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 "Wake-up," based on Revelations 2:1-7. 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. The Wednesday evening study group welcomes Peter Sjoblom for a two-week course titled "Veritas." The class will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your Bibles. Join Coffee House night at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, for tea or coffee, cookies, entertainment, and great fellowship. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit the Web site at countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Junior High Sunday, Nov. 2, the 9:30 a.m. worship for will be planned and led by the junior high class at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Throughout the afternoon and evening, the Congregational Nurture Group is sponsoring "Fun for All, Fun for Fall." Members will gather at various locations across Elgin for a vegetarian potluck, board games, a nature hike, bowling at Elgin Lanes, or card games. The Flute Ensemble meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. For information, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.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." Everyone is invited to join the next adult education class on Saturday, Nov. 1. They will have a class on "Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith" at 12:30 p.m., following the Shabbat services and luncheon. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Immanuel Lutheran: On Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2, celebrate the Festival of All Saints, taking time in worship to remember the legacy of gifts God bestows on us through the lives of those who have come before - now part of the Church Triumphant in heaven - at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. Worship is at 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays. The Rev. Bruce Meissner shares "The Message and the Meaning" at the 6 p.m. service and the Rev. William Yonker's message will be "For This We Have Jesus" at 8 and 10:45 a.m. On Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." The service, held in the sanctuary, is piano-led and is an informal nonliturgical worship style with a music blend of favorite hymns and songs of praise. This week, Rev. Yonker begins a four-week series of messages on the "Four Languages of Love." During the message, young children are invited to participate in a children's ministry offering called "Faith Factory +" which takes place in Luther Hall, adjacent to the sanctuary. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit Immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, worship is at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Fall Sunday school has begun. The scripture lessons are Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3 and Matthew 5:1-12 with the Rev. Steven Mindrup's sermon, "Who Wants to be a Saint?" 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 Hobo Show with the theme, "Cruisin'," has been rescheduled to Feb. 7. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Nov. 2, 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, "Jesus is Coming," will be given by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison.

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 Allison Duncan and Logan Jostes and a message by Rev. Hutchison, "From Prayer to Praise," based on Psalm 54. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m. The Caregiver Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 in the Wesley Room. All caregivers are invited to attend any of the meetings. The support group provides a time and place for caregivers to work toward wholeness through support, fellowship, spiritual renewal, and information sharing; a confidential and safe place to share feelings and experiences; offers helpful resources; and reminds that laughter, taking care of self, and planning for the future are essential for the well-being of the care provider. For details, call Mona Walker at (847) 741-0038, ext. 104. The "Holy Grounds Coffee House" continues to be a great place to hang out on Friday evenings at First United Methodist Church. The event, sponsored by the youth group under the direction of Keith Duncan, is held at 7 p.m. on the first Friday of the month in Rogers Hall of the church. The Nov. 14 event will feature "O Mighty God," a praise band made up primarily of younger members of the congregation. The public is invited to come and visit with friends, listen to the music and enjoy the evening. 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 or visit fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Nov. 2, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "From Here to Eternity" based on 1 John 3:1-3, 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. The bell choir practices at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on "The Good Son" at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Scripture readings will be Matthew 21:23-32 and John 8:1-11. 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 Bell Choir will ring the anthem, "Clouds of Witnesses Surround Us," by Robert Hobby. After the second service all are invited to the fellowship hour on the lower level. At 9:15 a.m. Sundays, Adult Christian Formation begins with breakfast and the opportunity to grow in faith by attending the in-depth Bible study examining 1 Corinthians verse by verse. No biblical expertise or prior knowledge is necessary. Child care is available. Also on Sunday, FirstSteps, an examination of Christian basics from an open-minded, adult-oriented perspective, will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the church. Jon Warfel, the church's director of music, will be featured piano soloist at the North Central College Department of Music faculty recital at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 in the Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Nov. 2, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond deliver the message, "Pick Me" inspired by John 5:1-11, for 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 the Choral Ensemble will perform for the 10:30 a.m. service. Join the Missionary Ministry for their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 as they discuss upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas events. 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 All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Be Part of Something Great," based on 1 Corinthians 12, 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. The congregation will be remembering the following members who have died during the past year and give thanks for their lives: Ruth Edwards, Phyllis Rohrsen, Rob Guetschow, Adam Fritz, Betty Schuster, Bill Braden, Ethel Quigle, David Gromer, Deb Swanson, Bob Skinner, Marie Kiburz, Helen Rowe, Vera Teeple, Ralph Stockel, Ethel Smith, Kathryn Wilson and Denver Leturno. Remember and find strength in their faith and the faith of all the saints both known to you and known only to God.

The Local Mission Ministry is sponsoring collections for the needy. The first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of nonperishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 & 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. Donations of food and monetary support to supply needy families in our community Thanksgiving dinners are being collected through Nov. 23. Christmas gifts are being gathered for the Elgin Mental Health Center patients through Dec. 8. Contact the church office for a complete list of items to be collected. All of these gifts will help those less fortunate in the area.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by TEMPOS, directed by Chad Coe; and the Chancel 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, keyboard; Noah Katsma, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.

Children, age 3 through fifth 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. 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.

High school youth group meets on Sundays from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. Bring your friends, both old and new. 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.

"Dr. Don's Bible Study, The Acts of the Apostles," continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 with chapter 6. Acts is a fascinating book that chronicles the birth and development of the Christian church. Woven into the narrative are the journeys of Paul who in many ways is the father of the church as we know it. How did Paul help the church to survive after the death of Jesus? Come and find out from the Rev. Dr. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor. Reserve child care needs by Mondays to the church office at (847) 426-2161, ext. 210. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Nov. 2, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe All Saints Sunday at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services. 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 church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Nov. 2, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The theme will be "When God Finally Gets What God Wants." The church will host its annual fall rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8. The bake sale will be on Friday only. On Saturday, there will be a "Fill a Bag Sale" for $2. 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.