Fox Valley 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.

St. Peter: On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Cursed and Cured" at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. The Praise Band will help lead the service.

Sunday school and adult Bible class follows at 10:20 a.m. For information, contact St. Peter's Lutheran Church at (847) 464-5721. Registration is open for Little Saints Preschool, including the Intro to Preschool class. Call Kristina at (847) 464-5134 for a tour or for details. Members of the community are encouraged to apply.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Feb. 15, 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. 15, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline entitled "Creative Insecurity" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

The Adult Forum during the church school hour will continue conversations led by Don Fecher on "The Story of Stuff," the ethical impetus for stewardship of material goods and of the planet. Other adult classes are a study of the Gospel of Luke led by Mike McKeever, "Life Transitions," and the Inquirer's Class for people interested in membership. The Living the Questions group will meet at 6 p.m. in the lounge. The Spirited Sisters will celebrate Valentine's Day in a 6 p.m. gathering. There will be a teacher training workshop for the children's "Gather 'Round" curriculum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. The next Common Meal will be at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. The Senior High Youth raised $303 in the "Souper Bowl of Caring" Super Bowl Sunday. 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 "Yitro." 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." On Monday, March 9, they will celebrate Purim at 6:30 p.m. This week's Torah portion is "Yitro," in which they re-enact the theophany at Mt. Sinai by reading the Ten Commandments. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Cathedral Choir will provide special music at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison's sermon will be "What's Our Miracle Cure?," based on Mark 1:40-45. The 11:30 a.m. service will include a message, "Unfailing Love," by lay speaker Pat Hargis, based on the scripture from Isaiah 54. 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. The Adult Ministries Team is sponsoring a Grief Support Group which meets on the third Thursday of each month. Those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, regardless of the time past, are invited to join the group, which meets at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Feb. 15, Sixth 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. A children's talk time is included before the sermon. It lets them be involved too. 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 Sixth Sunday of Epiphany, Feb. 15, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will speak on "Bath Time," based on 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Mark 1:40-45, 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.

Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and after the children's message, students are dismissed to their individual classes. Assisting with the second service, the Chancel Choir will sing "There Is a Balm in Gilead" arranged by Calvin Stowers and the Bell Choir will play.

Adult Christian Formation starts with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. and continues with an in-depth Bible study of the book of 1 Corinthians. No biblical expertise is required to join the class. After the 10:15 a.m. service, a Heart Brunch will be held in the fellowship hall with the proceeds going to support the all-church mission trip to Washington, D.C. this summer. At 2 p.m., the FCC Photography Group will meet in the church library to learn more about photography and for fun and fellowship. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, food preparation begins in the church kitchen for the 6 p.m. Soup Kettle. Volunteers are needed for this weekly task. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Feb. 15, Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin, will be celebrating the Rev. Nathaniel L. 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. Second Baptist is celebrating Black History Month and encourages all members to wear African apparel throughout the month of February. 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 our hearts and taught us lessons as an effective tool for encouraging the faith of others. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Human Resource Ministry Sunday, Feb. 15, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Embracing Sorrow and Finding Joy," based on Matthew 5:4, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service 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.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Tinkerbells, Junior Choir, Joy Ringers and the Chancel Choir. 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.

Adult education class, "To Begin at the Beginning," resumes at 10:30 a.m.

The high school youth group meets for Movie Night from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. Bring your friends, both old and new. The middle school youth group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays with Coe.

The church serves dinner at the Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided Tuesday, Feb. 17. If you are interested in cooking, donating food or delivering the meals, call the church office. Some menu items need to be prepared while others can be purchased and dropped off at church. Any help is appreciated by the temporary residents.

The new member class will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. The course is an effort to involve adults in a discussion about some of the basic issues of Christianity. Completion of this class may enable one to become a part of the church (although participation does not obligate one to join), to prepare for adult baptism or to have a review of the Christian faith.

The church will host Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University," a 13-week class, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 18 and ending May 20 (no class will be held on the evening of Feb. 25 in observance of Ash Wednesday). For details regarding FPU or the free preview, call Jim Hendricks at (847) 428-3997.

PADS of Elgin Inc. provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships. Four volunteers, 18 and older, are needed to provide staffing at PADS, 1730 Berkley St. in Elgin, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. Sign up by calling the church office.

"Don's Bible Study, The Acts of the Apostles," continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, with chapter 13. Reserve child care needs by Mondays to the church office at (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Feb. 15, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the sixth Sunday in Epiphany by looking at the topic of "But He Had Leprosy," based on 2 Kings 5, 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.

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 Sunday, Feb. 15, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 1:40-45 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Though Jesus performs miracles, his identity as Messiah will not be understood until the cross.

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.