camo and/or blaze orange. Bring your taxidermied animals, skins or pictures to share on a display in the hallway. Nov. 30 is the first Sunday of the season of Advent, to prepare for the birth of Jesus. Worship will include a healing service with anointing of oil. The annual Holiday Bazaar is Saturday Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church social hall. Pies, turkey pies, soups, crafts and more. Lunch stand available.

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. God loves you and so do we.

Services at Grace Baptist Church

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 — Services at Parkview Church of the Brethren, 990 Parcheytown Rd., Lewistown:

Sunday School at 9 a.m. Worship service at 10 a.m. Wednesday Bible studies from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. 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. Social hour begins at 10 a.m. and church services at 10:45 a.m. Join us for fellowship and services.

The annual church Christmas party will be held Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. We are extending a special invitation to anyone wanting to reconnect with the Centre congregation. For more information, email the church office at centrelutheranchurchsecretary@gmail.com or call and leave a message at (717) 535-5788.

We invite you to pray for those who are suffering spiritually, medically, mentally and financially.

Events/services at Free Spring Church of the Brethren

MIFFLINTOWN — Worship services at Free Spring Church of the Brethren, 670 Free Spring Church Rd., Mifflintown:

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Fifth Sunday: Meet in the Middle in place of Sunday School with food and fellowship.

Services at West Kish Presbyterian Church

BELLEVILLE — Services at West Kish Presbyterian Church, 3820 W. Main St., Belleville are Sundays at 9:30 a.m. followed by children and adult Sunday school.

Juniata County Christian Education Released Time program enrollment

JUNIATA COUNTY — The Juniata County Christian Education Released Time Program began in early October and will hold weekly classes until the end of April 2026. Enrollment is open all year long for 1st grade to middle school students in Juniata County. Interested parents or guardians may pick up enrollment forms at their public school office, fill them out and return them to their children’s school office. If you have questions, call Rev. Ron Landis at (717) 535-5035.

Grace United Methodist Church ministry and program

LEWISTOWN — Ministry and program at Grace United Methodist Church, 101 Logan St., Lewistown.

“Rejoicing Spirits” is an innovative and inclusive ministry, offering a lively and meaningful Christian worship service and fellowship time. The service is modified to more readily engage people with disabilities, but remains inspiring and meaningful to everyone who attends, including family, friends and the local supportive community.

• Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. All dates at 10 a.m.

“Create” is a monthly gathering of God’s creative creation. Bring your own supplies or use provided supplies. Experience is not necessary, just a passion for expressing faith through art.

• Dec. 13 from 10 to 11 a.m.

For more information, call (717) 248-5311 or email secretary@gracelewistown.org.

St. Mark’s Dormantown Lutheran Church services/events

McCLURE — St. Mark’s Dormantown Lutheran Church services at 9 a.m. Welcoming Mr. Randy Traxler in the provision of church services. The church is located at 821 Dormantown Rd., McClure.

Bible study every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

GriefShare program at Allensville Mennonite Church

BELLEVILLE — We invite you to join/advertise our The GriefShare support group at Allensville Mennonite Church is a compassionate community for those navigating the journey of grief. This 12-week program offers comfort, encouragement and practical tools to help you heal. The support group meets every Sunday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. through Nov. 23, 2025 at Allensville Mennonite Church, 1156 Rte. 655, Belleville.

GriefShare provides a safe space to share, learn and grow with others who understand loss. Each session includes a video seminar, group discussion and personal reflection. All are welcome, regardless of where you are in your grief journey. For more information, call Zachary Knepp at (717) 437-6821.

Allensville Mennonite Church will host a one-time, surviving the holidays grief share event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. This event is geared for those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one to navigate the holiday season. There will be a video, workbook and discussion time. Please RSVP at (717) 437-6821 or just attend.

Services at Bunkertown Brethren Church

McALISTERVILLE — Bunkertown Brethren Church, 52 Bunkertown Rd., McAlisterville, is thrilled to welcome a new Associate Family Pastor, Brad Noel and family. Pastor Brad and wife Molly are anxious to serve the Lord and see what God desires to do in and through them at BBC. Saturday evening services will be held on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Divorce Care and Divorce Care 4 Kids at New Life Church

BURNHAM — Divorce Care and Divorce Care 4 Kids at New Life Church:

• Divorce Care 4 Kids (DC4K) — Mondays at 6 p.m. at New Life Church, Burnham. This is a 13-week support group for children ages 5 years to 12 years whose families are experiencing separation/divorce. At DC4K, kids are engaged in crafts, games, activities, DVD dramas and music. For more information or to register your child, call/text (717) 994-2007.

• Divorce Care — Mondays at 6 p.m. at New Life Church, Burnham. Divorce Care is a support group for adults that meets weekly for 13 weeks to help adults recover from the pain of separation and divorce. For more information or to register for the program, call (717) 994-2007.

Resurrection OPC extending its ministry

LEWISTOWN- Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church, located in State College, is looking to extend its ministry of Biblical preaching, God-centered worship, and serious Christianity for real life into Lewistown and the surrounding Mifflin and Juniata Counties region.

Starting in December, we will be holding local worship services every Sunday at the Lumina Center in Lewistown (18 E. Third St.) for a three-month exploratory period. Previously (from September through November 2025), meetings consisted of a livestream of Resurrection’s State College worship. Meetings from December on will be fully local worship services.

Sunday morning meetings will take place at 9:30 a.m. on December 7 and 21; January 4 and 18; February 1 and 15. Sunday evening meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on December 14 and 28; January 11 and 25; February 8 and 22. For the morning meetings, the worship service will be followed by a Sunday School hour where you can learn more about a Biblical perspective on the church and the values and priorities that inform OPC church planting.

For more information, call (814) 206-0186 or email pastor@resurrectionopc.org.

Services at Grove Memorial UMC

LEWISTOWN — Grove Memorial United Methodist Church, 611 S. Main St., Lewistown, services and programs each Sunday:

Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

Traditional service 11 a.m.

Contemporary service with children’s program at 6 p.m.

Bethel AME Church Center for Hope meet and greet

LEWISTOWN — The Center for Hope preview and community meet and greet is Saturday, Nov. 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Bethel AME Church – the Center for Hope, 23 N. Juniata St., Lewistown. Meet Rev. Dr. Renita Marie Green, Bethel’s new pastor, and get a sneak peek at the envisioned Center for Hope — a hub for healing, growth and connection to uplift individuals and families across our community. Special award presentation of the Bishop Richard Allen Kingdom Builder Award to Rev. Bernard Carpenter. RSVP at hopeinlewistown.org.

Celebrate Recovery, Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Center for Hope. The program is a faith-based 12-step for individuals and family members of those in recovery from life, addiction, trauma and grief. Visit hopeinlewistown.org.

Annual fall concert for Goodling Music Ministry

RICHFIELD — The Jeremy Goodling Music Ministry Annual Fall Concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Niemonds Independent Church, 36964 Rte. 35, Richfield. Donation buckets available for this event. For more information, call or text (717) 250-4131 or visit www.jeremygoodling.com.

HHHO food giveaway in Beavertown

BEAVERTOWN — Helping Hands, Helping Others, Inc. will be holding a food giveaway on Tuesday Nov. 18 beginning at 10 a.m. at Beaver Lutheran Church, Rte. 522 at the west end of Beavertown. HHHO is not government funded. There are no income limits. HHHO is a 501-C3 non-profit. All donations are appreciated and can be sent to P.O. Box 151, Beavertown, PA.

Nativity display at Watts Memorial UMC

BELLEVILLE — Watts Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting its Nativity display in the church on the corner of Walnut and Green Streets in Belleville. The event will be held on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a craft bazaar and bake sale in the church basement on Friday and Saturday only.

Approximately 500 Nativities of all shapes and sizes will be on display in our sanctuary. We invite you to pause for a moment in this busy Holiday season to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Hymn sing at Lauvers Mennonite Church

EVENDALE — Lauvers Mennonite Church, Rte. 35, Evendale, will host a fifth Sunday hymn sing Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Community Christmas Cantata at Free Spring Church of the Brethren

MIFFLINTOWN — The public performance of “The Winter Rose” will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Free Spring Church of the Brethren, 670 Free Spring Church Rd, Mifflintown. The snow date would be Sunday, Dec. 21 (same time and location). We have over 60 singers involved with this year’s Community Christmas Cantata. As in recent years, the cantata performance will be followed by group singing of familiar Christmas Carols. Admission will be free of charge. A free-will offering will be collected to benefit the local Juniata County Food Pantry. The community chorus will be directed by Mr. Kevin Cunningham, retired Juniata High School band and chorus director.

Juniata County Ministerium will host Blue Christmas service

McALISTERVILLE — The Juniata County Ministerium will host a Blue Christmas service at Lost Creek Presbyterian Church, McAlisterville on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The service will also be live-streamed on Facebook. It will be a quieter service for people who are having a difficult Christmas/year for any reason (loved one’s death, financial concerns, family trouble, general hopelessness, etc.). The quiet celebration of Jesus’ birth is to help people look to Jesus for hope, comfort and peace.

Christmas party club at Mifflin County Christian Academy

McCLURE — Your child is invited to attend a fun, interactive Christmas party outreach event sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, a Bible-centered ministry. Enjoy a Christmas story, snacks, games and songs during a special program for children during the Christmas season. Parents are welcome to attend. The free event, ideal for ages 5 to 12, is Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Mifflin County Christian Academy, 5113 Back Maitland Rd., McClure. Please RSVP by Dec. 14. For more information, call Mifflin-Juniata-Perry Ministry Coordinator for Child Evangelism Fellowship, Virginia Cook, at (717) 458-1885.

Pastors invited to submit messages

LEWISTOWN — The Sentinel invites area religious leaders to submit columns for “Professions of Faith” in the Sentinel’s weekly religion section. Interested individuals may contact Tom Laub at living@lewistownsentinel.com or (717) 248-6741, ext. 39127. Sermons should be limited to 1,000 words; exceptions may be made at the editor’s discretion.