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Adult education

Two new adult fall education opportunities will be offered at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. The Just Neighbors program will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 16. The program will consider our Christian responsibility to love all our neighbors, i.e., anyone in need. The other adult education experience offers participation in the Faith Connections Small Groups Ministry. These groups will consider the means of fulfilling the vision to be a loving community where all people discover and grow an active faith in Jesus Christ that changes the world. The small groups will meet together at various homes or restaurants during the week. For information, call (847) 255-8700.

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, will begin a new Discovery class Sunday on the teachings of the Bible and the Lutheran Church. This is a course not only for those interested in membership at St. Peter but is a great way to review the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The Discovery class will meet for 11 weeks on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 and is led by the pastors. Call the church office at (847) 259-4114, ext. 133, to register or for more information. Babysitting provided in the nursery.

The Passages Adult Bible Class at the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ of Arlington Heights is beginning its new study, "Tending the Seed," based on Jesus' parable of the Sower. The class begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. New members are welcome. The church is located at 333. W. Thomas.

Children, teens

Christian Church of Arlington Heights (Disciples of Christ), 333 W. Thomas St., Arlington Heights, invites children ages kindergarten through fifth grade to join in the 2007-08 Sunday School program. The church school year will kick off on Sunday. Children will gather in the education wing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and will experience the Bible. For more information, call the church office at (847) 259-0059.

Education Sunday will be celebrated at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Sunday. Bibles will be presented to first- and seventh-grade children at the 8:30 a.m. church service and education volunteers will be installed. Sunday School classes will begin at 9:45 a.m. This year's Sunday school curriculum will be LIGHT (Learning In God's House Together). Grades 3-8 will use a three-week rotation site format within the church facilities to learn a lesson and take part in hands-on demonstrations such as preparing foods featured in a Bible story. Call the church at (847) 253-4839 for more information.

Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine, is holding a congregational Balloon Launch at 9:50 a.m. Sunday to celebrate Rally Day, the kickoff of the Sunday school year. The balloons will be released with a return tag and prizes will be awarded in the future to the person whose balloon travels the farthest. Come join in the fun. Call (847) 397-4372 for information.

Family

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, is having a picnic from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. The picnic will take place at Green Park located at the southwest corner of Olive Street and Douglas Avenue, east of Olive-Mary Stitt School. Brats, hot dogs, burgers, chips, and salads all provided by Dave's Specialty Foods will be served. There will be ice cream for dessert provided by our PADS program. Enjoy live music, a magician and fun-filled family games. Tickets cost $5 and will go on sale beginning this weekend. For more information, call (847) 255-8700.

The First Pres Fall Festival will offer food, ice cream, games, giveaways, music, and fun. Everyone is invited to this free event Sunday in the church parking lot at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights on Dunton Avenue between Eastman and St. James streets. It will start at 10 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts. The main food event -- with hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, salads, and other picnic fare -- will begin at 11:30 a.m. The festival will wrap-up about 2 p.m. Activities will include live music, a climbing wall, moon walk, balloon twister, trackless train, face painting, and a special performance by The Rope Warrior. Call the church at (847) 255-5900 or check the Web site, www.fpcah.org, for more information.

Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, will host a Saturday Club from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 15 and begin a new "Lego Club." "Children" of all ages who like to build, create, and play are invited to participate in a morning of fun activities using Lego blocks (and Duplo blocks for young children). Cost is $5 per child. Donations of Legos and Duplos are welcomed. Call the church at (847) 253-4839 to register and for more information.

A "Back To School" celebration with picnic, ministry fair, and a "UCC'S Got Talent -- Talent Show" will be held Sept. 15 at the Congregation United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and include a "Dunk Tank for the Daring." Hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken will be grilled. There will be ice cream and sauce for brownie sundaes. A potluck assortment of salads will round out the picnic menu.

The Talent Show is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The celebration includes collection of much needed School Kits for children in developing countries. Visitors are invited to come and share the fun. For information, check www.CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650.

Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, will have its annual Rally Day Sunday with a theme of "Celebrate Family." Worship will be at 9:30 a.m. Following the service there will be an old-fashioned potluck luncheon and fellowship served up with plenty of games for the kids and their families to enjoy. The new fall schedule is: traditional worship at 9 a.m. Sundays and a new blended service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. For further information, contact the office at (847) 437-5141 or www.sharegodslove.org.

St. John United Church of Christ, 308 N. Evergreen Ave., kicks off its fall programs on Rally Day, Sunday. Outdoor worship for all ages is in North School Park (across the street from the church) at 9:30 a.m., followed by food and games in the church at 11 a.m. (847) 255-6687. www.churchonthepark.com.

Lectures, seminars

Nationally recognized dyslexia expert Susan Barton will give a free dyslexia presentation at the Cardinal Drive Church of Christ in Rolling Meadows Sept. 21. The three-hour presentation is open to the public, and will begin promptly at 6 p.m. For more information, or to reserve a seat, contact Trisha at (847) 885-3406 or sign up online at: www.RollingMeadows.EventBrite.com. To learn more about dyslexia, go to: www.BrightSolutions.US.

Miscellaneous

Church of the Incarnation, United Methodist, 330 W. Golf Road, Arlington Heights, will have its annual Rally Day Sunday, and it will include a special recognition of Marc Janovics' upcoming participation in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China., Oct. 2-1. Marc is a lifelong member of the Church of the Incarnation and has been practicing gymnastics for over 20 years. He is one of only three male gymnasts from the United States and seven athletes from Illinois participating in this event. The program begins with a Sunday School Olympics event for adults and children, 9-10 a.m., "I Know I Can," church service from 10:15 -11:15 a.m., followed by refreshments, fellowship, and send-off for Marc. For more information, call (847) 956-1510.

The Most Rev. George J. Rassas, auxiliary bishop for Vicariate I, will officiate at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new school and formation center immediately following the 5 p.m. Mass Sunday at St. James School in Arlington Heights. Bishop Rassas will preside at the Mass, and the ceremony will be held on the site of the current junior high school on the west side of Arlington Heights Road, and across the street from St. James Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. The new buildings are scheduled to open in November 2008.

First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, will offer the Grief Share Support Group seminars on Monday evenings beginning Sept. 24 and running for 13 weeks. Professionally produced videotapes will be used to assist those who have lost loved ones. For information or to register, call Paul Nordskog at (847) 222-0392.

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, will start several new Bible studies at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, including Sunday Morning Youth Studies for sixth grade through 12th grade; All-Stars Children's Ministry for 3-year-olds through fifth grade; "Romans: God's Righteousness For You," A look at Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome taught by Pastor Greiner; and "The Augsburg Confession: Major teachings of the Lutheran Church."

In addition, Women's Bible Sharing continues the Life-Light Series on Proverbs at 9 a.m. Tuesdays; and Ladies Wednesday Morning Study: An introductory course on the book of Acts continues at 9:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday.

Also on Wednesdays is Faith Lessons at 7 p.m. with teacher Ray Vanderlaan; and STYNG, Senior High Bible Study, at 7 p.m.

On Thursdays, Precepts Bible Study meets at 9:15 a.m. beginning Sept. 30. Men's Breakfast Study, which is discussing the book of Psalms meets at 6 a.m. Fridays at Uptown Cafe and is led by Pastor Schmidt

Performances

The Agape Ringers, an English handbell ensemble directed by David Weck, will present a concert at 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St. in Arlington Heights. A freewill offering will be received and a reception will follow. (847) 259-4114.

Special services

Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights, resumes regular scheduling Sunday, with worship scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The worship celebrates Christian Education Sunday and includes the commissioning of all teachers and leaders of children, youth and adults and a special recognition of grandparents. "Freed to Be" is the sermon title; Scripture is Philemon 1-21. Open Communion will be served. Children are included in worship and in the Christian Education celebration. Visitors are welcome. For information, check www.CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650.

Women's programs

Women's Bible study, led by laypersons, is held 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Newcomers are always welcome at Congregational United Church of Christ activities. Visit www.CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650.

A new Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group is starting this fall at Arlington Countryside Church in Arlington Heights. MOPS meetings provide a friendly and fun place for mothers to relax, encourage and learn from one another about how to handle this rewarding, but sometimes tough time in their lives.

During a typical MOPS meeting moms enjoy food, adult conversation, interesting speakers and creative activities. While moms are meeting, their children are divided into age-appropriate groups and enjoy stories, games, crafts, singing and other activities.

MOPS is for any woman who is either expecting her first child or has at least one child in kindergarten or younger.

Arlington Countryside Church MOPS meets every first and third Thursday. September through May from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Arlington Countryside Church is located at 916 E. Hintz Road Arlington Heights.

For information, call (847) 255-2140, e-mail mops@acchurch.org or visit the Web site at http://www.acchurch.org/mops.