Panther Valley news
Summit Hill
Bloodmobile planned
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill, will sponsor a bloodmobile visit by the Miller-Keystone Blood Center on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Donors can give blood between 2-7 p.m. in the church hall. A goal of 35 pints has been set
Miller-Keystone is the only blood supplier to the local hospitals (Blue Mountain Health System, Lehighton and Palmerton, and St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network (Miner's Memorial, Coaldale).
To reserve a donation time, call the parish office, (570) 645-2664.
Advent giving
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill, is participating in the Advent season giving program. The traditional "Advent tree" is located in the church, offering worshippers the chance to take a paper ornament (or two) and purchase the suggested gift on it.
The gifts will be distributed to the Catholic Social Agency in Lansford. Gifts should be unwrapped and brought to church the weekend of Dec. 17-18.
Christmas cards
Several Summit Hill residents are guests at area nursing facilities and would enjoy hearing from their hometown friends, especially at Christmastime. Cards and greetings can be sent to them as follows:
Kay Fuller and Rosemarie Vanko - Mahoning Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 397 Hemlock Dr., Lehighton, PA 18235.
Irene Michalik, Irene Phillips, Edith Bohovich and Dorothy Steber - The Summit at Blue Mountain Health, 211 N. 12th St., Lehighton, PA 18235.
Catherine Sodroski, Stasia Kozuch, Dorothy George and Marie Badowski - Maple Shade Meadows, 50 E. Locust St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240.
Theresa Mattrazzo - St. Luke's Miners Memorial, 360 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale, PA 18218.
Anna Mulderick - Lutheran Home at Topton, 1 S. Home Ave., Topton, PA 19562.
Dorothy McCullion, Erma Lawton and Rose DeLaurentis - Heritage Hill Senior Community, 800 Sixth St., Weatherly, PA 18255.
Joseph Wadyak - Hometown Nursing Home, Rt. 54, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
John and Josephine Shober - Country Meadows of Allentown, 450 Krocs Rd., Allentown, PA 18160.
Margaret Kozuch, St. Ann Apartments, 30 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, PA 18232.
Meanwhile, others who are homebound include:
Anna Drozd, c/o Joseph Drozd, 1420 Bunratty Court, High Point, NC 27260; Mary O'Gorman, R. 4, Box 4354, Kunkletown, PA 18058; Pauline Jachowicz, 52 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; Betty Kane, 202 E. Holland St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; Marion Kocha, 156 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; Rose York, 202 W. White St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; Lena Vaccaro, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; Helen Frey, 332 W. Iron St., Summit Hill, PA 18250; and Bernadette Lukac, 129 E. Hazard St., Summit Hill, PA 18250.
Family members of others who could use some Christmas cheer and want to publish their residencies are asked to call or email Bill O'Gurek at the above address.
Lansford
St. John Lutheran
This Sunday is dress-down day at St. John the Evangelist Lutheran Church, 1 E. Abbott St., Lansford.
After celebrating the fourth Sunday of Advent, members will decorate the church for Christmas.
Christmas services schedule: Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. "Blue"/Quiet Christmas; Saturday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day service, at 10:30 a.m.
The "Blue"/Quiet Christmas Service to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, is for those who are grieving or who have heavy hearts during this time of the year. This will be a quiet, meditative, special worship service with special music, scripture, silent reflection, healing prayer and Holy Communion.
Coaldale
Christmas program
Members of First Congregational Church, Coaldale, will present a Christmas program during the 9 a.m. Morning Worship on Sunday, Dec. 19. The presentation will feature children, youth and adult members of the congregation.
In addition, the annual White Gift Ceremony will be conducted during the service. Sunday School will follow at 10 a.m.
The church's nursing home ministry group will conduct a Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Hometown Nursing Center.
Choir rehearsal will be held at 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 21.
A Christmas Eve candlelight service and singing of carols will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.
Pastor, Rev. Dr. Wayne Benack, invites all to join in the special service.
Christmas Day Service will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, with Sunday School at 10 a.m.
