Lake Co. religion notes

Christ Lutheran Church: The church in Vernon Hills moves to summer worship hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Beginning May 25, Sunday morning worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. For details about worship, education, preschool, mission trips and outreach opportunities, call the church office at (847) 367-5787 or visit www.christlutheranvh.org. Christ Lutheran is at 595 Deerpath Drive in Vernon Hills, next to Countryside Fire. Visitors are always welcome.

Community Christian Church: The church at 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire, will offer "Power Lab," vacation Bible school from 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 23-27. Power Lab will take children ages 4 through entering fifth grade on a scientific adventure each afternoon. Children may be registered for VBS through June 8. A suggested donation of $35 per child covers all activities, materials, snacks, T-shirt and music CD. Registration after June 8 will be accepted with a $5 additional fee. Registration forms are available at the church office and online at www.ccclincolnshire.org. For details, call (847) 945-8824.

Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ: The church at 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein, is accepting items for its annual rummage sale to be held June 20-21. Bring items to the church, on the corner of Hawley and North Prairie. (847) 566-4000.

• Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ will hold one service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday to celebrate Pentacost and the confirmation of five of their young people. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the service to honor these new church members. Community Protestant Church is located on the corner of Hawley and Prairie. (847) 566-4000.

Grace Lutheran Church: The church offers two opportunities for worship each Sunday morning during the month of May -- traditional worship service at 8:30 a.m. and contemporary blended worship at 10 a.m. Children's Ministries for ages preschool to sixth grade are offered during the 10 a.m. worship service. Children begin in worship and then proceed to their class room. Holy Communion is offered at both services on the first and third Sundays of the month. Coffee Fellowship is open to all following both services.

On May 25, the church will begin its Summer Worship Schedule. For the rest of the summer, until Sept. 7, there will be only one service at 9:30 a.m., with Summer Promiseland during the 9:30 a.m. service. Coffee fellowship will follow worship. For complete details, visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org. (847) 367-7050. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville.

• A LifeSource Mobile Blood Drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville. Blood donors must show identification, and meet the following qualifications:• weigh at least 110 pounds; be in good physical health; be at least 17 years old; have not given blood in the past eight weeks. If you have a question regarding eligibility, call (847) 803-7921. Call LifeSource at (847) 803-7943 to make an appointment and mention Grace Lutheran Church when making your appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: Celebration! Child care is now offering a Spanish class for children 3 to 5 years of age. The immersion program class is every Thursday through May 29 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. The eight-week session is $75. Children can enroll at any time at a pro-rated rate. All classes are open to the public. Call the director, Kathy Pfister, at (847) 367-6208.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church is at 29700 N. St. Mary's Road in Libertyville. For information, visit www.holycrosschurch.org.

• Celebration! Child care will offer a summer camp program. Monday through Friday programs are available, as well as partial week programs. For details or to register, call (847) 367-6208.

Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church: The new "Kirk Photo Club," based in Mundelein, brings local amateur photographers together who have an interest in digital photography and post-processing techniques.

Photographers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the club as mentors and students in their fields of interest. Over time, topics such as wildlife, landscape, macro, indoor and outdoor sports photography will be discussed and practiced. The club also will be involved with photo contests and community service projects.

The Kirk Photo Club meets the first and third Monday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church, 1500 W. Hawley St. (just behind Mundelein High School). There is a $5 monthly fee. For information, call Derek Hampson at (847) 347-6778.

Liberty Community Church: The church at 616 N. Bridgeport Terrace, Unit B, Lindenhurst, is hosting Power Lab vacation Bible school for all children ages 4 years through fifth grade. The program will include science-themed games, crafts, snacks, singing, dancing, skits and memorable teachings.• Power Lab VBS will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 16-19, with a special presentation for parents at 10:30 a.m. June 22. Registration is not required for the free program. For details, visit www.FindLiberty.org or call (847) 356-9336.

Messiah Lutheran Church: The church at 25225 W. Ivanhoe Road, Wauconda, will offer a fun-packed summer camp for school-aged children. The Messiah Kid's Club will host the Messiah Explorers Summer Camp '08 featuring field trips, swimming, music, art, games and guest presenters. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 16 through Aug. 15. Before- and after-care is available. Preschool-aged children will enjoy the Little Explorers Camps from 9 to 11:45 a.m. July 14-18 and Aug. 4-8. For information, call (847) 526-7112 or visit www.messiah-wauconda.org.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church: The church continues a study on Paul's Letter to the Romans. The Rev. Mark Selbo is leading the group, which meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The church is located at 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein.

• St. Andrew Quilters continue to meet each Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The quilts are made for Lutheran World Relief and sent to all parts of the world. Helping hands and/or donated material are welcomed.

• Prayer shawl instructions are available by calling (847)566-6243.

For information, call (847)566-8081 or visit www.standrewmundelein.org.

St. John Lutheran School: Open registration is under way. St. John offers half-day and full-day preschool (starting as young as 2½ years old) and kindergarten, as well as education for first through eighth grade. The school's full day preschool and kindergarten offers an alternative care option. The school offers extended before- and after-school care, holiday care and a summer program. Registration packets can be picked up at the school, 501 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. (847) 367-1441. www.stjohnslib.com.

• St. John is offering summer child care to children entering preschool (must be potty trained) through second grade. Care dates run from June 2 to Aug. 12. There will be no child care on July 4, Aug. 13, 14 and 15. For information, call Mrs. Smith at (847) 367-1411 or come to the office for a registration form.

• Wels Lutherans For Life IL/IND Chapter presents Life Concert with Branches Band and dinner to follow at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9081 N. Maryland St., Niles. A freewill offering will be taken at the concert to help support the WELS Pregnancy Counseling Center, Mundelein. Thrivent will match all gifts given toward the "Concert for Life".

If you are unable to attend, but would like to support WELS Lutherans for Life ministry and the Pregnancy Counseling Center, simply designate your gift for the "Concert for Life," make your check out to WELS Lutherans for Life and send to WELS Lutherans for Life, P.O. Box 37, Libertyville, IL 60048.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church: The church in Libertyville will host its second annual pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. June 14. The breakfast will take place rain or shine in the tent adjacent to the west side of the Civic Center.

Church members will be serving all-you-can-eat pancakes, beverages and sausage for $6 per adult and $4 for children younger than 6 years. There will also be face painting and balloons.

Tickets may be purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit St. Lawrence Church and its outreach activities. For details, call (847) 362-2110 or visit www.stlawrencechurch.org.

• Beginning May 25 to Aug. 31, services will be at 7:30 and 10 a.m. The Rev. Patricia W. Snickenberger is rector of St. Lawrence, assisted by the Rev, Marcus Strong and Deacon Mary-Jane Leewis-Kirk. St. Lawrence is at 125 W. Church St., Libertyville. For details, call (847) 362-2110 or visit www.stlawrencechurch.org.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: Register now for vacation Bible school (preschool - sixth grade) or vacation Bible school Chess Club (grades 4-6), from 9 a.m. to noon daily, June 23-27. The chess club is limited to the first 16 applicants. The cost for preschool through sixth grade is $25. Families with multiple children attending VBS pay $20 each when children are registered at the same time. The church is at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. For details, call (847) 438-7709 or visit smlcs@dls.net.

Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church: The church at 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, will host Sojourners in the Spirit• women's group at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Also, a writer's group meets May 24. For details, call (847) 336-3730.

Bethel Lutheran: The preschool, 5110 Grand Ave., Gurnee, will hold an open house and carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Visit the classroom and speak with a teacher about the learning experiences offered for children ages 2 to 5. There will be car seat safety checks, food and carnival games. For details, call (847) 244-9672.

Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church: The church at 43 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa, will hold Education Sunday at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday. Featured speaker for the day will be Dr. Walt Kaiser, the Colman M. Mockler distinguished professor of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. For information, call Sarah Abbey at (847) 838-0103.

Congregation Am Echod (Reform): The congregation, 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, offers the following Shabbat service schedule.

Today: 9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service. Bar mitzvah of Ian Barrett

For details, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@amechod.org.

Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Grayslake: The congregation will dedicate its new property and building June 1. The special service will be at 10 a.m., followed by a reception. The 7-year-old congregation recently moved from a rented location in Libertyville.

The Rev. Mark Jumper's summer sermon series, "Paths of Prayer," will focus on the Lord's Prayer as an energizing guide to building a personal prayer life.

The church is at 32475 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake, For details, call (847) 543-1659 or visit www.hopeepc.net.

Joy! Lutheran Church: Vacation Bible school will be the week of June 16-20, starting at 9:30 a.m. each day. Registration forms are available on the Web site at www.joylutheran.org and in the church office. Early bird deadline is Sunday. Forms can be dropped off or mailed to the church, 749 S. Hunt Club, Gurnee, IL 60031. The theme this year is "PowerLab -- discovering Jesus' miraculous power." For information, call (847) 362-4569.

Prince of Peace Parish: The parish at 135 S. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa, is seeking donations for its annual Rummage Sale Extravaganza. Sale dates are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 12-13 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14. Now accepting donations of vehicles, electronics, computers, furniture and appliances. Tax forms available. For donation pickups, call (847) 356-6111 or e-mail poprummagesale@yahoo.com. The church is at the corner of Routes 83 and 132.

Shepherd of the Lakes Church: The Vine Martini and Wine Bar and Shepherd of the Lakes Church announce that Remember Rome will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. This band is an acoustic travelogue through the history of human experience. This is music for people who think, and who want lyrics that mean something.

The Vine Music Fellowship offers a variety of contemporary Christian musical styles. Admission is free. No reservations are required. The Vine Martini and Wine Bar is at 101 Center St. in downtown Grayslake. There is no cover charge or reserved seating. For details, call (847) 543-0900.

St. Andrew Episcopal Church: The church at 31 Park Ave. in Grayslake will honor the service men and women who have fought and died for our country from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 26. Highlights of this experience include:

• Church will be open to all from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for prayer and meditation.

• At 9:30 a.m., the church will gather on the lawn to watch the Grayslake celebration/parade for Memorial Day.

• Starting at 10:30 a.m., there will be a prayer followed by the reading of the names in remembrance of all who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last couple of years.

• All are welcome to sign/write a remembrance in the "Book of Remembrance" at the church entrance.

For details, call the Rev. Jane Clark at (847) 223-2310

St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church: The church is currently scheduling times for the pickup and delivery of items for its annual rummage sale. This year's sale will be held, June 19-21. If you have items that you would like to donate, call the church office at (847) 395-0652 to make arrangements.

St. Joseph Church: A Great Books seminar on the topic of the Resurrection will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the rectory of St. Joseph Church, 114 N. Lincoln Ave, Round Lake. The topic of discussion will be C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce," in which Lewis imagines what the decision at death to remain in heaven or to depart to the other place could be like.• All are welcome to attend the discussion.

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church: The church on Route 173 in Antioch, a half-mile east of Route 45, will celebrate a traditional Latin Mass at the regularly scheduled 6 p.m. Vigil Mass May 31. The Mass will be said according to the Tridentine rite. In this rite, the Mass is celebrated entirely in Latin, as it was before the use of the vernacular and the Second Vatican Council.

Weekend Masses are at 4 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays. For details, call (847) 395-3474.

The United Protestant Church of Grayslake: The third annual Gospel in Grayslake Concert will be at 3 p.m. June 1 at the United Protestant Church, 54 S. Whitney St., Grayslake. The free concert will feature the College of Lake County Gospel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Charles Clency; Al Engram; and the Rev. Andre Pipes and the New Testimonial Singers.

Refreshments will served during intermission, and there is no charge for admission. A freewill offering will be taken to support the work of Lake County PADS as they serve the homeless

For details, visit upc@upcgl.org or call (847) 223-8131.

North Shore Choral Society: The group concludes its 72nd season with a performance of Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio, "Elijah." at 3 p.m. June 7 at the Parish Church of St. Luke, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Featured soloists include Philip Kraus, baritone, as Elijah; Michelle Areyzaga, soprano; Emily Lodine, mezzo-soprano; David Portillo, tenor; and Addison McDaniel, boy soprano.

NSCS's 120-voice chorus, and a 40-piece professional orchestra are conducted by Donald Chen, leading his final concert as NSCS music director. After 24 years at the helm, Dr. Chen will pass the baton to a new conductor.

The audience is invited to a reception following the performance in honor of Chen's achievements with NSCS.

Advance tickets are $22 for general admission, $20 for seniors 65 and older and $12 for students. Tickets at the door cost $25 for general admission, $22 for seniors and $15 for students.

For details, visit www.northshorechoral.org.