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: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Temptation: Our Daily Battle, the Forever Victory" at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Sunday school and adult Bible class follows at 10:20 a.m.
March 1 also features a Talent and Hobby Show at 3 p.m. The community is invited to hear some of the homespun talent. Refreshments will be served. Freewill offering at the event will benefit Bethesda Group Home in Sycamore and Operation Military Kids. The Wednesday Lenten worship at 7:30 p.m. will feature guest preacher the Rev. Don Balgeman of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hinckley. The choir will serve a beef stew supper at 6 p.m.
It's Lutheran Schools Week. The congregation will celebrate having the Little Saints Preschool. 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.
For information, contact St. Peter's Lutheran Church at (847) 464-5721.
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, March 1, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by guest minister Carol Wise, the executive director of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The board for this organization will be meeting at the church on Saturday. During the church school hour at 10:45 a.m., the adult forum will focus on "The Story of Stuff;" the Life Transitions Class will focus on synthesis exercises and conversation; the Inquirers' Class will offer a discussion of Brethren perspectives, values, and practices; Mike McKeever will lead a Bible study on the Gospel of Luke; and the Finder's Class will continue its film series. On the weekend of March 13-15, the men of Highland Avenue church will join with men from the York Center congregation in Lombard and the Springfield congregation in Springfield for a men's retreat at Camp Emmaus in Mt. Morris. The leader will be Quaker folk singer and university professor Bill Jolliff. The theme will be: "The Complexity of Simplicity: Being a person of faith in a time of disappearing prosperity." 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, a youth program for age 6 to 12, Sisterhood and Men's Club, and age-based interest groups. This week's Torah portion is "Terumah." 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. There will be megillah reading, a purimspiel, hamantaschen, and more. This week's Torah portion is "Terumah," wherein the Israelites build the first sanctuary. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org
St. John: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Tough Love," based on Genesis 22:1-18, 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. The youth group is planning a youth breakfast for Sunday, March 1. Call the office for details. The Quilters meet at 9 a.m. Mondays. Lenten midweek services begin at 7 p.m. Wednesdays with a Lent dinner at 5:30 p.m. There will be a rotating pulpit again this year. The first guest preacher is Rev. Metzge from St. John's in Sycamore. A date has been set for the first Friendship Sunday in three years, May 17. They are also planning a church picnic for late July in the Burlington Park. The day will include an outdoor service. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will ask "Who Are You?" 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. The chancel choir will assist in the leading of worship at the second service as they sing Carlton Young's arrangement of the anthem, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." Every month, on the first Sunday, the sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated at FCC at both services. The table is an open one and everyone is invited to partake. Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and after the children's message, students are dismissed to their individual classes.
During this Lenten season, when many look for a special time of reflection and spiritual growth, the pastors are offering "Thursdays with Jesus" at 7:15 p.m. on March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2 and Tuesday, April 7. A men's group and a women's group will both be working through a Bible study on the first six chapters of the book of Acts. The workbook is $10, but scholarship funds are available for those who need them. Before each meeting at 6:30 p.m., there will be an optional pizza buffet available at $5 per person. The next Jane Hampton Chipman Recital Concert will be at noon Friday, March 13 featuring Michael Surratt on the pipe organ. The concert is free and the public is cordially invited. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.
Second Baptist: On Sunday, March 1, 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 sermon is "The Wonderful Name of Jesus," inspired by Matthew 1:21 and Philippians 2:9-11. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Choral Ensemble will perform 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. The Brotherhood Ministry invites all men to come out every fourth Saturday of the month to fellowship with your Brothers in Christ. Free haircuts will be provided by the "barbershop" beginning at 9 a.m. On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. Bus and child care services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "Courage," based on Matthew 5:1-12, 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 and Joy Ringers, first- through third-grade chime choir and fourth- through fifth-grade bell choir directed by Charlotte Norman; Junior Choir, first through fifth-grade vocal choir directed by Charlotte Norman; and the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ 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.
The first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of nonperishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 and 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. These gifts will help those less fortunate in the area.
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.
The confirmation class will travel to the Zen Buddhist Temple of Chicago Sunday, March 1 to experience a taste of this ancient and widespread religion. The group will meet at the church at 2:30 p.m. The dress code is work-out casual.
The high school youth group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, to discuss and choose a service project to complete in the community. All ideas are welcome.
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 eight and reflect on the study questions. The book is available at all major bookstores. If child care is needed, call the church office.
God's Kitchen continues at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through April 1 and is a Lenten family dinner series. The meals are served buffet-style and a freewill offering will be taken. Sign up by calling the church office with the number attending on a specific date and in which areas you will be able to lend a helping hand. Come gather in God's Kitchen.
The Lenten study series, "Rethinking The Christian Vision" begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 4. Over the next six Wednesday evenings, the Rev. Don Longbottom will be addressing and discussing various subjects related to the material known as the Phoenix Affirmations. One particular subject will be the relationship of Christianity to the other great religions of the world. Come, bring your questions, your opinions and any concerns you may have with the historic Christian faith. The middle school youth group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, to discuss and choose a service project to complete in the community. All ideas are welcome.
For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.
King of Glory: On Sunday, March 1, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the first Sunday in Lent by looking at the topic of "Winning the Battle - and the War" based on Luke 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.
On Mondays, join "The Refuge." Connect with God in a different, informal way at 7 p.m. Come for fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy some coffee and snacks before worship.
In addition, a series of Wednesday Lenten worship opportunities continue at 7 p.m.
The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 1, celebrate the first Sunday of Lent with Sacrement of Holy Communion 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.