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 Sundays, the Rev. Mark Harder leads worship at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. This week's message will be presented in the form of a stage drama titled "Simon Peter, Fisherman." Maranatha Productions Inc. from Lancaster, Penn. brings this 45-minute story to all who attend. The Maranatha Players will perform for the entire Sunday service. This drama is an account of the life of Simon Peter, fisher of men, and his life as a follower of Jesus. There will be audience interaction and participation. After the performance, there will be light refreshments.

Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation, study, and prayer. Children's Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 will be Prayer Night at 7 p.m. Bring your concerns, cares, and worries and pray together. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit the Web site at countrycov.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel is in the middle of a very busy season. Numerous services and events are planned for the coming weeks. While regular Sabbath and Torah school will continue, special events include Kever Avot (cemetery visit) at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; Kol Nidre, at 5:40 p.m. Oct. 8; Yom Kippur at 9 a.m. Oct. 9; Break-the-Fast at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9; Sukkot Family service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17; Shemini Atzeret/Yizkor service at 8 a.m. Oct. 21; and Simchat Torah service with ice cream social at 7 p.m. Oct. 21. In addition to services social activities are planned by the youth group, 50+ club, men's club, and sisterhood. This week's Torah portion is "Vayelekh." 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 ckielgin.org.

Shirat 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."

The High Holidays continue, and tickets are still available. Kol Nidre will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Yom Kippur services will continue at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. A "Communal Break Fast" meal will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

Everyone is invited to attend as they decorate the sukkah at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. Sukkot services will take place at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14. On Friday, Oct. 17, they will have Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by "Pizza in the Hut." RSVP for the best kosher pizza in town at $6 per person. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, celebrate Simchat Torah, one of the most joyous holidays of the year, with them at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, Oct. 5, worship is at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Fall Sunday school has begun.

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.

The church will be participating in the annual CROP Walk on Sunday, Oct. 19. Donate to help end world hunger. 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. The Hobo Show with the theme, "Cruisin'," has been rescheduled to February.

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

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of John Slawson, will perform at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The message will be given by the lead pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison, based on 1 Peter 3, "Ministering to a Hostile World."

Christian education for all ages will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The 11:30 a.m. service will feature music by the Praise Band and a message by the pastor, "Hannah's Prayer," based on 1 Samuel 2. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m.

On Oct. 19, the church will participate in the CROP Walk, which begins at the church at 1 p.m. The public is invited to participate in the walk. Just meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Mark Bussert will preach the sermon, "It's Great to Have Confidence," based on Philippians 3:4-14, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Fellowship is at 9 a.m. and family education hour from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. St. John's Octoberfest on Oct. 10-11 will include a Friday night Family concert with the McAvoy Family Ministries and a pinochle tournament on Friday, Oct. 10. Oct. 11 will include a 5K walk or run and the traditional German dinner and music later that day. Make sure you register for flu shots from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 20. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 5, the Rev. Lois Bucher will preach on "Have You Got a Prayer?," based on Genesis 32:1-32 and Philippians 1:1-11, at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. All are welcome. The Sunday school program starts in the sanctuary at 10:15 a.m.; and after the children's message, students are dismissed to their individual classes. The chancel choir will sing "Hear My Prayer" by A. Kopylov at the second service.

Breakfast is served at 9:15 a.m. every Sunday when the in-depth Bible study led by the Rev. Paris Donehoo convenes. No biblical expertise or prior knowledge is required; just bring your mind, your heart and a desire to learn and grow. Child care is available. After the second service, all are invited to the fellowship hour in the lower level. There will be people there who can take orders for Scrip gift cards. From 3:45 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, Stepping Stones will hold a workshop in the chapel on "Forgiveness" with Joan Schneider-Cooper as the presenter.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, the spiritual development program, "Disciple Way: A Christian's Toolkit" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All sessions are open to the public. Mark your calendar for the Big Barn Bash at Chris Danzi's carriage house on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a buffet beginning at 4 p.m. and music and entertainment starting at 5 p.m. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service and the Choral Ensemble will perform for the 10:30 a.m. service. Holy Communion will be observed during both services and baptisms will take place during the 8 a.m. service. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. The church will launch its Domestic Violence Ministry during the month. The ministry was created to counsel and support those individuals dealing with domestic violence abuse.

The CUPS ministry will meet from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in the fellowship hall. The topic will be the movie "Fireproof Marriage" which is now playing in theaters. Check your local movie theaters for show times. Register today for the 2008 Women's Conference. The theme is: "High Heels, High Hopes, High Calling" inspired by Philippians 3:14. The conference runs Oct. 10-12 with a cost of $40. 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 SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Plugged In," based on Philippians 3:4b-14, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Traditional worship, with the Chancel Choir and a vocal or bell choir, will be at 9 a.m. Progressive worship, a spirit-filled experience with the Praise Singers and Band, will be at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Tinkerbells, first- through third-grade chime and the Junior Choir, first- through fifth-grade vocal choir both directed by Charlotte Norman; and the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist. The 10:15 a.m. service will feature songs and music by the Praise Singers and Band: Cheri Blazek; Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, piano; Noah Katsma, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.

Children, age 3 through sixth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families and move to Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. and to God's Big Backyard for KidsOwn Worship at 10:30 a.m. after the children's message. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Children should be signed in and out.

Adult education classes are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. "Parenting is Heart Work" meets at 9 a.m. with Rochelle Doty. It is an eight-week video and discussion series designed to equip parents to touch the hearts of their kids with biblically-based, practical parenting techniques. Parents and teachers of children, age 2 to 18, will benefit from this life-changing curriculum. No materials are required, but you are welcome to buy the book, "Parenting is Heart Work" by Dr. Scott Turansky and registered nurse Joanne Miller. "To Begin at the Beginning" meets at 10:30 a.m. with Harry Vellines. This book study by Martin B. Copenhaver promises to be an enjoyable, enlightening journey into the basics of Christianity and an invitation and encouraging provocation to deeper study. Copenhaver has written a clearly accessible guidebook to familiarize new Christians with the terrain of belief and even more, it opens up new vistas for longtime churchgoers. Books are available at the church.

Middle school youth group will meet Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. Come to this group if you like having fun, enjoy pizza or want to hang out with friends, both old and new. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Oct. 5, King of Glory Lutheran Church will observe Lutheran Women's Missionary League Sunday as they look at the theme of "Opened Eyes - Hearts Ablaze!" based on Luke 24. 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.

On Mondays, join "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 theme for Oct. 6 is "Following the Good Shepherd." 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 kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Philippians 3:4b-14 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The service focuses on how pressing on is what Christians do, energized by hope. Celebrate World Communion Sunday. The United Church of Christ practices open communion so that all who seek to follow Christ are welcome to partake. 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.