Fox Valley religion notes

Bethlehem Lutheran: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 417 W. Main St. in West Dundee, worships at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (traditional) and 8 a.m. (traditional) Sunday. Fellowship in the fellowship hall is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. then Bible classes for all ages. The 10:45 a.m. service is a blended worship service held at the newly acquired Bethlehem Community Worship Center in the former Congregational building on Fifth Street.

The church offers Sunday school, teen classes and three adult classes. One class is studying the lessons from the service that day, another is reading through the Bible and the third class is studying John Ortberg's book "Everybody is Normal Till You Get to Know Them." Everyone is welcome to any class.

Weekly Sunday school and Bible classes for all ages resume again at 9:15 a.m. Sunday and meet regularly every Sunday through Memorial Day. For details, call (847) 426-7311.

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, 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 "Shemini." 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."

On April 13, a class on "The Shabbat" will be held at 12:30 p.m., after services and lunch.

This week's Torah portion is "Sh'mini." It is also Parshat Parat, where they read about the purification ritual of the red heifer, as they begin to prepare for the holiday of Pesach. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.congregationshiratshalom.org.

New Life Baptist: On Sunday, join in the celebration of the 10th anniversary as a church and its recent graduation from a mission church to a self-supporting congregation at 10:30 a.m. at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills.

The newly renovated facilities also will be dedicated during this special service. All former members of the church, as well as those who contributed to the renovation project, have been invited to return for the celebration. Norm Nicklas, the North American director for Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, will be the guest speaker during the morning worship. Located in Harrisburg, Pa., it has been New Life's supporting mission agency for the past 10 years. After the celebration service, all members and special guests are invited to stay for lunch.

New Life begins each Sunday with a fellowship time at 9 a.m. Sunday school classes for infants, children, youth; and adult class begins at 9:15 a.m. Child care is available during the morning worship service for infants through 3-year-olds; children's church is held for children, age 4 through second grade.

For more information, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will share a message, "Famous Last Words," based on John 20:19-31 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. Worship is at 6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

The Saturday evening and Sunday 8 a.m. services 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. Holy Communion this Sunday will be celebrated at both the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." The service, held in the sanctuary, is piano-led and is an informal non-liturgical worship style with a music blend of favorite hymns and songs of praise. This week, the Rev. Gregg Bowen will share the first in a sermon series he has titled, "Three Anchors to Cling To During the Storms of Life." This week's message is called "Clinging with Prayer." During the message, young children are invited to participate in a children's ministry offering called "Faith Factory +" which takes place in Luther Hall, adjacent to the sanctuary.

For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org. See what is new in worship, listen to recent sermons, find out what is happening at the church or the day school program, or send a question or comment that might allow the church to better connect with you.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at both services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care are available at both services.

Merry Widows will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday. New member orientation will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. April 13 in the church office in the lower level of Citizens Bank. New members will be received April 20.

The Rev. Sue Ellen Grundt will be installed as associate pastor at 10 a.m. April 13. The Senior Shepherds Game Night will be at 6 p.m. April 18 at Citizens Bank.

The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "Thomas, Doubter and Confessor" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Pete 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31.

There is no Sunday school on Sunday. A nursery is also provided.

Fleece donations of two yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows. 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 Marcy-Newberry Center in Chicago. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, a drama, "The Committee Meeting," will be presented at the 10 a.m. service and at the 6 p.m. service April 6 at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. This comedy involves five women who get together to plan their church's congregational dinner meeting.

The players involved in this one-act comedy are seasoned "Players" Karen Werth and Renee Merrill. This is the first time these two have been working together since they were in the three-act comedy, "It was a Dark and Stormy Night." Joining them are newcomers Sue Hansen, Anna Scheid and Carolyn Hutchison.

Everyone who has been involved in any type of a committee meeting can relate to the fun and humor of this drama presentation.

If you have questions, or want to become one of the players in this drama ministry, call Ken Walker at (630) 777-8373.

Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m. The youth group meets at the church at 11:15 a.m.

In one of his best hymn lyrics, Charles Wesley cried, "O for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer's praise." So, on the fifth Sundays of 2008 (Sunday, June 29, Aug. 31 and Nov. 30), the church's 6 p.m. "Get Hooked . . . on the Lord" services will be using the music of the church -- old and new -- to praise the name of Jesus. These events will fuse an old-fashioned "hymn sing" with recent "praise and worship" songs. Guest musicians and other congregations will be invited to join them.

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

St. John: On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Living the Life of Riley," based on 1 Peter 1:3-9, 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 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 meets 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.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, the McHenry County Church of Religious Science welcomes you to join them for the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic, "Endings Are But Beginnings." This will be a service of memories, thanksgiving and release as the church moves its location to its own space in Cary in April. Special musical guest this week is Lia Nicine McCoo. Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service, and children's program and toddler care are available.

The children's curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." March lessons relate to the realization step of treatment. Your kids will uncover wholeness and eliminate thoughts of lack and limitation. This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Accepting Truth."

Those who arrive early will enjoy the meditation at 9:45 a.m. Service location is at the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail in Crystal Lake. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org .

First Congregational: On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Lois Bucher will preach at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The sermon is "Resurrection Hope" and her scripture readings will be 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Acts 2:14a, 22-23. The Open Door Service begins at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. After the children's sermon, Sunday school students leave for individual classes.

Adult Christian Formation is held between services after a 9 a.m. breakfast. Child care is available. At 9:15 a.m. the in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark continues to challenge notions of discipleship and what is means to follow Jesus. The class is open to anyone and no biblical expertise is necessary.

The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Jon Warfel, will assist with worship in the 10:15 a.m. service with the anthem, "Peace I Leave with You" by Knut Nystedt.

Parking lots are nearby as well as a municipal parking garage. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, guest speaker the Rev. Bob Blake will present the sermon, "The Resurrection: A Different Way of Living" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The Agape Singers will provide special music.

The Witness for Peace Vigil will be held at 11 a.m. Saturdays at the Otter Creek Shopping Center.

The Lunch Bunch will meet at noon April 6 at Panera's on Randall Road in Elgin.

The Seasoned Servants will serve at Soup Kettle on April 5. The church is at 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon is "I Need to Hear From God," inspired by II Kings 19:12-17. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Combined Choir will sing at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Second Baptist Church will enjoy fellowship with St. Joseph Baptist Church of Chicago at 3:30 p.m.

The Couples Ministry will meet at 4:30 p.m. April 19. The discussion will be "Making money an asset to marriage." The meeting will be held in the fellowship hall. All couples are encouraged to attend.

On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.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 Sunday, the Rev. Nancy Schatzeder, acting associate pastor for children's ministries, presents the theme, "Faithful Memory," based on 1 Peter 1:3-9 and John 20:19-31, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m.

Schatzeder has been an ordained minister since 2002 graduating from Chicago Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. She has served as associate pastor for children's ministries and women's concerns at Winnetka Congregational Church for the past five years and also served as a settled minister for one year at St. John's United Church of Christ in Union.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 10:15 a.m. service will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer, Linda Gilmore and Sara Tustin; and the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek.

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 Harry Vellines. 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 "Peter Explains Belief in Jesus" based on the Bible story in 1 Peter 1:3-9: Jesus gives us new birth. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

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.