Lake Co. religion notes

The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross: A new daytime Bible study group will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the offices and chapel of the Words of Blessing Ministry, 500 Park Ave, Unit 102, Lake Villa. This "inductive" method of Bible study is based on the weekly words published by Words of Blessing, and focuses on what the timeless words of the Holy Bible are saying to the individual reader in his or her daily situation. Each session will end at 11:30 a.m.

The Words of Blessing Ministry is a not-for-profit corporation. It is a conservative Anglican ministry which gathers at the Holy Cross Chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for the celebration of The Holy Eucharist (Episcopal tradition) and study, using ministry materials. www.wordsofblessing.com or (847) 543-7371.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide are invited to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide Program from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday Jan. 22, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. For details, call (847) 376-2118.

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

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

• Friday, Jan. 16: 6:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service. Anniversaries during the month of January will be celebrated.

• Saturday, Jan. 17: 9 a.m. study session with Rabbi Harari, 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

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

Congregation Or Shalom: New adult learning opportunities are being offered at Congregation Or Shalom in Vernon Hills. Starting Monday, Jan. 12, the synagogue is offering a Torah study class taught by a guest lecturer from the Dawn Schuman Institute. Classes meet for three evenings - Jan. 12, 19 and 26 - from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The cost for all three sessions is $25 for nonmembers and $18 for congregation members. For more information or to reserve a spot in the class, e-mail DResnick@orshalomlc.org.

In addition, Or Shalom will be offering a "Judaism 102: Religious School for Adults" series of three classes on Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18, also offered for a fee of $18 for members and $25 for nonmembers on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Treats are served at every class and classes can be taken on an individual basis for a reduced fee.

• While supplies last, Entertainment Books are being sold at a reduced price of $15.

For additional information regarding any of these offerings or upcoming events, call Congregation Or Shalom at (847) 362-1948, e-mail ekaufman@orshalomlc.org or visit the synagogue's Web site, www.orshalomlc.org.

Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation: Join on Sunday, Jan. 11, as we acknowledge and welcome our new members at Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 9:15 a.m. in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community. Our worship service will also acknowledge other milestones of our congregation including the history of the first sermon and the beginning of the New Year. During services there will be an opportunity to let go of the old year and welcome 2009 with the Fire Communion ritual. We will write down what we wish to let go, burn it, so that we may move forward. 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.

St. Joseph: Men are invited to join a pilgrimage to Italy. Eight places are open for a pilgrimage Feb. 2-11. 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. For details, contact Catherine Sims at (847) 990-1238 or csims@stjoseph-libertyville.org.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The Hawthorn Woods church will host a Bible Study for women titled "Living Beyond Yourself" from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Feb. 4-April 22. Classes are open to all women from St. Matthew and the community, and will meet in Krueger Hall. (No class Feb. 25 and April 1). Child care will be available. For additional information, call Scarlett Mankowsky at (847) 540-5501 or Kay Lattanzi at (847) 540-1155, or visit www.stmatts.net.

• The 2009 Women's Ministry Retreat is scheduled for March 6-8, at the Cove of Lake Geneva, Lake Geneva, Wis. Join guest speaker, Jamie Beran, certified life purpose coach, life plan facilitator and instructor, as she shares about finding your purpose in Jesus. St. Matthew members and women in surrounding communities are cordially invited to attend. For more details, call: Scarlett Mankowsky at (847) 540-5501 or visit www.stmatts.net. St. Matthew Lutheran Church is at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

• A new in-depth Bible study will begin Monday, Jan. 12, with instructor Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities and founder and author of Word Among Us Bible Studies - a national Bible study curriculum. The group will study the book of Proverbs. This 10-week class will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at St Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. To enroll, call (866) 455-6466 or enroll online by going to LutheranChurchCharities.org.

United Methodist Church of Libertyville: Books and Brunch will be offered from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the church, 429 Brainerd Ave., Libertyville. Guest speaker will be Michelle Van Loon. Enjoy a tasty breakfast. Bring books to share in a book exchange. Childcare provided. Event is free, but registration is required. To register, call (847) 362-2112.

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 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.

Enjoy samples of spa treatments, refreshments and a great night out from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Avalon Spa in Deer Park. Keri Wyatt Kent will be giving a talk on "Six Steps to Simplicity," and signing copies of her newest book, "Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity."

Crosspoint Church: Pastor Chuck Vitel will present a new series of messages beginning Sunday, Jan. 11, titled, "Experiencing Power from on High." The church at 27430 W. Nippersink Road, Ingleside, offers a contemporary worship service at 10 a.m. Sundays. Nursery is available as well as a Bible-based program for children ages grades kindergarten through sixth grade during the morning worship service. (847) 587-7722 or www.thecrosspointchurch.org

• Awana Ministries for children, ages kindergarten through sixth grade, meet on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. High School Youth [H2O] meet on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Junior high students [CLAY] meet on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. Bible study groups for men and women meet on Monday evenings.