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.

Evangelical Covenant Church: Starting today, Evangelical Covenant Church of Elgin, 1565 Larkin Ave., is initiating a contemporary worship service, called "Lights On Saturday Night" at 5 p.m. Togetherness and prayer will follow at 6 p.m. Feel free to come for all or part of this worship experience. For details, call the church at (847) 888-2302.

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 Miketz. 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. 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. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On the Second Sunday in Advent, the worship theme will be "Tough Love" at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee. The message will be on Matthew 3:1-11.

The 5:30 p.m. worship Saturday, and 8 a.m. worship Sunday are traditional liturgical services with music led by the organ. The 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday is a blended contemporary style.

Sunday school, junior confirmation class, and adult Bible study meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Bethlehem's choral concert, "Carols of Bethlehem," will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and the Christmas program led by the Sunday school students will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 16.

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.

For information about Bethlehem Community Ministry Center, or to use any of the facilities, call Frank Hewitt, director of parish ministries, at (847) 426-4641, or fhewitt@aol.com. The Rev. John Carrier can be reached at the church office or at pastorcarrier@sbcglobal.net.

Immanuel Lutheran: This the second weekend of Advent, the Rev. William Yonker will be sharing the message, "Because Your Walk Talks," based on Matthew 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. The Saturday evening and Sunday morning 8 a.m. services are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. The Sunday 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. Holy Communion this weekend will be celebrated at the 10:45 a.m. service.

"Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

On Wednesdays in December, Immanuel will have midweek Advent services at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. These services, held in the sanctuary, will be a non-liturgical worship style with a music blend of meditative and Advent hymns. The Rev. Phillip Baerwolf is preaching for the Advent services, delivering a series of messages on "The Stars … Advent Worship Under God's Stars."

This Wednesday's message will be based on Job 38:7 called "Abraham's Star." To warm the heart and provide nourishment for the body, an Advent luncheon is provided after the morning service and a supper sponsored by the youth of Immanuel before the evening service.

Faith Factory and Acts 2 Bible time and fellowship are also offered after the midweek services.

On Dec. 16 at the 10:45 service, Immanuel will be having a special service, "A Jazz Noelle," a service of contemporary praise with a jazz twist. The service, featuring horns and a praise ensemble, is an Advent service with a taste of Christmas. Holy Communion also will be celebrated while they ring in the Christmas season with carols and songs of praise. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Sunday School students will present "Hang on to Your Hats, It's Christmas" at the 10 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24:36-44.

Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

Brass Christmas ornaments are being sold for $10 after church each Sunday until Christmas. These are great stocking stuffers for new, old and existing members. The ornaments are brass replicas of the church.

The United Methodist Women will have their annual Advent Tea and Cookie Exchange from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Bring four dozen cookies and take home three dozen. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

St. John: On the Second Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon "The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand," based on Matthew 3:1-12, 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 Advent midweek suppers and services are Wednesdays with dinner at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m.

The choirs practice Wednesdays with the voice choir at 6:30 p.m. and bell choir at 7:30 p.m.

TOPS meets at 6 p.m. Mondays. Weight Watchers meet at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: The Second Sunday of Advent finds many opportunities for study and worship at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin.

Starting with a chapel service at 8:15 a.m., it moves on to education offerings at 9:15 a.m. with in-depth Bible study and a Stepping Stones presentation on "Coping with the Holidays." Sunday school for young people convenes at 10:15 a.m. as does worship in the sanctuary.

The Rev. Paris Donehoo will speak on "Believing is Seeing" and the Rev. Lois Bucher will give the children's sermon. The anthem by the Chancel Choir is "The Glory of the Lord" by Tom Fettke.

Sunday services are at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "The Long Walk Toward Peace" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

There will be a follow-up Global Holiday Bazaar sale during the fellowship time at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

The Spirited Sisters will view a video segment from "Bird by Bird with Annie: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott" from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. In addition, they will make prayer stones out of clay and enjoy each other's company.

The senior high youth will have their Christmas Party on Dec. 16. Morning worship on Dec. 16 will include baptism and the reception of new members. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message, "I am a Prince," inspired by Genesis 32:28, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service.

The Precious Praise choir will host their first concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Come out and support our young choir members. The annual Sunday school Christmas program will be held at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 16 in the multi-purpose facility. The theme is "Called to Rejoice."

The church will host the Citywide Interfaith Choir Musical on Dec. 23 in the multi-purpose facility. Call the church office for details.

Mid-day Bible study begins at noon on Wednesday followed by evening Bible Study starting at 7 p.m. SBC is studying the Book of Revelation. Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and childcare services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, a Christmas concert, "Christmas Canticles," by Benjamin Harlan and with orchestra, will be presented at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.

This annual event is offered to the public by the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, accompanist. Classic carols and beautiful new songs, complete with narration, are woven together in four separate suites to create a work for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season. The community is invited.

The Local Mission Ministry is sponsoring collections for the needy. Christmas gifts for the Elgin Mental Health Center patients are being collected through Monday. Contact the church office for a complete list of items to be collected. The Mitten Tree is decorated and on display. By picking a mitten from the tree and purchasing a gift, you will be making Christmas brighter for a needy family in the area. All wrapped gifts will be collected for distribution by Dec. 17.

Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Programs offered include Sunday school for children age 3 through eighth grade and adult teaching.

Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers age 5 and under from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Children should be signed in and out. Coffee and fellowship time will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the Hospitality Team.

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 "Solomon tells of Jesus' Coming," based on the Bible story in Psalm 72:1-19: Jesus does marvelous deeds.

The community is invited to "Caroling Hayrides and Kid's Christmas Crafts" from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Can't get those Christmas songs out of your head? Come caroling on a hayride through the church neighborhood while the kids make crafts; enjoy some cocoa and pie too, all free of charge.

The church will hold its seventh annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and will be sold by weight. Pick your own specialty holiday cookies from the selection. The church also will sell its latest cookbook, "A Taste of Heaven," for $6 each or four for $20. Many of the cookie recipes are included. The community is invited to this event. Admission is free.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, intern Greg Applequist's message is "Visit of the Magi," based on Matthew 2:1-12, at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin.

Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation and study. Children's Sunday school meets during the 9:30 a.m. service. Childcare is also available during the service.

On Wednesday, there will be a Christmas Coffee House gathering at 7 p.m. with cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, good conversation, and lots of joyful Christmas music. Bring your favorite cookies and share in a cookie exchange.

At 6 p.m. Dec. 15, the church is hosting a Yankee Swap Party. Bring an interesting item from your hall closet or attic and join in the fun as the adults open surprising packages. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the second Sunday in Advent as they look at the topic of "Are You Standing in the Doorway?," based on Matthew 3. 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 mid-week 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 weekly Advent services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Matthew 3:1-12 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The message of John the Baptist is one that you cannot avoid. John is right: You all need repentance, conversion, and transformation. That God's grace has provided for those needs is good news.

It is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming all to their services. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available at the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

Highland Fellowship: Highland Fellowship Church, 2250 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin, invites you to "The Heart of Christmas" at the 10 a.m. Sunday services in December.

On Sunday, the theme will be "God in the Manger." The LiveWire Children's Ministry will present the Nativity Story.

On Dec. 16, the Fusion Youth Ministry will present a drama called "Our God of Wonders." The theme will be "Who planned Christmas a long time ago?"

On Dec. 23, in "God of Miracles," there will be special musical guests leading the congregation in songs of the season with a message, "A Sacrifice that Brought a Miracle." On Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon, celebrate Emmanuel with the church. All are invited to join a casual and creative service.

On Dec. 30, in "God of Discovery," learn about the place that God is preparing for you in heaven and discover the answer to "What does a ticket cost to go to heaven?" For details, call (847) 741-6629.