YARD SALE | Hammond

A yard sale is planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Hessville Bible Church, 6518 Grand Blvd. Lots of miscellaneous items will be sold. Proceeds will be used for two heaters for the church to help lower heating costs.

FYI: Call (219) 844-8900.

HEALING SANCTUARY | Hammond

Unity Church of Christ (Interdenominational) and Linda Rosenthal of Insight Out Healing Arts co-host a reiki healing sanctuary from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at the church, 740 River Drive. The cost is $20 per person for a 30-minute session. Sign up in advance by calling (219) 931-5284.

FYI: Call (219) 322-5562.

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | Dyer

A leadership summit that originates from Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., will be beamed live via satellite to nearly 130 locations in North America Aug. 7 and 8 and will be videocast to another 52 cities worldwide in late September. It's a two-day conference committed to build leaders who are ready to be challenged and inspired in their leadership development. The satellite location for Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs is Faith Church, 100 81st Ave. Speakers include Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek, one of the largest churches in the United States; Brad Anderson, Vice chairman and CEO of Best Buy; Chuck Colson, chairman and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries; and Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach for America. Register for the summit by visiting www.faithchurchonline.org.

FYI: Call (219) 864-0300, Ext. 119, or visit www.willowcreek.com/summit.

INDOOR PICNIC | E.C.

Holy Trinity Hungarian Church offers an indoor picnic from noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at East Chicago Knights of Columbus Hall, Indianapolis Boulevard and Knights of Columbus Drive. It's the first street north of the South Shore station. A silent auction and cash raffle will be available; drawings will take place after the picnic and winners will be notified. Food will be sold including Hungarian stuffed cabbage dinners, pork stew and dumplings dinner and sausage sandwiches, as well as hot dogs, elephant ears, beer, wine, pop, coffee, water, noodles and homemade baked goods.

FYI: Call (219) 397-1907.

MESSIAH WORLD | Hammond

Messiah World presents a One in a Millions Gathering from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at Martin Luther King Park. It's a fight against spirits of murder, politics and racism. A live gospel follows the speakers. Minister Teyan McCoy, of Hammond, has been proclaiming God's word since 1993. Messiah World includes the clothing line Messiah Wear International and the ministry God's People United; McCoy meets with pastors from various denominations for celebration services the first Saturday of each month.

FYI: Call (219) 670-1210.

CHILD CARE & COUNSELING | Gary

New Kids On The Block Child-care, after school care and summer camp are offered from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Harvest-In-Time Worldwide Ministries, 1501 Martin Luther King Drive. Voucher program is accepted. Also, a therapeutic, faith-based counseling center is available.

FYI: Call (219) 886-9020 for an appointment.

AUGUST RUSH | Portage

Portage First United Methodist Church will hold a day-long summer celebration beginning at 11 a.m. today at the congregation's farm next to the church, 2637 McCool Road. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door for the event that will include carnival games, a dodgeball tournament, an August Idol singing competition, home run derby, a dunk tank, inflatable jumpers, face painting and food. The event will conclude with a 4 p.m. live, outdoor concert featuring Saved and Sevenglory.

FYI: Call (219) 762-3846.

CARILLON CONCERT | LaPorte

A carillon concert at the Children's Carillon of The Presbyterian Church of La Porte will be performed by Tim Sleep at 4 p.m. Aug. 3. The church is at 307 Kingsbury Ave. (at U.S 35) Sleep, recently named Naperville City Carillonneur, performs regularly on the Millennium Carillon in Naperville and at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago.

A retired band director, middle school principal and long-time church musician, Sleep serves as organist for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church and Knox Presbyterian Church, both in Naperville. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the concert from the church lawn, or listen from the car. A freewill offering will be taken at the church door.

FYI: Call (219) 362-6219.

LOVELY HULA HANDS | Valparaiso

Reservations are due by 8 p.m. Aug. 3 for the upcoming "Lovely Hula Hands," the Valparaiso Christian Woman's Club luncheon to be held Aug. 7 at the Old Town Banquet Center, 711 Calumet. Peggy Hendricks, of Lowell, and her Hulalujah group will be the special feature. The guest speaker will be Diane Dassing, of Crest Hill, Ill., who will speak on "A Taste without the Fairy!" Doors open at 11 a.m., with service beginning at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $11.

FYI: Call Janet at (219) 464-7609 or Martha at (219) 464-4169, or send an e-mail to emassette@verizon.net.

DRIVE RIGHT IN | Westville

Vacation Bible school for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 through 8 at Westville United Methodist Church, 154 Main St. Crafts, games, lessons and activities will focus on the theme "Cars." Advance registration is helpful so that every child will receive the special giveaways.

FYI: Call Cory Stark or the church office at (219) 785-2314.

SCRIPTURE SURFIN' | Portage

Portage First United Methodist Church, 2637 McCool Road, invites children 3 and 4 years old with an adult and those as old as fifth grade to ride the wave of God's love at the summer vacation Bible school, "Beach Party: Surfin' Through the Scriptures," to be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 to 8.

FYI: Call (219) 762-3846.

FAMILY VBS | Crown Point

A Family Vacation Bible School will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1515 W. 93rd Ave. The theme is "Soaring High" and sessions will include lessons and crafts for the children and Bible classes for adults and teens. The 6 p.m. start includes supper and session will end with an 8:30 closing devotion. There is no charge, but call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 663-5853.

EVENING ADVENTURES | Cedar Lake

SonWorld Adventure Park is the theme of vacation Bible school set for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 through 8 at Cedar Lake United Methodist Church, 7124 W. 137th Place. Children 4 through sixth grade are welcome for Bible lessons, activities, crafts, recreation and snacks as they learn about choices. Participants will learn to choose to believe, act, forgive, obey and choose Jesus. Call to register.

FYI: Call (219) 374-7312.

WESTERN DAYS | Griffith

The 36th annual Western Day's Festival will be held Aug. 7 through 10 at St. Mary Church, 525 N. Broad St. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8, 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 9 and 1 to 11 p.m. Aug. 10 on the parish grounds. Rides for children of all ages by Fantasy Amusement Co., with $17 wristband hours 6 to 11 Aug. 7, 3 to 7 Aug. 9 and 1-5 Aug. 10. Mega Passes, unlimited rides for all four days, are on sale at the St. Mary rectory office at a cost of $45 until July 31 and $50 Aug. 1-6. Mexican and American food prepared by St. Mary parishioners, corn roast, ice cold watermelon, nightly bingo in the air-conditioned St. Mary-Hildebrandt Hall, cash raffle, car raffle games, Homemade chicken dinner on Sunday, from 11 to 2 on Aug. 10, Talent Show on Aug. 9 and 10, live entertainment, beer garden and fireworks display at dusk Aug. 10.

FYI: Call (219) 924-4163.

RUMMAGE SALE | Whiting

A rummage sale is planned 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 at St. Adalbert Church, 2122 Indianapolis Blvd. The public is welcome.

FYI: Call 9219) 659-0733.

BIKE-A-THON | Hobart

The Baptist Children's Home 28th Annual Bike-a-thon will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at Inland Manor Baptist Church, 630 N. County Line Road. The ride begins at 9 a.m. Walkers will register at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $25 and includes a T-shirt, lunch and snacks along the ride/walk. The route includes a 20-mile ride or 2-mile walk along the Prairie Duneland Trail. Baptist Children's Home is an international ministry caring for children who are orphaned, abused or neglected.

FYI: Call (219) 462-4111.

YARD SALE | Hobart

A yard sale will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 9 at Christian Assembly Church, Ind. 51 and 73rd Avenue. Clothing, household items, furniture, knickknacks, bake sale and hot dogs, chips and pop will be available.

FYI: Call (219) 947-3668.