Fox Valley religion events

Rummage sale at Elgin church: Solid Rock Church will host a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the church, South and Hawthorne streets in Elgin. For details, call (847) 204-9503.

Trash to Treasures sale: St. Peter Lutheran Church will wrap up its annual Trash to Treasures sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. It will be held rain or shine. It will be $3 per bag. Items include furniture, household items, plants and perennials, toys, yard, collectibles, etc. Proceeds go to the Concordia Seminary Adopt-a-Student program that provides tuition for future pastors. Barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, desserts, beverages will be available. The church is at 43W301 Plank Road, a quarter-mile east of Route 47 in Hampshire. For details, call the church at (847) 464-5721.

Your spiritual identity: First Church of Christ, Scientist invites you to an inspirational talk titled "How Understanding Your Spiritual Identity Heals," given by David Stevens at 11 a.m. today at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Call (847) 420-8009 for details.

Family kite fly: First Congregational Church of Dundee invites the community, kids and adults, to come out to a family kite fly. The kites will fill the sky at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on the west lawn of the church. Basic kites will be provided or bring your own. Prizes will be awarded. There will be plenty of family fun on the ground while the kites are airborne. Hot dogs, chips, pop and ice cream will be served free of charge. Come for some high-flying fun at "The Church on the Hill." The church is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For details, call First Congregational Church of Dundee at (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit the Web site at www.fccdundee.com.

Prophetic meeting: On Sunday, join Morning Star Church in Huntley for a special prophetic meeting featuring Jeremy Lopez at 10 a.m. Lopez is founder and president of Identity Network International, an apostolic and prophetic resource Web site, and has prophesied to thousands of people from all walks of life. He releases the prophetic word of God everywhere he goes. He ministers with a revelational, prophetic teaching gift that brings a freshness of the word of the Lord to the body of Christ. He teaches the principal that we are positioned in heavenly places and are called to minister out of that realm. He holds a doctorate of divinity degree. He is the author of the book, "The Power of the Prophetic Spirit" and has well over 28 teaching CDs. The church is at 41W350 Powers Road just north of the I-90 Route 47 exit in Huntley. For details, call (847) 669-9800 or visit www.morningstarwoc.org.

Mitzvah Day: What do people do when they don't have blankets, and they are cold? This is a question which concerns Isaac Marshall of South Elgin. Soon to become a bar mitzvah - an adult in the Jewish community - Isaac chose to do a mitzvah project to help keep others warm. Easy to craft fleece blankets will be made by Isaac and a cadre of volunteers, and will be donated to a local organization which serves families in need. Everyone is invited to participate in this Mitzvah Day. No special skill is needed; no sewing is involved! Volunteers only need bring fabric or other sharp scissors, and rulers. Sponsored by Isaac Marshall, this project will be hosted by Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors, as this group's annual Mitzvah Day, at 1 p.m. Sunday at 121 S. Third St. in Geneva. Snacks and beverages will be provided for all participants. To RSVP, contact Archbroch@sbcglobal.net or (847) 622-8855.

The Refuge starts in June: On Monday, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will start a new alternative worship called "The Refuge," at 7 p.m. every Monday. This new format and theme each week will be quite different from the usual Sunday format, very informal. It will use video clips, audio and other nontraditional ways to convey the Gospel message in a practical way each week. There will also be a time of fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. every Monday before worship, with drinks and snacks. So, if you are looking for an entirely different way to worship, and/or desire an alternative to weekend worship, then come and join them at 7 p.m. each Monday starting June 9 for "The Refuge." The church is at Randall and Hopps roads in Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520, or e-mail kogpastor@foxvalley.net.

Camps at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd is offering two-week camps throughout the summer. The camps will run June 9-20, July 7-18, and July 21-Aug. 1 and are for all ages preschool through sixth grade. A variety of topics are available to choose from including arts and music, soccer, volleyball, and "Exploring Our World." Before- and after-school care also will be available. For details, visit www.goodshepherd-elgin.org, or call the preschool office at (847) 697-4745. Good Shepherd Lutheran School is accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year for preschool through eighth grade. Preschool and kindergarten both offer full-day options, and both locations offer after-school care. The Van Street location houses kindergarten and first through eighth grade. The preschool is at the Nesler Road Christian Life Center. For details, visit the Web site at www.goodshepherd-elgin.org, or call the school at (847) 741-7795.

Summer activities at Bethlehem: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. in West Dundee, will offer a variety of programs and activities this summer. Starting this Wednesday during June and July, a book discussion of the Philip Yancy book "The Jesus I Never Knew" will be led by interim pastor Steve and Miriam Woita from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Registration is not necessary and drop-ins are welcome. Beginning June 13, a new group is formed called The Northwest Suburbs Single Parents Group, which will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays. A dinner will be served then baby-sitting will be provided from 7 to 8:30 p.m. while the parents have a group discussion. In order to plan for the group's dinner needs, contact the church office (847) 426-7311 or e-mail at thenwssingleparentsgroup@yahoo.com with your contact information. Vacation Bible school will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon July 7-11. This year's theme "Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power." Refreshments will be served. For details, contact the church office at (847) 426-7311 or visit the Web site, www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/mysite/default.aspx?.

Church to host flea market, craft fair: King of Glory Lutheran Church will host the second annual Flea Market, Craft, and Collectibles Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14, rain or shine. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available, so come shop at one of more than 40 vendors to find unusual items and hidden treasures. The church is at 36W720 Hopps Road, off Randall Road in Elgin. For details, call Donna Peddy at (847) 742-8699.

Cookie Lift: The Cookie Lift Project at Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church has sent care packages to the troops in the Middle East since March 2003. Last year, church and community members donated about $30,000 worth of items that were shipped to friends and relatives in the military and to 300 "adopted" Marines at Al Asad Airbase in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. To raise money for the care packages, the Cookie Lift Project will sponsor an ice cream social from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 18 during the Woodstock Band Concert at the park on the Woodstock Square. Church members will bake cookies and brownies from their cookbook, "Beyond the Cookie Walk." They will be selling the cookies and the cookbook along with ice cream at the event. For information, call (815) 459-1132 or e-mail cookielift@rclpc.org.

Taste of Epworth: On June 21, "The Taste of Epworth UMC" will be served up from 3 to 7 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue in Elgin. Outdoor summer fare will be offered in tasting sizes, in an effort to raise funds for growth and expansion of mission and ministry. Brats, hot dogs, corn, watermelon, chicken and beef kebabs, nachos, homemade ice cream and lemonade are on the menus and prices will vary. Everyone is welcome to come and fill up on food, fun and fellowship. For details, call the church office at (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.

Concert at First UMC: On June 22, Holly McNeill will perform in concert at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the church. The audience is invited to a reception in the church fellowship hall after the performance. The program will feature songs from her new CD, "Hope," which will be available for sale at the concert. A portion of the CD sales will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for children under age 12. To purchase tickets, or for details, call (847) 426-3761.

Children's Education Week: Calvary Lutheran Church invites families in the community to join them for adult and children's education week on June 23-26. Seven times in the Gospel of John, Jesus says "I Am." In this Christian Education Week, they will learn about what these "I Am" statements mean. Each evening will start with a meal at 6 p.m., followed by vacation Bible school and adult bible study at 7 p.m. Monday will be a potluck and the other three nights' meals will be provided. On June 26, they will close the week with a Vespers service at 7 p.m. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.

Power Lab VBS: First Congregational Church in West Dundee invites children to "Power Lab: Discover Jesus' Miraculous Power!" The research and testing will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon June 23-27. Get ready for an adventure, following Jesus as he heals, helps and gives power to people who need him. Power Lab is fizzing with fun for kids, teenagers and adults. They will explore God's Word. Each day your children will be a part of Bible adventures that they can see, hear, touch and even taste. Wacky Works Crafts, Daily Challenges that apply Bible truths to everyday life, team building Hyperspeed Games, lively Bible songs and tasty Test Tube treats are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help faith grow into real life. The vacation Bible school is for children age 3 through fifth grade. School age kids should sign up for the grade they are currently completing. Register online at www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/fccdundee. Registration is limited. The deadline is June 13 or when space is filled. The cost is $30 per student or $70 for families of three or more and includes a collection of five adorable Bible Buddies, a T-shirt and a Sing and Play Music CD for each family when you register. As a thank you for parents who volunteer, nursery care is available for any other children, age 2 and younger. To be a part of the fun, go to the Web site and visit the volunteer box on your child(ren)'s Participant Registration form and complete a Volunteer Registration form as well. The church is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For details, call the church at (847) 426-2161 ext. 204 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Power Lab VBS: Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee invites the community to mark their calendars the fourth week in June for vacation Bible school. Normally, Immanuel host VBS on the third week in June but changed their schedule to accommodate the later release of Community Unit District 300 schools. It will take place June 23-27. This year, Immanuel will be using Group Publishing's "Power Lab, Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power" material to teach children biblical truths. Power Lab doesn't rely on traditional teaching methods; rather kids will experience Bible stories in powerful, life-changing ways. Each day children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste. Bible Point crafts, team-building games, and lively Bible songs are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help children apply what they learn into real life. The children also will participate in a hands-on mission project called Operation Kid-to-Kid that involves nearly a million other children across North America. Older children will be out in the community serving others for the week of June 23-27. The program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at noon. Immanuel accepts children from the ages of 3 to 12 and welcomes all in the community to join in this fun week. There is no registration fee. A donation of $25 per child for the entire week is encouraged. The church is at 310 E. Main St. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.

Cosmic City VBS at Epworth: Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will offer a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 7-11. "Cosmic City" is this year's theme, and all manner of activities, games and music will be used to teach all 3- to 12-year-olds the "awesome wonder of God." Everyone is welcome to attend. Registration begins June 8 at the church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue, or by calling the church office at (847) 931-5400. The cost is $20 for one child or $40 for a family. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.

Dinner and movie: Have you ever had "Poor Man's Lobster?" You will not want to miss this directly from Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction Restaurant in Genoa City, Wis. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. in West Dundee, will be serving an all-you-can-eat rib and fish boil from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 20. They will be showing a first-run Christian movie, "The Wager" with Randy Travis. "The Wager" will be shown before or after the dinner. Tickets for dinner and a movie are $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12 until June 15 then the tickets will be $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Call the church office to purchase your tickets now at (847) 426-7311. "The Wager" will also be shown at later dates to be announced.