Notes on Relgion

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Adult education

Congregational Church of Christ hosts a weekly Lenten study series for adults, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday evenings through March 30. "The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem" by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic provides the framework for study during the series. A light supper precedes the discussion. Public is invited to participate. Congregational UCC is at 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Check www.CongUCC.org or call (847) 392-6650 for information.

Children, teens

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, will have open houses. Join us for the 2008-2009 school year. Registration for next year is just around the corner. Open houses are at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday for preschool through grade 8.

For information, call the school office for a registration packet, (847) 253-6638.

Lectures, seminars

Knights of Columbus, Holy Rosary Council, presents "Transforming Lives through the Theology of the Body" with Fr. Thomas Loya: "Who is Man for Woman and Woman for Man" from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today at the KC Hall, 15 N. Hickory Ave., Arlington Heights. Everyone is also invited to attend Mass in the KC Hall at 8:30 am with Fr. Charlie Becker, the newly installed chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.

Loya is currently pastor of Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Parish in Homer Glen. He is also host of "Light of the East" radio program and speaks about "Theology of the Body" each week as a regular guest of Relevant Radio's Morning Air Program.

For details, call Jim or Sue McPherrin at (847) 506-1618.

Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, will present "The Dog Tag Return Story" at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

It is the story of a couple who saw a large number of American military "dog tags" being sold as trinkets in a marketplace in Vietnam. They purchased the dog tags and spent years reuniting them with their owners or surviving family members.

At 10:15 a.m. Feb. 17, Lutheran Church of the Cross again will have a presentation on "Autism is a World."

At 10:15 a.m. Feb. 24, "How to Tell the Difference Between the Law and the Gospel" will be presented via DVD by James A. Nestingen, professor of church history at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Subsequent discussion to be led by Kathy Mills.

For details, call (847) 437-5141.

Wayne Messmer, author of "The Voice of Victory," will share his powerful story of courage and conviction at 7 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave. Following the presentation, there will be a reception and book signing. For details, call (847) 255-5900 or visit www.fpcah.org

Men's fellowship

Rinkey Dinks Christian Men will meet Tuesday at the Palm Court Restaurant, 1912 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

The speaker will be the Rev. Bill Cate, associate pastor at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 202 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg.

Cate is married with two adult children and spent 20 years in the Air Force before being called to the ministry.

Miscellaneous

In an effort to seek common ground and greater understanding between neighbors of different faiths, a series of interfaith dialogues have been planned at three distinct houses of worship.

Patterned after "Abraham Salons" suggested by author Bruce Feiler in his book, "Abraham," each community will jointly stage three different discussions focusing on each of the faiths.

The presentations will emphasize the common heritage that began with Abraham, whose story inspires all three of the faiths.

Rabbi Max Weiss of Beth Tikvah Congregation, the Rev. Don Myrom of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and Dr. Khalid Sami of the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs have announced their congregations will each participate in the events. Each leader will speak on their own faith at another's house of worship.

The series will kick off at 7 p.m. March 8 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, with a presentation by Rabbi Max Weiss. The second event will be at 7 p.m. March 27 at Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Blvd., Hoffman Estates, with a presentation by Dr. Khalid Sami on Islam. The third event will take place at 5 p.m. April 12 at the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs Mosque, 3950 Industrial Drive, Rolling Meadows, with a presentation by the Rev. Don Myrom.

Each meeting will start with a 20-minute presentation by the featured speaker on their faith, followed by comments from the two other faith leaders. There will also be time for questions from the audience. A short dessert fellowship will conclude each evening.

The Seventh Rolling Meadows Community Prayer Breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23. The purpose of this nondenominational Christian event is to gather together elected officials and other community leaders to demonstrate our support and encouragement. The program will include breakfast, music, prayer and a meditation.

This year Chaplain (Major) Steve Cooper of the Illinois Army National Guard will be at the breakfast. Cooper, with 17 years of military service, was stationed in Iraq from January 2004 through February 2005. In addition to the Bronze Star, Cooper has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Cooper will be sharing his experiences as he ministered to the soldiers in Iraq.

The breakfast will be held at The Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road. Tickets are available at Community Church, Kingdom Life House of Prayer, Cardinal Drive Church of Christ, Meadows Baptist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Colette Catholic Church and Bethel Lutheran Church or by calling (847) 255-5510.

Tickets cost $10 each. Because seating is limited, tickets must be purchased by Feb. 18.

Performances

St. Emily Church, 1400 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect, will present a free musical program, "The Song of Mark," at 3 p.m. Sunday. This contemporary oratorio by Marty Haugen presents a selection of songs telling the stories of Jesus' ministry from the Jordan River to the empty tomb. The concert features all of St. Emily's choirs and cantors and will be enjoyable for all ages. For details, call (847) 824-5049.

Come join a night of music and desserts from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 17 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 200 S. Wille, Mount Prospect. Costs are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Proceeds will help sponsor youth activities.

Seniors

Elk Grove Baptist Church, 801 Beisner Road, Elk Grove Village, invites all seniors to its senior luncheons on the third Friday of every other month at 11:30 a.m. Bring a dish to share or just bring yourself and enjoy some good conversation and fellowship.

Special services

Lenten services will be at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, through March 12. For details, call (847) 253-4839. For details, call (847) 253-4839.

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, offers Lenten Services at noon, 5 and 7 p.m. (no Communion) Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 5 and 12. For details, call (847) 259-4114

Meadows Baptist Church, 2401 W. Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows, is currently holding its annual "Missions Conference."

On Sunday, Ken Krup of Awana International will speak at both the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services. In the evening, John Roeckeman of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship will be the speaker at the 6:30 p.m. service.

One adult class, Children's Church (grades one-six) and the Student Ministries class (grades seven through 12) meet at 9 a.m. Another adult class and the Adventure Club (4 years old through sixth grade) meet at 10:30 a.m. The Meadows Awana club meets at 7 p.m. Thursday.

For details, call (847) 255-8764.

Alan Butterworth, missionary with the Apple of His Eye Mission Society, St. Louis, Mo., will present "Christ is The Passover" at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, at the noon, 5 and 7 p.m. services March 20. During the presentation, he will explain the symbolism of the Passover meal, showing how Christ has fulfilled the Passover as our Messiah. For details, call (847) 259-4114

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, has added two new Sunday church services: a contemporary worship service at 10:45 a.m. in the Activity Center; and a traditional worship service at 11 am. in the sanctuary. (847) 259-4114.

Women's programs

The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea will present an entertaining and educational event at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 21 in the synagogue social hall. Sue Lewis, the education vice president of the Central Great Lakes Region of Women's League will discuss "Bubbemeises: Jewish Customs and Superstitions."

Sue Lewis is a Jewish educator, a Para Chaplain and a much sought-after community speaker. Her lecture will discuss those Jewish behaviors that we do without really knowing the reason behind them, primarily focusing on superstitions that cover the Jewish life cycle (i.e. why Jews don't believe in baby showers).

Sisterhood events are open to all members of the Beth Judea congregation. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. For further information, contact the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777 or visit www.BethJudea.org.