Tamaqua news for Dec. 7, 2017

Video contest

The Pennsylvania State Senate is looking for ideas on how to stop the current drug epidemic among teens by conducting a statewide video competition.

Billed as “Talk to Your State Senator,” the contest is open to all Pennsylvania students in middle and high school. There will be three monetary prizes awarded in each of two categories.

Senators are looking for thoughts and advice on ways to prevent teens from becoming involved with drugs. They plan to use those ideas to create policies that work.

Official rules and registration forms are available at www.acommonwealthcrisis.com/talk-to-your-state-senator.

Entry deadline is Dec. 10.

Rush-Ryan seniors

The Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met Nov. 28 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 50 members in attendance. President Bill Morrison conducted the business session and provided the inspirational reading “Nothing On Earth.”

Arlene McGeehan and John Haldeman were added to the sick list. A moment of silence was held in memory of Jane Springer. Jayne McLaughlin was welcomed back to the group.

The meeting included the celebration of November and December birthdays, with special wishes offered to Doris Brobst, Muriel Wehr, Mae Bittner, Pat Brown, Linda Humes, Grace Sakusky, Edna Romanick, Joan Fredericks, Mary Reed and Anna Mae Yushinsky.

The annual Christmas party will be held Dec. 14 at Capriotti’s in McAdoo. A trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino is scheduled for Dec 19.

The next regular meeting will be on Jan. 9, 2018.

The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville.

Health series

St. Luke’s Miners Campus in Coaldale has been sponsoring a series of continuing education sessions on a variety of health topics. The final session for 2017 will be held on Dec. 15 and will focus on A-Fib.

The session will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the hospital’s first floor community room.

To reserve a seat, as seating is limited, call 570-645-8157.

St. Peter’s Union

The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s Union Church in Mantzville. The service will include a joyous noise offering. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class meets at 11:15 a.m., Cub and Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m. with a Christmas party scheduled for 1 p.m. at Blondie’s Restaurant, junior choir rehearses at 7 p.m., senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

The Christmas cantata will be presented during the worship service on Dec. 17.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Also on Sunday, the bell choir will rehearse at 8 a.m.; church decorating will begin after the service; Sunday school classes will meet at 10:30 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday, church council meets at 7 p.m.; Thursday, angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and chancel choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

Calvary Evangelical

The Rev. Philip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the sanctuary Christmas tree will be decorated after the worship service, followed by the church Christmas party. Call 570-668-3359 for more information and to register for the party.

The movie “The Nativity Story” will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The next prayer meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Other upcoming events are: Dec. 16, Christmas caroling; Dec. 17, Sunday school program during the 10:25 a.m. worship service and Christmas candlelight service at 6:30 p.m.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.

Also this Sunday, the preschool program will be presented at 2 p.m.

Upcoming dates to remember include: Dec. 12, fundraiser meeting at 6:30 p.m., preschool board meeting at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 13, youth group will meet to go bowling at 6 p.m.; Dec. 14, OWLS Christmas party at noon in the social hall.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.