Lower Macungie Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The book drop is open 24/7. The library will be closed Dec. 23-26 for the winter holiday. Hours for Dec. 30 are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the library will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, 2023 for the New Year’s holiday.

There will be a Build It! Block Party for ages 2-6 years 10:30-11:15 a.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 26, 2023.

Creation Station Crafts for ages 2 and up will be held 6:30-7:15 p.m. Jan. 23, 2023.

The Builders Club for grades K-5 will be held 6:30-7:15 p.m. Jan. 9, 2023.

AARP Tax-Aide appointment scheduling day is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 26, 2023.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club book for 10:30 to noon Jan. 4, 2023 is “Rocket Boys: A Memoir” by Homer H. Hickam Jr. The book for Feb. 1, 2023 is “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” by Lisa See. The book club meets virtually.

There will be a MLK Jr. Day of Service for grades 6-12. There will be service opportunities at the library 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 16, 2023. Register by emailing youthprogramming@lowermaclib.org.

For more information on library events, visit www.lowermaclib.org or call 610-966-6864.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold Christmas Eve Services 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 24. There will be a Christmas Day service 10 a.m. Dec. 25.

The next meeting for the Lower Lehigh AARP will be held noon Jan. 5, 2023 in the lower level of Macungie Memorial Hall. For more information, contact Dot at 610-967-3284.

The Lower Macungie Township Senior Citizens will meet noon Jan. 3 and Jan. 17, 2023.

Concordia Lutheran Preschool will have a registration day open house to enroll students for the 2023-2024 school year 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 16, 2023. Virtual registration will be open to the public 8 a.m. Jan. 16, 2023. The staff will be giving tours and accepting registration for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, call 610-965-3265.

For information on Lower Macungie Garden Club events, go to LMGC2.shutterfly.com or email lmgctoday@yahoo.com.

Christmas trees will be picked up the weeks of Jan. 2, 9 and 16, 2023 on regular trash collection day. Remove all decorations and do not bind with rope or string or place in plastic bag. Trees can also be dropped off at the yard waste recycling center at 5536 Indian Creek Road.

Tom Yurasits will present a Magic and Illusion Show 2-2:45 p.m. March 18, 2023 at the Lower Macungie Community Center, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie. Registration is available online at lowermac.com.

The community center is collecting children’s new pajamas and books during the holiday season. Items will be donated to local area children. A large receptacle is located in the lobby through Dec. 31.

The Lower Macungie Township building is open for business. Staff is available by phone 610-966-4343 or email info@lowermac.com for information.

Open gym is available at the community center. Residents must purchase an annual membership to use the gym.

Lower Macungie Township offers many programs for adults and children. For more information, go to http://www.lowermac.com/recreation/activities-programs/. Classes include adult yoga and dance, baking classes, Kindermusik, Safesitter and children’s sport classes.

The community center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff will be available by phone 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 610-966-6924. Updates will also be posted on Facebook and www.lowermac.com.

Yard waste center hours for December are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Winter hours for January and February 2023 are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Yard waste permits are required for drop-off. The center is located at 5536 Indian Creek Road, Macungie.

There have been a number of times where I have seen God’s hand in my life. One of the most recent was during Ben’s Troop Court of Honor. My husband and I were coordinators for the outdoor picnic. The forecast called for rain with thunderstorms 4-6 p.m., right when the event was to take place. The rain was bad enough but thunderstorms would require canceling the picnic. So I started praying, mainly for no thunder or lightning but also for less rain. At 3:15 p.m. we pulled into the park to start setting up. The rain tapered off to a light drizzle. We were dry under the pavilions. By 4 p.m. the rain had stopped. Our picnic went on as planned. By 6:15 p.m. the skies had cleared with glimpses of blue and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. We cleaned up and headed out. Less than half an hour after leaving, the sky opened up with pouring rain, thunder and lightning and even hail. God gave us our window.

May you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The next township column will be published Jan. 18, 2023; copy deadline is Jan. 12, 2023.