Fox Valley religion notes
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.
Christ the Lord: On Sunday, the traditional service of lessons and carols with Holy Communion will be at 9:30 a.m. at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Highland Avenue and Tina Trail, a quarter-mile west of Randall Road in Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-8141 or visit www.christthelordlutheran.com.
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 Shemot. 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.
Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, at 9:45 a.m. Saturdays and followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week."
This week's Torah portion is Va-era, in which God makes himself known to Moses by name. Adult education classes are held on Thursdays and Saturdays. A class on "Believing in G-d" will be held at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 19, immediately after lunch. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org
Immanuel Lutheran: On Jan. 6, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee, will have cantata celebration services of music and the Word at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. worship with special music from the vocal, instrumental and handbell ensembles of Immanuel's music program. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org. See what is new in worship, listen to recent sermons, find out what is happening at the church or the day school program, or send a question or comment that might allow the church to better connect with you.
First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Steven Mindrup leads worship at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18 and Matthew 2:13-23. Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.
The Mitten Tree in the Fireside Room welcomes donations of hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for children of area elementary schools. Recycle a cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.
St. John: On Sunday, the First Sunday after Christmas, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Christmas Joy," based on Colossians 3:12-17, 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 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. The monthly men's breakfast Bible study is the first Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.
Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The message will be "I'm Tired of Living Like a Lunatic," inspired by Matthew 17:14-20.
The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Combined Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service.
New Year's Eve Watch Service celebration will begin at 10 p.m. The theme for this year's celebration is "A New Day Has Begun!" This celebration of Watch Services -- also known as Freedom's Eve -- in black communities can be traced back to Dec. 31, 1862. President Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation -- the promise that all slaves of the Confederate States were legally free -- set the stage for this yearly celebration. The slaves gathered at the churches awaiting the strike of midnight. On Jan. 1, 1863, when the slaves received news of their freedom, they prayed and fell to their knees giving thanks to God.
This week, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. Bus and childcare services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.
First Congregational: On this Farewell Sunday to the Rev. Richard Nye, transitional pastor, the theme will be "The Message of the Candles," based on Isaiah 61:1-4 and Luke 2:8-14, at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.
Sunday's Ministry of Music will feature Roy Hansen on trumpet, "Trumpeting in the New Year," with accompanist Linda Gilmore.
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 those age 5 and under from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Children should be signed in and out.
A farewell reception will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the church council in honor of the pastor.
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 "Foreign Visitors Worship Jesus," based on the Bible story in Matthew 2:1-12: Everyone needs Jesus. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.
King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the first Sunday After Christmas as they look at the topic of "A Great Adoption," based on Galatians 4:4-7. 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 church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.