Religion--Special Events
Mystery of the Manger: The children of Light of Christ Lutheran Church at 100 Hanson Road in Algonquin will perform "The Mystery of the Manger -- It's the Gospel Truth," created by Dove Award winners Celeste and David Clydesdale. Join the 50 children ranging in ages from 4 to 12 years old. Miss Jane Blonde, played by Maddie Seidenzahl, is an investigative reporter for the "Morning Star" newspaper. She interviews the children's choir director, Miss Betty Roberts, played by 9-year-old Stephanie Fiorentino of Algonquin to find the "real facts" about Christmas. Jane Blonde's questions and searching would make headline news on Christmas morning. As she observes rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service and pageant, led by Betty Roberts, the children teach her through their songs that "Like the Wise Men," we're all searching for the truth of Christmas. This music and dance extravaganza will be performed at 5 p.m. today and 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road in Algonquin. For information, call Steve Fiorentino, outreach ministry, at (847) 226-5237.
Interfaith choir musical: Second Baptist Church, in cooperation with the African-American Ministers Alliance, will host the Citywide Interfaith Choir Musical at 5 p.m. Sunday in the church multi-purpose facility, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-7757
Christmas presentation: On Sunday, the community is invited to a special Christmas presentation at 10 a.m. Morning Star Church, 41W350 Powers Road, just north of the I-90 Route 47 exit in Huntley. "Christmas is of the Heart" will be presented by Morning Star's Ministry of the Arts, including the Children's Ministry. Refreshments will also be served. For information, call (847) 669-9800 or visit www.morningstarwoc.org.
Christmas at Fox Valley Baptist: Celebrate the holiday season at Fox Valley Baptist Church, 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee. The Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be at 5:30 p.m. This is an interactive service led by the choir, and features a multi-media presentation, congregational singing, a special Christmas message, and concluding with the "passing of the light" candle lighting tradition. At 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, the Watch Night Service is a special New Year Eve's service with singing, prayer, and a New Year's message. For information, call (847) 428-5413 or visit foxvalleybaptist.org.
Christmas at Bethany: Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake, offers three services on Christmas Eve. At 5 p.m., the Family Service features special music by the Sonshine Singers children's choir. The candlelight services with Holy Communion will be at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Prior to the candlelight services, there will also be pre-service music with The Harp Trio at 6:30 p.m. and the Bell Canto Choir, Brass, Timpani and Organ at 10 p.m. The Christmas/Epiphany program, "On the 13th Day of Christmas," will be 3 p.m. Jan. 6. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.
Christmas at Epworth: On Christmas Eve, join in praise and song at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. Worship services for Christmas Eve include the 7 and 11 p.m. candlelight service where the Light of Christ will be celebrated. Open Table Holy Communion will be featured at both services and Epworth's Christmas Tree Choir will perform during the 11 p.m. midnight worship. Everyone is welcome during this holiday celebration. For details, call the office at (847) 931-5400.
Service of carols at Elgin Bible: On Christmas Eve, enjoy a special service of carols, Scripture, and worship of the newborn Christ child at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The service will begin at 5 p.m., and last about an hour. All are welcome. For information, call (847) 888-1978.
Christmas at Barrington UMC: Celebrate the wonder and majesty of Christmas at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road in Barrington. On Christmas Eve, the 4 p.m. children's service features with festive music by the Cherub and Children's choirs, directed by Karen Maxwell and Stephanie Preucil. At the evening services, worship by candlelight at 7 p.m. with music from the Chancel Choir directed by Karen Maxwell, accompanied by Jeff Neufeld, flutist Sam Oliver, violinist Stephanie Preucil and cellist Walter Preucil, and solo by Rosalyn Wesley. Commune with them at the 10:30 p.m. candlelight service, featuring music by the Ladies Trio and soloist Kimberly Albrecht with the Stonegate Strings and flutist Sam Oliver. Child care is available at the 4 and 7 p.m. services. Once more, the Christmas offering will help "the poorest of the poor" through the ChildServ and Marcy-Newberry agencies and the Humboldt Park United Methodist Church. For details, call (847) 836-5540 or visit www.BarringtonUMC.com.
Donations needed for mission trip: Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee need help gathering much needed items for their Gulf Coast mission trip to New Orleans. On Jan. 11, 20 members and friends of Immanuel are traveling to New Orleans to help rebuild homes located in New Orleans Ninth Ward. The disastrous flooding after Hurricane Katrina, followed by damaging winds during Hurricane Rita destroyed much of the City of New Orleans. According to the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf, Immanuel's associate pastor, they are asking for the community to assist us by donating food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies that will be donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. The population of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's state capitol and nearest city to New Orleans, doubled during the crisis time and continues to offer services to those in need. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank is serving as many as 7,500 each day and are in need of the following items: dry cereal and breakfast food, canned meats, canned fruit and canned vegetables, hearty canned soups, dry beans/pasta, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies. People can drop off donated items on Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Drive-through drop-off points will be marked so that contributors need not exit their cars. On Jan. 6, drop-offs will be located on the east side of Immanuel's School building from 9 to 10 a.m. and again from noon to 1 p.m. Volunteers will be available to take the food donations from your car. "We are prepared to transport more than 9,000 pounds of collected items," stated Lark Sanders, member of Immanuel and Barrington firefighter. In addition to food items, Immanuel is accepting cash donations to support the mission trip. During their week in New Orleans, the mission team will live at Camp Restore on the east side of New Orleans. The camp was Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and School campus which suspended operation after most of its membership was evacuated. Upon return from the mission trip, Immanuel will host an information sharing gathering for those interested. The date for that meeting will be determined after the members return. Immanuel Lutheran Church is at 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. For information, call the church office at (847) 428-4477. For details on the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, visit www.brfoodbank.org.