Notes on Religion

E-mail DuPageFaith@dailyherald.com or fax items to (630) 955-0895.

Today

Community Presbyterian Church's Open Heart Drama will present "Thunder in the Desert: The Gospel of John" at 3 and 7:30 p.m. today at the church, 1111 E. Madison, Lombard. Another performance is at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The show lasts about 90 minutes and is recommended for ages 6 and older. Admission and parking are free. Childcare is available free if reserved in advance. For group reservations, call (630) 627-0306.

Wheaton College will present "Songs for Sacred Spaces" by 1978 alumna Sylvia McNair at 7 p.m. today in Pierce Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Tickets are $30; seniors over 60 are $20 and can be ordered online at www.artistseries.org or by calling (630) 752-5010.

Elmhurst College will present "Sing Out for Peace" at noon today on the College Mall, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. The event is sponsored by the Niebuhr Center and National Church Associates. The event features Jerry Leggett and his Peace Bubble and Proverbial Fools. Those attending can pack a picnic lunch and bring a blanket for the music. For details, visit the video blog peacebubble.org

The Theosophical Society in America will hold its annual TheosoFest 2007 beginning at 10:15 a.m. today at the society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. The event features speakers, meditation, a labyrinth and drumming. Admission is free, parking is $3. For details of events, visit the Web site at www.theosophical.org or call (630) 668-1571.

St. Joan of Arc will hold its Ministry Fair before and after all Masses at 4 p.m. today and 7, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the gymnasium, 820 Division St., Lisle. For details, visit www.stjoanlisle.org or call (630) 963-4500.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church's Soul Searchers will begin meeting from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. today at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. The group will meet the second Saturday of each month and discuss "The Roots of Christian Mysticism" by Olivier Clement. For details, call (630) 355-8980.

A morning Bible group will begin study of St. Paul's Epistles from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Babysitting will be available for the program meeting through April 30. For details, call (630) 355-8980, ext. 138.

Congregation Beth Shalom will hold High Holiday services for Selichot at 8 p.m. today at the congregation, 772 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville. High Holiday services continue with Rosh Hashanah at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Sept. 21 and Yom Kippur at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22. For details, visit the Web site at www.napershalom.org or call (630) 961-1818.

Congregation Etz Chaim will hold Selichot at 9:30 p.m. today at 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard. High Holiday services continue at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday, 8:15 p.m. Sept. 21, 10 a.m., 1:15 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and 7 p.m. Sept. 26.

A Sisterhood Tea is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. For details, visit the Web site at www.congetzchaim.org or call (630) 627-3912.

Saturday Singles has set its calendar for the singles group meeting at Wesley United Methodist Church, 21 E. Franklin, Naperville. Events include a barbecue today. For details, call (630) 355-1834.

Willow Creek Community Church will feature Michael Franzese, an ex-Mafia prince of New York's Columbo family, at services at 5:30 p.m. today and 9 and 11:15 a.m. Sunday at the church, 67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington.

A free Festival de Independencia 2007 begins from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday as a seminar on immigration with a carnival for children. Friday includes exhibits of free services from 5 to 7 p.m. with a variety show at 7:30 p.m. The event continues with a concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 and services at 9 and 11;15 a.m. Sept. 16. For details, visit the web site at www.willowcreek.org/casadeluz or call (847) 765-5000.

Jim Caviezel, the actor who portrayed Jesus in the movie "The Passion" will be the speaker Sept. 15-16. For details, visit www.willowcreek.org.

Sunday

Loretto Fest, an open house, is planned from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Loretto Convent, 1600 Somerset Lane, Wheaton. The event includes games, tours and a jazz band. For details, call (630) 682-9097.

Word of Life Lutheran Church and Preschool will hold its Rally Day during services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 879 Tudor Drive, Naperville. A picnic is planned with guests to bring a dish to pass. A dunk tank with youth and the Rev. Gary Peterson will benefit the missions. For details, visit the Web site at www.wordoflife.net or call (630) 355-9655.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church will hold a Worship in the Park with a bilingual service at 11 a.m. Sunday in Reed Keppler Park, National and Arbor streets, West Chicago. A potluck picnic begins at noon with place settings and drinks provided by the church. Guests should bring food, a lawn chair or blanket. For details, call (630) 231-3787.

Calvary Episcopal Church will hold its annual picnic at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at Johnson's Mound on Hughes Road in Elburn. The event is open to the community with those attending asked to bring a dish to pass. In case of rain the picnic will be at the church, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. For details, call (630) 879-3378.

The College Church Concert Series will present a free concert featuring the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, Brazil's composer, at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, Seminary Avenue and Washington Street, Wheaton. Donations are accepted. For details, call (630) 668-0878.

Woodridge United Methodist Church will display Cry for Peace, a representation of 4,000 symbols in honor of the fallen American soldiers and those killed in the ongoing war on Sunday at the church, 2700 75th St., Woodridge. The church's outreach committee will sell T-shirts to benefit Comfort for America's Uniformed Services, CAUSE, for military personnel recuperating form injuries, during the fall picnic beginning at 11:30 a.m. For details, call (630) 968-6050.

Fellowship Church will feature Rob Styler of 2nd Adam, a drama ministry of Matthew the tax collector and "Tax Man to Soulman" at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at the church, 130 Shawnee Drive, Carol Stream. For details, call (630) 668-5400.

First United Methodist Church will hold its Rally Day at 1:15 p.m. Sunday with a showing of "Happy Feet" at the Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Children ages 3 years through sixth grade attending Sunday school at 9:30 and 11 a.m. will receive a movie ticket and refreshment ticket at the church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. For details, call the church at (630) 968-7120.

St. John United Church of Christ will celebrate Rally Day Sunday at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 355-5208.

Harvest Bible Chapel will continue its sermon series, Leave It at the High School at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, Glenbard South High School, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. The series is a countdown through Sept. 30 prior to the move Oct. 7 to its new permanent home at 1805 High Point Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 281-4800.

River Valley Community Church's Singles FOCUS, Fellowship of Christians United in Spirit, will hold a movie night and light meal at 5 p.m. Sunday at River Valley Community Church, 1655 Bowman Drive, Aurora. Church services are at 10 a.m. Sundays.

FOCUS meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays with a light meal at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit the Web site at ww.rivervalleycommunity.org or call (630) 907-2992.

Monday

St. John's Episcopal Church will offer Precept Upon Precept Bible study of the book of Ephesians from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday or 9 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at the church, 750 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville. The program is in depth and includes homework and discussion. For details, call (630) 355-0467.

Wheaton Bible Church will offer its support group of 12 weeks for children and for parents struggling with changes in their families including death and divorce from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays beginning Monday at the church, Main and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Treasured Promises is offered for children from kindergarten through eighth grade and includes dinner each week. DivorceCare for adults will meet at the same time. The program is free but there is a $15 charge for the DivorceCare workbook. For details, call Ben Merrill at (630) 588-7175.

Voice of Care, offering spiritual care for those with developmental disabilities and their families as part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, will hold a golf outing Sept. 15 at Fox Valley Country Club, 2500 N. River Road, North Aurora. The fee is $100 for golf, cart, contest and lunch. Deadline to register is Monday. Donations and sponsorships are welcome. For details, call Sara Harms at (630) 690-5443.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church will hold a Lehavree prayer service from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. For details, visit www.stapostle.org or call (630) 355œ8980.

Tuesday

New Beginnings, a non-denominational self-help group for those experiencing separation, divorce, death of a spouse or loss of a significant relationship, meets at 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville. For details, visit the Web site at www.newbeginningsil.com or send an e-mail to cml525@gmail.com.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will offer "One Woman, One God" and a study of "When the Heart Waits, Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. every other Tuesday through December at the church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville. For details call Deb Roe at (630) 898-6197.

Wednesday

Chabad of Naperville will hold Rosh Hashanah services at 9:30 a.m. with Shofar blowing at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday at 131 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. A Rosh Hashanah dinner will be held Wednesday. Yom Kipper services will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and at 9:30 a.m. and noon and 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23. For details, visit the Web site at www.JewishNaperville.com or call (630) 689-1387.

Temple B'nai Israel will hold High Holiday services beginning at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at the temple, 400 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. Services continue at 9 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Yom Kippur services are at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Sept. 22. For details, visit the Web site at www.temple-bnai-israel.org or call (630) 892-2450.

The Humanists of West Suburban Chicagoland will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, 4S535 Old Naperville Road, Naperville. Featured speaker is Ed Yohnka, director of communications for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, and his talk "Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism and Threats of Terrorism." For details, call Jack Sechrest at (630) 554-8058.

Grace Church of DuPage will begin its weekly AWANA program for children ages 3 years through sixth grade from 6:55 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the church, 27W344 Galusha Ave., Warrenville.

A Back to School family picnic and fun fair is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 for the community. A men and women's golf tournament is planned Sept. 24 at Cress Creek Golf Club in Naperville. For details or to register for these programs, visit the Web site at www.gracechurchofdupage.org or call (630) 393-7344.

Calvary Episcopal Church will hold a midweek service at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday preceded by a meal at 6 p.m. at the church, 222 S. Batavia, Ave., Batavia. Regular services resume at 10:15 a.m. Sept. 16. For details, call (630) 879-3378.

Thursday

St. Luke Lutheran Church will present the 30-week study of the book of Revelation, "Apocalypsis Jesu Christus," beginning at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 410 S. Rush St., Itasca. The course also is available on the internet as non-denominational classes with details at the Web site at www.WAUonline.org or call (866) 455-6466. For details at the church, call the Rev. Alex Duff at (630) 773-0396.

Faithful Living for Dummies is a weekly Bible study about the Book of Sirach that will meet from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through June 5 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish, 36 N. Ellsworth, Naperville. The fee is $6. For details, call Christine Kancewick at (630) 718-2154.

Friday

The Cenacle Retreat will feature a retreat with Sister Mary Meegan and "Female Ancestors of Jesus" from Sept. 21-23 at the center, 29W012 Batavia Road, Warrenville. The fee is $195 for a single, $180 for a double.

The interactive retreat for young adults ages 21-39 is "Sacred Fun: Hanging with God in Movies, Music and Sports" is Sept. 21-23. The fee prior to Friday is $175 for a single, $160 for a double. After Sept. 14, add $20. A $40 deposit secures the reservation. For details, call (630) 393-1231.

The Peace Through Justice Coalition will present Just Views at 7:20 p.m. Friday at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, 4S535 Old Naperville Road, Naperville. The topic is Censure and Impeachment Options. For details, call Stephanie Hughes at (630) 420-4233.

Community Christian Church will present the family play "Our Town" at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. Additional performances are Sept. 15-16 and 21-23 with Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The performance features WGN radio personality Steve Cochran. Tickets are $15 and available at the door and online at www.communitychristian.org.

Sept. 15

A DuPage Concert for Peace, Bands Not Bombs, featuring live bands is planned from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Old Town Park, one block west and south of Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale. A Peace Walk and Street Vigil is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A collection will be taken to support the Midwest Homeless Vets Shelter in Aurora. For details, call Kevin Lindemann at (630) 690-4031.

Outreach Community Ministries' Jubilee Furniture Company will hold a grand reopening at 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at 610 E. North Ave., Carol Stream. The store benefiting the programs of Outreach was forced to close after a microburst damaged its building. The store's hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For details, call (630) 337-1467.

Lee Strobel will sign copies of his new book, "The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ," at 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Borders Books and Music, 101 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton. For details, call (630) 871-9595.

Sept. 16

A Heifer Hoedown 2007 is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2105 Manchester Road, Wheaton. The event includes a barbecue dinner, music, line dancing, a farmer's market, silent auction and live llamas and goats. Tickets are $17 per adult, $8 per child ages 5-10 years with a maximum of $55 per family. For details, call (312) 850-3330.

ACT 3 of Chicago, a national Christian teaching ministry, will present "The Roman Catholic and Evangelical Dialogue: Reflections on Ecumenism for the 21st Century," from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at Pfeiffer Hall, North Central College, 310 E. Benton, Naperville. The free program is a discussion format. For details, visit the Web site at www.act3online.com or call Stacy Kifer at (630) 221-1817.

St. John United Church of Christ will begin a month-long celebration of its 150th anniversary with Rev. Jonathan Knight at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. The service will be followed by an all-family picnic. For details, call (630) 961-9942.

Sept. 18

Elmhurst College will feature Catholic theologian Avery Cardinal Dulles for its lecture series at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Frick Center, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Admission is free and the community is invited. For details, visit the Web site at www.elmhurst.edu or call (630) 617-3033.

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation will hold its annual Lobsterfest Sept. 22 at the church, 261 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. Deadline for orders that must be prepaid is Sept. 18. Lobster can be picked up the morning of Sept. 22 live or cooked. Proceeds benefit the church and its outreach ministries. For details, call (630) 351-3249.

Sept. 19

Word of Life Lutheran Church will hold an evening mission project activity for women beginning from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the church, 879 Tudor Drive, Naperville. The project, making MidWife Kits for Africa, India Madagascar and New Guinea and nutrition kits for Honduras will continue for six weeks. For details, call (630) 355-9655.

Sept. 20

The Christian Science Reading Room will present a video highlighting how African nations are beginning to heal at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at 16 E. Jefferson, Naperville. For details, visit the Web site at www.christiansciencenaperville.com or call (630) 355-6512.

Sept. 21

The Joliet Diocese Charismatic Mass and Healing Service has been moved to St. Margaret Mary Church, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville. The service will begin with 6:30 p.m. confession and the Mass at 7:30 p.m. Sept, 21. The Mass is usually held the third Friday of the month. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

Sept. 22

The Center will celebrate the autumn equinox at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the center, 901 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. The group will meet at the Center at 6:45 p.m.

Insights from Jainism, Living in Peace on Mother Earth, will meet at 7 p.m. beginning Sept. 24. The fee is $20 per session. For details, call (630) 837-7486.

St. Margaret Mary Parish will offer a business breakfast series from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the church, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville. The monthly events will begin Sept. 22 with Our Father Who Art in Business and Continue on Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Jan. 19 and Feb. 9. The fee is $7 per person. For details or reservations, call (630) 369-0777.

Volunteers are needed to package 1 million meals for Feed My Starving Children in Egypt from Sept. 22 to 27 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Two-hour sessions will begin at 11 a.m., 1:30, 4 and 7 p.m. Sept 22; 9 a.m., noon, 3, and 6 p.m. Sept. 23; 9:30 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sept. 24-26; and 9:30 a.m. and noon Sept. 27. To volunteer, call (630) 355-8980.

Sept. 24

St. Joan of Arc is offering an ongoing series, Catholics Returning Home, for six consecutive Mondays beginning Sept. 24 at the church, 820 Division St., Lisle. For details, call Lisa Carpino at (630) 301-0828 or Mary Claire Berry at (630) 305-0095.

St. Michael Church will offer a monthly series with author Gil Bailie at 7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning with The Present Time - Its Peril and Its Promise at the church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. The series continues Oct. 22 and Nov. 19. The lectures are free and open to the community. For details, call Matt Pozen at (630) 462-5045.

Sept. 29

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is taking registration for its program, Rainbows, for youngsters from kindergarten through eighth-grade who have experienced a loss due to death or divorce. The program meets from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 29 to March 15, at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. The fee is $10 and will be waived for members or those in need. For details, visit www.stapostle.org or call Patti Dougherty at (630) 355œ8980, ext. 109.

Congregation Etz Chaim will hold a gala concert and benefit for Bomba Israel all-volunteer fire house in Santiago, Chile. The event is at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. The concert features Laura Fuentes and her husband, Pedro Villagra. For details, visit the Web site at www.congetzchaim.org or call (630) 627-3912.

Oct. 5

Outreach Community Ministries will hold its 15th annual Women's Benefit Luncheon and silent auction beginning at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The event will feature keynote Dr. Ben Carson. Tickets are $150 per person with $125 tax deductible for women's shelter care. For details, call Linda Miller at (630) 682-1910.

Oct. 6

The Council of Catholic Women of St. Scholastica Parish will hold its annual fall/holiday craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at the school gym, 7720 Janes Ave., Woodridge. Crafters are wanted. For details or to reserve a table, call Kathy Nartnick at (630) 985-3197.

Oct. 14

Wesley United Methodist Church will hold a CROP Walk at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14 with registration starting at 1 p.m. at the church, 21 E. Franklin, Naperville. The goal is to raise $65,000 for the Naperville Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and the Northern Illinois Food Pantry and other hunger programs around the world. For details, visit the Web site at www.wesleyumcnaperville.org.