Church cancels services

COEUR d'ALENE - Jonathan Owens likes Ironman Coeur d'Alene, even volunteers for it.

He also enjoys the Fourth of July, even drove his Harley-Davidson in the city's parade last year.

"We totally support it," he said.

But with those events falling on back-to-back weekends this year, Owens is finding it difficult to do what he loves even more - lead church services as pastor of Heart of the City Church.

Because of its location at First and Indiana, it will be nearly impossible for its congregation to get there this Sunday with Ironman, and again next Sunday with the July 4 parade.

There will be road closures, traffic, crowds and obstacles to overcome.

"We're a total city church, we're excited about Ironman and the Fourth of July," he said. "But it creates challenges for us because of where we are."

So for the first time, the church has canceled two consecutive Sunday services, and will hold them instead at 7:07 p.m. this Saturday and next. It will also hold its usual Friday services.

Owens and staff have been calling church members and posting fliers about the changes, but he worries some will still show up.

"It's easy for them to forget and just come on Sunday," he said.

Owens tried to make it to Heart of the City Church two years ago on his motorcycle and said even then, weaving around, it was a challenge.

"It shuts us down," Owens said.

The 4-year-old church, which generally attracts 400 people for Sunday services, won't face the dilemma much longer.

It is in the midst of purchasing its own building at Emma and Lincoln, former home of Church of God. Remodeling is being done, and they hope to move in by September.

"God is just blessing our church," Hart said.