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.

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 "Massey." 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." Havdalah and Tisha B'Av services will be held at 8 p.m. Aug. 9. This week's Torah portion is "Masei," where the Israelites receive instructions for entering the Promised Land. Guests are welcome. At 1 p.m. Aug. 17, Congregation Shirat Shalom presents "D'rash Ud'vash - Stories and Honey", a pre-High Holiday family program for all ages. The program will include storytelling, singalongs, shofar blowing, goodies, and much more. Afterward, the celebration will continue with fresh kosher desserts and games. The entire community is invited to come for this fun afternoon.

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, "Wrestling With the God-Man," at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5 and Matthew 14:13-21.

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.

Nothing But Nets is the current mission fundraiser. Spare change or other donations are being collected. Every $10 buys a mosquito net - a help in preventing malaria in Africa.

The fall Sunday school program is currently taking registrations. Pick up your forms or visit the church Web site so staffing can be completed and adequate materials can be ordered.

Keep your eyes open for the upcoming Hobo Show on Nov. 8. This year, the Hobos will be "Cruisin'."

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

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison gives the message, "Try Me, Test Me," from Psalms, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special percussion music will be provided by Brian Robery on the Tenor D Lean Pan. One of the pieces he plays will be "Finding Joy," an original composition.

Christian education for all ages is at 8:50 a.m. The Caregiver Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Wesley Room. There will be open discussion about how care is going for individuals involved. All caregivers are invited to attend any of the meetings.

The "Holy Grounds Coffee House" continues to be a great place to hang out on Fridays at First United Methodist Church. The event, sponsored by the Youth Group under the direction of Keith Duncan, is held in Rogers Hall of the church and begins at 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month. The Friday event will feature "Hank on Guitar" and some other fun stuff. The youth also will be selling bags of the Equal Exchange coffee and tea on Sunday mornings in the narthex. For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Yoo-hoo! Hello! Yo!" based on Isaiah 55:1-5, 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 church will offer its next "Walk-R-Run" session with a short devotion and prayer at 9 a.m. today at Ralph Seyller Park in Hampshire. The goal is to meet and cover a 5K course for fun, fellowship, and good exercise twice a month. For details, e-mail stjohnlutheran@foxvalley.net or call the church office (847) 683-9108.

St. John's Octoberfest on Oct. 10-11 will include a Friday night Family concert with the McAvoy Family Ministries. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Paris Donehoo, senior pastor, has prepared a summer series of sermons on "Ten Essentials to Take With You" on your discipleship journey at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, the pastor will speak on the Exodus story of Moses and the Passover. This first Sunday of the month is a celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion as well. The Table is an open one and all are invited to partake at the 8:15 service in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service in the sanctuary. At the 10:15 a.m. service, Lamont Lambert will be the soloist for special music for the day.

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

All church family and friends are invited to gather up their water toys and meet at Wing Park pool after regular pool hours for the summer's second pool party. Details to come, but be sure you keep Aug. 12 open.

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 Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service and Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. Holy Communion will be observed during both services while 12 baptisms will take place during the 8 a.m. service.

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 special afternoon planned for all in attendance. Sign up in the vestibule.

The Health Care Ministry presents "How Excess Weight Affects Your Health," from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 13 with guest speaker Dr. Sheila Wilkins. Support the Health Care Ministry and also help in this fight for weight control.

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, contact Rev. Andrew and Brenda Love. Or call the church office.

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. Nancy Schatzeder, acting associate pastor for children's ministries, will present the sermon, "In the Case of Mary vs. Martha," based on Luke 10:38-42, 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 first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of nonperishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 and 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. These gifts will help those less fortunate in the area.

Sunday's Ministry of Music will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer and Sara Tustin with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist; and a vocal duet by Penny Mensik and Susan Schmidt.

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."

Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 9 to 11:15 a.m. The high school youth group will meet from 10:15 a.m. to noon Sunday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. Youth are advised to bring their ideas for the youth room.

Summer Parent's Day Out Program continues from 9 to 11:30 a.m. through Wednesday. Your 2- to 4-year-old children can join them 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.

FROG (Families Relying On God) Friday will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday for "Gone Fishin'." Bring a friend and join them for pizza, hot dogs, snacks, games, a festive craft and a Bible story. In keeping with the Great Fisherman, Jesus, they're going to try their hands at fishing. Kids of all ages are welcome to come enjoy this Friday night family fun. FROG is self-funded and freewill offerings are happily accepted. 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 12th Sunday after Pentecost as they look at the theme of "Ahoy," based on Isaiah 55. God's got a gracious invitation, and you don't want to miss it.

The regular weekly worship schedule includes a more traditional style worship 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 9:20 a.m. They also offer during the school year various midweek educational opportunities as well as a preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as youth programs for various age groups. Join a new worship opportunity called "The Refuge." Connect with God in a different, informal way every Monday at 7 p.m. Come for fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy some coffee and snacks before worship. The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.