Tamaqua news

9-11 service

The Tamaqua South Ward Playground will once again sponsor a 9-11 Community Remembrance Service, honoring those lost that fateful day, the military personnel who protect our freedom, and their families. While much of the program will be based on previous years remembrances, this year's event will be held in a different location, the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Lafayette Avenue (SR54), Hometown, and an earlier time, 2 p.m. The change in location will enable 25 veterans who reside at the center to take part in the ceremony.

Former Tamaqua Mayor Richard Hadesty will serve as master of ceremonies. Currently scheduled to join in are: state Rep. Jerry Knowles; Schuylkill County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier; Schuylkill County District Attorney James Goodman; Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts Stephen Lukach; District Judge Stephen Bayer; current Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison; Tamaqua Council President Micah Gursky; Tamaqua Salvation Army Major Sharon Wispell; Iraqi War veterans Andrew Leibenguth and Clint Delvalle; and veteran Peter Frye. Judy Mattson will lead the musical selections.

The public is welcome to attend.

First Steps

First Steps, a support group for mothers, will have its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the Primitive Methodist Church, 55 Hunter St., Tamaqua. The meeting will be held in the church social room from 6-8 p.m.

Participants will share a hot meal. Guest speaker will be Judy Hoppes of the Carbon-Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society. Her topics will include cancer risks and prevention.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Child care for all ages will be provided free of charge. New members and volunteers are welcome.

For more information, call Linda Murphy at (570) 668-2972 or the Rev. Rodney Hall at (570) 668-2191.

Recovery help

"Celebrate Recovery" sessions are held every Friday, 7-9 p.m., at New Life Assembly of God Church, 407 Schuylkill Ave. Anyone who needs help recovering is welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Phil at (570) 645-4453 or Drew at (484) 629-3025.

Zion Lewistown

The Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. A children's service will be included. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.

Zion Valley Christian Preschool is taking applications for the 3- and 4-year-old programs. For more information, call (570) 668-6038.

For more information concerning Zion's activities, visit the website at www.zionchurchlewistownvalley.org.

First Methodist

The Rev. James Cavallero will officiate at two worship services this Sunday: 9:30 a.m. in Salem United Methodist Church; and at 10:45 a.m. in First United Methodist Church. The services will include Holy Communion.

The Quilters continue to meet every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and the Senior Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in First UM.

The churches have combined to offer an outreach ministry to U.S. troops serving abroad by purchasing "Biblesticks," a digital audio device preloaded with an entire New Testament.

For more information, or place an order, call (570) 668-3653.

St. John's Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion.

Choir rehearsals will resume next Thursday: Chimes at 5:30 p.m.; Angel Choir at 6 p.m.; Shepherds at 6:15 p.m.; and Praise at 7:30 p.m. Also next Thursday, Sept. 9, the Constitution Committee will meet at 3 p.m.