There will be an Inspirations Quartet concert at Bethany Baptist Church on Friday, March 21st at 7pm. The church is located at 7422 N Heinz Ln in Edwards. For more information and to get tickets, visit www.theinspirationsquartet.com/tour.

Winter Jam is coming back to Peoria! This year’s event will take place on March 20th at the Peoria Civic Center and will feature performances by Skillet, Anne Wilson, Colton Dixon, Newsong, & more! Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased at the door. The concert will start at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm. For more information, visit jamtour.com.

The Legacy Coalition Grandparenting Summit is coming to Bethany Baptist Church in Edwards on March 8th from 9am-4pm. This year’s conference theme is For This Purpose. You’ll hear from top-notch Christian speakers like Dr. Jeff Myers, Trudy Cathy White, and Anne Graham Lotz. Each speaker addresses a specific purpose to help you fulfill your biblical role as a Christian grandparent. Tickets start at $34 and include lunch. To register and learn more, go to legacycoalition.com/summit. For any additional questions, call 309-692-1755.

Join Downs United Methodist Church on March 2nd for their Annual Chili and Potato Soup Supper. From 4:30-6:30pm, they’ll be serving up hearty chili and soup, plus all of the fixings to make your meal complete. The only cost is a donation of your choosing which will go towards the Good Samaritan Fund, which helps local people in need. The church is located at 205 S Highway Ave in Downs. For more information, call 309-378-2651.

Linn Mennonite Christian School in Roanoke is having it’s annual Haystack Supper & Bake Sale on Saturday, February 22nd from 4:30-7:00 PM. This meal is dine-in or carryout and will be served on a donation basis.

There are still tickets available for the Newsboys Worldwide Revival Nights concert coming up on February 21st! Mark your calendars and round up your crew, because this is going to be the Christian concert of the year! The legendary Newsboys are hitting the stage in Bloomington, and they’re bringing the incredible Cochren & Co. along for the ride! The concert will take place at 7pm at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and tickets start at only $19 each. To find out more and to get your tickets, visit www.artsblooming.org.

Come sip some of Peoria’s best soups while supporting the hundreds of guests and residents of Dream Center Peoria! The 2025 Soup & Soul event will take place on February 20th from 5-8pm at the Dream Center. Soup & Soul raises money to fund the various programs and events at Dream Center Peoria, and your involvement helps make it possible for them to do what they do.  Most importantly, this night helps them connect with people in this city who want to make an impact on families living in poverty, starting with kids and youth. Cost for a great night of food, friends, and music is only $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. All proceeds benefit the many programs of Dream Center Peoria. For more information, call 309-676-3000 or visit dreamcenterpeoria.org/soupandsoul.

Mark your calendars for Grace Presbyterian’s Valentine’s Banquet on February 8th. Invest in your marriage and enjoy a wonderful, romantic evening with Kerry & Nancy Frantz as the guest speakers. Tickets are $80 per couple or tables of 10 may be purchased for $400 for pre-arranged seating. The banquet will be held at the Peoria Country Club and will begin at 6pm. Registration closes January 28th or when all tickets have sold, so make sure to purchase your tickets soon! For more information and to register, visit www.gracepres.org/valentine.

Considering homeschooling and not sure where to start? Would you like to see what curriculum choices are available? Or are you struggling with your current curriculum? PAACH is hosting a curriculum show and tell on February 8th from 10am-noon. Come talk to veteran homeschooling moms who use a wide variety of curriculum and take a hands on look through the different materials they use. This event is free and open to anyone in the community. The event will be held at Fellowship Bible Church, located at 4006 N Sterling Ave in Peoria. To find out more, call 309-688-6144.

Linn Mennonite Christian School in Roanoke is having it’s Annual Soup & Pie Supper on Saturday, January 25th from 4:30-7:00 PM. This meal is dine-in or carryout and will be served on a donation basis. They will be serving 5 different soups: Chili, Cheesy Vegetable, Ham and Potato Chowder, Chicken Noodle and Old Fashioned Ham and Bean. They will also have lots of great homemade pies!

Men, mark your calendars for the next Man-University at Northwoods Community Church. Man-University is for all men who desire to be on a quest for authentic, biblical manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ. These gatherings are designed to train men to find and solidify their passion, purpose, calling, and convictions to live life on mission for the glory of God. The topic for the upcoming Man-U is “Cave-Man Confidence in Today’s World,” & feature guest speaker, Bodie Hodge of Answers in Genesis & the Creation Museum. The Man-U event will be held on January 23rd from 6-8pm.

Menu: Tomato Florentine soup, Cubano pork, grilled cheese sandwiches, Salad.

Tickets are $10 each if purchased online, or $15 at the door. For more information & to reserve your spot, visit www.northwoods.church/men.

A Perspectives class is coming to Bethany Community Church in January! Perspectives is a 15 week class that will change the way you view the world around you. In it, you will have your eyes opened to the heart and purpose of God, and how you can take part in His work all over the world, from the urban streets of America to the rain forest and deserts of distant lands. Whether you are single, married, a student, a homemaker, a professional or retired, Perspectives will bless and challenge your life and direction. The class will be held from 6:15-9pm every Monday from January 20th to May 5th. For pricing, registration, and more information, visit https://bethanycommunitychurch.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/168723758.

Bethany Community Church’s Family Christmas Eve Service will be held from 6-7pm. Join them for a family worship service to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There will be no childcare provided, but rooms will be open for those who need them. Bethany Community is located at 27577 Dutch Ln in Washington. You can get more information by calling 309-508-1755.

Join Grace Presbyterian Church for their special candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4pm in the sanctuary. All ages are invited to join as they sing Christmas carols and hear the Christmas story. The church is located at 8607 State Rt 91 in Peoria. For questions and more information, call 309-693-3641.

Join Calvary Baptist Church under the stars as they present a live nativity entitled “Jesus Christ…the Promise”. Be a part of the miracle of Christ’s birth, the shepherds, the wisemen, while giving praise to God for His special gift to mankind. There will be two free performances on December 20th at 7pm and 8:30pm. The church is located at 1028 W Cloverdale Rd in Chillicothe. Call 309-274-4343 to find out more.

Join the Peoria Area Civic Chorale for “An American Family Christmas” on December 13th and 14th at 7:30pm and December 15th at 1:30pm at Five Points Washington. This will be Conductor Dr. Joseph D. Henry’s final Christmas performance before retirement. The concert will feature modern arrangements of Christmas favorites. There will be special musical guests and special appearances from Rudolph, Santa, and Mrs. Claus, with photo opportunities available during intermission. A cake reception will follow the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 309-693-6725 or visit www.peoriacivicchorale.org.

Join the Peoria Area Civic Chorale for “An American Family Christmas” on December 13th and 14th at 7:30pm and December 15th at 1:30pm at Five Points Washington. This will be Conductor Dr. Joseph D. Henry’s final Christmas performance before retirement. The concert will feature modern arrangements of Christmas favorites. There will be special musical guests and special appearances from Rudolph, Santa, and Mrs. Claus, with photo opportunities available during intermission. A cake reception will follow the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 309-693-6725 or visit www.peoriacivicchorale.org.

Attention, cookie lovers and holiday enthusiasts! Downs United Methodist Church is hosting its Annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 14th, at their new building at 205 S Highway Ave in Downs! The doors will open at 9am. Cookie options will range from classic chocolate chip to sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and of course, some mystery flavors as well. Make sure to get there early so you don’t miss out on your favorite cookies! For more information, call 309-378-2651.

Join the Peoria Area Civic Chorale for “An American Family Christmas” on December 13th and 14th at 7:30pm and December 15th at 1:30pm at Five Points Washington. This will be Conductor Dr. Joseph D. Henry’s final Christmas performance before retirement. The concert will feature modern arrangements of Christmas favorites. There will be special musical guests and special appearances from Rudolph, Santa, and Mrs. Claus, with photo opportunities available during intermission. A cake reception will follow the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and children under 12 are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 309-693-6725 or visit www.peoriacivicchorale.org.

You’re invited to a Christmas Celebration with Southern Gospel group The Lesters on December 13th at 7:00pm at Cross Pointe Church of God in Bloomington. This is a free event and a love offering will be received. For more information call 309-827-2406 or visit thelesters.com.

Mark your calendars for Steven Curtis Chapman: Acoustic Christmas coming to Bloomington this December! The most awarded artist in Christian music history, Steven Curtis Chapman will be live at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, December 10th. In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Steven Curtis Chapman has garnered 59 GMA Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, and a historic 50 No. 1 singles. The concert will begin at 7pm and tickets start at $39. Tickets can be purchase at www.artsblooming.org.

Tri-Valley Baptist Church will host a Piano Christmas Concert at 3pm on Sunday, December 8th. Well-known Central Illinois pianist David Horine will be presenting Christmas hymns and carols in his unique style. There is no cost to attend, and everyone is welcome to enjoy holiday refreshments after the concert. Tri-Valley Baptist Church is located at 8385 N 1900 East Rd in Bloomington. For more information, go to gospel66.com/events.

Child Evangelism Fellowship is hosting a Christmas Party Workshop on Thursday, December 5th from 6-8:30pm. This workshop is a special training geared towards learning how to share the Gospel with boys and girls this Christmas season! The workshop will be held at the CEF office, located at 708 E Archer Ave in Peoria. For more information and to reserve your spot, call Jill at 309-303-1610.

GospelFest Ministries is excited to present Christmas in the County, featuring Shawn Degenhart and the GospelFest Singers! The concert will take place on November 30th at 7pm at Five Points Washington. Doors will open at 6:15 and while there is no cost to attend, a love offering will be taken. Visit gospelfestministries.com for more information.

This livestream is a follow up to the HSLDA “State of the Union” live stream on Nov. 18.

Link: https://streamyard.com/watch/EBMFjUCGjt6A

The Peoria Area Association of Christian Homeschoolers is hosting a live stream of a “State of the Union” address from the Home School Legal Defense Association. The address will address a legislative proposal called “Make Homeschool Safe Act.” The proposal opens the door to government regulation in home education.

There is no cost to watch, and the presentation will NOT be available to view afterward.

There will be a follow up Q & A time with ICHE Executive Director Kirk Smith on Wednesday, November 20 at the same time. This will not be recorded either.

Livestream link: https://streamyard.com/watch/hRupUaBZsK3T