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.

Wesley UMC: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1070 South St. in Elgin, invites friends and neighbors to Sunday worship services at 9:30 a.m. On July 20 and 27, special music, including virtuosic pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, will be performed by Aleksander Krukowski, an accomplished performer. Krukowski is a graduate in piano performance of the renowned Warsaw Academy of Music. He has appeared a number of times at prestigious music stages in Poland including Warsaw and Zelazowa Wola, Chopin's birthplace. Krukowski has taken part in many music events and played numerous concerts in the United States including appearances at the International Art and Music Festival in St. Charles and the Easter Seals Telethon in Elgin. All are invited. For details, call the church office at (847) 742-7256.

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.

Every Wednesday during the month of July will be vacation Bible school planning night.

Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of Aug. 11. This is an early evening event which will include dinner for the children each night. Call the church office for information about signing your child or children up.

For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit the Web site at www.countrycov.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 "Pinchas." 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 "Pinchas," in which the priest Pinchas is "zealous" for the Lord. 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, "Don't Go UP the Down Staircase," at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-34; Romans 8:12-25 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. 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.

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. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison gives the message, "Is It Getting Hot In Here?," from Matthew 13, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will be provided by Allison 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. On July 27, "Party In the Park" will be held after the service. A "cookout" meal will be served in the dining room of the church, followed by games and other activities in Rogers Park, adjacent to the church on Highland Avenue and Spring Street. For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "We Can Because He Did" based on John 15:16-17, 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. The kids are learning about stewardship this week in vacation Bible school. The first Walk-R-Run gathering was a success. Over 20 people, more walkers than runners, participated in the 5K course.

For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will preach at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. He continues his summer series on "Ten Essential Stories of the Christian Life." The sermon is "The Rainbow Resolve."

The Open Door service starts at 8:15 in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is held in the sanctuary.

Kevin and Letty Jocius will bring special music to the second service. All are invited to attend the Fellowship Hour at 11:15 a.m. on the lower level.

On July 24, a group of 16 youth and adult escorts will leave for Knoxville to attend the National United Church of Christ Youth event. They will gather with 3,000 other youth from UCC churches around the nation. They will attend workshops dealing with international, national and local issues, large group worship services with motivational speakers, contemporary Christian bands, and nontraditional elements that will inspire the youth to continue their faith journeys. They will return July 28.

Also on July 24, Damaris, the women's dining-out group, will meet at Famous Dave's BBQ, 113 S. Western Ave., Carpentersville. All women of the church and their friends are invited to attend.

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.

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 sermon is "Don't come up short", inspired by the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. The Male Chorus will render the music for both services.

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.

The Brotherhood Ministry invites all men to come out every fourth Saturday of the month to fellowship with your Brothers in Christ. Free haircuts will be provided by the "barbershop".

On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m.

Bus and child care 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 Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "The Church In Labor," 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 at 6:30 p.m. July 23 and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. July 26. Check out more information about Cumberland Mountain Outreach Ministries Incorporated at http://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 Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist; and an organ and piano duet by Linda Gilmore and Bonnie Rohr.

"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 organization, 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.

Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 9 to 11:15 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.

A special congregational meeting will take place Sunday at 10:15 a.m.

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.

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 in July for registration details.

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

Bethlehem 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.

An 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. Come be with local youth in the area. Call for tickets (847) 426-7311.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture on Matthew 13, at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Why doesn't a good god fix the world so that there is less evil and sadness? Why do good things happen to bad people? Come this Sunday to find out what selected verses from the 13th chapter of Matthew have to say about these questions. On July 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. First Congregational Church of Carpentersville is having an ice cream social. Tickets, which will be available at the door, are $3. It includes a large scoop of ice cream (with toppings), a cookie treat and beverage. There will also be a jumping castle for the children and raffles. Join the church at its recently renovated handicap accessible building. It is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming all to their services. 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 during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.