The Route: Day 2
(Illinois Beach State Park to St. John's La Grange)

Visits With Two Ministries
 

St. Matthew Lutheran Church

St. John’s has worked lately, aiding the ministry of St. Matthew, an urban church located in downtown Chicago. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” (Matthew 25:35) St. Matthew does just that with the only faith-based community outreach program in the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Their self-supporting “El Comedor Popular” soup kitchen serves about 1200 hot meals monthly for the homeless and unemployed, but also feeds their souls and provides support for those struggling through difficult times.

First Immanuel Lutheran Church

Located in the heart of Chicago, First Immanuel connects with the community around them to meet their needs and provide a friendly, welcoming Christian haven in the downtown area.

Ride Along Saturday's Route...

Get in on the action and earn credits toward the Go-the-Distance health goal by joining Pastor Geis on the “Chicago” portion of his bike tour on Saturday, July 11th. Here are three options to join all or a portion of his approximately 65 mile trip that day:

Option 1: Meet at Illinois Beach State Park (6:00 a.m.). Ride the Robert McClory and Green Bay trails through Waukegan, Lake Forest, Highland Park and Northwestern University to the Chicago Lake Front trail. (approx. 34 miles)

Option 2: Meet at Chicago Lake Front Trail at the Foster Ave. Beach parking lot (9:30 a.m.). Ride to the museum campus. (approx. 9.5 miles) Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic on the lake front at the end of this ride.

Option 2A: You can extend this trip by riding bike lanes in Chicago to St. Matthew’s and First Immanuel Lutheran Churches where we hope to connect with pastors and/or volunteers from those ministries. (approx. 5 miles total) Beyond this point the ride follows more urban territory basically along 26th Street. This ride is not recommended for children (approx 9 miles).

Option 3: Meet at Zoo Woods/Salt Creek Bike Trail (1:00 p.m.) and ride to St. John’s parking lot. (approx. 7.5 miles)

Contact Pastor Geis to plan your ride with him.