Sunday's the day for Long Grove interfaith service

For the 16th year, congregations from Wheeling, Buffalo Grove and Long Grove will give thanks together.

The Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council will have its annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 7 p.m. this Sunday.

Although the event is being co-hosted this year by Hope Lutheran Church in Long Grove and Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, the service itself will be held at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove.

"I think it's really nice that this way some of the congregations with the smaller facilities that can't accommodate the crowds still have the opportunity to host the service," said Diane Popper, president of the Interfaith Council.

The service will include speakers from the local churches and synagogues, including four readings by various clergy and two reflections by Rabbi Howard Lifshitz of Congregation Beth Judea and the Rev. Mike McPherson of Hope Lutheran Church. All will center around the theme of hope.

The service will also include a performance by an adult choir, children's choir, a bell choir and a puppet show by the Glory Fingers ministries from Kingswood, which are always favorites of the crowd.

The event will also bring back an interfaith band -- with members from Congregation Beth Am, Hope Lutheran Church and Temple Chai -- that debuted last year.

"It's just a really nice community event," said Elliott Hartstein, Buffalo Grove village president. "It's a real tribute to the work of the Interfaith Council."

Popper said the event has become so popular over the years -- with about 1,000 attendees last year -- that residents call to see when it will be held.

"A lot of people consider our community interfaith Thanksgiving service to be the kickoff of their holiday season," she said.

Those who attend the free event are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be distributed to local pantries.

For more information on the service, contact Temple Chai at (847) 537-1771.