Religion notes

Your faith To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301.

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' 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. 1001 W. Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

A new support group, "A Time to Grieve, A Time to Heal," will be forming at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights. It will meet for seven weeks on Monday evenings from 7 to 8:15 p.m. beginning April 7. This support group is for people dealing with losses in their lives. (847) 259-4114, ext. 133.

Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights offers adult education programs at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Topics are "The Passion in Jerusalem"Sunday; and "The Lutheran Handbook: How to Receive Communion" March 30. (847) 437-5141.

Children, teens

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.

FAITH Jr. High Youth Group meets from 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday and 30 in the Youth Center, lower level, at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights for games, food, discussion, activities, and drama.

The Cheers Senior High Youth Group meets every Sunday Night, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center, lower level.

A Youth Karaoke Night will be held Sunday in the Youth Center, lower level. FAITH Junior High, from 5-6:30 p.m. and Cheers Senior High, 7-8:30 p.m.

Fore details, call (847) 255-5112 or visit www.ahfumc.org.

The 2nd Annual John Camardella Parent/Teen Retreat will be April 26 at Christian Liberty Academy. The retreat is open to all high school-aged teens and their parent(s). The retreat will feature the New Life Church Band (from the University of Michigan). Cost for the retreat is $75 per person. A deposit of $50 per family should be mailed before Thursday, with the balance due by April 15. Space is limited and will be filled first-come, first-served. Scholarships are available. Deposits should be mailed to Mary Horstman, 21 N. Wilshire Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. For information, e-mail MrCretreat@gmail.com or call (847) 577-8121.

. (847) 634-0777.

Performances

The 13th Annual Palm Sunday Festival will be held at 3:45 p.m. Sunday at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in West Dundee at Route 31 and Route 72. The program includes talents of 100 singers from 16 area churches and two handbell choirs. It will be directed by Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows choir director, and Bethel's pastor and members will be participating. (847) 397-4372.

In celebration of Holy Week, the Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church will host a concert featuring their choir, orchestra, and worship team at 7 p.m. today at 1330 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights. Free tickets are available at the main and gym information desks on Sunday mornings and at the church office during the week. Childcare will be provided for both concerts. (847) 392-4840.

Seniors

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, offers a program with Collen Caron, certified laughter therapist from Alexian Brothers, at 10 a.m. April 3. Refreshments will be served. Sign up at church or call Carrie at (847) 255-8700, ext. 315.

Special services

A Palm Sunday Peace Vigil will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. The peace observance marks the fifth anniversary of USA military engagement in Iraq and is presented in cooperation with the American Friends Service Committee and co-hosts United Church of Christ churches in the North and Northwest suburbs.

The Peace Vigil will honor fallen U.S. military personnel and Iraqi civilians with AFSC's exhibit, Eyes Wide Open: The Cost of War to Illinois. The exhibit focuses on the specific losses and costs of war for the state of Illinois and includes 140 pairs of boots representing fallen service men and women from Illinois and a selection of civilian shoes representative of the Iraqi civilian casualties.

The Eyes Wide Open exhibit will be on display throughout the day Sunday. At 3 p.m., an outdoor Peace Vigil worship service will be held. Service will be held indoors if weather is inclement. www.CongUCC.org or (847) 392-6650.

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