Fox Valley Notes on Religion

Notes on religion To include your church in the free listings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com or fax to (847) 608-0849.

Good Shepherd: On Jan. 13, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will begin several different classes at its Nesler Road and Route 20 Christian Life Center in Elgin.

Beginning Jan. 13, "Good Shepherd 101," a class that provides an introduction or review of Lutheran teachings and prepares people for membership, will be held at 11 a.m. and continue for seven to eight Sunday mornings. For details, e-mail choffice@goodshepherd-elgin.org.

A small group for those who are grieving also will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 13, especially for people suffering the loss of a loved one. This small group is for anyone, not only church members. To enroll, e-mail rpollock@ goodshepherd-elgin.org.

A Sunday Bible study on the Book of Genesis also will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 and continue indefinitely. The study will deal with topics such as evolution, the flood, and will follow God's choice of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. To join Bible study, e-mail rpollock@goodshepherd-elgin.org. For details, visit www.goodshepherd-elgin. org or call (847) 741-7788.

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 Vaera. 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 Sh'mot, the first portion of Exodus, where a king arises in Egypt "who knew not Joseph," and the Israelites are enslaved. Adult education classes are held on Thursdays and Saturdays. A class, "Believing in G-d," will be held at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 19, immediately after lunch. All are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www. CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: On Sunday, the men, women and children of Immanuel's music department will be leading in worship with a Cantata Service of Music and the Word at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee.

This year's cantata, "With the Angels and Stars Above … We Sing to Our King," is a service with special music provided by the vocal, instrumental and handbell ensembles. For the message, the Rev. William Yonker will be preaching on Matthew 2, with the sermon, "Why Did They Make the Journey?"

Holy Communion will be celebrated at the 6 p.m. Saturday service. 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. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Dale Kleinschmidt will be the guest speaker at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 3:13-17. Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

Recycle your 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.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will give the sermon, "Your Light Has Come," at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin.

Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of John Slawson. The choir will be singing "When God is a Child," by Wien and Carter, and "Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine," arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m. with the youth group meeting at 11:15 a.m.

"Thank Goodness It's Wednesday" sessions begin again Wednesday. The sessions begin with a supper at 5:15 p.m., followed by group studies and rehearsals. The supper and worship session at 6 p.m. are open to all. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, the Epiphany of our Lord, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "You Need Nothing More … ," based on Acts 10:39-43, 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 blood drive will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 14 and there will be a free pie from Baker's Square for all who can give. The church 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.

First Congregational: On Epiphany Sunday, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo's sermon will speak on "Life Outside the Frame" at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The chapel service is at 8:15 and the 10:15 a.m. worship is in the sanctuary.

The choir anthem, under the direction of Jon Warfel, will be "Walk in the Light."

In-depth Bible study of the Gospel of Mark will begin at 9:15 a.m. Sunday school for youth begins at 10:15 a.m.

After the 10:15 a.m. service, all are invited for coffee and fellowship hour in the fellowship hall. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

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 "Speak Over Yourself," inspired by I Samuel 30:1-6.

The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Chorale Ensemble will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services while baptisms will take place at 10:30 a.m.

The fourth annual Day of Prayer for the Homeless will be observed on Sunday, the day of Epiphany. Congregations throughout Elgin will join together on this day to lift up prayers for the homeless. Second Baptist will be gathering for one-half hour of prayer at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St. The ecumenical worship service will conclude the evening at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.

The Young Adult Ministry and the Library Ministry will host a financial seminar as well as a scholarships and grants information session from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 12. The financial seminar will cover such topics as understanding your credit score, common myths about credit reporting, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The scholarships and grants session will cover the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process as well as the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.

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 Epiphany Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor, presents the theme, "Picking Up The Pieces," based on Luke 6:12-19, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

The pastor has been an ordained minister since 1976. His master of divinity degree is from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in California and he holds a doctorate from Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts. He has been a United Church of Christ minister since 1991 and his most recent congregation was Countryside Community UCC in Omaha, a 2,000-member multi-staff church where he served for seven years.

The first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of non-perishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 & 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. In January, the Local Mission Ministry will be collecting cans of soup for FISH Food Pantry. Donate one or two cans to make someone's winter a little warmer.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 10:15 a.m. service will feature the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, accompanist.

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 "Joseph Takes His Family to Safety in Egypt," based on the Bible story in Matthew 2:13-23: God works in our lives.

The Habitat for Humanity work day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 12 at 1203 Sycamore in Lake in the Hills Homes are built primarily through volunteer construction labor which helps keep the cost of the homes affordable for buyers. Volunteer to help by contacting Charles Mensik at (847) 428-1988.

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

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message continues the Christmas story in Matthew 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.

Yarns and Needles will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the church basement. Bring your projects and join in.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, there will be a prayer service. Participants will pray for the needs of the church, the congregation, friends and family, and the world. 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 Epiphany as they look at the topic of "King of the Jews -- and Gentiles Too," based on Matthew 2.

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 at 9:15 a.m. along with a educational program 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture from Matthew 2:1-12 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Even as the beloved story of the Magi is a story full of both fear and joy, so your life as a believer, as a follower of Christ, is also full of joy and fear. 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. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Lloyd Kamps will lead the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley.

A retired minister in the United Church of Christ, he is an active member of the Huntley congregation. He is filling in after the Dec. 31 retirement of the Rev. Walter Thyng. The Chancel Choir will sing at both services. The Crusader Bells will play at the first service. For details, call (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "The Brightness of His Dawn," based on Isaiah 60:1-6, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara will preach at 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. The meditation will be based on Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12. For information, call the church office (847) 658-5308.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at both services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 and 10:30 a.m. services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care are available at both services. Sunday is Grafton Food Pantry collection day. A "New Year Blessing Open House" will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Grudt home. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.