Biker Sunday Chicago First Church of the Nazarene reaches out to the biker world… In June of every year, the thundering of motorcycles fills the sanctuary as the church hosts its annual Biker Sunday. Each year the event is kicked off with an inspirational speaker. Speakers like the former president of the Hell’s Angels, Barry Mayson, and former motorcycle gang member, Robert Pickle, talk of recovery from addiction, crime and violence. The message is followed by a huge free barbecue lunch with a rockin’ live concert and an all day motorcycle show. The day concludes with a fully escorted 60-mile ride. The next Biker Sunday is scheduled for June 12, 2011. Click here to view photos of the most recent Biker Sunday. For more informa-tion about this event please contact John "Easy Rider" Cunningham. Call the church at 708-349-0454 for John's number or click here to email him.

4th of July All-Church Picnic Each year on the weekend before the 4th of July, First Nazarene hosts an old-fashioned, all-American 4th of July weekend. The next dates will be July 2, 3, 2011. Saturday's 6:00 p.m. worship service is followed by a great food and fellowship event outside (or in the Atrium in case of rain). On Sunday at 12:30 p.m. an all-church picnic is held on the fields (or in the gym in case of rain). Everyone is welcome at no cost. The church supplies the meat and you bring the drinks and side dishes. Bring your family and friends and come join us!

Block Party Block party corresponds with the summer recreation awards ceremony each year on the fourth Sunday in July. The party is a celebration of community and children. Everyone who has participated in Nazarene Recreation and their families are invited to attend this special event. Inflatables, games, free food and special music highlight the festivities held on the recreation fields, while families are invited inside to one of four awards ceremonies for our summer recreation leagues. The event goes from Noon to 5:00 p.m. The next Block Party will be July 24, 2011.

Car & Truck Show Chicago First Church of the Nazarene annually hosts one of the largest car and truck shows in the area. On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend every year, the sounds of open headers and tuned exhaust… the glitz of custom paint jobs… and talk of horsepower, horsepower, horsepower fills the parking lots as the church hosts its Annual Car and Truck Show. Dash Plaques and Goodies Bags are provided to the first 175 entries. Eight-one trophies are awarded for first, second, and third places for 26 classes including Peoples Choice, Best of Show and Pastors Choice. Rock and Roll music blasts from the DJ’s speakers…and games and goodies for the kids happen throughout the day. For all that enter their custom vehicle, a very modest $15 dollar registration fee is requested which comes with a free hot dog and pop. The registration fee benefits the Nazarene Youth programs. The next show will be September 3, 2011. Registration typically starts at 9:00 a.m. with the official start of judging at noon. For more information about this event please contact Tom Moulton or John Cunningham (call the church for their numbers) or click here to email John.

Resale Children's Resale is a semi-annual, community-wide event that raises funds for charities and ministries in need by selling children’s used clothing, shoes, toys, games, electronics, books, CDs, DVDs, furniture, bedding, room decor, sports equipment and more at affordable prices. All sales are cash only and no children or strollers are allowed. Resales are held in the Spring and Fall each year. The next Resale is scheduled for September 18, 2010. Click here for all the details on the Fall 2010 Resale. Volunteers are usually needed. Call Marylois Riemenschneider (call church for number) or email her for more information or to volunteer.

Golf Outing In the fall each year, First Nazarene presents the Austin Lighthouse Golf Outing. Proceeds from the outing are used to support our Chicago Campus. Your entrance fee includes a lunch buffet, cart and 18 holes of best-ball scramble golf. A silent auction is held to benefit By the Hand Club for Kids, an after-school program with four locations including our Chicago "Lighthouse" campus building in the Austin neighborhood. Silent auction donations are accepted. Other types of sponsorship available are banners, cart or golf hole sponsorships, etc. The next Golf Outing is scheduled for September 11, 2010 at Woodbine Golf Club. Click here for details about the 2010 outing. Please call Chicago First Nazarene (708-349-0454) for detailed information or email Pastor Kevin Ulmet.

Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair The Nazarene Recreation and Fine Arts Holiday Arts and Craft Fair is held the first weekend of October each year. The next fair will be on October 1-2, 2010. Doors will be open 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Over 20 vendors participate. The fair will feature crafts specifically targeted to the Holiday Season, Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information contact Pastor Baillie at 708-349-0460 Ext. 28 or click here to email.

Family Pumpkin Fest Pumpkin Fests are held each fall on the church grounds and include pumpkin decorating, food, a hayride, games & prizes and much more. The next fest will be October 1, 2010. Click here for details about Pumpkin Fest 2010.

Dinner Theater Dinner theater presentations are held during the fall. The full-length plays are secular in nature with a strong undertone of morality. Although these are not religious plays, they represent what is good in our society, often with a humorous flair. The plays are suitable for all audiences including young children starting at any age if they are able to sit still for two hours! Dinner is included in the price and is always top quality. Reservations need to be made because of the dinner. Dates for the next dinner theater will be published here when they have been determined.      Jubal Players is the group at First Nazarene responsible for putting on the dinner theater. Click here to learn more about Jubal Players.

Women's Retreat Women’s Retreat is a time for women to gather together in a setting away from home in a beautiful and relaxing environment. It is a weekend focused on enriching your relationship with the Lord or for making a commitment to the Lord. The Retreat has a theme with guest speaker, worship and small groups. This is also time for friends, fellowship and relaxation. Free time is actually planned into the schedule. Women’s Retreat is usually an all inclusive package including two nights lodging and some meals. Mark your calendars for the 2010 retreat titled finally free. It will be October 22-24 at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin. Retreat 2010 features the ministry of Kim Tabor. Kim, along with her husband Brian, travel the country proclaiming the Gospel through music. Click here for more details about Wormen's Retreat 2010. For more information contact Kristin Evers (click here to email Kristin).

Thanksgiving Breakfast & Comedy Show Each Thanksgiving morning at 7:30 a.m. First Nazarene hosts a delicious breakfast. Following the breakfast, Pastor Adam Lewis and the EDGE Student Ministries present skits, drama, music and a special "staff roast." You will not want to miss this annual event! All proceeds benefit EDGE Student Ministries.

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