JULY 2008

St. John’s Children’s Hospital free Safe Sitter Classes   St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield is offering free Safe Sitter Classes for children ages 11 to 16. The one-day class dates are June 11 and 23, and July 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30. The classes are 8 AM to 2:30 PM in the Carol Jo Vecchie Center at St. John’s Hospital. To register, log on to S – J – childrens dot org.

Host families for international students needed   Pacific Cultural Exchange is looking for host families for international students from over 40 countries who are arriving in Illinois for Homestay programs. If you would like to host a foreign teen and share the American way of life, or want more information, call Pacific Intercultural Exchange at 1-800-828-9001.

Flag lowering ceremony at Lincoln Tomb every Tuesday    A flag lowering and retreat ceremony will be held at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site every Tuesday at 7 PM through August 26. The half-hour ceremony will be performed by Civil War era soldiers, and includes period music and presentation of the flag to a visitor. The Tomb will be open until 8 PM.

Kay Meyer at Camp CILCA family retreat   Spend a few days with your family in a relaxing Christian environment at Camp CILCA this summer.  Kay Meyer, whose Family Shield radio program is heard here on WLUJ, will be the speaker for a retreat Sunday through Wednesday (July 20 to 23). Camp SILCA, a few miles north of Springfield, also has many summer camp programs for kids of all ages and some weekend Parent-Child camps.  To register, or for more information, go to www.cilca.org.

Camp One Way Junior High Camp 7/25 through 7/29   Camp One Way, a Christian Camp near Auburn, will hold Junior High Camp on Friday, July 25th, through Tuesday, July 29th. This camp is for youth who have completed Sixth Grade through 8th Grade. Camp One Way is two miles east of Mt. Auburn. To register, or for more information, log on to camp one way dot org.

Picnic in The Park at Chatham United Methodist Church   The Picnic and Worship in The Park will be at Chatham United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 2nd. Food and drink will be provided for the picnic at 5:30 PM, and worship will follow at 6:30 PM. Bring your lawn chairs! In case of rain, this event will be held inside the church. For more information, call 483-2132.

The Redemptions Gospel concert at The Barn    The next Gospel concert at The Barn is Saturday, July 5th, at 7 PM and will feature The Redemptions, a trio from Arnold, Missouri There is no admission charge. The Barn is off Route 16 between Pana and Tower Hill. Turn south at Dollville Road, go two miles, then turn back east. For more information, call 562-3526.

New Salem United Methodist Church VBS 6/29 - 7/1   New Salem United Methodist Church in New Berlin will hold VBS from Sunday, June 29th through Tuesday, July 1st. The class hours are 6 to 8:30 PM. The theme is “Climb,” and the stories of Moses climbing the mountain and Zacchaeus climbing the tree will be featured. To register, call 787-4147.

Springfield Bible Church VBS 7/14 through 7/18   The “Cactus Canyon” VBS will be at Springfield Bible Church from Monday, July 14th through Friday, July 18th. The hours are 6 to 8:30 PM, and children age 4 through 6th Grade are invited. There will be trails of adventure-filled Bible stories, western crafts, snacks, and much more. To register, call 787-3254.

Northwest Christian Campus enrolling preschoolers - high school    Northwest Christian Campus in Decatur is now enrolling preschoolers through high school for the 2008/2009 school year. The school offers high academic standards, a Christ-centered education, scholarships, and Before and After School Care. To make an appointment to visit Northwest Christian Campus, call 429-0563.

"The Year of Reconciliation" service at First Christian Church   The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity has declared 2008 “The Year of Reconciliation” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. A special commemorative service will be held at First Christian Church on Saturday, July 5th, at 11 AM. For more information, call 679-1216.

Patriotic Gospel Sing at Roanoke Baptist Church   There will be a special Patriotic Gospel Sing at Roanoke Baptist Church in Springfield on Saturday, July 5th, at 6:30 PM. Members of the Armed Forces are invited to come in uniform. Living Proof, The Peeks, The Gloryroad Quartet, Joybells and others will perform. For more information, call 741-6323.

"Jerusalem Marketplace" at Forsyth United Methodist Church    The “Jerusalem Marketplace” experience for the whole family will be at Forsyth United Methodist Church from Monday, July 21st, through Thursday, July 24th. The hours are 6 to 8 PM. Travel back to Bible times and explore marketplace shops, go to synagogue school, and more. To register, call 877-1441.

Eastview Baptist Church VBS 7/ 21 through 7/26   Eastview Baptist Church in Springfield will hold the “Unshakeable” VBS for 7th to 12th Grades on Monday, July 21st, through Saturday, July 26th. The hours are 6 to 8:30 PM. There will be Bible study, snacks, crafts, glow in the dark golf, a scavenger hunt, and swimming. To register, call 522-6631.

Men at The Cross event at Scott Trade Center in St. Louis   The First Annual Men at The Cross event will be at the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12. Men at the Cross is a mentoring ministry founded by Joe White. Former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner will be speaking. For more information and for tickets, call 414-2435.

Springfield After Five Club dinner and presentation   The Springfield After Five Club will hold their “Adventure” dinner and presentation on Tuesday, July 15th, from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Northfield Inn. Catherine Bolt will sing, and guest speaker Donna Heimbaugh will give a message entitled “A Passport for Life.” To make your reservation, call 528-4273.

Solemn Assembly in the 2008 Year of Reconciliation   The 7th Solemn Assembly in the 2008 Year of Reconciliation, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity and Praying for Revival All Year, will be held on Saturday July 5 from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the First Christian Church, 700 South 6th Street in Springfield.  A march to the 1908 Race Riot Marker located at Spring and Edwards will immediately follow.  For more information visit the Alliance Web Site at www.springfieldministerialalliance.org 

Volunteers needed in the Milford House Project   Progress continues to be made on the Milford House Project. The interior plumbing is done as well as the vast majority of the interior wiring, and the water and gas meters are in.  Five thousand dollars are needed to complete the project, along with skilled workers to help with  wiring , plumbing and other volunteers who can help with manual labor. Donations can be made to The Dorothy Milford Fund and taken to any Marine Bank. If you would like to help in any way, please contact Bobbie Hahn at 341-1644 or at www.lovinggodoutloud.com

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Heartland Community Church   The “Suspect Hollywood” Murder Mystery Dinner Theater will be at Heartland Community Church in Decatur on Friday and Saturday, July 11th and 12th, from 6 PM to 10 PM each evening. This event includes audience participation. For tickets, or for more information, call Heartland Community Church at 877-9529.

Heritage Free Will Baptist Church V B S 7/14 to 7/18   Power Lab Vacation Bible School will be at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church in Springfield from Monday, July 14th, to Friday, July 18th. The class hours are 6 PM to 8:30 PM. Kids are invited to learn how Jesus gives us power to live in a way that pleases Him. For more information, call 691-8968.

"Women of Promise" at Athens United Methodist Church   “Women of Promise” is Tuesday, July 15th, at Athens United Methodist Church. Guest speaker Arlee Grimsley will share on “Partners of Hope.” There will be two sessions to choose from: 10 AM to noon or 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Childcare is available. To make your reservation, call 636-8785.

Two-act musical performed outdoor in Union Square Park    “The Civil War” is a powerful two-act musical that will be performed on an outdoor stage in Union Square Park in Springfield on Thursday through Sunday, July 24th to the 27th, at 8 PM. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 PM. For ticket information, call 558-8934. The number again is 558-8934.

Memorial Medical Center Service of Remembrance   Memorial Medical Center in Springfield will host an Interfaith Service of Remembrance on Sunday, July 13th, for the families of patients who have died at the Medical Center. The service will be in the Wedeberg Conference Center at 2:30 PM. For more information about the Service of Remembrance, call 788-7086.

Pastor Lee Fields raising funds for School in Ghana, West Africa   Pastor Lee Fields, Jr. of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Springfield will be raising funds for the Dr. E. Edward Jones, Sr., Polytechnic School in Ghana, West Africa. He will be walking from St. Louis to Springfield beginning Friday, July 11th. If you’d like to sponsor him, call 522-2513.

Annual Springfield Gospel Fest at Comer Cox Park.   The 6th Annual Springfield Gospel Fest presented by Mt. Zion Apostolic Church in Springfield will be Saturday, July 26, at noon at Comer Cox Park. The concert will feature The Fantastic Jones, The Mosby Family, the Sanctuary Choir of Joliet and more. For information, call 523-1325.

Gospel Sing in The Park at Jacksonville Community Park   The Gospel Sing in The Park at Jacksonville Community Park will be Saturday, July 19th, from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. The New Jerusalem Singers, Saved By Grace, Paul Summers, Cathy Reynolds and others will be performing. The concert is free. For more information, call 414-5511.

Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship dinner meeting   The Springfield Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship will hold their next dinner meeting on Saturday, July 12th, at 6 PM at the Jerome Civic Center. The guest speaker will be Michelle Richee. The meeting is open to men and women of all ages. To make your reservation, call 529-4634. That’s 529-4634.

Businessmen in Christ breakfast meeting   The next breakfast meeting of Businessmen in Christ in Springfield is this Saturday from 7 to 8:30AM at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South 6th Street. The keynote speaker will be Pastor Wes McNeese, President of the Springfield Ministerial Alliance. For more information, call 414-2435.

Lincoln Home host Anniversary of the death of Mary Lincoln   The Lincoln Home will host two events observing the 126th Anniversary of the death of Mary Lincoln. At 10:30 on Tuesday, July 15, Donna McCreary will discuss the Lincolns’ social life, and at 10 on Wednesday, July 16, Donna Daniels will portray “The Last Years of Mary Lincoln.” For more information, call 391-3221.

Education program for children & adolescents with diabetes   A free education program for children and adolescents with diabetes will be held at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield on Wednesday, July 23rd, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. There will be exhibits of diabetic products and food demonstrations. For more information, call the SIU School of medicine at 545-8065.

Elm Street Christian Church VBS 7/20 through 7/25   Elm Street Christian Church in Springfield will present “Power Lab” VBS from Sunday, July 20th, through Friday, July 25th. The class hours are 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Children from preschool age through 5th Grade are invited to enjoy crafts, games, and Bible adventures. For more information, call 544-2919.

Monroe Street Christian Church VBS 7/20 through 7/25   “Bible Basics: Questions and Answers” is the VBS theme at Monroe Street Christian Church in Springfield from Sunday, July 20th, through Friday, July 25th. The class times are 6 PM to 8:30 PM each night. Monroe Street Christian Church is at 1229 East Monroe. For more information, call 787-7673.

Annual Best of The Barn and chicken meal at The Barn    The 9th Annual Best of The Barn will be at The Barn on Saturday, July 26th,at 6 PM. Joanne Clark will perform, along with Higher Ground, The Gabbards, and the Called Out Quartet. A catered fried chicken meal will be served from 4 to 6 PM. Tickets can be ordered by calling Judy Smith at 539-4221.

Memorial Sports Care sign-ups for Women’s Biathlon    Memorial Sports Care in Springfield will hold sign-ups for its Women’s Biathlon on Friday, July 25th, from 4 to 6 PM. The biathlon will feature a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run, and is scheduled for Sunday, September 14th. Free health screenings will be offered during the sign-up. Call 862-0444.

Salisbury Baptist Church VBS July 21st to the 25th   VBS Good News Games will be at Salisbury Baptist Church in Springfield from Monday through Friday, July 21st to the 25th. The hours are 7 to 9 PM. Young people from age 4 to teenagers are invited to team up, train up, and power up with puppets, games, songs and crafts. For more information, call 544-3207.

Jacksonville Christian Women’s Club Brunch    The Jacksonville Christian Women’s Club presents their “Summer Dreams” Brunch on Wednesday, July 23rd, from 9 to 11 AM at Hamilton’s. Dorothy Smith from Moline will make a presentation on social graces, and will also give a talk entitled “A Dreamer’s Reality.” To make your reservation, call 243-1617.

Allen Chapel AME Church service with Henry M. Johnson   Allen Chapel AME Church in Lincoln will hold a special service with Henry M. Johnson, preacher, motorcyclist, and member of the Jefferson Street Christian Church Path Riders. The service is Sunday, July 27th, at 11 AM. Allen Chapel AME Church is at 902 Broadway. For more information, call 528-4526.