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Local houses of worship may just offer the best entertainment for the budget this upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend: lots of free, as in free food and free rides for the children.

Calvary Chapel of the Triad also promises the “absolute best and closest view” of the town of Kernersville fireworks for its fifth annual Fourth of July Jubilee, which starts at noon, July 4.

Calvary Chapel of the Triad is located at 365 West Bodenhamer St. Kernersville.

Also on Saturday, the ministries Gate City Vineyard and Center City Church, near NewBridge Bank Park, Greensboro’s downtown stadium, will provide free hot dogs, water, Sno Cones, face painting and games for the kids during the Fun Fourth activities. Center City is at 233 Commerce Place, and the block party is in the church’s parking lot.

Check the July 4 News & Record religion calendar for additional faith-community events.

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If you happen to see white 15-passenger vans with North Carolina license plates driving around Allentown, Pa., make sure you wave and thank them for their service to our community.

Two hundred youth and adult members of Westover Church of Greensboro have selected Allentown and the Lehigh Valley as their mission field for 2009.

They have spread across the region from Allentown to Phillipsburg, N.J., this week participating in community service projects.

The Allentown mayor’s office issued this press release Thursday, referring to the Greensboro young people in the city for a number of community service projects for which they volunteered. Actually, 20 projects, including youth mentoring activities and various clean-up tasks across the city, according to a reporter in that area.

Nice to see others applauding our young people.

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The Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge is giving away 200 pairs of shoes at its free “Rock the Block” outreach event, from 3 to 9 p.m., July 18.

“Rock the Block” will set up a stage at West Avenue and Peale Terrace just off Boulevard Street behind Krispy Kreme on High Point Road in Greensboro, on the campus of the Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge.

The nonprofit Teen Challenge, housed at 1912 Boulevard St., is a Christian residential substance abuse program.

Rock the Block provides local and regional urban Christian artists, comedians, and outreach groups from the community. The children’s program features games, songs, puppets, clowns, giveaways, and a child-oriented message.

For more information, contact the Rev. Nick Rabah, the nonprofit’s program director, at 292-7795, Ext. 304, or nickrabah@yahoo.com.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com