Tamaqua news
Rush-Ryan seniors
The Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met March 13 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 51 members in attendance.
President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business meeting. Chaplain Kathleen Valentine offered an invocation. Reports were presented by secretary Florina Martin and treasurer Shirley Becker.
Birthday wishes were extended to Ruth Grube, Ellie Zakrewsky, Eleanor Arner and Shirley Shellhammer. Readings were offered by Florina Martin and Shirley Becker.
The group meets the second and fourth Monday of every month.
Anyone 50 or older is welcome to join.
Student recognition
The Tamaqua Area Student Achievement Committee finalized plans for the 54th annual Tamaqua Student Achievement Dinner, to be held May 14 in the Tamaqua Area Elementary School.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Arrangements will be made for those who wish to attend the awards ceremony only.
Tickets will be available beginning April 30, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the high school.
Lenten services
The Tamaqua Ministerium is sponsoring a series of interdenominational Midweek Lenten services. The final service will be held at noon, March 28 at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 266 W. Broad St. A light luncheon to follow.
The public is welcome to attend.
SS. Peter and Paul
Stations of the Cross will be held every Wednesday, at 7 p.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Stations will be preceded by a holy hour of prayer, including a recitation of the rosary, beginning at 6 p.m.
A holy hour of prayer will also be held every Saturday, from 4-5 p.m., during Lent.
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed during these holy hours.
Choir rehearsals will be held following the Wednesday Stations of the Cross, beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Due to Holy Week and Easter, there will not be a First Friday, Fatima Saturday or rosary Sunday observance in April.
Communion calls to parishioners in Coaldale and Hometown will be made March 29.
Anyone willing to help strip palms for Palm Sunday is asked to be at the church social hall by 9 a.m. on March 31.
The Holy Week schedule will include: Passion Sunday, regular Mass schedule; Wednesday, Mass and Holy Communion at 8 a.m., Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.; Holy Thursday, Sacrament of Reconciliation from 4-4:30 p.m., Mass of the Lord's Supper 7 p.m., followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation; Good Friday, celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3 p.m., followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will also be held from 7-7:30 p.m.; Saturday Easter Vigil, blessing of baskets at 1 p.m., liturgy at 8 p.m. followed by High Mass; Easter Sunday, Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Zion Lewistown
The Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 11:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley.
Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.
Rev. Stock will be the guest minister at a joint Lenten service on March 28, at 7:30 p.m., at Calvary United Methodist Church.
Cantata rehearsal will be held at 7 p.m. on March 29.
Zion Lutheran
The Rev. Jeffrey Kistler will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Sunday school classes will meet at 8:30 a.m.
Also on Sunday, the new member class will meet at 8:15 a.m., Bible study session will be at 4 p.m. and the Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.
Activities for next week will include: Monday, exterior renovation committee meets at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m., council meets at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, joint Lutheran midweek Lenten service at Zion's; Thursday, Scouts meet at 6 p.m., rejoice and sing choir rehearsal at 7 p.m.; Friday, Easter egg hunt at 6:30 p.m.
Bethany EC
The Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church.
Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.
Also on Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.
Activities for next week will include: Monday, Women of the Old Testament group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare will be held at 6:30 p.m. and The Story group will meet at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, the Jesus' Final Week group will meet at 1 p.m., Men's Fraternity will meet at 6:30 p.m.; and the Forgiveness group will meet at 7 p.m.; Friday, the group Courageous for Men and Women will meet at 7 p.m.; Saturday, men's breakfast at 7 a.m., musician rehearsal at 9 a.m., Praise practice at 9:30 a.m.
