FREE PANCAKES | Hammond

A free pancake breakfast will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 16 at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 6348 Harrison Ave. The public is welcome.

FYI: Call (219) 932-0613.

MIRIAM MISSION CIRCLE | Gary

The Miriam Mission Circle at First Baptist Church celebrates black history by presenting speakers at the church 626 W. 21st Ave. Ernestine Dobbs speaks at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 16, and Lance Davis speaks at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 23, followed by a free Soul Food Taste luncheon. The theme for the programs is "Journey Thru the Times, Looking Back, Moving Forward."

FYI: Call (219) 883-3216.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL | Merrillville

Fire Pro Wrestling returns with Heartbreak Hotel, a family friendly show Feb. 16 at Impact Christian Church, 401 W. 82nd Place. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a bell time of 7. Former WWE Legend and intercontinental champion Honky Tonk Man will team up with Hebron's own Kent Boys to take on "The Regulator" Tristin Hayze, current 24/7 Hard Target Champion "Flawless" Dave Allen and Fire Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Cade Lee.

The rest of the Fire Pro Roster will also be in action. All concession proceeds will benefit the Hardman family. Michael Hardman, a resident of Lakes of the Four Seasons, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children 10 and younger.

FYI: Call (219) 662-8962.

FOOD & FELLOWSHIP | Hebron

A free pancake and sausage dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at Hebron United Methodist Church, 202 W. Church St.

FYI: Call (219) 996-7161.

FAMILY BREAKFAST | Cedar Lake

Marian Council 3840 Knights of Columbus will host a breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at the council hall, 13039 U.S. 41. Menu includes eggs, pork chops, sausage, bacon, hash browns, and toast, or all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, or omelettes. Cost is $5.50 for adults, $3.50 for ages 4 to 11 or $18 for families including children 17 and younger. Children 3 and younger eat free. Proceeds will benefit pro-life organizations.

FYI: Call (219) 374-4294.

MISSION PROGRAM | Crown Point

A special presentation highlighting a mission trip to Biloxi, Miss. to aid in the clean-up following Hurricane Katrina will be held at 9:45 a.m. Feb. 17 in the school gym at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 250 S. Indiana Ave. Sponsored by Trinity's Board of Missions and Outreach, a group traveled to Biloxi last November to help clean and rebuild a Lutheran church. The Board of Missions and Outreach is planning a Native American Mission Trip later this year. For more information about that trip, call Jim Radford at (219) 663-7509.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1578.

LENTEN MISSION | Calumet City

A Lent mission will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 to 22 at St. Victor Church, 553 Hirsch Ave. Everyone is welcome to the free event, which will be given by the Rev. Alejandro Marca in Spanish.

FYI: Call Juana Enriquez at (219) 365-0582 or (708) 891-8920.

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS | Merrillville

The Calumet Fellowship of Progressive Christians will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Merrillville United Methodist Church, 305 E. 68th Place. The topic will be "What can we learn from the Emerging Church?"

FYI: Call (219) 738-2084.

LENTEN SERVICES | Crown Point

Mid-week Lenten services are held at 2 and 7 p.m. each Wednesday through March 12 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 250 S. Indiana Ave. A soup supper will precede all evening services from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m. sponsored by eighth graders from Trinity's day school. A free will offering will be accepted to help the students pay for their trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring.

FYI: Call (219) 663-1578.

BEGIN THE JOURNEY | Munster

Beginnings, an introduction to Christian Faith, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through April 17 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave. A light supper begins each session. Beginnings is a 12-week small group experience where participants can ask questions, explore their walk with God, and form or deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Christian community. Beginnings follows a video-based study format led by co-author/host Rob Weber. Cost is $10 book donation plus free will food offering. Everyone is welcome; call the church if interested.

FYI: Call (219) 838-3131.

FISH FRY | East Chicago

St. Patrick Church offers fish dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through March 14, at 3810 Grand Blvd. Enter the hall from the parking lot. Dinners include fries and a salad bar. Cost is $8 for perch and tilapia, $9 for catfish, $10 for shrimp or a combo dinner, $7 for salad bar, $1 for water and 50 cents for desserts. Carry-outs are available. A 50-50 raffle also is planned each night.

FYI: Call (219) 398-1036.

FISH FRY | Portage

Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church will hold a Lenten fish fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 22, 29 and March 14 at the church, 2949 Willowcreek Road. Fish dinners cost $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. Shrimp dinners cost $8 for adults and $4 for children. A combination dinner costs $7.50. A salad bar is free with dinner or $4 as a meal. Pierogi will sell for $7 per dozen or $4 for six. Cheese pizza will sell for $2. Carry-outs will be available.

FYI: Call (219) 762-4858.

SHARE YOUR FAITH | Munster

Are you unsure about how to tell an acquaintance about your faith in Jesus? Come learn the answers to questions on how to effectively share your faith from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 1 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 8601 Harrison Ave. (Use entrance K). Associate Pastor Donald Stock will lead the Great Commission Living Workshop in the lunchroom. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. RSVP by Feb. 22.

FYI: Call (219) 836-6270.

30-HOUR FAMINE | Nationwide

Thousands of Chicago area teens representing area schools and youth groups will participate in the 2008 World Vision 30 Hour Famine, getting a real taste of hunger while helping the poor and hungry around the world. They hope to raise more than $326,000 toward the national goal of $12.5 million to fight world hunger. During the 30 hours, participants go without food (consuming only liquids), learn about world hunger and poverty, and perform service projects in their communities. Teens participate from noon Feb. 22 to 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in groups through churches, schools, youth groups and civic organizations. The groups will be involved in youth group activities on Friday evening, and multiple community service projects throughout the Chicago area Saturday.

FYI: Call Wendy Wilkss at (708) 366-8389 or visit www.30hourfamine.org.

CLOTHING GIVEAWAY | Gary

A monthly Clothing Giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 in the lower sanctuary at Morning Star M.E. Church, 2019 Connecticut St. Clothing for men, women and children will be available.

FYI: Call Pastor Carlton or Demetrice Barnes at (219) 883-6149 or 949-7663.

SPAGHETTI DINNER | Lynwood

Lynwood Women Ministry hosts an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Church of God, 20721 Torrence Ave. Dinner includes salad, drinks, garlic bread and dessert. The public is welcome. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds will go toward community good works, food pantry, free events and helping seniors. The local food pantry has gone from 13 families to more than 60 families in need once a month.

FYI: Call (708) 757-6159.

LENTEN REFLECTION | Whiting

Celebrate a fruitful Lenten season by participating in the Lenten Morning of Reflection from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Sacred Heart Rose Room, 1731 LaPorte Ave. The Faith Enrichment Committee invites the public to join with other believers to gain spiritual insights. This year's guest presenter is the Rev. Dennis Chriszt, a Missionary of the Precious Blood, known for his retreat work throughout the United States.

FYI: Call (219) 659-4138.

ANNUAL BREAKFAST | Porter Twp.

Salem United Methodist Church, of Porter Township, will sponsor an AlI-U-Can-Eat Pancakes & Sausage Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Feb. 23 at Salem Fellowship Hall, 756 W. 350 South, across from the church and south of Lakes of the Four Seasons. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 12; ages 4 and younger eat free. Home baked goods will be sold and frozen whole hog sausage will be available for a donation of $3 per pound. Proceeds will benefit the missions of the church.

FYI: Call the church office at (219) 988-4700.

CHILI SUPPER | Lowell

An all-you-can-eat chili supper and baked goods auction is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at First United Methodist Church, 520 E. Commercial Ave. Auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, cost $5 for adults, $3 for children 5 to 12 years old and are free for younger children, while family tickets are $15. Hot dogs and nachos will also be available, as well as carry-outs. Proceeds benefit the church's camping ministry. FYI: Call (219) 696-9219.

ECKANKAR | Portage

The public is invited to an Eckankar worship service at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Holiday Inn Express, 2323 Willowcreek Road. It features a reading from the Eck works, singing and a group discussion. The topic is "Recognizing The Blessings Of God Through Life's Experiences." It will last about an hour. Fellowship follows.

FYI: Send an e-mail to lil_kolwicz@yahoo.com

COLLEGE CHORALE | St. John

An inspiring evening of music and worship with the Lincoln Christian College Chorale will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Suncrest Christian Church, 10009 Parrish St. The chorale is a select 40-member praise and worship ensemble of LCC students preparing for ministry. They will present a mixed program of Christian music, drama, testimony and video in a multimedia presentation entitled "The Amazing Story. "

FYI: Call Bobby Jackson at (219) 365-9000.