Notes on Religion

Notes on religion To include your church in the free listings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, fax to (847) 608-0849, or mail to 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin IL 60123.

Hope Church: Hope Church of Elgin holds a weekly service at 4 p.m. Saturday at the First Church for Christ Scientist, 1020 W. Highland Ave.

As Hope Church continues to find its place in the Elgin faith community, today they welcome Ian Evison, the congregational services director of the Unitarian Univeralist Association of Congregations. Evison was formerly the director of research at the Alban Institute, a think tank for mainline American Christianity. He will be sharing with all who are interested, how the Unitarian Universalist Association can assist Hope Church in defining the goal of welcoming anyone who welcomes everyone. For details, call (847) 214-8950.

Kneseth Israel: On Aug. 26, Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St., Elgin, will host an open house and family picnic. Children will be entertained by Ken Schultz, "The Flying Fool." Prospective members are welcome.

High Holiday services will be led by Rabbi Jonathan Kohn and Cantor Jack Falk. Rosh Hashana begins the evening of Sept. 12. Religious school for pre-kindergarten to high school also will begin in early September. This week's Torah portion is Re'eh. Shabbat services are at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 741-5656 or www.ckielgin.org.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, at 9:45 a.m. Saturdays and followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week." A class on "Spiritual Preparation for the High Holy Days" will be held at 12:30 p.m. today. Hebrew school registration is now open for the fall. Call to learn about the individualized program. Egalitarian High Holiday services will begin with Erev Rosh Hashana service at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Tickets are available now. This week's Torah portion is Shoftim, which teaches about the cities of refuge. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Yonker will share the message, "A Fueled Faith … Our Turn in the Arena" at 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. Holy Communion will be celebrated at the Saturday evening and the Sunday 8 a.m. services, which are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. Sunday 10:45 a.m. is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." This Wednesday's message will be given by the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf as he continues his sermon series on the fruit of the Spirit, a series he has titled "Welcome to the Ruach Market -- Where Fruit is Always in Season." This week's message is "Peace."

On Aug. 26, Immanuel will be celebrating in their contemporary 10:45 a.m. service with a dynamic jazz worship style, including horns, vocal leaders, and rhythm section. Rev. Baerwolf will be sharing a New Orleans/gospel-style of message titled "Who Dat?" The music, ranging from contemporary praise to Dixieland will include the worship songs "To God Be the Glory," "Oh, When the Saints," "Days of Elijah," "Rock of Ages," "Down By the Riverside" and "All the Saints Join In." The public is invited to join them -- coming as early as 10:30 a.m. for the pre-service music. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon, "When a Vineyard Goes Bad" at the 10 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons for Sunday are Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19; Hebrews 11:29-12:2 and Luke 12:49-56.

Summer Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

Recycle your cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Paris Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach the sermon, "Gluttony: When Too Little is Too Much" at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. Early risers may attend an 8:15 a.m. open-door service in the chapel, while a service in the sanctuary is scheduled at 10:15 a.m. A special treat at both services will also be a musical presentation by members Steve Stauffacher, Beth Iverson, and the pastor.

Why are you here? What do you do best? What are you passionate about? What do you value and what are your priories? "Life Keys," a retreat held on two weekends in September, will allow participants to explore answers to these questions which intrigue us all. Sponsored by the church and held at the County Inn and Suites, the workshops also will include follow-up meetings during September at the church.

Help the PADS program by volunteering to help at the fourth annual benefit Thomas the Train event Aug. 25-26 at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Call the church for details.

Are you someone who lost someone to suicide and struggle with how to deal with it? "Stepping Stones," a mental health ministry of the church, will use materials produced by Mennonite Media in cooperation with Faith and Values Media to conduct a workshop on Sept. 8. Activities are designed to help participants discover ways of better dealing with this once taboo topic. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit the Web site at www.fccelgin.org.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "Experience the Fire" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The service will also include stories and songs from the week's vacation Bible school. At 2 p.m. Sunday, there will be a memorial service for Tom Nelson. David Doudt and Kim Ebersole will host a Tweener's Game Night tonight.

The Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice and the church's Witness Ministry Group invite members of the community to the Kimball Street bridge at 5 p.m. each Wednesday for vigil to encourage peace and an end to violence. Becky Burns announces a book signing at her home from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 26 for her newly published book, "Soothe the Spirit."

The congregation's summer church picnic will be anytime after 11 a.m. Aug. 26 at Shelter 2 in Wing Park. Potluck lunch will begin at noon. A team representing congregation member June Gibble will participate in the Les Turner ALS Foundation Walk4Life in Chicago Sept. 8. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the messages at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. service at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The sermon will be "My Promise is Bigger Than My Problem," inspired by Numbers Chapter 13. The Male Chorus will render the music.

Second Baptist will host "Read to Succeed" at 6 p.m. Aug. 30. It is a reading program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Sponsored by U-46's African American Advisory Council, this program is designed to encourage children to read through the use of such activities as photo galleries and reading aloud the children's favorite books. Each child is asked to bring their favorite reading material.

Register for the Couples Retreat, sponsored by the CUPS ministry. The retreat is scheduled for Sept. 14-15. See Rev. Andrew Love for details.

Second Baptist mid-day Bible study begins at noon on Wednesday followed by evening Bible Study starting at 7 p.m. SBC is studying the Book of Revelation. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Jeffrey Bates, program staff pastor, presents the theme "I'm Anxious Because I Worry and Worry Because I'm Anxious," based on Philippians 4:4-9, at First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. and a spirit-filled praise service the second and fourth Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Church Council Chat will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

This message seeks to layout Paul's strategy for dealing with stress and worry and Paul gives you four very simple and profound statements on how to manage stress in your life. Anxiety and worry can incapacitate you. If you don't trust that the Father will provide and care for you, you can literally worry yourself to a spiritual death.

In August, the Local Mission Ministry will be collecting "Back-to-School" supplies for underprivileged children in the area. Any school item will be appreciated. The Third Sunday Benevolence Offering will be used to purchase additional supplies.

Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Programs offered include Sunday school for children age 3 through eighth grade, Bible Awareness Ministry for high school youth, and adult teaching.

Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers age 5 and under from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee and fellowship time will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the Hospitality Team.

Children are invited to go to the Sunday 10:15 a.m. service with their parents. After the KidsOwn Worship message, children age 3 through sixth grade may attend KidsOwn Worship, a special children's church designed especially for them. The theme will be "Abigail Makes Peace," based on the Bible story in I Samuel 25:1-35: God brings peace.

The Renew Service with Holy Communion continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Bates. Holy Communion will be celebrated. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message is "From Inside the Fish" at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. The Scripture for this message is Jonah 2:1-10. On Wednesday, there will be a prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m. Concerns of the church and cares of individuals will be addressed. All are welcome to come and participate. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the 12th Sunday after Pentecost in the church year as they look at the topic "No Shortcuts," based on Hebrews 12:1-3.

Traditional style worship is at 8:15 a.m. Sunday with a contemporary worship at 10:45 a.m. led by the praise team singers and band.

During the summer months, the church repeat the previous Sunday theme with worship on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Adult Bible classes are held every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. along with a special educational program for children called Kingdom Kids which will start again on Sept. 9.

The church also offers various mid-week educational opportunities as well as a preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds during the school year, and youth programs for various age groups.

The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd Lutheran School welcomes two new teachers to its staff for the 2007 school year.

In sixth grade, the school has added Erin Murtagh to its teaching staff. She has the special challenge of keeping the former fifth-graders engaged because every one of them made the honor roll in the final quarter of last year.

Good Shepherd also has hired a preschool teacher, Sonja Clark, to teach its all-day pre-kindergarten program. She is a recent graduate of Valparaiso University and will be teaching at the Nesler Road location.

The preschool is also beginning "Playtime with Jesus," a parent and toddler program this year. The program will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Fridays beginning Sept. 14. Children must be 2 years old by Sept. 1, and the program is for up to age 3. Registration is being held. Cost is $10 per session.

There are also openings in the all-day pre-kindergarten program, and Good Shepherd is considering a 3- and 4-year-old mixed afternoon program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons depending on interest. The school is taking registration for both the preschool and the elementary through eighth grade.

New applications are accepted any time. Good Shepherd houses kindergarten through eighth grade at 1111 Van St., and the preschool is at the Nesler Road site and holds classes for both 3- and 4-year-olds Monday through Friday. For details, call the grade school at (847) 741-7795, or the preschool at (847) 697-4745. Visit the Web site at www.goodshepherd-elgin.org.