News

Religion--Special Events

Posted December 07, 2007 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Reports

Night of Prayer for Life: St. Mary Catholic Church of Elgin will once again take part in the National Night of Prayer for Life from 8 p.m. to midnight today at the church, 400 Fulton St., Elgin. This 18th annual Prayer Fest welcomes Christians from across the country to join together. Adoration and Benediction will be led by the Rev. Edward J. Seisser along with Litanies, Rosary and meditation. The hour of unity takes place from 11 p.m. to midnight, uniting churches across the four time zones. For details, call (847) 888-2828.

Birthday party for Jesus: St. John Lutheran Church hosts a Birthday Party for Jesus from 10:30 a.m. to noon today in the gymnasium, 115 N. Spring St. in Elgin. Children, age 5 and younger, are invited to the party, which will include songs, stories, games, and crafts, as well as a birthday cake for Jesus. The parents of children will have a special program of their own: "Keeping Stress Out of the Holidays." This program will be led by parent coach Nancy Graham. There is no cost or fee; but, if possible, let them know you are coming so that they can be fully prepared. To make a reservation, call the church office at (847) 741-0814. This program is sponsored by the Board of St. John Lutheran School.

Cookie Walk: The annual Cookie Walk will start at 9 a.m. today at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St., Crystal Lake. It will continue until they are sold out. A selection of festive Christmas cookies will be baked from favorite American and European recipes, along with treats for dogs and birds. While shoppers make their selections, church musicians will serenade, complimentary Starbucks coffee and hot cider will be offered, and tables for relaxing and sampling will be available. The church's cookbook, "Beyond the Cookie Walk," featuring many of the cookie recipes, will be available for $12, with the proceeds going to mission projects. For information, call (815) 459-1132 or e-mail office@rclpc.org. Visit www.rclpc.org.

Christmas tea: Judy Kron, a broadcaster on Chicago's WMBI Christian radio station, will be the featured speaker at a Christmas tea for ladies at Elgin Bible Church. The event will be at 1 p.m. today at the church, 1580 E. Chicago St., on the east side of Elgin. Cost is $5. Guests are asked to bring a wrapped ornament for a gift exchange. There is a $5 limit. It is open to the public. For information or to register, call (847) 888-1978.

Celebration event: Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin wraps up its capital campaign, "Imagine Place …" with a capacity crowd dinner of close to 500 members at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn. The congregation is taking a four-step journey with God in a Scripture-based capital campaign to raise funds for a new church/ministry center at Longmeadow Parkway and Sleepy Hollow Road. This celebration is the culmination of an amazing journey members of Light of Christ have taken over the past 6 years. Children of church members will be celebrating at "Imagine a Party" at the 100 Hanson Road location beginning at 4:15 p.m. The party will include pizza, games and movies. For details, call the church office at (847) 658-9250.

Christmas concert: On Sunday, the vocal choirs, small orchestra and handbells at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin will present a Christmas concert, "Come Ye Faithful," at 3 p.m. at the church, 357 Division St. The public is welcome. A free-will offering will benefit the handbell program. A reception, bake sale and basket raffle will follow the concert. A Blue Christmas Service will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. This service is for anyone who has a hard time during the holiday season. The public is welcome to this quiet service of prayer, candle lighting, scripture and music. A reception will follow the service. For details, call (847) 742-2025 or visit www.holytrinityelgin.org.

Christmas musical: The Elgin Evangelical Free Church presents the Christmas musical, "All Is Calm, All Is Bright" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 1900 Big Timber Road, Elgin. The church's 30-voice adult choir will be accompanied by a 13-piece chamber orchestra. Admission is free, and all are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-8812 or visit the Web site at www.eefc.org.

Blue Christmas: First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake will offer a Blue Christmas Worship Service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. The holiday season is not always joyful and triumphant. Those who have sustained losses during the past year or even longer are welcome to attend for a time of music, spoken word, remembrance, and reflection. Loss of loved ones and friends in death, loss of a job, loss of health, any loss which sadden the heart. Join with the pastors and Stephen Ministry Leaders to receive and bear witness to the comfort God offers during dark times. For details, call (815) 459-6010.

Advent Organ Recital Series: The public is invited to attend the annual Advent Organ Recital Series at the First Congregational Church, Main and Church streets in Huntley. The recitals are on a free-will offering basis. Refreshments follow each recital in the fellowship hall. The second recital at 12:10 p.m. Friday will be performed by Vernon Studt, the church's organist and choir director. He was the director of music and organist at Hyde Park Union Church in Chicago from 1960-94, and has served the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago, two churches in Elgin and four Jewish temples. He has performed organ and carillon recitals throughout the U.S. The third recital will be performed by Phyllis Connelly at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 21. Connelly is an organ and piano instructor at McHenry County College and Elgin Community College. For details, call (847) 669-3691.

A Night in Bethlehem: Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will host "A Night in Bethlehem," a hands-on Holy Land experience and living nativity from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 15. This is a free event for all ages which includes live animals, actors, and interactive activities. This indoor/outdoor afternoon is a perfect Christmas event for all ages. The church is at Highland Avenue and Randall Road in Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-5400.

Cookie Walk: First Congregational Church of Dundee will hold its seventh annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the church, 900 S. Eighth St., West Dundee. The community is invited to this event. Admission is free. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and 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 church provides financial support to six area organizations in the community serving children and families. All proceeds from Cookie Walk 2007 will be used to fund these charities helping the hungry, the homeless and those in need. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Prayer for peace: On Dec. 15, a prayer service for peace in the Middle East will be held at 7:30 p.m. at 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. All are encouraged to join this prayer vigil. For details, call (847) 381-0243 or visit www.elca.org/middleeast.

Christmas family event: On Dec. 16, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will host a Christmas family event from 2 to 5 p.m. at its Nesler Road and Route 20 Christian Life Center. The program, "Christ is the Heart of Christmas," will include baking cookies, singing Christmas songs, decorating a Christmas tree, and family time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The program is an open house designed so families can attend when their busy schedules allow for an enjoyable Christ-focused celebration of Christmas. Children must be accompanied by parents or grandparents and the cost is just one canned good per person to donated to the local food pantry. Families are welcome to bring their nativity sets to set up in a "Nativity Museum" during the event. Everyone is welcome at the event. For details, call (847) 741-7788 or visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org

Miracle on Main Street: Fox Valley Baptist Church and Griffin Christian School jointly present a Christmas musical presentation titled "Miracle on Main Street." The production will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the church, 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee. Admission is free. "Miracle on Main Street" is about a group of kids who hope for a Christmas miracle after their planned town square pageant is canceled. The presentation will be performed by Griffin Christian School students and Fox Valley Baptist Church members. A reception sponsored by the school's PTO will follow. For information, call (847) 428-5413 or visit foxvalleybaptist.org.

Christmas concert: Congregational Unitarian Church's adult choir presents its annual Christmas concert at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 16 at the church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock. The choir, directed by Tom Steffens, will celebrate the holiday season by performing 12 songs. Some favorites are "We Three Kings," "Some Children See Him," "Jeannette Isabella," "Haleluhu," and "The Sleigh." This year's concert will also feature two guest musicians, Anita Tebo and Ginny Heinen. For information, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

Puppet show: On Dec. 16, bring the family to a free award-winning puppet performance at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St. on the east side of Elgin. Meet Kodiak Bear at the "Coyote Falls Airport" and have some "plane" old-fashioned fun. The show starts at 3 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments will be served after the show. For details, call (847) 888-1978.

Blue Christmas service: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host a special Blue Christmas Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the church, 357 Division St. in Elgin. The Christmas season reminds many people of what they have lost or never had. A recent or anticipated death of a family member or friend, the end of a marriage, a broken relationship, the insecurity of employment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation -- all of these can make you feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. You need the space and time to acknowledge your sadness and concern; you need to know that you are not alone. You are invited to come and join in prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God's presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle - and that God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background or lack of it, is welcome. The service will be followed by a time for refreshments and fellowship. For details, call (847) 742-2025 or visit www.holytrinityelgin.org.