Notes on Religion: Fox Valley

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.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Steve Wiota, new interim pastor, will be preaching at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 417 W. Main St. in West Dundee. There will be a short reception to meet him after every service sponsored by Hearts In Service ministry. Weekly Sunday school and Bible classes for all ages is at 9:15 a.m. Sundays.

This week, Bethlehem welcomed Cherished Place, an adult day services in the Bethlehem Community Ministry Center, with an open house April 9. This is the new adult day care center in Dundee Township. 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 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 Metzorah. 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 Sunday, a class on "The Shabbat" will be held at 12:30 p.m., after services and lunch.

On April 20, Shirat Shalom is holding its family Passover Seder, the second night of Passover starting at 7:40 p.m. The menu is Sephardic/North African with Ashkenazi "must-haves" -- matzah ball soup and gefilte fish. It will be cooked by chef Scott Kumperschmidt. Cost is $18 for adults or $8 for those under age 12. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday.

This week's Torah portion is Metzora. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShirat Shalom.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Acts 42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; and John 10:1-10.

Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. 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 old cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also welcome are Campbell's Soup UPC codes for Marcy-Newberry Center in Chicago.

The youth mission group will host a talent show and chili dinner at 5 p.m. April 26. Cost is $10 and includes dinner and the show. Come show your support for the youth, have a good meal and have some fun in the process. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison gives the message, "Unexpected Advice," at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of John Slawson. The Gospel reading from John 10, will be by the Scripture Choir, directed by Marcy Gloede.

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.

A praise worship service, "Get Hooked … on the Lord," will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday with Jeff Small giving the message, "The Gospel According to Herb."

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

St. John: On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "The Shepherd and The Door," based on John 10:1-10, 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 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.

First Congregational: On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo will preach at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The sermon is "Together Forever." 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.

At 10:15 a.m., the Chancel Choir will join in leading worship singing "River in Judea" by John Leavitt.

The high school youth will leave at 9 a.m. today for their spring retreat at Wilderness Lodge in Wisconsin. The Rev. Lois Bucher, associate pastor, will lead the trip.

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. The class is open to anyone and no biblical expertise is necessary.

One Sunday a month, Stepping Stones will meet from 9:15 to 10 a.m. The group deals with mental wellness. The mentally ill and their families can find help here to cope and move on. This Sunday, Mary Hartwig, church member and mental health worker, will lead the discussion on "baby blues" and its cause. You will learn if it is the same as postpartum depression and how you can be supportive. All are welcome. 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, the Rev. Joel Kline will present the sermon, "Hearts Burning Within Us" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

At 6 p.m., there will be a Living Simply Workshop.

The weekly peace vigils will return to the Kimball Street bridge from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

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 "The Best for Last", inspired by John 2:1-11.

The Chorale Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will sing at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Second Baptist presents "Heroes 2 Heart Youth Extravaganza" at 10:30 a.m. today. This event will be a day of fun, family, fellowship and friends. The event features youth essay speech presentations, hoops galore and skills competition. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Call the church for details.

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 the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, senior intentional interim pastor, will present the sermon, "The Woman Wants Water," based on John 4:5-42, at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at 8 a.m. will be by the Youth Choir, directed by Charlotte Norman. Music at 10:15 a.m. 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 with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist.

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 "Christians Care for One Another," based on the Bible story in Psalms 23 and Acts 2:42-47: God deserves our wholehearted devotion.

The Women's Bible Study meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The study is based on the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World," by Joanna Weaver. Study materials will be available. Join them in finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life.

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 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at PADS, 1730 Berkley St. in Elgin. Sign up by calling the church office.

Girlfriends will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday to work on scrapbooks, photo albums or unfinished projects together. Bring your project, a dessert or treat to share. Drinks will be provided. RSVP to Nancy Schatzeder at (847) 426-2161, ext. 204.

Mission Day will be held on April 19. Beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until approximately 2 p.m., members will be working to identify the basis for a current mission statement for the church. Discussion will begin with "peak experiences" in church life and continue in a "Conversation Cafe" format discussing the church and its mission. Out of all this will come the raw material for a new mission statement.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder will lead the message at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. This week's message will begin a series of readings and lessons from the Psalms. This week, Psalm 19 speaks of the glories of God and his handiwork.

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.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Greg Applequist will present a series called "Good Sense Budgeting." The evening will begin with a potluck dinner and then an hour of interesting and informative information about money management. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe fourth Sunday of Easter as they hear about the Voice of Care ministry to the developmentally challenged.

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.

A free Living Well Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, featuring free giveaways, music and various health screenings and information.

The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

Living Water Church: The Rev. Louise Forshe will bring the message at the 7 and 10:30 a.m. services at the Living Water Church, 601 Hill Ave., Elgin. The bilingual message in English and Spanish will be on God's love. For details, e-mail to livingwaterofelgin@yahoo.com.