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.

St. Peter: This Sunday, Jan. 11, St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rev. Gerard Mau's ordination into the ministry. The Rev. Howard Gleason, pastoral circuit counselor, will be the guest pastor and speak on "God's Gift of Pastors." This service will also be the beginning of St. Peter's 125th anniversary celebration under the theme, "A Time for Reflection - A Time to Build Tomorrow." Immediately after the 9 a.m. worship breakfast will be served. Everyone is invited to the worship celebration and breakfast. The church is at 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. For information, contact St. Peter's Lutheran Church at (847) 464-5721.

Epworth UMC: On Sunday, Feb. 8, Epworth United Methodist Church will sponsor Scouting Sunday at the 8:15 a.m. traditional service and the new Connections worship will be at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. It will be followed by the praise service at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to come learn about Boy and Girl Scouts of America, find others interested in learning skills of leadership, making friends and having fun. Hear how Scouting has enriched the lives of members of all race, religion and background. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org. Or visit www.epworthumcelgin.org.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Feb. 8, Sylvia Harder joins them as guest speaker at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. 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. Join them this week for the new Wednesday study group at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be "Rocksolid," an exploration of faith for the mature Christian and for the new Christian. This material will serve as a foundational guidebook to take us into a deeper understanding of our faith. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Feb. 8, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline entitled "A New Kind of Healing" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. An Inquirer's Class will meet during the church school hour led by Rev. Kline for people interested in learning more about the Church of the Brethren and in considering membership in the congregation. The Junior High Talent Show will be staged at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The Living the Questions 2 discussion group will meet at 6 p.m. in the lounge. On Sunday, there will be an interfaith conversation on immigration issues at Elgin Community College in the University and Business Center. Light refreshments will be served at 1:30 p.m. Discussion will begin at 2 p.m. Suggested $5 donation. For details, call Christ the Lord Lutheran Church at (847) 741-8141. The Common Meal will resume at 5:45 p.m. on a bi-weekly basis, two Wednesdays per month, Feb. 11 and 25. The Spirited Sisters will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 to celebrate Valentine's Day. 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 "Beshalah." 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. 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." On Monday, March 9, they will celebrate Purim at 6:30 p.m.

This week's Torah portion is "B'ha-alot'cha," where the Israelites cross the Sea of Reeds to freedom. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Celebration Ringers, under the direction of Jonathan Besancon, will provide special music at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The sermon, "So Who Are You?" will be given by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison. The 11:30 a.m. service will include a message, "How God Loves." There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m. Holy Grounds Coffee House, put on by the youth group, will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. This is an evening of relaxation and entertainment presented each month by the youth group and the public is invited. There is no charge for attending but coffee and other refreshments are available. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Feb. 8, Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Service with a Smile" based on Mark 1:29-39, 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 Quilters meet at 9 a.m. Mondays. The youth group is having a Parents Night Out fundraising event from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. Call the office for more details. The youth group is planning fundraisers in preparation for the July 2010 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. It will cost about $1,100 per student, and it is only 17 months away now. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany, Feb. 8, guest Rev. Jonathon Knight will preach on "Dangerous Prayer" at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. He is the minister for the Fox Valley Association of the United Churches of Christ. Assisting with the leading of worship, the Chancel Choir will sing "The Great Creator of the Worlds" by Robert Powell.

"Stepping Stones", the mental health ministry of the church, will meet at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 in the library downstairs. Membership in the church is not necessary. Everyone is welcome to come and view the film "Mental Illness and Families of Faith." People are reminded that mental illness is that, an illness and that recovery is possible and that there is help for coping. After the 10:15 a.m. service, the Cherubs and Joyful Noise choirs will meet in the choir room with Letty Jocius for weekly rehearsal. The study of I Corinthians, Paul's Letter to the church at Corinth, continues at 9:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall. No biblical experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome to this in-depth study held every Sunday. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The message will focus on relationships with "I think I better let it go," inspired by Exodus 10:7. The Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford choir sings 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. Second Baptist is celebrating Black History Month and encourages all members to wear African apparel throughout the month of February.

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Young Adult Ministry are sponsoring "The Five Love Languages" seminar at 7 p.m. The goal of the seminar is for participants to discover how love languages can help relationships with family friends, children or mate.

The Healthcare Ministry will hold a colorectal cancer seminar at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the fellowship hall. Sister Ella M. Woods, RN, BSN will be the speaker.

The Evangelism Ministry will host its third annual Evangelism Conference starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 and continuing at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. The theme is "Revive Us Again." The goal is to revive the hearts of many to see that evangelism is the work of the church; to meet area churches that are involved in or interested in evangelism; and to tell others about how God has touched their hearts and taught lessons as an effective tool for encouraging the faith of others.

On Sunday, Feb. 15, Second Baptist will be celebrating the Rev. Edmond nine years of service. The theme for this great celebration is "God's Servant: Our Pastor, Our Encourager and Our Friend!" The Rev. Zina Jacque of Community Church of Barrington will be the guest speaker at 8 a.m. The Rev. Michael Wesley of Greater Shiloh Baptist Church of Fairfield, Ala., will be the guest speaker for the 10:30 a.m. celebration service. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the senior high youth will present their Youth Service Sunday at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The worship will include a scripture-based skit dealing with a current issue in today's world, an inspiring children's message, varied musical talents by the Youth Choir and TEMPOS, and a thought-provoking message delivered by the senior high youth, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

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.

Adult education class, "To Begin at the Beginning," resumes at 10:30 a.m. with chapters 8 and 9. Don't worry if you have missed a session as each chapter can stand alone. This book study by Martin B. Copenhaver is an enjoyable, enlightening journey into the basics of Christianity and an invitation and encouraging provocation to deeper study.

The high school youth group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, to discuss "The Power of Love" and what is meant by those "three little words." Bring your friends, both old and new.

The Women's Book/Bible Study meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays with Karen Gundersen. The group will be reading "Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out" by Joanna Weaver. Read chapter six and reflect on the study questions. The book is available at all major bookstores. If child care is needed, call the church office.

The middle school youth group will go bowling from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 with Chad Coe, Director of Youth Ministries. Cost will be about $15 per person and there will be a prize for high game.

FROG (Families Relying On God) Friday will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. Bring a friend and join them to celebrate God's gift of love and FROG's anniversary with a St. Valentine's Day Party. Kids of all ages are welcome to come enjoy this Friday night family fun. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Feb. 8, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the fifth Sunday in Epiphany by looking at the topic of "A Fowl Message," based on Isaiah 40:21-31, at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services. The prophet says you are lifted up by God like on the wings of an eagle.

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 www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 1:29-39 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. 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.