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.

Good Shepherd: Did you ever wonder why you never seem satisfied with life? Did you ever wonder why it is so hard at times to believe God has a plan for you? Do you find that at times it is hard to take the action to do what you know is right?

That is the focus in sermons this week at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Elgin. Join the Rev. Roger Pollock this weekend as they examine why it is so hard to be satisfied with your life, and the keys that Jesus gives you to find contentment living according to God's plan for you.

Services are held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday at the 1111 Van St. location. On Sunday, the 9:30 a.m. contemporary family service with children's sermon and Sunday school, and the 11 a.m. a traditional worship service will be at the Nesler Road and Route 20 location.

The church also has ongoing small groups, Bible studies, Prime Timers club, youth groups, and different men's and women's activities.

The church also will host a blood drive on Feb. 16 at the Nesler Road Christian Life Center. Donation time slots will be available soon. For information, call Adrienne Muich at (847) 697-4745.

For information, visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org or call the church office at (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 "Beshalah." 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.

Immanuel Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Gregg Bowen will be sharing the message, "Not a One," at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee.

Holy Communion will be celebrated at the 6 p.m. Saturday and the Sunday 8 a.m. services, which are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. Immanuel has a fine 5-tiered 36 rank Cassavant pipe organ, crafted onsite in the 1970s into the cathedral dome of the church sanctuary.

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.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." The service, held in the sanctuary, is piano-led and is an informal non-liturgical worship style with a music blend of favorite hymns and songs of praise. This week, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf begins a two-week sermon series of messages. During the message, young children are invited to participate in a children's ministry offering called "Faith Factory +" which takes place in Luther Hall, adjacent to the sanctuary.

In February, Immanuel begins its midweek Wednesday Lenten services, with a traditional service at 10 a.m. and a blended service at 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season on Feb. 6 with services at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

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 service will be held at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Isaiah 47:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 and John 1:29-42.

Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

The church is again selling hoagies for Super Bowl Sunday to help fund this year's youth mission trip. The original Dundee Scots recipe is used to make these sandwiches. Each sandwich is $5. Place your order by Jan. 27 by calling (847) 836-6347.

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, "Yesterday's Outcome," 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.

Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m. with the youth group meeting at 11:15 a.m.

A praise worship service, "GET HOOKED … on the Lord," will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday. Pat Hargis will be giving the message, "Connecting With God."

"Thank Goodness It's Wednesday" sessions begin with a supper at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, followed by group studies and rehearsals. The supper and worship session at 6 p.m. are open to all.

The newly-refurbished and up-graded pipe organ at First United Methodist Church in downtown Elgin will be dedicated in a special concert at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Hector Olivera, a renowned Rodgers Organ Company organist from California, will be giving the concert at the church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin.

The organ has a new digital console, additional pipes -- including trumpets installed at the rear of the sanctuary. The rebuilding process have been in the process for more than a year with pipes being built in two different European countries. Mark Johnson is the regular church organist and can answer questions you might have regarding the instrument and the concert.

For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Jan. 20, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the Rev. Loren Krout will preach the sermon, "The Lamb of God Provides," based on John 1:29-42, 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 Lenten midweek services begin on Feb. 6 with supper at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.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 pinochle club meets the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. 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 Sunday, the Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will be preaching 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.

His sermon is titled "The Hem of The Garment." The Chancel Choir will assist in the leading of worship as they sing "I Will Arise" by Susan Byler. Both children's choirs, under the direction of Letty Joeius, will sing this Sunday as well. The Cherub Choir will sing "Happy All the Time" and the Joyful Noise will sing "I Am the Resurrection."

"Adult Christian Formation" starts every Sunday at 9 a.m. with breakfast in the fellowship hall. The Gospel of St. Mark is being studied in depth. Students are thinking they might be living a parable. Everyone is invited.

Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. with children and parents together in the morning worship. After the children's sermon, Sunday school students leave the sanctuary for individual classes.

Damaris Circle, the out-and-about dining group, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Baker's Square, 300 Randall Road in South Elgin. All women of the church and their friends are welcome.

The second annual FCC women's retreat is planned for Jan. 25-26. The Chocolate Heart Spa Weekend will be held at the Country Inn and Suites on Route 31 in Crystal Lake. All women of the church and friends are invited to come, study, swim, enjoy a spa service, get better acquainted with friends in the church, relax, and enjoy lots of chocolate.

For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

First Congregational Church of Elgin is at 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin's downtown. Numerous parking, including a multi-level municipal lot, is within a block of the church. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit the Web site at www.fcc­elgin.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 "A Miracle Working God" inspired by Exodus 14:19-22.

The Male Chorus will render the music for both services.

On Jan. 21, Second Baptist will be the guest of Judson College to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The program will be held in the university's chapel beginning at 10 a.m. The combination of choirs and students makes this a wonderful celebration.

On Jan. 27, Second Baptist along with Church of the Brethren will host a joint fellowship. At 9:30 a.m., Rev. Edmond will deliver the message at the Church of the Brethren and at 11 a.m. the Rev. Joel Kline will deliver the message at Second Baptist. Join them for this wonderful fellowship experience.

On Jan. 23, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor, presents the theme, "That They May All Be One," based on Ephesians 2:11-22, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Sunday's Ministry of Music will feature Rise Jones, spiritual singer.

In January, the Local Mission Ministry will be collecting cans of soup for FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Donate one or two cans to make someone's winter a little warmer.

Order a hoagie sandwich, Dundee Scots "secret" recipe for Super Bowl on Feb. 3. Support the Chancel Choir 2008 fundraiser and place your order before Jan. 28 by calling the church office. The cost is $5 per sandwich. It will be available for pick-up on Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m.

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 on the book of Mark.

The adult teaching meets from 9 to 10 a.m. The study is led by the Rev. Longbottom. Explore Mark and encounter the oldest gospel witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Nursery care is provided.

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 "Peter and Andrew Meet Jesus," based on the Bible story in John 1:35-42: Jesus is the Lamb of God.

The church council chat will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message will be "Treasures in Heaven," based on Matthew 6: 19-24, 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. Jan. 21 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 second Sunday after the Epiphany as they look at the topic of "How People Find Christ," based on based on John 1:29-42a.

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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, First Congregational United Church of Christ invites you to join them for a special service of worship honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The congregation will be worshipping with the sister congregation, New Generation, which meets in First Congregational's Memorial Hall at 29 N. Grove St. in Carpentersville. This special service of worship will meet at 11 a.m. Handicap accessibility is available entering through First Congregational's Fellowship Hall at 30 N. Washington St. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "A Double Take," based on John 1:29-42a, 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.

The Mission Resale Shop, located on Washington Street, is open on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gifts and good quality used clothing, and small household items can be purchased at reasonable prices. Donations are gratefully appreciated, and proceeds benefit mission work locally and afar. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Light of Christ: This weekend, the Kendall Koenig continues the sermon series, "The Light Goes Out, The World Catches a Glimpse" with "The First are Drawn" at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. The Scripture reading for the sermon is taken from John 1:29-42.

Worship services are held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Adult Bible study with the pastor is at 9 a.m. in the Welcome Center.

Caring Partners is leading a Healthy Living Small Group. The group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays through March 1 at the church. The "Bible Study Adventure" for adults begins from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the church. The Family Life Hour at the same time will look at "Preparing for the Drug-Free Years." This week, parents with children in preschool through high school will receive ideas on how to help your child stay drug-free throughout their school days.

Preschool children will receive their Bibles this weekend. Divorce Care Small Group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, beginning Jan. 21 and continues through March 10. This small group is for anyone going through the struggle of divorce. For details, call (847) 658-9250.

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 49:1-7, Psalms 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 and John 1:29-42. Music will be offered by the Senior Choir. On Sundays, the Adult Enrichment Class will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Sunday school will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.

On Jan. 27, there will be a congregational meeting after the 10 a.m. service. There also will be a luncheon after the meeting. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Program will be held Tuesdays, Jan. 29 through Feb. 26. The God and Me Program for first through third grade will be from 4 to 5 p.m. The God and Family program for fourth and fifth grade will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The times for the God and Church program for sixth through eighth grade will be announced later. For information, call the church office (847) 658-5308.

St. Paul's Anglican Church: At St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael DuCette, deacon in charge, will use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. The deacon's sermon will be based on the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This Sunday is called "Septuagesima," or the third Sunday before Lent.

The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John, 6th chapter. The annual meeting will be held Jan. 27 after the coffee hour. St. Paul's Parish is part of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley Anglican Church of America. For details, visit www.acahome.org or call (815) 459-2044.