Religion Briefs

Opa Fest: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 10301 S. Kolmar Ave., Oak Lawn, presents “Opa Fest,” a Greek food festival with food, games, music, dancing and carnival rides from 4 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 except children younger than 12 will be admitted free of charge. Information: (708) 636-5460.

Book, Bake Sale: Faith Christian Church, 1045 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, presents a “Huge Book and Bake Sale” 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and June 25 and noon to 3 p.m. June 26. Thousands of books, including rare and vintage books, as well as audio books, records, CDs and DVDs will be on sale. Information: (708) 754-3792.

Flea Market: Marley Community Church, 12625 W. 187th St., Mokena, will hold its 47th annual Flea Market and Antique Show 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Lunch and homemade pie will be available. Information: (815) 485-0313 or visit www.marleychurch.org.

Parking Lot Sale: Salem United Church of Christ, 9717 S. Kostner Ave., Oak Lawn, will host a Parking Lot Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Information: (708) 385-2121.

BBQ: The St. John’s Lutheran Church men’s group will be grilling chicken legs from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday in front of the church, 4231 183rd St., Country Club Hills. People can grab a barbecued chicken leg and bottle of water, tour the church and learn about the church’s elementary school. Information: (708) 799-7491 or www.sjcch.com.

Summer Worship: Sunday summer worship services at Trinity United Methodist Church of Beverly, 99th and Winchester, are at 10 a.m. Information: (773) 445-5300.

Environmental Day of Prayer: A day of action and prayer will start at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Water Reclamation Station beside the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island to speak out against pollution and environmental destruction. A reception will follow the gathering at Cornerstone Gallery, 13168 Old Western Ave., Blue Island. Information: (708) 528-9862 or email revrod@comcast.net.

Oak Lawn VBS: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9701 S. Melvina, Oak Lawn, presents Vacation Bible School, “Panda Mania — Where God is Wild About You,” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The event for children ages 4 to 12 is free of charge. Information: (708) 424-1059 or www.faithoaklawn.org.

Cats, Kids and Crafts: Cheap VBS Crafts

Today Vacation Bible Schools have themes that come with purchased packages of crafts and lessons. When my Granddaughter was 2 years old (1996) her VBS was on a tight budget. Her Nana Bonnie and Aunt Peggy needed some ideas to use for the little children to teach and create. I looked up some verses in the bible and made pages that could be photocopied for their crafts. This first one just had the kids put paint on the palms of their hands and then put down on the top of the tree base to make the tree top. It is a good idea to ask the parents to send an old shirt for the children to wear when using paints.

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