Fox Valley religion notes

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.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder will present the message at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation, study, and prayer. Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of Aug. 4. This is an early evening event which will include dinner for the children each night. Call the church office for information about signing up. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church: On Sunday, the worship will be at 9:30 a.m. at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. "Summer Gather 'Round time" continues for children ages kindergarten through fifth grade. This will be held on the stage in the fellowship hall and will follow the Children's Time every Sunday through Aug. 31. The 2008 Camp Emmaus schedule is now available. Copies are available on the fellowship hall bulletin board. Sign up on the sheet hanging downstairs if you would like to share a ride or are requesting a scholarship. To help with record keeping, return all registration forms and $25 deposit to the church office. Marc and Amy Shuflin will be working as missionaries at a school in Caracas, Venezuela. They are leaving Aug. 5 and are having a spaghetti dinner benefit night and goodbye party July 25. It will be held at the Four Colonies Clubhouse, 680 Cress Creek Lane, Crystal Lake, (847) 848-8055, anytime between 6 and 10 p.m. Anyone is welcome. Bring family and friends to eat spaghetti and send Marc and Amy off to Caracas. The annual conference is in Richmond, Va, from July 12-16. Joyce Nolen and Willard Dulabaum are the church's delegates. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or go to the Web site at www.hacob.org.

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 prekindergarten to high school. Classes will resume in September. For details, call the congregation office. This week's Torah portion is "Balak." 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.

Shirt 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 July 12, after services and lunch, they will have a class at 12:30 p.m. on "Prayer and Song." This week's Torah portion is "Balak," in which the prophet Balaam attempts to curse the people of Israel, and ends up blessing them instead. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon, "Case Dismissed! Saved By Grace!" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105-112; Romans 8:1-11 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger. Children who are 4 and older are invited to attend the multi-grade Sunday school class held in the church youth room. Summer vacation Bible school will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 21-25. Registration forms are available at church on the special VBS bulletin board. Questions may be directed at vbsdundee@yahoo.com or www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/fumcdundee. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison gives the message, "This Is How Jesus Taught," from Matthew 13, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will be provided by Scott Duncan on the piano. Christian education for all ages is at 8:50 a.m. and the youth group meets at 11:15 a.m. Vacation Bible school will be conducted by the church at Judson University. Sunday's session begins at 5 p.m. and the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday sessions begin at 6 p.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Hear Ye, Hear Ye" based on Matthew 13:1-9, at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The summer worship schedule includes a 9 a.m. Sunday worship service and a repeat service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Pinochle will be offered at 1 p.m. Thursday. Come and play with them. On July 12, the church will kick off a new "walk-r-run club" with a short devotion and prayer. The location for this first walk-R-run will be the Burlington Park. The goal is to meet and cover a 5K course for fun, fellowship, and good exercise twice a month. For details, visit www.stjohnburlington.com or call (847) 683-9108. There will be no worship Wednesday because of vacation Bible school. Vacation Bible school is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. The theme will be "Rain Forest Adventure." For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Lois Bucher will preach at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Her sermon topic will be "Be-Attitudes" and the scripture is Matthew 5: 1-12, 38-48. The Open Door service starts at 8:15 in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is held in the sanctuary. There will be special music sung by John Schlomann and John Kauffman. All are invited to attend the Fellowship Hour at 11:15 a.m. on the lower level. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Chorale Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. Register for Vacation Bible School. VBS will run July 28 through Aug. 1 starting at 6 p.m. nightly. Volunteers are needed. The CUPS (Couples United to Process Success) will host their annual retreat from Sept. 19-21. If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee, call Rev. Andrew and Brenda Love. You may also call the church office. Mothers and daughters, women and girls, if you have anything to be thankful for, join the Missionary Ministry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9. The Missionary Ministry has a very special afternoon planned for all in attendance. Sign up in the vestibule. On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Kentucky Home Build Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Who Says You Are Not Good Enough?," based on II Corinthians 4:7-15, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The church offers a single Sunday service at 9 a.m. from June 1 through Aug. 31. The Global Mission Ministry, in conjunction with Cumberland Mountain Outreach, will be building a home for a deserving family in Kentucky. Volunteers will build wall panels at the church which will be trucked down and assembled on the home site in Beattyville, Ky. Aug. 16-23. Home Build sessions will take place Sunday before the worship service at 8 a.m. and afterward from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to come early to build (dress accordingly), then attend worship and build again after the service. Building sessions continue at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19. Check out more information about Cumberland Mountain Outreach Ministries Inc. at my.att.net/p/s/communitydll?ep=16&groupid=136554&ck.

Sunday's Ministry of Music will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer and Sara Tustin with Larry Dirst, guest piano/organ accompanist.

"Zawadi ni Zawadi" (a gift is a gift) Africa Mission Trip participants are in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa July 1-18. The trip's focus will be to assist the children who attend St. Margaret's Academy in Arusha and build a library. David and Kim Olson, founders and organizers of the nonprofit, have arrived to meet the shipment of 27,000 pounds of books and supplies in Tanzania. Donna Bolz, Karen Gundersen, Don and Brett Schmidt, Deb and Jason Clark, and Jim and Pam Pendexter will unpack the books, teach classes, build a library and spend time with the children and families of St. Margaret's. Everyone can follow along with this mission by going to www.zawadinizawadi.com and clicking on recent updates.

Children are invited to go to the 9 a.m. service with their parents. After "Our Children's Time," youth, age 3 through fifth grade, may attend "FaithExplorers in God's Big Backyard" with scripture, crafts and movement. The curriculum is "Raising Children to Love Their Neighbors." It offers many opportunities for mission projects for preschoolers as well as older kids.Kids will study and share Holy Communion. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Coffee and fellowship time will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the Hospitality Team. Adult Teaching will be at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Children are invited to go to the 9 a.m. worship service with their parents. After "Our Children's Time," youth age 3 through fifth-grade may attend FaithExplorers in God's Big Backyard with scripture, crafts and movement. The curriculum is "Raising Children to Love Their Neighbors."

The Global Mission Ministry participants, Mark Batt, Hailey Davis, Kyle Davis, Tom Foley, Judy Stephens and Olivia Vlahos, have traveled to Kentucky to help repair homes in the Appalachian Mountains July 12-19. This annual Kentucky Mission Trip is in conjunction with HOMES, Inc. (Housing Oriented Ministries Established for Service).

Summer Parent's Day Out Program continues from 9 to 11:30 a.m. through Aug. 6. Your 2- to 4-year-old children can join us on Mondays or Wednesdays for structured time that is fun and developmentally appropriate. They will enjoy circle time, calendar and weather activity, a math/language lesson, snack, Bible story, craft, music time and a trip to our indoor recess room. Your children will have fun learning and playing while you enjoy your time too. The cost is $80 per child for the six-week program.

The church serves dinner at the Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided Tuesday. If you are interested in cooking, donating food or delivering the meals, call the church office. Some menu items need to be prepared while others can be purchased and dropped off at church. Any help is appreciated by the temporary residents.

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

Summer camps at FCC, a pairing for "Kids" age 3 through eighth grade, begins on Fridays, July 18, 25 and Aug. 1 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. VeggieTales Day Camp is for children age 3 through kindergarten. The kids will finally find out what Bob and Larry have been up to this summer. Children will love joining their VeggieTales friends for stories, crafts, games and more. Fine Arts Camp is for youth in first through eighth grades. They will explore art, drama, choir and handbells as part of their experience. Youth will be grouped according to age and will experience three different areas of interest during each day of camp. Join us for one morning or for all four. The cost for all materials and snack is $5 per youth per session. Visit the Website for registration details. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church will observe the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost as they look at the theme of "Sowing the Seed," based on Matthew 13. A traditional worship is at 8:15 a.m. Sundays, as well as a contemporary style 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. Join a new worship opportunity called "The Refuge" every Monday at 7 p.m. Come for fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy some coffee and snacks before worship. The Monday theme is "And When I Die," as they take a look at the topic of death and some of the misunderstandings about the end of life. The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

Bethelhem Lutheran: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee offers services at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Bible classes for all ages on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. All-you-can-eat rib and fish boil will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 20. 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. A first run Christian Movie "The Wager" with Randy Travis will be shown before or after the dinner. Tickets for dinner and a movie are $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Call the church office to purchase your tickets now. (847) 426-7311. A special showing of "The Wager" for youth will be at 8 p.m. July 26. Call for tickets at (847) 426-7311.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture on Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The reign of God breaks out among us in unexpected, miraculous ways, and what we consider to be waste is in reality God's glorious work of redemption. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

Tabernacle of David: Spirit-filled prophetic Sabbath services are offered at 11 a.m. July 19 at The Tabernacle of David in Elgin. Pastor and Rabbi Leora Rosenberg-Meiszner teaches on the Hebrew roots. She believes in walking in the realm of the supernatural and is available for all seminars. E-mail to salvationyeshua@aol.com. Sabbath service is held at Comfort Suites, 2480 Bushwood Drive, Elgin. For details, call (847) 836-9500 or visit www.hamishkandavid.org.