St. Andrew's United Church of Christ

Hello and welcome from St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ in Reading. Thanks for visiting our website. We hope you will find this church snapshot to be helpful and informative. We invite you to visit our church so that we may welcome you in person!

THIS WEEK @ CHURCH

WEEK OF OCTOBER 22 — OCTOBER 28

Sunday
10:45 AM – Service of Worship
3:00 PM – Covenant Association Fall Meeting at Zion-Blue Mtn. U.C.C., Strausstown


NEWS & NOTES
Fall Fundraising Event
	St. Andrew's Church's Fall Fundraising Event takes place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu for the day features our own homemade Ham & Bean Soup, Chili, and Hamburger Barbecue, along with Hot Dogs, Apple Dumplings, Shoo-fly Pies and Pumpkin Pies, assorted Baked Goods and Beverages. All items are available for purchase to eat in and/or take out.
Third Sundays Combined Service of Worship
	With the agreement between Olivet Reformed United Church of Christ and St. Andrew's Church to share Pastor Baal's services, both congregations pledged to create programming to foster interactions between the churches' members. An outgrowth of that plan is monthly combined Sunday morning worship services. On the third Sunday of each month, St. Andrew's Church members will join in the 9:15 a.m. service of worship at Olivet Reformed U.C.C., 1648 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19601, and for a time of fellowship with refreshments following the service. On the third Sunday of the month, there will be no worship service offered at St. Andrew's Church.
Altar Flower and Worship Bulletin Sponsor Information
	The worship bulletin sponsor sign-up sheet for 2024 is posted on the narthex bulletin board. The cost per Sunday or special service remains $5. You can just enter your name to claim any available date, or call the church office, and we'll do it for you! We also invite you to consider sponsoring our weekly altar flowers (or a memorial or honorarium bouquet); the cost for 2024 remains $45.00. If you would be interested in becoming a sponsor for 2024, please contact the church office.
Stewardship Sunday
	Stewardship Sunday will be observed on November 10, 2024. All are invited to join with us as we receive and dedicate our faith promises for 2025. Members of St. Andrew's Church were sent a package of stewardship materials in a special mailing. If possible, we are asking that the faith promise cards be presented at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday, November 10th. Those who are unable to attend are encouraged to return the completed items to the church office before the close of the year.
Spirit on Tap
	"Spirit on Tap" is a program to encourage theological discussion, explore alternative viewpoints, and stimulate dialogue around issues of faith and spirituality. Sponsored by area United Church of Christ congregations, Spirit on Tap gatherings are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from September through May (check the schedule for occasional alterations in the routine) at 7 p.m. The location for the 2024 - 2025 season of Spirit on Tap is the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Reading.
Food Pantry Sunday
	The first Sunday of every month is Food Pantry Sunday. On that day our chest is placed in the church narthex to receive worshipers' gifts of non-perishable food items for our local food pantry. Some foodstuffs are retained for emergency distribution, and the remainder plus monetary gifts are now being forwarded to Helping Harvest (formerly the Greater Berks Food Bank).
Sharing Our Pastor With Olivet Church
	As of January 1, 2020, St. Andrew's Church entered into a shared ministry agreement with Olivet Reformed United Church of Christ, 1648 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19601. Pastor Baal serves both congregations, with Olivet Church worshiping on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. St. Andrew's Church provides office support for the Olivet congregation; Olivet Church contributes to the cost of health insurance for the pastor.
Redner's Save-A-Tape Program
	St. Andrew's Church continues to participate in Redner's Markets' Save-A-Tape program, which enables us to receive a 1% rebate contribution from all eligible customer receipts we collect for submission. To participate, you must stop at the Customer Service desk or store office and obtain a Save-A-Tape Card (at no cost, and there are no forms to fill out); then present the card to the Redner's cashier whenever you check out, save your register tape, and place it in the box in the church office. We have earned $200.64 from this program in fiscal year 2020-2021.
Sharing Our Space with Spanish Congregation
	The Consistory has entered into an agreement with Restauracion de Fe Church allowing the congregation to make use of St. Andrew's Church facilities. This non-denominational congregation conducts Sunday morning worship services as well as Tuesday and Thursday evening activities in the downstairs classroom areas.