Notes on Religion
To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301.
Adult education
St. Hubert's Ministry Center, 729 Grand Canyon, Hoffman Estates, offers a nondenominational job and networking ministry that is free and open to all occupations. The ministry offers the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of careering and get in-depth knowledge of career topics from seminars and meetings as well as learn the process of networking. Meetings are held throughout the month at various locations. For a calendar of meetings, call Bob Podgorski at (847) 925-6005.
Advent programs
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 Dundee Ave., Barrington, will hold a special Advent worship service led by the high school youth at 4 p.m. Dec. 2. The message for this service will be a skit titled, "Are You Ready?" written and directed by Dave Moll, the congregation's coordinator of youth ministry. People of the community are invited to attend this service. For information, call (847) 382-7002.
Family
First United Methodist Church of Palatine, 123 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine, will hold Bethlehem Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1. Step back to Jesus' time at this family event featuring crafts for children, refreshments at Rachel's Inn, a live Nativity and more. Admission is free. Buy a bag of Roman coins to purchase crafts and food at the market. For information, call (847) 359-1345.
Fundraisers
St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 250 N. Gary Ave, Carol Stream, will have a Christmas Faire and Live Auction at 11 a.m. Dec. 2. Enjoy brunch, Santa, cookies by the dozen, hostess items and a live auction of baskets appropriate to give as gifts. Brunch tickets are $6 and free for children 5 and under, and are to be reserved by calling (630) 510-0145 by Wednesday.
Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1500 Old Church Road, Streamwood, will offer a holiday cookie walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 8. Cookies will be sold by the pound. Call (630) 837-0190 for information. www.streamwoodiucc.org
Good Shepherd United Methodist Women's 19th Annual Cookie Walk and Craft Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at 751 W. Army Trail Road, Bartlett. The church is located ¾ mile east of Route 59 and 2 miles west of County Farm Road. A wide variety of home-baked cookies sold by the box and handcrafted items will be featured. Proceeds support mission projects. Lots of parking, free admission and handicap accessible. For information, call Debbie France, (630) 213-0479 or Ann Townsend (630) 289-8174.
The Knights of Columbus Council 8699, from Bartlett, has launched its annual Keep Christ in Christmas fundraiser, featuring handcrafted ceramic ornaments, hand-worked wooden outdoor Nativity sets and Nativity car magnets. Proceeds benefit local charities including the Clare Woods Academy in Bartlett, the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center in South Elgin, Mission Tanzania, Boy Scouts of America, and the Special Olympics. Christmas ornaments, Nativity sets, and Nativity car magnets are now available for sale on the Knights new Web store: www.kofc8699.org .
The prices are: Nativity car magnets for $3.95; ceramic ornaments for $4.95; and outdoor wooden Nativity sets for $69.95.
Knights of Columbus Council 8699 is based at St. Peter Damian Catholic Church in Bartlett.
The Sisterhood of Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Blvd. in Hoffman Estates, will host its annual Hanukkah Bazaar beginning Sunday. The bazaar will be open Sunday through Dec. 9. It will be open during regular religious school hours on Sundays and Tuesdays during those dates. Daily hours are: Sundays: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Dec. 2 until 3 p.m.), closed Sunday; Tuesdays: 4-8:30 p.m. The general public is invited to shop at the bazaar. For information, call the temple office, (847) 885-4545.
St. Paul United Church of Barrington will host its first Nativity Walk and Home Products Fair from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6; 4-9 p.m. Dec. 7; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8; and Dec. 9 after worship service at 10:30 a.m.
Start the Advent season by enjoying the wide variety of Nativity scenes on display, several of which will be available for bidding through a silent auction. Holiday shopping opportunities will include Longaberger Baskets, Tupperware and Mary Kay products. At the Book Sale, partnered with Anderson Book Store of Naperville, you'll find a great variety of gift books for all ages. And you'll be able to stock up on wonderful holiday treats at the Bake Sale.
Admission is $5 per adult; $2.50 for kids ages 12-18. St Paul is at 401 E. Main in Barrington. For information, call (847) 381-0460, or visit stpauluccbarrington.org.
The Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church of Palatine on the corner of Palatine and Rohlwing Roads will offer a Cookie Walk Dec. 1. Beautiful and delicious home-baked holiday cookies are sold by the box. Doors open at 9 a.m.; the sale starts at 9:30 a.m. All proceeds go to mission projects, many of which are local.
The women of the Presbyterian Church of Barrington will hold their annual Christmas Benefit and Luncheon at 10 a.m. Thursday to raise money for various mission projects. "Comfort and Joy" will include holiday music presented by the Barrington High Madrigal Singers under the direction of Nancie Tobison. A silent auction, drawing, bake sale and luncheon will follow the choral program. The church is at 6 Brinker Road, Barrington. For information, call (847) 381-0975.
Lectures, seminars
A discussion and book signing with Maggie Anton, author of "Rashi's Daughters" will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Blvd., Hoffman Estates.
For information, contact Ilene Lanin-Kettering at randyk2500@aol.com or (847) 372-6427.
Join Christ Community Mennonite Church and the Campaign for Better Health Care for a free event as we watch "Sicko" and discuss the issues documented in Michael Moore's latest movie from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Call (847) 895-3654 for more information.
Holy Family Catholic Community, 2515 W. Palatine Road, Inverness, will host Community on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, with guest speaker Robert McClory. The topic is "The Push for Restorationism: What's Behind the Latin Mass?" Join in this evening of discussion. For information, call (847) 359-0042.
The Home Educators Loving Parents (H.E.L.P.) homeschool support group announces that Kristi Boss, director of the Christian Leaders Educational Center, will present a talk about homeschooling children from high school through college.
The presentation will be Tuesday at the Elk Grove Village Library, 1001 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. The doors open for the presentation at 7 p.m. The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. This presentation is intended for adults and child care is not provided (children may sit next to their parents at the meeting).
Miscellaneous
Catholic talk radio, as broadcast on Relevant Radio, can now be heard throughout Chicago and the suburbs on WNTD 950 AM, Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. This programming includes the hour-long Catholic Community of Faith, which airs Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. The program is produced by the Archdiocese of Chicago's Radio and TV office in their downtown Chicago studios. Listeners are encouraged to call in during the live broadcasts of the Catholic Community of Faith at (312) 751-1979 with their comments and questions.
Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg is looking for names and addresses of former friends and members of the congregation for the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration in March 2008. Please contact Sandy Marcks at sjmarcks@ameritech.net with this information.
The Web site www.ChabadNorthbrook.com/chanukah is a local gateway to the world's premier Hanukkah site, chock full of streaming video, games, how-to guides, and much more. Popular highlights include: information about hundreds of Hanukkah events around the globe, extensive video and stills of menorah lightings around the world and great holiday recipes.
Also available from the site is historical and religious information about the holiday. The site is designed for all ages and educational levels, from young children to scholars, and offers a day-by-day guide to celebrating the eight-day holiday.
Performances
The Spirit of Life Chorus announces the following concerts as part of its Fall Concert Series:
• Sunday, 4:30 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream, (630) 665-3384.
• Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m., St. Walter Catholic Church, 201 W. Maple Ave., Roselle, (630) 894-2461.
For more information, visit www.spiritoflifechorus.org.
Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, will present "The Many Sounds of Christmas IV," a variety concert of sacred and secular holiday favorites at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The concert is presented free of charge and the public is invited to attend.
Covenant Church of Schaumburg, 301 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, will present Christmas Choral Concert and Lucia Festival of Lights at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Admission is free. Swedish Christmas boutique and bake sale will be available after the program. (847) 605-8334
The Village Church of Barrington presents "The Journey," a Christmas musical for the entire family, at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15. Reserve your tickets today by calling (847) 381-5221. The Village Church of Barrington is at 1600 E. Main St., Barrington.
Seniors
LAFF (Life After Fifty-Five), the senior group of Beth Tikvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates, is having its annual Hanukkah party at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the temple. Bring a new $5 gift for the Holiday Auction. There is a charge of $5 per member and $8 for guests for the dinner. A wonderful treat will be Cantorial Soloist Ilana Axel leading in Hanukkah songs. For additional information, call Leora at (847) 359-0439.
Special services
Congregation Kneseth Israel holds Shabbat services at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. Guests are welcome. CKI believes that each person can participate in the observance of Shabbat through the use of English, Hebrew, and age-appropriate activities.
Religious school for pre-kindergarten to high school is offered. For details, call (847) 741-5656.
Celebrate the Joys of Conservative Judaism at Congregation Shirat Shalom in Elgin. Friendly, participatory Shabbat services are led by Cantor Alexander every Saturday at 9:45 a.m., and are followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week."
Tot Shabbat services, for children of all ages, are on the third Friday of the month.
Today we will celebrate the bat mitzvah of Tali Ilani. Services will be held off site at the Marriott Chicago Northwest in Hoffman Estates.
The first Hanukkah candle is lit on Tuesday night, Dec. 4. Our Family Hanukkah program will be held at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 9. R.S.V.P. to Sue by Dec. 3.
Adult Education classes are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
For more information, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org. Congregation Shirat Shalom is at 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, Elgin.
St. Marcelline Catholic Church announces the resumption of weekly exposition and adoration of the blessed sacrament. These holy hour are held each Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Exposition occurs when the sacred host is placed in the monstrance for viewing by the faithful. Adoration is when members of the Catholic Church unite in making continuous hours of prayer before the most blessed sacrament. Adoration of the blessed sacrament acknowledges Christ's real presence there as incarnate God. Every man, woman and child can participate by spending time in prayer before the blessed sacrament.
This holy time is held in the St. Marcelline Family Room Chapel at 820 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Enter using the ramp at the north end of the parking lot. (847) 524-4429.
A prayer service for peace in the Middle East will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 Main St. in Barrington. The service includes reading from the Bible, music, and prayers for peace in the Middle East.
The service will continue to be held on the 15th of each month until a just and lasting peace is achieved. The prayer service is part of an ecumenical effort in the U.S. and the world to pray daily until peace comes to the region. Call (847) 381-0243 and www.elca.org/middleeast for more information.
Women's programs
The Women's Book Group of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Barrington, meets at 10 a.m., the second Tuesday of the month. All women in the community are welcome to come and share in these lively and insightful discussions.
There will be no meeting in December, but Jan. 11, the discussion book will be "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
There is no fee, but please read the book before the meeting in order to fully participate. St Paul is at 401 E. Main in Barrington. For information, call Pastor Jeanne or Pastor Jana at (847) 381-0460.