Notes on Religion

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Advent programs

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine, will offer Advent children's Christmas programs on Wednesdays at 8:10 a.m. chapel and 7 p.m. (led by the schoolchildren and their teachers) on Dec. 5, 12 and 19. (847) 359-1649, www.ilcp.org

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.

Children, teens

St. Viator High School, 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights, will have an open house for prospective students from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday; and 7-9 p.m. April 9. For details, call (847) 392-4050, ext. 256.

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

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.

St. Thomas of Villanova in Palatine invites everyone for an exciting fundraising event, Sisters Christmas Catechism -- The Mystery of the Magi's Gold, a sinfully funny evening brought to you by the creators of Late Nite Catechism. The show will be Friday at the church, at Anderson and Williams drives. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., however there is a hour of appetizers starting at 6 p.m. Doors for the performance open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35 each and are on sale now. Call Colleen Lundell at (847) 496-4459 for tickets and information.

Proceeds of this fundraiser will go toward purchasing a new lighted sign for the St. Thomas of Villanova Elementary School.

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.

Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine, is sponsoring two Christmas holiday events. A Cookie Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 8. Homemade cookies will be sold for $8 per pound. Gift wrapping will also be available for a freewill offering. On Dec. 15, the Living Nativity Pageant will be held at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on the church lawn. For information, call (847) 397-4372.

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.

Author John Ruane will speak at St. Thomas of Villanova School, at , 1141 E. Anderson Drive in Palatine, at 1:15 p.m. Friday. He will be discussing his new book, "Parish the Thought," which takes a look at what it was like growing up Catholic in Chicago in the 1960s. All are welcome. Call (847) 358-2110 for information.

Ruane also will give a talk titled "The Value of Growing Up Catholic" at noon Dec. 1 at The Christian Shop, 325 E. Dundee Road, Palatine.

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.

Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with activities through April 2008. On Dec. 30, Bethel is having a Confirmation Class Reunion Breakfast. If you are a former confirmand or member and would like information about the reunion or any of the 50th celebration activities, call the Bethel church office at (847) 397-4372.

The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea will hold its annual blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the Social Hall of the synagogue on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. The blood drive is being held at this time due to the severe shortage of blood during the Thanksgiving holiday.

A photo ID is required when you fill out paperwork. Bring a state ID or driver's license and make sure to eat before you arrive. Refreshments will be provided by Shalom Kosher Bakery and Life Source.

Call the Beth Judea office at (847) 634-0777 to make an appointment.

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.

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

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.

The Beth Judea Youth Department will host a Shabbat Dinner and Service for the members of the various youth groups (Kadinkers, Kadima and USY) and their families Friday. All congregants are cordially welcome to attend.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. Shabbat service.

Cost of the dinner: adult (12 years and older) $18; 6 to 11 years old $10; 5 years old and younger $5. Vegetarian meals are available upon request.

Please contact Aaron at the synagogue office (847) 634-0777, ext. 114, for further information. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

Shabbat worship services are offered at 7:30 p.m. Fridays (Kabbalat Shabbat) and at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Birthdays and anniversaries will be recognized at the first Friday night service of the month. Daily minyan services are: Mondays at 6:15 a.m.; Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 9 a.m.

Tot Shabbat services are held in the main sanctuary of the synagogue at 6:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Gan Shabbat services are held every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Beit HaMidrash on the Religious School level.

Nonmembers of Beth Judea are invited to attend services. For information, call the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777.

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.

Caryn Bark, entertainer and author of the novel "Mittelschmerz" will speak about her book at Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim's Sisterhood Book Club meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10. The book club will review this "laugh-out-loud comic romance."

Copies of the book are available in the NCEH gift shop. Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim is at 2095 Landwehr Road in Northbrook. For information, call (847) 480-1690.