Religion - Special events
New youth pastor: Elgin Evangelical Free Church recently announced that the Rev. Mark Kato will be the new associate pastor of youth. Kato comes to Elgin Evangelical Free following church ministry in Wisconsin and Skokie and after a time of missionary service in Africa. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. The church is at 1900 Big Timber Road in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-8812.
God's Big Backyard: Twin Oaks Baptist Church, 15N615 Randall Road, Sleepy Hollow, will offer vacation Bible School from 6 to 8 p.m. July 7-11. The free program, "God's Big Backyard," will be for children of all ages. Enjoy songs, snacks, games, crafts and prizes. For details, call the church at (847) 428-6868.
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 the church office at (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.
"Building HisStory": This past winter, Cary-Grove Evangelical Free Church launched a building campaign. "Building HisStory," to raise funds for phase 1 of the new church facility. After going through the process to be annexed into Cary, the church has set the date for the ground-breaking ceremony. Join in an afternoon of celebration as a congregation has they break ground at 3 p.m. July 13 at 1500 Silver Lake Road, just north of Lions Park in Cary. Land preparation has already begun by removing the existing house and barn that were on the property. Phase 1 (a multipurpose facility with administrative offices and classrooms for child and youth) will be completed in the fall 2009. At that time, the congregation will move from the current location at 525 W. Ada St. to 1500 Silver Lake Road. This will be just in time to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary.
Great Love Ministries: On July 13, join Morning Star Church at 10 a.m. for a special meeting featuring the ministry of Bobbie Jean Merck. A Great Love Ministries was founded and incorporated by its president, Bobbie Jean Merck, in August 1977. Leading the body of Christ into greater wisdom, knowledge, revelation and understanding concerning intercessory prayer is a great part of her ministry. Merck ministers in conferences, churches, Bible schools, and colleges throughout the world. She has been a "seed planter" for the ministry of intercession in such nations as Sweden, the Soviet Union, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, Jamaica, South Africa, several European nations, and the United States of America. Her six-part audio series, titled "Intercessory Prayer," has gone to many nations, including those closed to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Morning Star Church is at 41W350 Powers Road, just north of the I-90 Route 47 exit in Huntley. For details, call Maria at (847) 669-9800, ext. 111 or visit morningstarwoc.org/events.
Rescue Zone at Baptist church: Fox Valley Baptist Church in East Dundee presents its vacation Bible school, "Rescue Zone: Saved by God's Power" starting at 6:30 p.m. July 13-17. All children, ages 4 to 12 including incoming sixth-graders, are invited. It is five nights of rescue stories from the Bible. Each night will feature a thrilling Bible adventure, along with games, age-appropriate lesson centered crafts, and snacks. There will also be songs, skits, contests, and special appearances from our "His Hands" puppet team. In addition, they will have a special Bible study for all interested parents of the attendees, and starting at 5:30 p.m. each night a special program for teenagers. The church also wants to introduce the attendees to some real life rescuers as well; there will be special nightly appearances from the police and fire departments of East Dundee and neighboring communities, as well as a special police canine demonstration from the Carpentersville Police Department. The program is free. Registration is recommended. Visit the Web site at foxvalleybaptist.org and click on the "VBS Registration 2008" tab, or call (847) 428-5413.
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.
Learn about Israeli culture at day camp: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will be welcoming four teenagers from Israel to lead a two-week day camp at the Crystal Lake synagogue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, July 21 to Aug. 1. The camp is open to nonmembers, and kids of all ages who wish to learn more about the Israeli culture. Through song, folk dancing, language, food and games, the Israeli counselors will introduce campers to a what life is like in Israel. The campers will also take field trips to area pools and beaches. Cost for the camp is $150 for the two weeks, and campers are asked to bring their own dairy lunches. Registrations are still being accepted. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org. It operates a gift shop offering a wide array of Jewish themed gift and holiday supplies that is open during religious school hours. The congregation holds Shabbat services at 6:30 p.m. each Friday, and 9 a.m. each Saturday. Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Maralee Gordon. It is free and open to everyone. It is the only Conservative Jewish congregation in McHenry County. Interfaith families are welcome. It is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information on the congregation or any of its events or educational programs, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.
Power Lab: St. John's Lutheran Church in Elgin invites children entering kindergarten to entering sixth grade to come and have a "blast" at "Power Lab: Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power." The Power packed week is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4-8. During the week, children will travel to different stations to hear God's Word at "Bible Blast," play games at "Hyperspeed," create a snack at "Test Tube Treats," plus assemble crafts and sing songs that are out of this world. Each day the children will hear different Biblical Truths and how they apply to their lives. A "Bible Buddy" will be given out every day to each child to remind them of what they learned that day. While the children are moving from station to station, the parents are encouraged to stay each night for some planned sessions of fellowship, discussion and fun. There is no registration fee. A donation of $3 per day is encouraged. Forms are available at the church office. The church is at 101 N. Spring St. just a couple of blocks east of the Fox River in old downtown Elgin. For details call the church at (847) 741-0814 ext. 102.