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.

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.

Religious school is offered for pre-kindergarten to high school. For details, call the congregation office.

This week's Torah portion is "Tetzaveh." 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 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

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."

Adult Education classes are held on Thursdays and Saturdays. This week's Torah portion is "T'tzave," where Aaron is ordained as High Priest.

On March 7, they will be part of "Shabbat Across America." Join them for participatory services, followed by a communal Shabbat dinner. RSVPs are requested.

Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: On the first weekend of Lent, the Rev. William Yonker will be sharing the message, "Unconditional Surrender" 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 Saturday evening and the Sunday 8 a.m. services, which 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.

Immanuel will hold its Lenten midweek worship at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. For the midweek services throughout Lent, Rev. Yonker will be sharing the messages, sharing the sermon series, "Deep Breaths," leading you in a quieter worship where you listen for God's voice and breathe in His promises. This week's Lenten message is "Watching - Minding the Moments." Fellowship lunches will be offered after each morning service in Lent and soup and sandwich suppers, sponsored by the youth ministry, will be served before the evening worship. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

Calvary Lutheran: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, continues its Lenten services at 4 and 7 p.m. each Wednesday through March 12. A free will offering will be taken. The community is invited. For information, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "Born From Above" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 and John 3:1-17.

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

The Evangelism Committee will be sponsoring lunch for 40 people at the PADS shelter for six consecutive Tuesdays during Lent. Lunches will be prepared on Sundays after worship for delivery on Mondays. Sign up to help provide ingredients toward the lunches.

Fleece donations of two yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows. During Lent, the Missions Committee is sponsoring a food collection for FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Boxes are available in the narthex and Fireside Room.

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. Mona Walker will give the sermon "Passionate Worship" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin.

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 with Pat Hargis in charge of the music and the message.

Hector Olivera, a renowned Rodgers Organ Company organist from California, will play the dedication concert for the new organ at the church at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. The public is invited to the dedication of this newly rebuilt and enlarged organ. There is no charge for attendance. There will be no 6 p.m. "Get Hooked … on the Lord" service that evening, only.

The organ has a new digital console, additional pipes -- including trumpets installed at the rear of the sanctuary.

For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the Second Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, Born From Above," based on John 3:1-17, 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 Lenten midweek services continue with supper at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. They will use a rotating pulpit again this year and the Lenten theme is "The Body of Christ." 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.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "A Dream Worth Dreaming," at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The class, "Amazing Grace: Christians and Modern Day Slavery" will meet at 10:45 a.m. during the church school hour in the Arts Room. There will be Deacon Luncheon at noon in the fellowship hall. The Living the Questions 2 class will meet at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

There will be a congregational Game Night at 9 p.m. Friday. The Tweeners will gather Feb. 29 for a "Leap Day" celebration.

A joint men's retreat with the York Center and Springfield congregations will be held Feb. 29 through March 2 at Camp Emmaus, Mt. Morris, Ill. The theme will be "The People of the Book: How Do We Respond?" For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, join Second Baptist Church in celebrating the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond eighth anniversary. The guest speaker for the 8 a.m. service will be the Rev. Willie Tate of Progressive Baptist of Elgin. He is a former member of Second Baptist and has been a community activist for over 30 years. He is the current president of the African American Christian Ministers Alliance. He serves as the chaplain for the Elgin Police Department and the Elgin Mental Health Center. He became licensed to preach the gospel on Nov. 28, 1982. He was installed as pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in September 1986.

The guest speaker for the 10:30 a.m. service will be the Rev. Michael Wesley Sr. Born in Birmingham, Ala., and educated in Birmingham Public Schools, Wesley graduated from Tennessee State University in Nashville with a bachelor of science degree in music education. In addition, he received a Bible diploma and Bible certification from Birmingham Baptist Bible College. He completed the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership Program from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He earned the doctor of ministry degree from Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary in Shreveport, La. in May 2006. He is regularly sought after to speak in both schools and churches. He has had the privilege of speaking across the nation and in several foreign countries. His spiritual gifts of teaching and preaching are well documented. Currently, Wesley serves as the pastor of the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., where he has given 20 years of service.

The Praise and Worship Leaders 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. Dress in African attire for services throughout the month in recognition of our African heritage.

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

The Couples Ministry will sponsor a potluck Valentine's Day celebration from 4:40 to 7 p.m. today in the fellowship hall. All are invited. For information, contact the Rev. Andrew and Brenda Love.

Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and childcare services are available. Second Baptist is at 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On the Second Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor, presents the theme, "The Perversity of Labels," based on Luke 10:25-37, 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 at 8 a.m. will be a clarinet solo by Scott Mallers. The 10:15 a.m. worship will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer, Linda Gilmore and Sara Tustin; Joy Ringers, fourth- to fifth-grade bell choir, directed by Linda Gilmore; and "Love One Another" by the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek 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 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 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 "Jesus Explains Eternal Life to Nicodemus" based on the Bible story in John 3:1-17: God gives us eternal life.

History Day will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Church members will be asked to reflect on the history of the church. This is not so much textbook history as it is a history of events combined with your human reactions to those events. Lunch will be made available to all participants through a free will offering. Childcare will be provided.

God's Kitchen is a Lenten Family Dinner Series that continues through March 12. The meals will be prepared in the church kitchen and served buffet style in the narthex. A free will offering will be taken. Come gather in God's Kitchen.

PADS of Elgin, Inc. provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships. Four volunteers, 18 and older, are needed to provide staffing at PADS, 1730 Berkley St. in Elgin, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Sign up by calling the church office.

Lenten Study continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday through March 12. The Rev. Donald Longbottom leads the study of "The Little Book of Letting Go" by Hugh Prather. According to Prather, letting go is the bottom-line key to happiness. In the book, he offers a simple three-step process for shedding prejudices, preconceptions and prejudgments and facing each moment with openness and enthusiasm. The study promises to help you let go of judging, controlling and being right. Books are available at Barnes and Noble for $14.95. Nursery care is provided.

The Dundee and Elgin Area Lenten Organ Recital Series will take place from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. Thursday with Michael Surratt. A short reception will follow. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message this week is the beginning of the new Wednesday study topic "Walking Across the Room" 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 in the church basement. Childcare is also available during the service.

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

Wednesday's study group will begin at 6 p.m. with a light supper. At 6:30 p.m., the discussion about the mysteries of the Holy Spirit and opportunities to speak to others about your faith will begin. Books and study guides are available. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the second Sunday in Lent as they welcome the Rev. Larry Rockemann from the Lutheran Home and Communities in Arlington Heights as their guest speaker.

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 Wednesday Lenten services are at 7 p.m. through March 12. 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 on John 3:1-7 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Jesus is the free, exalted, sovereign Son of God. He does not offer himself to you for your limited proofs and validations. Rather he comes to you, offers himself to you, talks with you, and beckons you to follow him into unknown territory.

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 during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Born Again -- of the Spirit," based on John 3:1-17, 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. On Wednesday, the Lenten season begins with a Lenten dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the Lenten service at 7 p.m. The Lenten theme this year is "Tears Tell the Story" and the message, taken from John 16:16-24, will be "Impossible Tears: Jesus' Promise." Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Light of Christ: This weekend, Worship services are held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. Lenten Worship is at 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays. Join them for dinner from 6 to 6:30 p.m. before worship. This year, each Wednesday evening will begin in song, watch a clip from "The Andy Griffith Show" have some discussion of their timeless lessons, and close in song. Join them as they take a trip back to visit Mayberry and check out how Andy, Barney, Opie and Aunt Bea solve issues that you still face today.

First Communion instruction begins at 5 p.m. Feb. 27. The second class takes place at 5 p.m. March 5, and the final session is at 9 a.m. March 8. For details, call (847) 658-9250.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Sue Ellen Grudt will preach at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley.

At Citizens Bank, the Prairie Prayer Team will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday. Shepherd Voices will meet at 7 p.m. Monday. The "Red Tent" book study will continue from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

On Wednesdays, through Lent, a light soup/bread supper will be served at 6 p.m. followed by a short worship service at the Cosman Center. "Homeless Helpers" will be serving dinner Feb. 24 for PADS shelter at Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake. Sign up at the Welcome Table. The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish will lead worship with "Our Temptation," based on Matthew 4:17 and Romans 6:1-14, at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley.

The Silver Saints will meet for lunch and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Village Squire in Crystal Lake.

Awana will be Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Kids Club from 6 to 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, they will offer an evening with a family dinner at 6 p.m. featuring "Creative Casseroles." Worship will begin at 7 p.m. with the topic being "God in Action: The Basics" which will continue each Wednesday evening of Lent. Nursery will be open as well as children's church for children age 4 through second grade. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.