Notes on Religion

Notes on religion

Faith and worship in DuPage County

• To submit your listings, e-mail M.J. Porter at mporter@dailyherald.com or fax items to (630) 955-0895. Mail should be sent to Daily Herald, 4300 W. Commerce Court, Lisle, IL 60532.

Today

• St. Margaret Mary Parish will offer a business breakfast series from 8 to 9:30 a.m. today at the church, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville. The monthly events will continue Jan. 19 and Feb. 9. The fee is $7 per person, $30 for the series. For details or reservations, call (630) 369-0777.

• Temple B'nai Israel will feature comedian Rick March at 7:30 p.m. today at the temple, 400 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. A dessert reception follows. Tickets are $7 per person. For details or to RSVP, call (630) 892-2450.

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is seeking volunteers to pack meals for Feed My Starving Children from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 961-9220.

Sunday

• Word of Life Lutheran Church will offer a six-week video series, Parenting Your Teenager" beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday at the church, 879 Tudor Drive, Naperville. For details, visit the Web site at www.wordoflife.net or call (630) 355-9655.

• New Horizon Christian Fellowship will celebrate its 11th anniversary at services at 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday the church, 3577 E. New York ST., Unit 113, Aurora. The church's Women's Ministry is planning a DIVA Extravaganza at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. The event offers inspiration for women. Tickets are $45. Reservation deadline is Sunday. For details, visit the Web site at www.nhcfministries.com or call (630) 820-6820.

• Faith United Methodist Church will hold its Stone Soup celebration at noon Sunday at the church, 5935 Westview Lane, Lisle. The church is collecting food, nonperishable items, paper and personal hygiene products for baskets for the local pantry. For details, visit the Web site at www.faithchurchlisle.org or call (630) 969-6404.

Monday

• The Cenacle Retreat House will present Sister Antonia Cooper and "Praying with Icons and Moving Meditation of Tai Chi Chih," Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the center, 29W012 Batavia Road, Warrenville. The fee is $175 for a single room. After Monday, add $20. A $40 deposit secures the reservation. For details, call (630) 393-1231.

• Lombard Catholic Charities will accept new, unwrapped winter clothing and outerwear for families in need from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the center, 26W. St. Charles Road, Lombard, Il 60148. Donors may also send donations or food and gift certificates to the office in Lombard. For details, call (630) 495-8008.

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.

• St. Margaret Mary Parish will study the Letter to Romans during a session from 9 to 11 a.m. or 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the church, Naper Boulevard and Green Trails Drive, Naperville. The fee is $30. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

Thursday

• Parkview Community Church will hold its annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner with seatings at noon and 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, 764 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. Transportation is available by calling (630) 469-4306.

• River Valley Community Church's Singles FOCUS, Fellowship of Christians United in Spirit, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays with a light meal at 6:30 p.m. at River Valley Community Church, 1655 Bowman Drive, Aurora.

Church services are at 10 a.m. Sundays. For details, visit the Web site at www.rivervalleycommunity.org or call (630) 907-2992.

• 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.

Nov. 27

• The DuPage Center of Religious Science will offer the class "The Secrets of Prosperity" from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Nov. 27 at the center, Royal Glen Office Complex, 1200 Roosevelt Road, Suite 140, Glen Ellyn. Enrollment will be open through Dec. 4. Tuition for the eight-week class is $110. For details, visit the Web site at www.dupagecenter.org or call (630) 495-6626.

Nov. 28

• The Cenacle Retreat House will present Marie Crosby and "Blessings of Laughter: Secrets for Beating the Holiday Blues" from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at the center, 29W012 Batavia Road, Warrenville. The fee is $15 in advance or at the door. For details, call (630) 393-1231.

Nov. 30

• The Cenacle Retreat House will present "The Advent Journey - Triptych of Love" with Father John Paul Cafiero from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at the center, 29W012 Batavia Road, Warrenville. The fee is $195 for a single room. A $40 deposit secures the reservation. For details, call (630) 393-1231.

Dec. 1

• Bethany Fox Valley United Methodist Church will hold its annual Cookie Walk and craft sale with lunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the church, 2200 Ridge Ave., Aurora. For details, call (630) 851-8010.

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will hold its 10th annual Spirit Village where visitors can purchase gifts to benefit others worldwide form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the church, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook. The event includes a petting zoo, artistic and musical presentations, lunch and cookies. For details, call (630)) 654-1882.

• Wheaton Franciscan Collaborative Ministries will present Saturday Mindfulness Mornings from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 at Maura Hall, 26W171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. A free will offering will be taken. The sessions will continue Jan. 5 and 26, March 1 and 29. For details, call (630) 462-4936.

Dec. 2

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will feature its Lessons and Carols at 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook. A Taize prayer service is at 7 p.m. Dec. 2. For details, call (630)) 654-1882.

• St. Margaret Mary Parish's choirs will present a free Christmas concert, "He Will Bring Us Goodness and Light," at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville. The concert is free and open to the community. Donations are being accepted to benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank in memory of Jeanne Mulroy. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

• The Evangelical Covenant Church will present the Santa Lucia Festival of Lights at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 17W620 Riordan Road, Villa Park. For details, call (630) 279-5249.

• The Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church will present its Lucia, A Festival of Light at 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 277 Hawthorne St., Glen Ellyn. The program includes the story of Lucia with Swedish costumes, songs and folklore. The service is open to the community. For details, call (630) 469-5405.

• Congregation Beth Shalom will present "Listen Up! A Cappella" as part of its Hanukkah concert and gift bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the temple, 772 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville. Admission to the bazaar is free. Tickets to the conert are $10 for adults, $5 per child or $25 per family. Advance ticket purchase is recommended by calling (630) 961-1818.

• Oak Brook Community Church will feature Dove award-winning Christian artist Avalon in concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 3100 Midwest Road, Oak Brook. The concert will feature Avalon's hits and Christmas music. Tickets are $20 and $25 and available at the church or on www.iTickets.com or by calling (630) 986-0310.

• Temple B'nai Israel will feature Lindy Rubin and a lecture, Art in Jewish Life, at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 2 at the temple, 400 N. Edgelawn, Aurora. Brunch is available at 10 a.m. for a donation of $6. For details or reservations, call (630) 892-2450.

• Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church will feature a free concert by the Downers Grove North High School at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 4501 N. Main St., Downers Grove. For details, call (630) 968-6231.

• The 96th annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide" will be shown at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at these local theaters; Addison 21 and Naperville Showplace. Tickets are $20. For details, visit the web site at www.FathomEvents.com.

• Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors will hold a pre-Hanukkah party and pot luck meal from 12:15 to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Those attending are asked to bring food to share and RSVP by e-mailing mry98@aol.com.

• The St. Charles Singers will present "Candlelight Carols" at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at St. Michael Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. Tickets are $35 for premium seating, $25 for general admission and $20 for seniors 65 and older and full-time students 23 and younger. For details or tickets, visit the Web site at www.stcharlessingers.com or call (630) 513-5272.

Dec. 5

• St. Margaret Mary Parish offers a Morning Enrichment series at 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays at the church, Naper Boulevard and Green Trails Drive, Naperville. Topics are presented by professional speakers with events planned Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, April 16. For details, call (630) 369-0777.

• The Elmhurst College Festival of Lessons and Carols is at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. For details, call (630) 617-3033.

• St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church will continue its Praise/Prays from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays for the whole family at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. John Angotti, Christian pianist and composer, will lead the Advent service Dec. 5 with childcare available for toddlers through ages 4. For details, visit www.jfrazier@stapostle.org or call Robert Frazier at (630) 355-8980, ext. 112.

Dec. 7

• Lutheran Church of the Master will present its Bethlehem Faire 2007 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 4 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at the church, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream. The program is a Christmas journey of faith. For details, call (6300 665-3384.

• St. Thomas the Apostle Parish will hold First Friday devotions with *:30 a.m. Mass Dec. 7 at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. For details, call Robert Frazier at (630) 355-8980, ext. 112.

Dec. 8-9

• Trinity Lutheran Church will present its live Nativity at 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the church, Curtis Avenue and Warrenville Road, Warrenville. The annual event includes a narrative, musical and stable animals for petting and feeding as well as refreshments. For details, call (630) 393-9104.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold its 15th annual live Christmas Nativity Pageant from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every 30 minutes Dec. 8 and 9 at the church, 7201 Woodridge Drive, Woodridge. Musical groups will perform during the free program. For details, call (630) 852-0962.

Dec. 9

• Christ Church of Oak Brook will present "God's Gift of Love: Handel's Messiah and Carol Fest" at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the church, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook. Admission is free. For details, call (630) 654-1882.

Dec. 15

• St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold a Blue Christmas service for those suffering losses and experiencing sadness at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For details call (630) 668-5953.

Dec. 16

• First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn will present Maggie Rowe and "The Woman Jesus Called Mother" at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the church, 550 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. The program is open to the community. For details, visit the Web site at www.firstpresge.org or call (630) 469-2007.

Dec. 19

• The Center will Celebrate the Winter Solstice at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the center, 801 Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Those attending are asked to bring their favorite candle. A free will offering will be taken. For details or to RSVP, call (630) 837-7486.

Dec. 23

• The DuPage Center of Religious Science will feature singer Daniel Nahmod at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 23 at the center, Royal Glen Office Complex, 1200 Roosevelt Road, Suite 140, Glen Ellyn. For details, visit the Web site at www.dupagecenter.org or call (630) 495-6626.