Penningtonville Presbyterian Church (PPC) will hold its first holiday craft and vendor event on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 406 Main St., Atglen. Proceeds will benefit the church's youth group, which is planning a mission trip next summer.

The group went to rural La Center, Ky., last summer in the western part of the state, near its borders with Illinois and Missouri. No formal destination or dates have been picked for next summer's trip, although it is planned to be in the Northeast.

There are 12 kids in the youth group, nine of which went on last year's trip.

"They did a construction-based mission trip," said Lillian Thompson, a leader in the youth group and organizer of the craft show. "They helped clean rooftops, helped put gutters back on somebody's house, repainted another woman's house that she was trying to move into, stuff like that."

The event will feature typical craft show items like handmade jewelry, quilts, floral arrangements, wind chimes, sun catchers and holiday-themed centerpieces. Thompson noted that the show is a great chance to get an early jump on Christmas shopping.

Thompson said the church is currently expecting at least 10 vendors at the show. PPC is still looking for vendors; those interested can sign up by calling the church at 610-593-2173 or Thompson at 717-490-1791.

It's the first year for this rendition of the craft show. PPC used to participate in a wider Christmas craft event in Atglen and Parkesburg but has not done one on its own.

"The woman who runs the youth group with me, Megan, came up with the idea of a craft fair," Thompson explained. "The kids loved it, so we chose a date."

Food will also be served at the event - breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. Pastries and hot coffee will be available in the morning; soup, fries, hot dogs, sodas and various baked goods will be on the menu for lunch.

The following day, Sunday, Nov. 22, the church will also host a free holiday dinner for senior citizens in the community. The event will start at noon, with lunch being served around 1 p.m.

It is dine-in only, although delivery is also available for home-bound individuals. People age 55 and up can reserve their meal by calling the church office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays by Monday, Nov. 16, if possible.

Stuffed chicken breasts are the main course for the meal; there will also be sides and desserts. The Penningtonville Junior Choir will provide entertainment throughout the event with songs and a variety show, Thompson said.

"We've got a couple kids that play the piano and some different things," she said.

This will also be the first year for the senior luncheon in this format.

"The church had previously done a different senior dinner, but they discontinued that," Thompson said. "We just kind of noticed a need in the community for outreach to seniors and felt like it would be something that we could do. ... I work with the Girl Scouts, and in my experience, senior citizens love when kids sing and dance a little."

In lieu of a monetary donation for the meal, attendees are invited to bring canned goods that will then be donated to the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC). No form of donation is required to receive a meal.