Lemont
First Nazarene Church, 12727 Bell Road: Iron Sharpens Iron 2024 men’s conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 16. The one-day conference is geared to arm men for Christ-centered living and ongoing discipleship. Participants can choose from 16 breakout sessions to personalize their day. All men 13 and older are invited. The keynote speakers will be Bishop Larry Jackson and Danny Lopez. Registration and payment are due Feb. 20. Fee is $37 for students up to 22 years old and $54 for adults 23 and older. Lunch is available for $10. Information: FocalPointMinistries.net.
Evergreen Park
Immanuel United Church of Christ, 9815 S. Campbell Ave.: Combined Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 with Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ in Oak Lawn and Christ Memorial United Church of Christ in Blue Island. The service includes Communion, music by a joint choir and the Imposition of ashes. It marks the beginning of Lent. Information: 708-424-3755.
New Lenox
St. Jude Parish, 241 W. Second Ave.: Discussion on how AI and ChatGPT can teach about the “pascal mystery” at 7 p.m. Feb. 13. Participants will explore how artificial intelligence can leverage vast amounts of stored memory and how the value of stored memory can render the pascal mystery as relevant and practical for modern life. The Rev. John Kartje leads the program. Information: 815-463-4208.
Oak Forest
Hope Christian Reformed Church, 5825 W. 151st St.: HARP, or Hope’s Association of Retired People, meets at 10 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month for treats, coffee and conversation. The group is made up of semi-retired, fully retired, quasi-retired and those who hope to retire. Speakers, books and current events discussions are some of the activities at various meetings. New attendees are welcome. Information: hope-cr.org or 708-687-2095.
Palos Park
The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 12219 S.86th Ave.: Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 6:15 to 8:30 a.m. at the Palos Park Metra station and from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at the Orland Park Metra station. Ashes will be distributed outside the stations for commuters and travelers. They also will be distributed from 4 to 5 p.m. in the back parking lot of the church. The Ash Wednesday service is at 7 p.m. Information: 708-448-1200.
The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway: Ash Wednesday services at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 14 in Wayside Chapel. To mark the beginning of the Lenten season, a brief meditative message will be offered and ashes will be distributed. Information: www.thecenterpalos.org or 708-361-3650.
Tinley Park
Trinity Lutheran Church, 6850 W. 159th St.: Rooted, a small group experience, begins this month. Sessions are at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting Feb. 20 and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 22. The group focuses on discipleship. Trinity members completed a “pilot group’ of Rooted last spring. Information: www.tics.org or 708-532-9395, ext. 229.
What’s going on at your church? Let us know by sending us an email including time, date, place and public contact information at least two weeks before the event or reservation deadline at religion@southtownstar.com.
