Notes on religion

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.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Dec. 28, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by guest speaker Bob Blake titled "Seeking Consolation" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Mary Heggen will serve as worship leader. Because so many members are traveling, church school classes will not meet. The offering from the Christmas Eve service has been shared between the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Community Crisis Center.

For information, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel has been serving the Fox River Valley for over 116 years. As a member of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, it offers a full range of services: Torah school for prekindergarten to high school, adult education classes, an award-winning youth program for age 6 to 12, Sisterhood and Men's Club, and age-based interest groups.

This week's Torah portion is "Miketz." 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.

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."

This week's Torah portion is "Miketz." It is also Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat Hanukkah, so it is a three Torah scroll Shabbat! For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the theme is "The Good News for Geezers" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7 and Luke 2:22-40. The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger.

Look for the announcement of the hoagie sale in January. You'll want to order some for Super Bowl Sunday. 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 Feb. 7. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Dec. 28, A message by a lay member of the church will be given at the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The message is "Simeon and Anna" from the text in Luke 2. Music will be by the Homegrown Praise Band.

The 9 a.m. service will include a message, "With My Whole Being," by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison.

The next monthly Holy Grounds Coffee House at the church, sponsored by the Youth Group led by Keith Duncan, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.

For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the First Sunday after Christmas, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "The Year in Review," based on Hebrews 13:8 and 12:1-2, at 9 a.m. only service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. St. John just stripped another Christmas tree bare of its ornaments. The ornaments were tags from the Larkin Home with Christmas list wishes. The gifts were purchased and returned to the home in time for Christmas morning.

The Sunday school children did an excellent job showing what Christmas is all about with the annual children's Christmas program. Community Outreach has started a float committee started for the 2009 parades. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Regime Change," based on Christmas selections, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by Roy Hansen who will trumpet in the new year with Linda Gilmore, accompanist. The 10:30 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. A new snack time for kids will be held in God's Big Backyard from 10 to 10:10 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.

Winter Break Science Camps will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29-30. Are you worried about how to entertain your kids and grandkids over winter break? Join them for an amazing science camp as FCC and Mad Science of McHenry County team up to spark imaginative learning in our kids. First- through fifth-grade youth will be dazzled by a "Christmas Chemistry" camp run by Mad Science. Preschool and kindergarten kids will be lead by FCC staff as they use their natural curiosity to learn about God's amazing creations by experiencing and experimenting with the world around them. Visit the Web site for registration details.

The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Jan. 1 and 2 for New Year's.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Dec. 28, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the first Sunday after Christmas by looking at the theme of "Has Your Time Fully Come?" based on Galatians 4 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. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On First Sunday of Christmas, Dec. 28, the Rev. John Kauffman, associate minister, will preach on "It's Time!," based on Isaiah 61:10-62:3 and Luke 2:22-40, at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The Open Door service starts at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. Adult Christian Formation starts at 9:15 a.m. with breakfast and then "Controversial Conversations with Carl" in the library. An in-depth study of I Corinthians will resume next week. After the second service, all are invited to a fellowship hour on the lower level. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Long-Awaited Gifts," based on Luke 2:22-51, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Instrumental Group will play in both services and the Genesis Bells will play in the second service. Joel Ahrendt will be the accompanist for both services. In the 10:30 a.m. service, Avery Claire Crabill and Adelyn Abigal Crabill will be baptized. They are the daughters of Shauna Marie Fitzgerald and Derek David Crabill and the granddaughters of Jim and Jann Crabill. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will enjoy a video. The church Office will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 for the celebration of New Year's Day. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Head Over Heels for Jesus", based upon Luke 2:22-40, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee and Fellowship follows the Sunday services.

At the 5:30 p.m. New Year's Eve service, Dec. 31, the pastor's message will be, "Self-Will or Self-Surrender", based upon Isaiah 30:15-17.

The Mission Resale Shop, located on Washington Street, is open on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gifts and good quality used clothing, and small household items can be purchased at reasonable prices. Donations are gratefully appreciated, and proceeds benefit mission work locally and afar. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sundays, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at both services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Nursery care is available at both services. There will be no Sunday school. On Mondays, Shepherd's Voices Choir meets at 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m. There will be no confirmation class or adult Bible study on Dec. 31. On Sunday, Jan. 11, a new Bible Study Group will begin from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is a seven-week course. A new book study group, "Tuesdays at Noon" will be starting in January. This book study will be "The Unveiling of Mary Magdalene." Watch for further details in the announcements.

The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Nursery for children up to age 3 is available at both services as well as Sunday school for children from age 4 through middle school.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. On Tuesdays, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m. All youth ministries and Bible studies are on Christmas break and will resume the week of Jan. 4. For details, call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Open enrollment for preschool will begin on Jan. 2. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will hold an informal service to look back at 2008 and ahead to 2009 at 10:45 a.m. Billed as a "Coffee Cake House," members are encouraged to bring their leftover Christmas cookies and treats to share with the congregation. There will also be coffee and games during this time to get together and get over the holidays. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.