Notes on Religion

To have your information included, e-mail it each week by noon Tuesday to faith@dailyherald.com, fax it to (847) 680-0189 or mail to Religion listings, 1795 N. Butterfield Road, Suite 100, Libertyville, IL 60048.

Anshe Tikvah: Join in the celebration of Shabbat at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Jan. 4 at the "Life Care Center," 103 Shelter Road, Lincolnshire. In addition, a Shabbat Family Service will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11. Call (847) 917-7726 for information or visit www.anshetikvah.org

Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ: The church at 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein, will hold a Christmas Cantata at the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday, presented by the choir. For information, call (847) 566-4000.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: The church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, will offer an Advent worship experience around the theme of the Jesse Tree at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Jesse Tree is a Christian symbol that is often associated with the Advent season. Sunday School children will decorate the tree with handmade ornaments and lead the congregation in music at the service. For information, visit www.holycrosschurch.org or call (847) 367-4060.

New Life Ev. Lutheran Church: Wondering how you are going to get everything ready for the company that's arriving on Christmas Day, while at the same time entertaining the kids? New Life Ev. Lutheran Church at 910 S. Old Rand Road in Lake Zurich presents a one-day vacation Bible school titled "Christmas for Kids" from 1 to 4 p.m. today. The theme for this year's "Christmas for Kids" is "Christmas from Mexico." Parents can drop off their kids for an afternoon of learning about the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Activities will include learning the Christmas story, Christmas crafts, songs, videos, and a snack. Parents can then return at 4 p.m. to pick up their child/children.

"Christmas for Kids" is offered at no cost to participants. Donations to cover the cost are always welcome. To register, visit the church's homepage at www.newlife-wels.org and select "Christmas for Kids Registration." Parents may also register at (847) 438-5018. "Christmas for Kids" is open to children who are in 4-year-old preschool through eighth grade.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod): The church at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will offer Advent services today and Sunday. Service times are Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 8, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.

• Finalists in the 2003 Chicago symphony Feinberg Youth auditions and the 2006 Skokie Valley Concerto Competition, Natalia and Irina Kogan will be performing classical music at both the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services Dec. 30. Members of the community are invited to attend this free concert.

The choirs of St. Matthew will be joining our guest artists in this concert. For information, call (847) 438-7709 or visit www.st.matts.net.

• The church at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will offer New Year's Communion Worship Service at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29. At 8 and 10:45 a.m. Dec. 30, Natalia and Irina Kogan will give a "Piano Classics" Concert. There will be no 9:30 a.m. service Dec. 30. A New Year's Eve Communion Service will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31. There will be no Thursday service Jan. 3.

For further information, contact the church office at (847) 438-7709

• A Bible Study for women titled "Daniel: Lives of Integrity/Words of Prophecy" will meet Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall Jan. 9- Feb. 20. Classes are open to all women from St. Matthew and the community. Child care will be available. For information, call Scarlett Mankowsky (847) 540-5501.

The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross: The youth groups of the Holy Cross Anglican chapel are collecting various items to distribute to the homeless in Chicago during their annual trip for this charitable purpose. The young people deliver them in person to the homeless as they fan out from the railroad station in downtown Chicago in their effort to locate and provide food and new warm clothing accessories to those whom they meet.

They are accepting donations of gloves and mittens in larger sizes, warm hats, warm socks, scarves, fleece personal blankets, and $5 McDonald's gift cards which may be dropped off Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon at the chapel. The location is 500 Park Ave., Unit 102, Lake Villa.

Congregation Am Echod (Reform): The congregation at 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, offers the following Shabbat Service Schedule.

Today: 9 a.m. study session with Rabbi Harari, 10 a.m. Shabbat morning service.

Friday: 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service.

For information, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@amechod.org

Open Arms Mission: Monetary contributions may be sent to Open Arms Mission, P.O. Box 79, Antioch, IL 60002. Donations are tax-deductible. Donations may be made through Christmas for Holiday Meal Boxes.

The food pantry is on Route 83 south of Route 173, on the west side of road next to A to Z Rental. Food is distributed from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church: The church will offer Lessons and Carols at 10 a.m. Sunday. St. Andrew's Church is at 31 Park Ave. in Grayslake. If you have any questions, call Mother Jane at (847) 223-2310.

• The church at 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, will offer 5 p.m. Eucharist New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. For information, call (847) 223-2310.

St. Paul the Apostle Church: Cardinal Francis George will be the main celebrant at a Simbang Gabi Mass at 5 p.m. today at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee. Simbang Gabi is a novena of Masses in preparation for Christmas celebrated by Filipino Catholics.

The United Protestant Church of Grayslake: A warm Advent welcome awaits visitors to the United Protestant Church of Grayslake, where a variety of worship opportunities are being offered.

The following Advent worship and service events are scheduled:

Sunday: Advent worship services will be held at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., featuring a celebration of babies born into the church family during 2007.

The United Protestant Church of Grayslake is made up of two denominations: the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ and is at the corner of Park and Whitney streets in downtown Grayslake. The Web site address is www.upcgl.org. For information, call (847) 223-8131.

Word of Blessing ministry, 500 Park Ave. Unit 102, Lake Villa: The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross will have a creche walk on Sunday. Everyone attending the 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist is invited to bring their favorite version of the Christmas creche to share with the congregation. Unusual or very old traditional creches are particularly desired. The creches will be displayed before and after the regular Sunday service. (847) 543-7371.

Congregation Beth Judea will present its fifth annual Family Festival Monday at the synagogue. The holiday evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a delicious kosher Chinese dinner. The festivities continue at 7 p.m. with a game show and karaoke.

Cost for dinner and concert: adults (13+) $25; youth (6-12) $18; child (2-5) $10. Dinner reservations must be made by Dec. 17.

Cost for the game show and karaoke only: in advance $10; at the door $15.

Congregation Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. For information, call the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777.

St. Martin de Porres: The school at 515 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, will have an open house for prospective students from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. For information, call (847) 244-6895, ext. 225.