Religion notes

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Adult education

Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Elk Grove Village will offer the Alpha program for 10 weeks from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 3-June 5, and from 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays April 2-June 4. The program is free. Babysitting will be provided for a small fee. Each Thursday evening session will begin with dinner, followed by a large group presentation and then break into small groups for discussion. Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore spirituality from a Christian perspective. 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, (847) 437-2666.

The WiredWord Bible class and discussion group will be expanding to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday nights, beginning April 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin, Des Plaines. The class will continue meeting at 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings, as well. The WiredWord.com provides a weekly topic that becomes the focus of discussion of current events and how Scripture helps make sense of the world around us. (847) 827-6656 or www.trinitydesplaines.org.

Children, teens

Summer and fall 2008 registrations are now being accepted for Sonshine Preschool, 304 W. Palatine Road, Prospect Heights. Summer session is on Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 10-July 10 Fees for the summer is $125 for two days a week, and $170 for three days a week. Fall sessions offer both morning and afternoon preschool hours. Call Barb Orze at (847) 520-1116.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, will hold a St. Patrick's day party from 10 a.m. to noon today for all elementary children ages 3 through fifth grade. There will be games, crafts, snacks and fun things to do. Admission to the event is one bag of candy. Three- and 4-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration for fall 2008 has begun for the Mother's Day Out Preschool Program at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 S. Arlington Heights. Road, Elk Grove Village. A new expanded program begins in September. The hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day for children ages 2 to 5. (847) 439-0668.

Family

The Friendship Circle and Makor Or present a grand Purim Party for children with special needs and their families from 1-3 p.m. Friday at BJE -- Marshall Jewish Learning Center, 3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook. Admission costs $5.

Program will feature "Bubble Juggler" Merlin Akins. Program will also include music and "Dancing with Charizma!" Special crafts, Purim treats, Megila reading. Come dressed in your favorite costume.

To register or for more information send e-mail to rsvp@thefriendshipcircle.net or call (847) 833-6843, FCIL.org/Purim

Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook presents PURIM LIVE! with renowned Israeli singer and entertainer Yoel Sharabi Thursday at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Road at Dundee Road. Children's program at 6 p.m. will include a balloon show by Smarty Pants. Reading of the Megillah scroll at 7:30 p.m.; and a grand celebration and concert at 8 p.m. Refreshments, masquerade and fun for the family. Free admission. Nominal cost for children's program. (847) 564-8770 or visit the Web site chabadnorthbrook.com.

Messiah Lutheran Church and Child Care Center, 1605 Vernon Ave., Park Ridge, will host a Community-wide Easter Egg Hunt today. The hunt will begin at 9 a.m. Children of all ages from the community and surrounding neighborhoods and their families are invited to hunt for over 2,000 eggs on the grounds and the playground. Please bring a basket or container for the children to carry all of their eggs. Provisions will be made to hold the hunt indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate. (847)823-6984.

Saint Paul Lutheran Church and School, 100 South School St., Mount Prospect, invites toddlers through second-graders to an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. today. Along with the hunt, there will be a visit from the Easter Bunny, story time and a hot dog lunch. Meet at Saint Paul Lutheran School, 18 S. School St., and dress for the weather -- rain or shine.

Northwest Assembly of God, 900 N. Wolf Road, Mount Prospect, will host a community egg hunt at 10 a.m. March 22. There will be a petting zoo, inflatables, face painting, free food and free pictures with the Easter Bunny. (847) 299-2400.

Elk Grove Baptist Church, 801 Beisner Road, Elk Grove Village, behind Alexian, Brothers Medical Center, offers Wednesday night dinners. Cost is $1.50 per person. The dinners at 6 p.m. precede the church's weekly AWANA club night for children ages 3 through sixth-graders. (847) 593-8337.

Fundraisers

Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church, 8624 W. Normal Avenue, Niles, will hold its 19th Annual Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29. All proceeds to benefit the parish as a whole. (847) 823-2550.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, preschool children are learning about Cystic Fibrosis and are conducting a Mini March fundraiser to help find a cure for this disease. The march will take place at 11 a.m. Monday in the church fellowship hall. Everyone is invited to participate in the Mini March and cheer the preschool children on in their endeavor to raise money for this cause. Contact the Preschool Director Susan Johanson at (847) 827-1518 or smjohanson@aol.com.

St. Raymond de Penafort Parish, 301 S. I-Oka, Mount Prospect, will host Spring Gala -- The Spirit of Giving for 6:30 p.m. April 25 at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg. Tickets cost $85. An overnight stay package costs $109. The event features dinner, dancing and an auction. (847) 253-8600.

Lectures, seminars

The Home Educators Loving Parents homeschool support group will hold its second annual H.E.L.P. Homeschool Resource Fair at 7 p.m. March 25 at the Elk Grove Village Library, 1001 Wellington Ave, Elk Grove Village. www.help-home.org.

Laurie Geschrey, a hospice chaplain and certified grief/bereavement counselor, will facilitate an interactive five-week class titled "The Ten Touchstones of Grief." Classes will be on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning April 1, and held at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines.

The last night of class there will be service of remembrance to honor the loss of loved ones. A freewill offering will be accepted. (847) 297-0997.

Miscellaneous

Our Lady of the Brook Parish will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala dinner May 10 in the Parish Worship Center. The evening will begin with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, and are available by mail. Send ticket orders and a check (payable to "Our Lady of the Brook") to: 40th Anniversary Dinner, Our Lady of the Brook Parish, 3700 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. Please R.S.V.P. by April 15. (847) 272-5686 or visit www.olbparish.org.

Unity Northwest Church will offer a special screening of "The Moses Code," a film bringing together some of the best-known spiritual leaders of our time to discuss the importance of service as a spiritual practice. Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will show the movie at 7 p.m. April 4 and 5, and at 1:30 p.m. April 6. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. For more information, call (847) 297-0997.

Feed My Starving Children is having a mobile packing event at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 200 S. Wille St. in Mount Prospect from April 16-20. Volunteers of all ages are needed to hand-pack nutritious meals for starving children. Sign up by calling the church at (847) 253-0631.

Fr. Carl Morello, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge, is one of eight pastors from across the country to receive the first Distinguished Pastor Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.

Special services

Trinity Lutheran (ELCA), 675 E. Algonquin, Des Plaines, will offer the Rite of Healing during the 5:30 p.m. contemporary service March 29 and also during the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services on March 30. (847) 827-6656.

Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook will be holding a community Passover Seder at 8:15 a.m. April 19 at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook 755 Huehl Road (corner Dundee Rd). Join Rabbi Meir Moscowitz for a traditional Seder experience complete with a full Passover meal, handmade Shmurah Matzah and plenty of holiday insights and explanations. Participation: adults $36, children $25. Reservations required by April 7. (847) 564-8770 www.chabadnorthbrook.com.

Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village, invites all to attend their Casual Service, held every Thursday (except during Holy Week) in the fellowship hall of the church. This service offers the same message as the Sunday service but in a more casual setting.

The youth group of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Des Plaines, will present "That's My King!" at the monthly fellowship contemporary service at 4:30 p.m. today in Immanuel School gym, 842 Lee St. In addition, "Hope," from St. Paul Lutheran, Mount Prospect, will rock the house with their contemporary music.

A hearty meal and special activities for all, including children, will follow the service. The youth group, directed by Lauren Kamka, invites families, neighbors, and friends to join in their lively service of worship and praise.

Women's programs

St. Emily's Women's Club is presenting this year's fashion show "Springtime in Paris" April 11 at the Cotillion. The ticket price is $40. Menu choices are chicken breast ala Champagne or whitefish with lemon and butter sauce. Deadline is April 4. For tickets, contact Darlene Malloy at (847) 577-2767.