Special events at two local churches will involve streets being closed later this month. Great Bend City Council members approved the closings to allow for programs that area being planned by First Church of the Nazarene, 4811 Broadway, and by First United Methodist Church, at Forest and Stone.
The First Church of the Nazarene will present Judgement House, Oct. 22-24, and the council approved closing Sherman Street, from Broadway to K-96 from an hour before each performance through the performance. The street will be closed due to the amount of vehicles that are loading and unloading at the church.
Judgement House will run from 4-10 p.m. on Oct. 22; from 3-10:30 p.m. on Oct. 23; and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24.
According to the Judgement House national Internet site, Great Bend is one of only eight Kansas locations to offer the event this year, and it is the only one in this region of the state.
The Internet site explains the purpose of the event: “Since its inception in 1983 an estimated 3.9 million people have attended a Judgement House presentation with 390,000 of those choosing a saving and personal relationship with Jesus Christ for the first time.
“In addition Judgement House has an amazing impact on the church or organization that chooses to become a covenant partner and produce a Judgement House presentation of their own.
“A Judgement House presentation becomes an “agent of change” in the community in which it is presented. Entire communities are moved from guilt to grace, and from sin to salvation and from death to life.”
The other local event, Trunk or Treat, will be hosted by First United Methodist Church, from 4:30-6 p.m. on Oct. 31, and it requires that Forest Ave., from Stone to the alley east of the church, be closed.
According to information from FUMC Children’s Director Larissa Graham, Trunk or Treat will provide a way for children to “trick or treat in a safe environment.”
She explained, “we held this event last year and had several of our church members decorate their trunks and hand out candy to the children. We are looking forward to being able to block off the street and hopefully grow and offer more fun things for the children.”