Church Briefs (Sept. 1)

Jump For Joel Marathon is Sept. 24

Plans are under way for this year's running of the third annual Jump For Joel Marathon in St. Elmo at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

The race, which allows participants to run, bike or walk (or a combination of the three) the 26.2 miles, is used to support the organization's effort to purchase food for more than 100 children at Gathiga Children's Hope Home in Gathiga, Kenya.

The event is organized by Lindsay Lash and Shana Stine. Registration fee is $26.20

"We've had a difficult time keeping up with the needs at GCHH recently," Lash said. "In particular, the food prices have skyrocketed with the shortage of corn in Kenya, and we're finding it increasingly difficult to feed the 106 children there."

For more information, call Lash at 292-0984. Stine can be reached at shana@jumpforjoel.org.

Send news items for L-U's church pages

Each week, on the church page, we present news about events in Fayette County churches.

If your church has news items or if you're planning an event, let us know and we'll share them with our readers.

Send your news to: The Leader-Union, P.O. Box 315, Vandalia, Ill. 62471, attention Dave Bell, or e-mail to: dbell@leaderunion.com.

First Presbyterian schedule changes

First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia will resume its regular worship schedule with a Fall Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Sunday School for all ages will be at 9 a.m. and the worship service will be at 10:30 a.m.

A potluck will follow the morning service. There will be a magician and games for the children.

Crown Point to host picnic Saturday

Crown Point Church will host its annual picnic this Saturday, with the meal being served under a tent from 5-7 p.m. All food and activities are free.

The event is held annually to invite all residents of Vandalia and surrounding counties to meet and greet their friends and neighbors.

Games and prizes will be provided for the children.

The church is located seven miles south of Vandalia on Carlyle Road. For more information, contact the Rev. Pete LeDuc at 339-1646.

Special service Saturday at Augsburg

Immanuel Lutheran Augsburg Church will hold a special service this Saturday at 6 p.m.

The church is located on the St. Peter blacktop, four miles east of U.S. Route 51, at the intersection of 900N and 1300E.

For more information, call the Rev. Bruce Milash at 846-8383.

Car wash, cookout at Holy Cross

The youth group of Holy Cross Lutheran Church will hold a carwash and cookout at the church on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The church is located at 726 W. Fillmore St. in Vandalia.

The car wash will be available for whatever amount the customers want to donate.

The cookout meal includes a sandwich, chips and drink. The brat meal is $4, the hamburger/cheeseburger meal is $4 and the hot dog meal is $3.

Members of the youth group also will be making sno cones.

The church gym will be available for customers to eat where it is cool.