Lake Co. religion notes

To have your information included, e-mail it each week by noon Tuesday to faith@dailyherald.com, fax it to (847) 680-0189 or mail it to Religion listings, 1795 N. Butterfield Road, Suite 100, Libertyville, IL 60048.

Alpine Chapel: Kids through preschool age and their moms are invited to a free Play Day Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Alpine Chapel gym. Kids will get to interact with "Busy Brain" Travelling Children's Museum. Snacks and beverages provided. This event is free and sponsored by Alpine Chapel MOPS, a national organization that provides support and resources for moms of preschoolers.

Alpine Chapel sponsors both daytime and evening MOPS events on the first and third Thursdays of the month, from mid-September through May. Alpine Chapel is a nondenominational community church at the corner of Miller and Echo Lake Roads in Lake Zurich. alpinechapel.org/women or (847) 540-8280.

Christ Lutheran Church: Beginning Sept. 14, worship will be held at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. All-Ages Education Hour is available at 9:30 a.m. During the 10:45 service, children can take part in Faithweaver Friends Nursery. (847) 367-5787 or christlutheranvh.org. Christ Lutheran is at 595 Deerpath Drive in Vernon Hills, next to Countryside Fire.

Crystal Springs Healing Rooms: Healing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at Crystal Springs Healing Rooms, 1117 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Prayers for: migraines, ongoing illnesses, pregnancy, cancer, pains, upcoming surgeries, those in local hospitals, etc. E-mail healing@calvarywayintl.com or visit calvarywayintl.com/healingrooms or healingrooms.com.

Evangelical Free Church of Libertyville: The church is throwing a picnic from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 and everyone is invited. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, roasted corn, snow cones, etc., will begin to be served at noon. There will be games for all ages. Inflatables, face painting, volleyball tournament, a cookie bake-off and more. An entertainment stage will feature three different bands, a magician, an Aikido demonstration and a balloon artist. The church is located at 431 W. Austin Ave., Libertyville, which is the corner of Austin and Garfield.

First Presbyterian Church: The church, at the corner of Maple and Douglas avenues in Libertyville, announces its fall worship schedule, effective Sept. 9. Worship will be held in the sanctuary and the chapel at 10 a.m. The children's Sunday school classroom instruction will be offered during the 10 a.m. worship hour. Childcare for infants and toddlers age 2 and younger is available from 8:30 a.m. through noon. Adult Education classes will be offered at 8:45 and 11:10 a.m. Children's Bells, Junior High and Senior High Choir will rehearse at 11:10 a.m. Sunday mornings. (847) 362-2174 or firstpreslibertyville.org.

Grace Lutheran Church: One service will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 7, offering Communion, and Promiseland - Childrens Ministries for ages preschool through sixth grade. Nursery care will be available during the 10 a.m. worship service. Following worship will be the kickoff of the Fall Celebration with the dedication of the Grace Lutheran Preschool, Tremendous Threes Program. All are invited to come and tour the new preschool area, meet the teachers and then join in the Rally Day festivities. There will be food, games with a superheroes theme, and bingo.

The next week, the fall worship schedule begins. Sunday worship times are 8:30 a.m. (traditional service) and 10 a.m. (contemporary service.) Promiseland will be held each Sunday following the children's message. Nursery care will be available during the 10 a.m. worship service. Holy Communion is offered on the first and third Sundays of the month at both services. Coffee Fellowship is open to all following both worship services. (847) 367-7050 or aboutgracelutheran.org. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville.

Holy Apostles Church (Episcopal): The church will offer an intergenerational Christian Formation program titled "The Word in the World." The focus will be on the Episcopal Catechism. This discussion program will take place on the second and fourth Wednesdays from September through June. Two identical sessions are being offered by the Rev. Martha Gillette: 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. The first classes begin Sept. 10 at the church at 26238 N. Route 59 just outside of Wauconda. (847) 526-7148.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: CrossWays Preschool, an early childhood ministry of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, has openings in a new Tuesday afternoon Science Sensation class. This is an enrichment class focusing on science and math for 4- and 5-year-olds. Call Mindy (847) 367-4367 for information.

• Holy Cross Lutheran Church fall schedule will resume on Rally Day, Sept. 7, with services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The 2008-09 Sunday/Funday School will also resume at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7.

• Confirmation classes for all sixth-, seventh-, and eighth- graders will resume at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

• Celebration! Childcare with a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and senior financial consultant, Richard Drews from Libertyville is providing "Back to Work," a program where a parent can receive child care at no cost while they go on a job interview and "We Care," a program where a parents can receive child care at no cost while meeting their special medical treatment needs. Celebration! Childcare will provide a maximum of five, three-hour child care sessions so parents may go on a job interview or to meet medical needs. Parents need to pre-enroll their child. Once the center has the completed paperwork mandated by DCFS, the family may use these services at center.

(847) 367-4060 or holycrosschurch.org. Holy Cross Lutheran Church is at 29700 N. St. Mary's Road in Libertyville.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church: The fall schedule will start on Sept. 7, with traditional worship from 8:30-9:30 a.m., Christian education adult forum from 9:40-10:30 a.m., contemporary worship from 10:45-11:45 a.m. There will also be a Rally Day celebration from 9:40-10:30 a.m. St. Andrew Lutheran Church is at 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein. standrewmundelein.org

St. Joseph Church: An informal inquiry session for those who have considered becoming Catholic will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Parish Office and Ministry Center at 121 E. Maple Ave. in Libertyville. For more information, contact Catherine Sims at (847) 990-1238 or csims@stjoseph-libertyville.org.

• A parish-sponsored, faith-based panel discussion about "You and Your Money, Budgeting and Debt Management in a Tough Economy," featuring St. Joseph parishioner and Archdiocesan presenters will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at St. Joseph Parish, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville, Koenig Center. Admission is free. The panel would appreciate an RSVP to Toni Pepping - tpepping@stjoseph-libertyville.org or (847) 990-1225.

St. Lawrence: Beginning Sept. 7, services will be held at 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. Christian Formation Classes for all ages will be held at 10:10 a.m. St. Lawrence is located at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville. (847) 362-2110 or www.stlawrencechurch.org.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The church at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will host a Bible Study for women titled "Believing God: Experiencing a Fresh Explosion of Faith." A Scripture-based Bible Study by Beth Moore, this study will explore what it means to believe God. Classes are open to all women from St. Matthew and the community, and will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall from Sept. 3 through Nov. 5. Child care will be available. For information, call Scarlett Mankowsky (847) 540-5501, Kay Lattanzi (847) 540-1155, or visit stmatts.net.

Word Among Us: An in-depth Bible study on "James - The Tests of a True Religion" will begin Sept. 8. This is a five-week class to be held at 6 a.m. at Harris Bank in Palatine; at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at St Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods. Instructor will be Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities and founder and author of Word Among Us Bible Studies - a national Bible Study Curriculum. To enroll, call (866) 455-6466 or enroll online by going to LutheranChurchCharities.org

The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross: A ministry of healing to the Northwest suburbs will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 11. The program, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, takes place at 500 Park Ave., Unit 102, Lake Villa. The evening begins with some time for quiet reflection and preparation; contemporary music; and a short period of liturgical prayer. The homily/teaching points to one of the many biblical stories about healing, emphasizing the common themes running through all of them. Laying on of hands and prayer by the healing team; the sacrament of healing, if desired; and a time for questions or further counsel concludes the evening.

Holy Cross Chapel is a part of The Words of Blessing Ministry. Each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. the ministry gathers in the Holy Cross Chapel for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Episcopal tradition) and study, using ministry materials. The ministry is associated with the Anglican Communion Network. holycross-anglican.org or (847) 543-7371.

Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church: Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. is the first day of Sunday school. Stay for an ice cream social after the 10 a.m. service. Bishop Scantlebury will also be visiting Sept. 7. The church is at 5725 Stearns School Road (corner of Stearns School and Dilleys roads), Gurnee. (847) 336-3730.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church: Alan Butterworth, a missionary with the Apple of His Eye Mission Society, St. Louis, will be speaking at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, 1501 Deep Lake Road, Antioch. At 10:45 a.m. he will lead a Bible study class on witnessing to Jewish people. Contact the Rev. Darald Gruen, (847) 395-9400 for further information

Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church: Chain of Lakes Bible Institute offers courses in the Old and New Testaments, Basic Theology, Christian Stewardship, Church History, evangelism, Leadership, and several other subjects. At this time, CLBI classes are not accredited. All CLBI classes meet from 7-9 p.m. Mondays for six or 12 weeks, are open to anyone 16 years of age or older, and are taught by experienced Bible college professors. For fall 2008, which begins Sept. 8, courses will be taught by Thomas Cornman, Michael Vanlaningham, Michael Wechsler, and Gerald Peterman (who serves as dean of CLBI). Registration is open now, see the Web site at clcbc.com/index.php/clbi-info.html, or call (847) 838-0103.

Church of the Holy Family: The Episcopal church in Lake Villa holds a Eucharist Service at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Refreshments and fellowship following the service. The Thrift Shop is open 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. A $2 Bag Sale is held the last Saturday of each month (clothes, shoes, books); everything else half-price. (847) 356-7222 or theholyfamilychurch.com

The church is in the historic stable for the Lehmann Estate, 24219 Lehmann Blvd., Lake Villa. The facility is available for rent for showers, weddings, funerals, birthday parties. The Memorial Garden is open at all times for quiet meditation or picture-taking for special occasions. Contact Faye at (847) 693-8813 for more information.

Congregation Am Echod: The Reform congregation, 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, offers the following Shabbat service schedule.

• Sept. 6: 9 a.m. Study Session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service.

To obtain more information call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@sbcglobal.net.

• Sept. 12: 7:30 p.m. Shir L'Shabbat Service, Am Echod's trademark musical service.

Sept. 13: 9 a.m. Study Session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service. B'nai mitzvah of Zach and Jordan Dubow

• Sept. 19: 6:30 Tot Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. "Let's Talk" Shabbat Service: a group discussion on a Jewish topic. Anniversaries during the month of September will be celebrated.

• Sept. 20: 9 a.m. Study Session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service. Bar mitzvah of Aidan Connolly; 8 p.m. movie, desserts and Selichot service

For details, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@sbcglobal.net.

• A golf outing will be held at noon, Sept. 8 at Bittersweet Golf Club. Hosted by Congregation Am Echod. Cost: $85 per person; includes lunch, driving range and golf cart. Requesting hole sponsors and items for silent auction. Call (847) 265-1818.

• Am Echod's annual Kickoff Sisterhood meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10, featuring a "Pass the Pocketbook" event. Bring an old purse (in good condition) filled with "stuff" and you can be the owner of the treasures of others (including the purse). All women are welcome and do not need to be a member to join the Sisterhood. Social Hall, Am Echod 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst. (847) 265-1818.

Faith Lutheran Church: Chris Driesbach, a Christian musician, and Susan Ann, a Christian singer, will appear in a free concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road, in Antioch.

Chris is a member of Crown of Life Church in New Orleans, which was almost destroyed when flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina put 4.5 feet of muddy seawater in the church buildings and the community. The church has been rededicated and 41 neighboring homes have been rebuilt through the efforts of 1,300 volunteers.

The concert features a presentation about Hurricane Katrina and rebuilding of Crown of Life Church. The songs are all original Christian music and tell the story of Crown of Life and Chris' own journey to faith. faithantioch.org or (847) 395-1660.

Gages Lake Bible Church: The public is invited to a presentation, "China Says Yes to Genesis," by renowned creation scientist, Laurence Tisdall at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Gages Lake Bible Church in Gages Lake. There is no charge to attend. Gages Lake Bible Church is at 18788 W. Gages Lake Road, For information, call Daniel Darling at (847) 223-2923.

Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church: The Circle of Hope, a women's Bible study group, resumes meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the church on the first and third Mondays of each month. The church is located at 32475 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake. On Sept. 15, we will begin discussing "Chosen by God," written by Dr. R.C. Sproul, theologian, minister, and teacher. Books will be available for purchase at the Sept. 15 meeting. The cost is $10. (847) 543-1659.

Joy! Lutheran Church: Registration has begun for children and youth programs for this fall. Children's programs run on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services. Contact Cheryl at (847) 362-4569 or e-mail cheryl.oneill@joylutheran.org for information. Crossroads, the middle school ministry, meets Wednesday evenings and ATF, the high school ministry, meets Sunday evenings. Contact Bryan at (847) 362-4569 or e-mail bryan.depotty@joylutheran.org for information. Joy! is at 749 S. Hunt Club Road in Gurnee. joylutheran.org. Services on Sundays are at 8 (traditional) and 9:30 & 11 a.m. (contemporary).

St. Andrew Episcopal Church: Join St. Andrew's Rector, the Rev. Jane Clark, for two Saturday afternoons this fall for an introduction to the Episcopal faith. This inquirer's class is free and open to all. Explore the liturgy, sacraments, and the Nicene Creed and experience an instructed Eucharist. The sessions will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 18. Registration is required; there is no charge. The church is at 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. (847) 223-2310.

• The church at the corner of Park and Lake streets will hold its annual Pet Blessing ceremony in conjunction with St. Francis of Assisi Day at 10 a.m. Oct. 4. Bring your pets and have them blessed. (847) 223-2310 or standrewsgrayslake.org.

• The church presents Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need." This is a community service project with a goal to help families with children in need by supplying free, gently-used children's clothing. The store is open to everyone from 9 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Gently-used clothing is available for boys and girls in sizes ranging from infant to size 16. Fall and winter clothing will be available next store date of Sept. 13 at no cost. The church welcomes donations. For information, visit standrewsgrayslake.org or call (847) 223-2310.

United Methodist Church of Antioch: The church at 848 Main St. houses two preschools. Tomorrows Future Preschool and Childcare, Inc., offers full-time care to children from 6 weeks old to elementary-school age children with an after-school program. Parents Day Out offers part-time care to children ages 2-5. For information, call Torie Johnson at (847) 395-1362.

The United Protestant Church of Grayslake: A Sunday summer worship schedule at United Protestant Church of Grayslake will run through Sept. 7, with only a single Sunday morning worship service at 9:30 a.m. Regular worship times resume Sept. 7 with 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. services. A Christian education open house will held from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Sept. 7 The church is at 54 S. Whitney St., Grayslake. (847) 223-8131.

St. Therese: Married/Divorced? Liberal, and unashamed of it? All are welcome to receive Communion at the parish of St. Therese, the Little Flower, in the First Congregational UCC building, 320 Grand Ave., Waukegan. Mass every Sunday at noon.