Religion briefs
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.
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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:
• Feb. 22 — Bradley Kauffman
• March 1 — Pastor Bernard Carpenter
• March 8 — Chip Baumagardner
• March 15 — Pastor Bill Romig
• March 22 — Pastor Justin Sellers
• March 29 — Pastor Tom Morningstar
Stony Run Mission upcoming events
McALISTERVILLE — Upcoming events at Stony Run Mission, 2825 Evendale Hill Rd., McAlisterville:
• Feb. 22 — The Seger Family will share 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.
Feb. 22 is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. We hope you can join us in worship during this season on Sunday mornings and on Sunday evenings at the McAlisterville community Lenten services.
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 10:15 a.m. Church services begin at 10:45 a.m. Join us for fellowship and services.
We continue to pray for those who are sick, grieving or just struggling.
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.
St. Mark’s Dormantown Lutheran Church services
McCLURE — St. Mark’s Dormantown Lutheran Church Sunday services at 9 a.m. The church is located at 821 Dormantown Rd., McClure.
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.
Resurrection: Lewistown is holding weekly Sunday morning worship services at 9:30 a.m. at the LUMINA Center gymnasium (18 E. 3rd St.). This is an outreach of Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church in State College, aimed at exploring the possible formation of a church plant in Lewistown this spring. For information, visit resurrectionopc.org/lewistown, write to pastor@resurrectionopc.org, or call (814) 206-0186.
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 Celebrate Recovery
LEWISTOWN — Celebrate Recovery is held Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Bethel AME Church – the Center for Hope, 23 N. Juniata St., Lewistown. 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.
Griffith will sing at Ellen Chapel Church
LEWISTOWN — Lisa Griffith will sing Sunday, Feb. 22 during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Ellen Chapel Church, 11764 Ferguson Valley Rd., Lewistown. All are welcome.
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.
• Rejoicing Spirits will be held March 11, April 8, Sep. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 18 and Dec. 9. 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.
• Create event is held on the third Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call (717) 248-5311 or email secretary@gracelewistown.org.
McAlisterville Ministerium 2026 Lenten Worship Series
McALISTERVILLE — The McAlisterville Ministerium invites you to join the 2026 Lenten Worship Series “Walking with Jesus: The Road that Changes Us.” On Feb. 22, at Lost Creek Mennonite, Dave Gingrich (Delaware Menno) speaks on “The Road of Healing.” On March 1, at Free Spring Church of the Brethren, Bill McNeal (Browns GM) speaks on “The Road of Mercy.” On March 8, at Delaware Mennonite, Karen Ward (Trinity Lutheran) speaks on “The Road of Surrender.” On March 15, at East Salem Community, Terry Smith (Free Spring COB) speaks on “The Road of Servanthood.” On March 22, at Lost Creek Presbyterian, Chad Weaver (Lost Creek Menno) speaks on “The Road of the Cross.” On March 29, at Trinity Lutheran, Doug Mellott (East Salem / Otterbein) speaks on “The Road of Hope.” Our series concludes on Good Friday, April 3, at Pine Grove United Methodist when Graham Fowler (Lost Creek Pres) leads a meditation on the Via Dolorosa, the Road of Suffering. All services begin at 7 p.m. This year our offerings will be divided between Juniata County Clearing House and Juniata County Gold Years Ministry. The Clearing House provides a way for churches to pool their resources to assist county residents in need. We hope this worship series will help you grow in your faith and bless your relationship with God.
Port Royal Men’s Lenten Prayer Breakfast
PORT ROYAL — Port Royal Men’s Lenten Prayer Breakfasts will be held at 7 a.m. every Saturday morning during Lent at the Port Royal Community Building, 4th St., Port Royal.
• Feb. 21 — Rev. Leroy Yoder, Shade Mountain Fellowship
• Feb. 28 — Rev. Sean McGill, First Baptist Church
• March 7 — Mr. Mark Partner, Nook Lutheran Church
• March 14 — Dr. John Gehman, Medical Dr.
• March 21 — Rev. Mike Neiman, Shamokin Dam Baptist
• March 28 — Mr. Rodney Pry, Free Spring Brethren
• April 4 — Rev. Ken Harper, Cedar Grove B.I.C. Church
Port Royal Community Lenten Teas
PORT ROYAL — Port Royal Community Lenten Teas hosted by Port Royal Presbyterian Church will be held
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. The church is located at 316 Main St., Port Royal.
• Feb. 24
• March 3
• March 10
• March 17
• March 24
• March 31
Chiz Rider will perform at Port Royal Presbyterian Church
PORT ROYAL — Port Royal Presbyterian Church, 316 Main St., Port Royal, will present special music by Chiz Rider on Sunday, March 8, 2026 during the morning service at 10:30 a.m. “At the sound of a loud trumpet, He will send His angels to bring his chosen ones together.” A love offering will be received. For more information: portroyalpresbyterianeco.com and chizrider.com.
Services at Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church
MIFFLINTOWN — Services at Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 3918 William Penn Hwy., Mifflintown. Office at 9 N. Brown St., Lewistown. To contact: (717) 242-2781 or www.stjudemifflintown.org.
• Good Friday, April 3 — 3 p.m. Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
• Easter Sunday, April 5 — 9 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass
• Stations of the Cross every Wednesday following 6:30 p.m. Mass
• Confession Wednesday 6 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m.
Services at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
LEWISTOWN — Services at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 106 N. Dorcas St., Lewistown.
Office at 9 North Brown St., Lewistown. To contact: (717) 242-2781 or www.sacredheartlewistown.com.
• Holy Thursday, April 2 — 7 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
• Good Friday, April 3 — 7 p.m. Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
• Holy Saturday, April 4 — 8 p.m. Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
• Easter Sunday, April 5 — 7 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass
• Stations of the Cross every Friday 7 p.m.
• Confession Saturday 3 p.m.
Mifflin County Cluster of United Methodist Churches Lenten schedule
LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County Cluster of United Methodist Churches Lenten schedule:
• Maundy Thursday, April 2 — 7 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 101 Logan St., Lewistown. Station of Faith Interactive Worship.
• Good Friday, April 3 — 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 200 E. Third St., Lewistown. Featuring Combined Cluster Choir.
• Easter Sunrise service, April 5 — 6:30 a.m., Rhodes United Methodist Church, 500 Highland Ave., Lewistown.
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 800 words. Exceptions may be made at the editor’s discretion.

