Books sharpen the mind. Books expose us to new experiences, new traditions, new cultures; they expand our horizons. Books provide an escape and whisk us away to different times and places.

They are a bargain at any price, but Friendship Church is selling books cheap.

"I'm a reader, and there's nothing like sitting on the sofa with a blanket over you and reading a book," said Kay Trostle, who, along with Heather Bressi, is coordinating the church's upcoming book sale. "They're great for wintertime when you're bored. It's entertainment. Books are enjoyment, especially for seniors who aren't into electronics, and a lot of people can't afford $25 books. We want people to be able to afford to read."

Friendship Church, a United Methodist Congregation, which is situated at 120 W. Main St., New Holland, is conducting the spring edition of its triannual book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9. All the books are reasonably priced; some will sell for less than a dollar.

"It's just a fun day," said Trostle. "There's excitement because we want to help people find books. I love to meet people and talk to them. People say our church is very friendly. I just like seeing people walk out with bags of books. It helps them and it helps us."

Friendship Church is making thousands of books available for purchase, including hard cover, paperback, fiction and nonfiction. The offerings will include children's books, novels, romances, military books, books on gardening, Christian books, coloring books, cookbooks, word searches, books from popular authors and large-print books.

In addition, the book sale will offer audio books, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and vinyl records. Also available for purchase will be homemade wreaths and homemade baked goods.

Friendship Church will also be serving free coffee.

"It's well organized," said Trostle. "We spend a lot of time on it. It's not just thrown together. We enjoy it. You wouldn't believe how big it is."

Organizers are hoping to raise $1,000 through the book sale. The funds will be used to institute an inaugural senior social and game time, an event designed to promote fellowship and bring local seniors together.

"In the past, we've donated to different missions," said Trostle, a resident of New Holland. "This time we're going to try a social and game night for seniors. We'd like to do it twice a month, but we're still working on it. We have to get it approved by the church council. It'll be a fun time for seniors. We're trying to get things for seniors to do in our area. I think it's something needed locally."

As many as six individuals associated with Friendship Church will volunteer at the book sale. Trostle has been collecting the donated books since the church's last book sale in November.

"We're always looking for books," said Trostle. "I'll search online for free books. People can donate the books at church. We take them and put them away. I like to see what we get. We keep expanding, and we're thankful."

Over the last decade, Friendship Church has been sponsoring book sales three times a year, in the spring, during the fall and at the popular Christmas on Main event in New Holland during the holidays. The church also sponsors a pork and sauerkraut meal on New Year's Day, a free community meal at 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, Afternoons of Words and Music in June, and a community vacation Bible school in the summer.

In addition, Friendship Church hosts local Scouting America troops, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and Al-Anon meetings.

"When we open the doors, we like when people come and join us," said Trostle. "We are so welcoming to everybody. We want to get people into church. We're a very involved church with the community. For a little church, we do a lot of things."

Friendship Church, a United Methodist Congregation seeks to ignite the light of God's love in hearts, the community and the world.

For additional information, go to https://nhumc.us.