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.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs. A youth program is available for sixth grade to high school. In addition, interest groups meet regularly for men, women, seniors, and others. Consult the monthly newsletter which is available at www.ckielgin.org. This week's Torah portion is "Vayetze." The service is led by Rabbi Jonathan Kohn in prayer and study. Shabbat services are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 330 Division St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

Shirat Shalom: Celebrate the joys of Conservative Judaism at Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, Elgin. Friendly, participatory Shabbat services are 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." On Nov. 24, the congregation will celebrate the bat mitzvah of Tali Ilani. Services will be held off-site at the Marriott Chicago Northwest in Hoffman Estates. This week's Torah portion is "Vayetze," about Jacob's dream encounter. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, the worship theme will be "Chosen for a Purpose," reflecting the theme of the 2007 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Youth Gathering held last summer, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee. The message will be 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5. The youth will participate in the blended worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, sharing their experience from this summer's youth gathering. The 10:30 a.m. worship is a modern worship style with music led by The Messengers. At 5:30 p.m. today, and 8 a.m. Sunday worship, they celebrate in traditional liturgical services with music led by the organ. Sunday school, junior confirmation class, and adult Bible study meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Thanksgiving Day service will be held at 10 a.m. in the traditional sanctuary. The theme for this service will be, "Returning Thanks."

Midweek adult Bible class meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the church library. Small group studies meet in members homes on various nights. Information about the Ablaze groups and other activities is available through the church office, (847)426-7311 or boffice9@aol.com.

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will be preaching on 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, with the sermon titled "This Is Your Offering" 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. The 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

Immanuel will be celebrating Thanksgiving in worship at 7 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Thursday. The pastor will be sharing the message and both services will be with Holy Communion. Special music will be provided by the choral and instrumental ensembles. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon, "What Must We Endure?," at the 10 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, and Luke 21:5-19. Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided. A Thanksgiving Potluck will be held Sunday after worship. Join them in giving thanks. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: A special speaker will be giving the sermon this Sunday at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin. The Rev. Thomas Petty, vice president for business affairs at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, wil be giving the message, "The Rest of the Story." Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of John Slawson and the Celebration Ringers, under the direction of Jonathan Besancon. Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m. with the youth group meeting at 11:15 a.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon "Rejoice in His Presence," based on 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Fellowship will be at 9 a.m. and Sunday school and Bible study at 9:15 a.m. The church will have a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: First Congregational United Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin, will host this year's interfaith Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Sunday. The Revs. Paris N. Donehoo and Lois A. Bucher say this is an opportunity to celebrate all the blessings for which you are grateful in an ecumenical, interfaith setting. Representatives from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in Elgin will participate in the service. Vocal choirs and the handbell choir will present music appropriate to the season. Earlier in the day, Donehoo will preach at the 8:15 a.m. chapel service and again at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. His sermon is titled "What's the Question?" The Sanctuary Choir will sing "All Thy Works Praise Thy Name" and the Handbell Choir will ring "All Things Bright and Beautiful." New members will be received and the sacrament of baptism will be observed. Pledges for the year will be consecrated as the congregation makes its annual support for the church, the staff and the programs of the church. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The sermon will be "A Recipe For Praise," inspired by sixth chapter of Leviticus. The sermons throughout November deal with stewardship. The Male Chorus will render the music for both services. At 7 p.m. Sunday, Second Baptist will fellowship at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St., as part of Elgin's citywide Interfaith Thanksgiving service.

Mid-day Bible study begins at noon on Wednesday followed by evening Bible Study starting at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Thanksgiving Sunday, the Rev. Richard Nye, transitional pastor, presents the theme "Risky Business," based on Matthew 25:14-30, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Thirty-three people will be recognized and honored for being members for 50 or more years.

The Local Mission Ministry is sponsoring collections for the needy. Donations of food and monetary support to supply needy families in the community Thanksgiving dinners are being collected through Sunday. Christmas gifts are being gathered for the Elgin Mental Health Center patients through Dec. 11. Call the church for a list of items to be collected. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 8 a.m. service will be by the Youth Choir, directed by Charlotte Norman; and "All Good Gifts" by the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with accompanist Linda Gilmore. The 10:15 a.m. service will feature music by the Tinkerbells, directed by Charlotte Norman; the Junior Choir, directed by Charlotte Norman; and "All Good Gifts" by the Chancel Choir. Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. A Harvest Day Coffee will follow the services. Traditionally, each family is asked to bake a favorite bread (pumpkin, cranberry, banana, zucchini, etc.) and bring it to the church before worship. Plan to join this gathering of fellowship and thanksgiving and enjoy the bountiful feast of breads. The Congregational Care Ministry will deliver any remaining breads to the homebound.

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 "God Takes Elijah to Heaven," based on the Bible story in 2 Kings 2:1-15: God rewards faithfulness. Church Council Chat will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message is "Encountering a Living God," based on Acts 4: 23-31, at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. It is the basis of study for the Wednesday evening gathering. Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation and study. Sunday school meets during the 9:30 a.m. service. Childcare is also available during the service.

In November, the church will be studying and discussing "The Church You've Always Longed For." Each Wednesday evening will begin with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. and discussion at 6:30 p.m. This series is designed for adults, children, and students with appropriate books available for each age group. All are welcome. Thanksgiving service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. On Monday, the Yarns and Needles group meets at 7 p.m. Bring your yarn projects and join them. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the last Sunday in the church year, as well as a stewardship emphasis, focusing on your gifts from God and your response of love for those gifts.

The blended service is at 6 p.m. Saturday, traditional style worship at 8:15 a.m. Sunday with a contemporary worship at 10:45 a.m. led by the praise team singers and band. Adult Bible classes are held every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. along with a special educational program for children called Kingdom Kids. The church also offers various midweek 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, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Luke 21:5-19 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. God brings life out of death and creates a new world out of old chaos. In the uncertainties of life, you have a hope that God is working a new, glorious future. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation: At noon Sunday, teens from the McHenry County Jewish Congregation will be making their annual trek to Woodfield Mall to buy holiday gifts for the less fortunate. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27, the MCJC Book Club will discuss "The Yiddish Policeman's Union," a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon. Non-members are invited to take part in the discussion. For details, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "Thanksgiving," based on Psalm 95:1-7, in the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup's message is "Ready or Not; Here It Comes," based on Malachi 4:1-6, at 5:30 p.m. today and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Harvest Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 and 10:30 a.m. services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. The Thanksgiving Eve service will be at 7 p.m. in the Cosman Center cafeteria. After the service, the Women's Ministry will host a coffee hour featuring many homemade pies. On Nov. 25, the "Homeless Helpers" will assist the homeless shelter program at Bethany Lutheran Church. The group will leave at 5:45 p.m. from the church office. A sign-up sheet will be on the Welcome Table. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.