Notes on Religion

Your faith

To have your information included, e-mail it each week by noon Tuesday to faith@dailyherald.com, fax it to (847) 680-0189 or mail it to Religion listings, 1795 N. Butterfield Road, Suite 100, Libertyville, IL 60048.

Anshe Tikvah: A Shabbat Service will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the "Life Care Center," 103 Shelter Road, Lincolnshire. Call (847) 917-7726 for membership or religious school information or visit the Web site at www.anshetikvah.org.

• "How To Lead A Shiva Minyon" will be offered at 7 p.m. Monday. Participants in this class will learn how to lead a shiva minion and will be trained to help a family fulfill the mitzvah of saying Kaddish after the death of a loved one. Participants should be able to read Hebrew -- no previous worship leading experience is required.

• "Lunch & Learn: Jewish Vegarianism" will be offered Thursday. Spiritual leader Rob Jury invites you to his home for lunch to lean about Jewish vegetarianism. We will explore biblical and Rabbinic texts in support of vegetarian eating and enjoy a gourmet vegetarian feast. R.S.V.P. to Jury at Robjury@anshetikvah.org.

Congregation Or Shalom: Starting in February, a special Thursday morning series called "Cooking with the Rabbi," continues, Thursday and Feb 28, March 13, and April 3 and 17, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. The only prerequisites for this course are an $18 fee and a desire to have fun cooking.

Congregation Or Shalom is at 21 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. For information on Congregation Or Shalom and upcoming events, call (847) 362-1948 or visit www.orshalomlc.org.

• February worship services continue at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 and 29, featuring bar and bat mitzvahs, along with a special fifth-grade service. Saturday morning services will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 and 23, featuring additional bar mitzvah services.

• Jonathan Wilson, author of the biography "Marc Chagall," murder mystery "A Palestine Affair" and the upcoming "Sunderland," will make a guest appearance, speaking at a dessert reception and book signing at 7 p.m. March 2 at Or Shalom.

• On March 15, adults can try a progressive rummy game called Pisha Paysha. Starting at 7:30 p.m., it will be held at a private home and reservations will be required. It promises to be a free, fun evening.

• A Purim Carnival will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. March 16, followed by a Purim service starting at 7 p.m. March 20.

Grace Lutheran Church: The church invites everyone each Wednesday in Lent for LIQUID, a Lenten Experience, midweek study series. Each week the study will look at one of the brief stories from this series that illustrates God's word in the language of today's culture. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a soup supper, and then the Lenten study. Grace Lutheran Church is on 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. For more information, visit the Web site at www.aboutgracelutheran.org or call (847) 367-7050.

• A LifeSource Mobile Blood Drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville. Blood donors must show identification, and meet the following qualifications: weigh at least 110 pounds; be in good physical health; be at least 17 years old; have not given blood in the past eight weeks. If you have a question regarding eligibility, call the Medical Help Desk at (847) 803-7921.

Call LifeSource at (847) 803-7943 to make an appointment. Please mention Grace Lutheran Church when making your appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information about the blood drive, visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org or call Grace Lutheran Church at (847) 367-7050.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: The 2008-2009 registration for Mom's Morning Out begins in February. Mom's Morning Out is a special preschool program designed for 2-year-olds. Registration forms may be obtained in the church office. For details, call Lisa Valentine at (847) 367-4060.

The church is at 29700 N. St. Mary's Road in Libertyville. For more information, visit www.holycrosschurch.org.

• CrossWays Preschool's open registration begins in early February. Crossways Preschool serves children who are 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 1. Traditional classes are held from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings and Tuesday/Thursday mornings. Additional options for 4-year olds include Lunch Bunch and Science Sensation. Lunch Bunch extends the school day until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, and provides additional large motor activity, socialization, and planned activities. Science Sensation is an enrichment program that provides in-depth, age-appropriate and an exciting science and math experience one morning a week. For more information, call Mindy Doss at (847) 367-4060.

• Holy Cross announces its Lenten service schedule and invites the community to share in the special worship and open Communion opportunities.

Wednesday Lenten worship services will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 27 and March 5. There also will be a service at 7:30 p.m. March 12 with a soup supper at 6:30 p.m. There will be a worship service at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 20, and Good Friday, March 21.

Interfaith Chaplaincy Services: The group is sponsoring a Banquet for Body and Soul Sunday at The Forge Club, 634 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills. Cocktails will be held at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner, entertainment and a silent auction.

Funds raised by this event will support the chaplaincy program at Winchester House, a Lake County nursing home for the frail and elderly, in Libertyville. The program offers spiritual care and religious support which helps individuals gain strength, comfort, worth and effectiveness in meeting life's most serious challenges. For information, call ICS at (847) 336-2777.

Messiah Lutheran Church: The church at 25225 W. Ivanhoe Road, Wauconda, is excited to launch a new program introducing children to good health and fitness. Messiah Kids' Club will sponsor "Color Me Health," a creative program that teaches children about healthy food choices and fun exercises through activities, games, songs and crafts. Each month a newsletter will be sent out filled with healthy food tips and other ideas to incorporate good healthy choices for life. For information, call (847) 526-7112 or visit www.messiah-wauconda.org.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church: The church has begun a study on Paul's Letter to the Romans. The Rev. Mark Selbo is leading the group, which meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The church is located at 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein.

• Lenten worship services are offered each Wednesday evening beginning with a soup supper at 6 p.m. Please bring a "soup" to share.

• A Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in Nelson Hall. Instructions will be given for making the shawls.

St. John's Lutheran Church & School: The church, at 501 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, invites the community to its Lenten Services: at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 27, March 5, 12; and at 7 p.m. March 20-21.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church: St. Lawrence Episcopal Church will be hosting a Service of Taize at 5 p.m. Feb. 24. A Taize style of service is primarily meditative, but blends music, word, and silence together. It is both a communal and yet largely individual activity.

All are invited to attend this special service. St. Lawrence Episcopal Church is at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville. For information, call the church office at (847) 362-2110 or visit www.stlawrencechurch.org.

• During the season of Lent, the Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church is supporting "afghans for Afghans" by creating community afghans. These blankets will bring comfort and warmth to Afghan women, men, and children who continue to suffer from oppression, war, hunger, poverty, and sickness.

During the season of Lent, the Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in the sanctuary on Monday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. and on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Stitching patterns are available for inspiration -- 7- to 9-inch rectangles will be knitted, to be joined together into blankets to be sent to Afghanistan.. Anyone is welcome to knit rectangles and drop them off at the church office at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville.

For more information, visit the Web site www.afghansforAfghans.org or call the church office at (847) 362-2110.

St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church: The church in Mundelein is hosting Dr. Scott Hahn for a one-day speaking event March 29.

A former Presbyterian minister who once spoke against the Catholic faith, Hahn is now a professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University. He is a prolific Roman Catholic author who speaks at numerous national and international events.

Conference doors open at 9:45 am for check-in and fellowship. Hahn will present three sessions beginning at 10:30 am. The conference will conclude with a book signing around 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 and are available while supplies last. Registration forms are available at www.stmaryfc.org or you may register online at www.events.org/scotthahnatsma .

The church is at 22333 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein. For more information, e-mail scotthahnatsma@yahoo.com or call Jennifer Pepping at (224) 622-5448.

The Saint Mary of Vernon Men's Club: On this Friday, and the following four Friday nights, the Men's Club will host the "all-you-can-eat" Fish Fry which is held at the Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills.

The Fish Fry is open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The menu includes fresh baked and fried fish, macaroni and cheese, baked mostaccoli, award-winning coleslaw, fried shrimp, fresh cut chips and french fries and desserts. A cash bar is available. Prices are $32 for family; $10 for adults; $6 for children 4 to 12; and $9 for seniors 65 and over. Call (847) 816-0896 for further information.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The Ladies Aid invites everyone to attend the second annual "Name Brand Greeting Card and Book Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 16 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 in Luther Hall at the church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

Refreshments available. For information, call Jennifer at (847) 680-7793.

• The following five midweek services are on Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Thursday, Feb. 21, 28 and March 6, 13. Each evening service is preceded by a Lenten dinner served at 5:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall.

Midweek Lenten homilies will focus our attention on numerous locations in and around the city of Jerusalem where significant events of our Lord's passion took place. Historical background will be shared to gain a better understanding of the significance of each location and its connection to God's plan of salvation.

• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hawthorn Woods, will host a Bible Study for women titled "Daniel: Lives of Integrity/Words of Prophecy". Classes are open to all women from St. Matthew and the community, and will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall beginning Feb. 27 through April 9. Child care will be available.

For more information, call Scarlett Mankowsky at (847) 540-5501.

Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church: Beginning Wednesday, every Wednesday evening during Lent there will be a program beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. will be a soup and salad dinner followed by a 20-minute video exploring a series of topics. This will be followed by small group discussions led by the clergy and ending with Compline (a brief prayer service).

The church is at 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee. For more information, call (847) 336-3730 or visit the Web site at www.annunciationgurnee.org.

• On Monday, the Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. at Panera in Gurnee to discuss "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. Next month the book is "Where the Heart Waits" by Sue Monk Kidd.

Congregation Am Echod (Reform): The congregation, at 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, offers the following Shabbat Service Schedule.

Today: 9 a.m. Study Session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat morning service.

Friday: 6:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat; 7:30 p.m. Shir L'Shabbat Service -- Am Echod's trademark musical service. Wedding anniversaries for the month of February will be celebrated.

For more information, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@amechod.org.

Crosspoint Church: The church at 27430 W. Nippersink Road, Ingleside, on Sunday will welcome guest speaker Taun Cortado who heads the Radio Ministry for Gospel For Asia. GFA is one of the largest missionary movements working across the nation of India in evangelism and church-planting work.

Sunday worship service is at 10 a.m. Crosspoint Church is affiliated with the Mid America Baptist Conference, Baptist General Conference. For information, call the church office at (847) 587-7722. www.thecrosspointchurch.org

• On Feb. 17, "The God Delusion Debate" will be shown on DVD on the large screen. It will start at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Professor Richard Dawkins, spokesman for the New Atheism and author of the book, "The God Delusion," debates Dr. John Lennox, a popular Christian Apologist and scientist and author of the book, "God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?" on the existence of God. The public is invited and there is no cost.

Shepherd of the Lakes Church: The group OneTwentyTwo will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at The Vine Martini and Wine Bar in downtown Grayslake.

OneTwentyTwo has been one of the most popular bands to participate in this concert series. The group offers a great combination of contemporary Christian and secular music featuring strong vocal performances and musicianship. OneTwentyTwo's members hail from The Chapel, a church based in Grayslake.

Admission is free. No reservations are required. The Vine is at 101 Center St. There is no cover charge or reserved seating. For more information, call (847) 543-0900 or e-mail sotl_pr@yahoo.com

St. Andrew Episcopal Church: The church at 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, presents "Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need."

Elijah's Mantle is a community service project with a goal to help families with children in need by supplying gently used children's clothing. The store is open to everyone from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of every month at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, Lake and Park streets, Grayslake. There is no cost. Gently used clothing is available for boys and girls in sizes ranging from infant to size 16. The next store date is today.

Since they rely completely on donated clothing (infant to size 16), the project welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations. You can drop off clothing donations at the church on the Saturdays when the store is in operation, or arrange other dates by calling the church at (847) 223-2310.

The church also welcomes anyone from the community who might like to join the staff of volunteers to help sort and distribute the children's clothing. Call the church for details.

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church: At 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, the parish will offer Stations of the Cross in the church, on Route 173, a half-mile east of Route 45, Antioch.

In March, the parish has scheduled a Lenten mission to help parishioners turn from their hectic lives and reflect on the life that God is calling each one of us to lead. The mission will begin with preaching at all the Masses during the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday. The mission will continue at 7 p.m. March 3-5 in the church, and Mass will be included. The Wednesday program will conclude with the sacrament of penance.

The Rev. Fr. Joseph Henchey, C.S.S., a veteran priest of 51 years who is currently holding the Paluch Chair of Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, will be the mission preacher.

For information on these or other programs at St. Raphael the Archangel, call the parish office at (847) 395-FISH (3474) and ask for the pastor, the Rev. Fr. John Jamnicky.

Words of Blessing Ministry: The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross opens a Lenten-focused Healing Ministry to Lake County at 7 p.m. Thursday at its ministry center located at 500 Park Ave. Unit 102, Lake Villa.

The evening program addresses getting body and soul reconciled with God during Lent and will include time for quiet reflection and preparation; quiet, contemporary music; a short period of liturgical prayer; a homily centered on biblical healing; laying-on of hands and prayer by the healing team; the sacrament of healing, if desired; and a time for questions or further counsel.

The healing liturgies will continue each second Thursday of the month.

Each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. the ministry gathers for the celebration of The Holy Eucharist (Episcopal tradition) and study, using ministry materials. The ministry is associated with the Anglican Communion Network. For more information, see the Web site at www.wordsofblessing.com or phone (847) 543-7371.

Church Women United of the Barrington Area: The group will celebrate World Day of Prayer at 1 p.m. March 7 at Wauconda Federated Church, 200 S. Barrington Road, Wauconda.

This year's worship service was written by the women of Guyana. The theme, "God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding," is especially meaningful to the women of Guyana..

The guest speaker for this service is the Rev. Digna Campanano who is staff chaplain for Cardiac Care at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. She is an ordained clergy in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Campanano, who hails from the Philippines, has a degree in political science from the University of Pangasinan, Philippines.

All are welcome to attend the service. Free childcare will be provided. For more information, call Linda Osikowicz at (847) 540-5634.

St. Martin de Porres: The school at 515 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, will have an open house for prospective students from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. For information, call (847) 244-6895, ext. 225.

Moriah Congregation: The congregation at 200 Taub Drive in Deerfield will present the best work of more than 50 internationally acclaimed artists from North America and Israel at its 2008 All Judaic Art & Jewelry Fair from 8-11:30 p.m. Feb. 16; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 18. Adult admission is $10 and covers all three days. For more information, call Karen P. Walanka, executive director, at (847) 948-5340 or e-mail kwalanka@moriahcong.org.

North Shore Congregation Israel: Join us as three of our congregants discuss how their work and profession have resulted in a dynamic engagement in the environmental effort: clean coal for clean air, solar energy and legal advocacy.

Charles Frank, Lorelei Rosenthal and Bruce White will share their experiences at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 24 at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe. For more information, call (847) 835-0724

North Shore Unitarian Church: The church will present professor Cathy Benton of Lake Forest College, who will present "Stories of the Indian Kamadeva: Desire as a Spiritual Path."

At 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Feb. 17, Benton will explore the spiritual path of desire as laid out in ancient Hindu texts, but which is still relevant for 21st century humans.

The North Shore Unitarian Church is located at 2100 Half Day Road (Route 22) in Deerfield, just off I-94. For more information, call (847) 234-2460.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church: "Noomania -- An Extreme Excitement for Things of a Spiritual Nature," begins Wednesday and continues through Lent on Wednesday evenings. These midweek retreats offer a casual environment for worship and learning. Soup suppers are offered at 6 p.m.; program at 7 p.m.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is at 824 N. Lewis Ave. (just north of Grand), Waukegan. For more information, call (847) 662-2535.