Instead of traditional services, some churches opt for special Fourth of July projects

The days around July 4 are busy for many church congregations that combine Independence Day with opportunities to give back to their communities and celebrate their faiths.

Members of Hope Community Church have been told to stay home the weekend of July 1 because there won’t be any organized worship services at the church’s four campuses in the Triangle. Instead, there will be a weekend full of bringing the spirit of the church out into the community.

Through “Hope Where You Are,” members are encouraged to be the church by hosting block parties and other gatherings with friends, neighbors and family members during the Independence Day weekend. Participants are urged to take photos of these relationship-building events and add the hashtag #HopeWhereYouAre when they post on social media.

Hope Community Church features two locations in Raleigh as well as campuses in Apex and Morrisville.

For more information, go to www.gethope.net.

Community service projects

The three campuses of Lifepointe Church will not hold services on the weekend before Independence Day. These congregations are being asked to be the church in the community by working on service projects.

The projects begin Thursday, June 29, because Lifepointe Church has a regular service each Thursday night (www.SkipSunday.com). Church members from the campuses in Raleigh, Wake Forest and Cary will clean up a school building, collect food for the hungry and write thank-you letters to military personnel.

To register, go to www.outreach.lifepointechurch.com.

Mission work

Rising fourth- through eighth-graders at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary will take part in mission work July 3-7.

Organizers are combining service opportunities with Meals on Wheels and Stop Hunger Now with afternoon social activities at places like Frankie’s Fun Park and Jellybeans roller skating rink.

Middle school students can register for the entire week or for single days at www.wpumc.com. There will not be a session July 4.

Summer services

Members of the Raleigh Mennonite Church will gather for one of their special-edition summer services on Sunday, July 2.

Members and guests will attend a morning of brunch and hymns at Pullen Park at 10 a.m. The brunch is potluck, and the hymns are a sing-a-long. More details are available at raleighmennonite.org.

Independence Day celebration

Falls Baptist Church in Wake Forest will host its annual Independence Day celebration at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

The evening begins with a movie and hot dogs, popcorn and candy. At dusk, fireworks will begin.

The celebration is free and open to the community. Falls Baptist Church is located at 9700 Fonville Road.

For details, go to www.facebook.com/fallsbaptistchurch/.

Fortnight for Freedom

The Diocese of Raleigh will present its Fortnight for Freedom Mass at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The mass honors a 14-day celebration of religious freedom that begins June 21 and ends July 4. After the mass, the Knights of Columbus will host a picnic.

St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 2817 Poole Road, Raleigh.

This story was originally published June 29, 2017 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Instead of traditional services, some churches opt for special Fourth of July projects."