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.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago invites those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide Program from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Holy Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness, and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Carmel High School, 1 Carmel Parkway, Mundelein.

Christ Lutheran Church: To bring healing and offer support, Christ Lutheran Church in Vernon Hills invites the community to a "Longest Night Service" at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, Join in sharing and hearing prayers, Scripture and music as we acknowledge that God's presence is for those who mourn and who struggle - and that God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background, is welcome. Christ Lutheran Church is at 595 Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills (next to the Countryside Fire Station). christlutheranvh.org or (847) 367-5787.

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

• Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008: 9 a.m. Study session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat morning service

• Friday, Dec. 26: 7:30 p.m. Shir L'Shabbat Service: Am Echod's trademark musical service.

• Saturday, Dec. 27: 9 a.m. study session with Rabbi Harari; 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

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

Holy Apostles Episcopal: The church in Wauconda will offer a Longest Night, also known as, a Blue Christmas service, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. It is designed for people of varied faiths as well as the unchurched. It is hoped that people will find this a safe place with an appropriate chance to acknowledge their feelings of anger, sadness, loneliness and fear with others who are feeling blue, too. Come join people who are not feeling "merry," people who know it's Christmas time, but don't feel like celebrating. The church is located at 26238 N. Highway 59, Wauconda. Information call: (847) 526-7148

Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church: The Christmas pageant, "The Giftgiver," will be presented the church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich. Performances are at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and at 2 p.m. only on Sunday, Dec. 21. The event features live animals, several children's choirs, renowned vocalists, and the 200-voice Victory In Grace Choir. Tickets cost $10 and are available by calling (800) 78-GRACE or at qrbbc.org.

St. Joseph: Men are invited to join a pilgrimage to Italy. Eight places are open for a pilgrimage to Italy Feb. 2-11, 2009. The cost is $3,108 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes travel in Rome, Assisi, Siena and Florence. This package includes nine nights of accommodations, round-trip airfare, daily Mass, breakfast and seven dinners, all entrance fees to the sights and shrines, plus all taxes, surcharges and transfers. There is a $250 deposit required and the deadline for joining this pilgrimage is Saturday, Nov. 1. For details, contact Catherine Sims at (847) 990-1238 or csims@stjoseph-libertyville.org.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: A New Year's Communion Worship Service will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the church, 24500 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

• On Sunday, Dec. 28, there will be a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. At 8 and 10:45 a.m. will be Natalia & Irina Kogan "In Concert."

•There is no Thursday service on Jan. 1. Regular weekend schedule resumes Jan. 8-11. (847) 438-7709 or visit: stmatts.net

Community Church of Round Lake: The annual Sunday School Christmas Program is at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at 217 Goodnow Blvd., Round Lake. (847) 546-1000.

Faith Lutheran Church: The fourth annual German Christmas service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. This service is conducted entirely in German. A hospitality hour will follow the service. Faith Lutheran Church is at 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch. For details, call (847) 293-6101 or visit faithantioch.org.

• This month students at Faith Evangelical Lutheran School gathered nonperishable items for the Open Arms food pantry. These items will be distributed to families in the Antioch area that are in need this holiday season. faithantioch.org.

Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Church: The congregation will explore "Solstice Celebration" at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. The meaning of the darkest and longest day of the year will be examined, as we move from the middle of winter toward the light of the eventual spring. Solstice is a time for reflection and introspection. This will be an intergenerational service.

PCUUC meets each Sunday in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community, prairiecircleuuc.org or (847) 604-1908.

St. Andrew Episcopal Church: The church at 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, presents its community service project, "Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need." The church's goal is to help families with children in need by supplying free, gently-used clothing for boys and girls in sizes ranging from infant to size 16. The store is open to everyone from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at no cost. The next store date is Saturday, Jan. 10. The church welcomes fall and winter clothing donations, especially winter coats. For details, visit standrewsgrayslake.org or call (847) 223-2310.

• The third annual "Blue Christmas" Celebration will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Listen to prayer and Scripture that acknowledges God's presence is for those who mourn, for those who are experiencing struggles, for those who feel alone. For details, call (847) 223-2310 or visit standrewsgrayslake.org.

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

First United Methodist Church of Waukegan: A Christmas concert honoring Joseph A. Favero's memory will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the First United Methodist Church of Waukegan, 128 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Featured are Part 1 of Handel's Messiah, the "Hallelujah Chorus," and a Christmas carol singalong with the members of Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus. Soloists for this event include baritone James Martin, mezzo-soprano Allison Hull, soprano Ami Bouterse and tenor Steven Paul Spears. Tickets for the concert are $10 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts. Call (847) 360-4740 or stop by the center at 39 Jack Benny Drive-Bowen Park, Waukegan.