Local Muslims start fasting as Ramadan begins

Prayer services to be held each night for monthlong observance. Retreat planned in Wernersville. Habitat for Humanity director to speak. Hymn sing to be held at Gring's Mill.
Reading Eagle

Fasting for the monthlong observance of Ramadan began today at 5 a.m., according to Steve Elmarzouky, president of The Islamic Center of Reading, 18 S. Noble St.

Elmarzouky said visitors are welcome to join local Muslims at a tent outside the Islamic Center at 8 p.m. today for refreshments to mark the breaking of the daily fast, followed by a prayer service at approximately 9:30 p.m. Prayer services are held each day throughout Ramadan.

Muslims abstain from all food and water from sunrise to sunset each day of the observance.

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Ephrata Community Church, 70 Clay School Road, Ephrata, will hold a free, drive-in movie, "Ratatouille," today at dusk, with doors opening at 7. Concessions will be available. Participants may also bring lawn chairs or blankets.

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Eddie W. Smith's Community Gospel Picnic, sponsored by Unity Workers for Christ, will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Eddie W. Smith Picnic Grounds, 937 Chestnut St., Douglassville.

Featured groups for the free event will include Sister Hilda, the Pierce Singers, Bob Hugg, Evangelist Annie Mae Weston and the Blessed by Faith Singers.

Dinner platters will be available and there will be a flea market and bake sale.

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Evangelist David Johnson will lead prayer meetings under a big Gospel tent today through Friday at noon and 6 p.m. at 8th and Oley streets.

Various pastors will preach.

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The Rev. Anne E. Kitch, canon for formation in the Christian faith for the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, will lead a "Fall Day Away" retreat sponsored by St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Spring Township, on Sept. 19 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville.

The event, "Living Into Our Baptisms: Lifelong Christian Formation," will begin with refreshments at 8:45 a.m. and will conclude with the Holy Eucharist at 3 p.m.

The deadline for registration is Sept. 4. The cost is $25, which includes lunch.

For more information or to make reservations, call the church at 610-678-7001.

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The second of three services held annually in Old Belleman's Church, 3540 Belleman's Church Road, Mohrsville, will be on Sunday at 7:45 and 10:15 a.m., and Sunday school will be held at 9.

The church, dedicated in 1815, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a single manual Buhler pipe organ.

It has no electricity or plumbing.

Other Sunday morning programs:

St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 W. Arch St., Fleetwood: Jay Worrell, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Reading, will speak at 8:55 and 10:25 about the organization. There will be special music and liturgy by Ken White, music minister. During Sunday school at 9, Worrell will give a more in-depth presentation to combined adult and youth classes in the social room.

Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Bern Township: The Teen Challenge Choir will perform at 9.

Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Niantic, Montgomery County: The Rev. Edward Niederhiser will preach at 7:45 and 10:15 with special music at both services by Roberta Witman.

Huff's Union Church, Hereford Township: The annual Musicians in the Park service will be held at 10:30 with old-time gospel music. Musicians will include David Miller, Keith Brintzenhoff, Linda Keiser, Jared Whalen, Julie Brought and the Rev. Kerry W. Smart, program coordinator of Lutheran Congregational Services.

Peace Lutheran Church, 1728 Centre Ave.: Maria Damore will sing at 9.

Elias United Church of Christ, North Sheridan Road, Newmanstown, Lebanon County: Special guests Emily and Rebecca Snyder, sisters who attend Conrad Weiser High School and Middle School respectively, will offer favorite musical selections at 9.

St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 2848 St. Alban's Drive, Spring Township: Soprano Donna Danielski will be the guest soloist at 10.

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Ave., Lincoln Park: The Graeffe Family will perform in a mini-concert at 10:45.

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The Reading Berks Conference of Churches and the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a hymn sing on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Gring's Mill amphitheater, Spring Township.

Performers for the free concert will include the St. Catharine of Siena Guitar Choir and a brass ensemble.

Other Sunday afternoon and evening events:

Hereford Mennonite Church, 2600 Old Route 100, Bally: the last outdoor concert of the summer series will be held at 7 with The Last Band, featuring Fran Jones. Participants may listen from their cars. The concert will be moved indoors in the event of rain. There will be an offering and refreshments afterward.

West Lawn United Methodist Church, West Lawn: The Connecticut group Tenforty will present a skateboard demonstration from 1 to 5. Skaters may participate with a signed waiver. For more information, call 610-678-5611.

Rosedale Camp Grove, 1616 Vine St., Laureldale: The Rev. Jeff Raffauf of West Lawn United Methodist Church will bring the message at a service at 7, accompanied by the church's praise teams. A peaches and ice cream social will be held afterward in the dining hall.

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The Birdsboro BRIDGE Network will hold a teen moonlight swim on Friday at 7 p.m. at Maple Springs Swimming Pool, Route 345, Birdsboro.

The cost is $3, with refreshments available for purchase.

For more information, call 610-844-1845.

A BRIDGE meeting will be held on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Evangelical Congregational Church, 144 S. Walnut St., Birdsboro.

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The annual Tabernacle Services will begin Friday at 7 p.m. on Valley Road, Lewistown, Schuylkill County. The evangelist and song leader will be the Rev. Kenneth Gates of Indianapolis, serving with the Wesleyan Church.

Services will continue through Sept. 7. A full schedule will be published in this column next week.

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Teen Movie night for ages 13 and up is held each Friday at 6 p.m. at Church of Deliverance, 1327 N. 10th St.

The event is sponsored by Oasis Sanctuary Church.

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Zion Lutheran Church, 300 W. High St., Womelsdorf, will hold its 37th annual peach festival today starting at 2 p.m., rain or shine.

There will be games, bargain items and a raffle. Entertainment will be provided by Gran'pa's Ragtime Piano, Jim Rule and the Martin Family Band.

Other fundraisers:

Mellinger's Lutheran Church, Schoeneck, Lancaster County: A community picnic will be held today from 3 to 7 p.m. with food including homemade chicken corn noodle soup and homemade desserts. Soul Purpose will perform and there will be games for children and a craft stand. Participants may bring lawn chairs.

Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 1323 Long Lane Road, Kutztown: A summer fest to benefit a local family in need will be held today from noon to 7 p.m., rain or shine. There will be food, a flea market, crafts and children's games. Entertainment will include the Majestics with Lester Miller Hoedowners, from 2:30 to 7, and The Miller Brothers at 5.

St. Stephen's Polish National Catholic Church: The annual picnic will be held on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. at St. Benedict's picnic grove, Route 10, Cumru Township. There will be Polish and American food as well as children's activities. Eddie Forman will perform from 2 to 6 p.m. A donation of $2 is requested and participants should not bring their own food or beverages.

St. Gabriel's Church, Route 422 East, Douglassville: A flea market and bake sale will be held Sat., Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. To reserve a table, call 610-385-3144.

St. John's Lutheran Church, Hamburg: A peach festival will be held on Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Hamburg Field House, Pine Street, Hamburg. The Ringgold Band will perform.

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