Lake Co. religion notes

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Basketball for the family: Basketball games are being played at Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The games are organized by Coach Bret Reed and are open to anyone from the fifth grade to adult. All skill levels are welcome. They will be meeting weekly, with the last game March 21. For details, call (847) 949-8670.

Open house: Gentle Hands Healing Rooms is having an open house from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Come out and meet the prayer teams and tour the facilities. Staff will be on hand to answer questions. Rooms will be open to receive healing prayer. Gentle Hands Healing rooms is a Christian, interdenominational ministry at 1117 S. Milwaukee Ave., Suite A-14, Libertyville. (847) 362-7281.

Organ concert: Chicago native Nathan Laube will perform an organ concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 North St. Mary's Road in Libertyville. (847) 367-4060.

Intolerance: Dr. Michael Merritt will preach at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, March 1, at Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community. The sermon topic is "At What Point Should We Be Intolerant?" The Rev. Harding is now the part-time consulting minister for the Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation. www.prairiecircleuuc.org or (847) 604-1908.

Open house: Begin Lutheran School Week at St. Matthew Lutheran School, 24480 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, with an open house from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, for the congregation and visitors. Staff members will be introduced at the 8 a.m. church service, with the girls chorus singing at the 8 a.m. service. The angel choir, chime musicians and grades 7 and 8 students will provide music at the 10:45 a.m. service. Students will begin a week long schedule of activities on Monday morning, with chapel at 9 a.m. School dress for that day will be warm-up or sweatsuits. The day will conclude with an assembly in the school gym at 1 p.m.

Tuesday has been designated "College Sweatshirt/Professional Team Dress Day." An open house and registration has been scheduled for kindergarten, preschool and pre-kindergarten from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday will be School Spirit day with a Learning Fair at 7 p.m. for parents and students. Thursday will be Classroom Identity Day.

This day also has been designated as a prayer day for a special person. Friday concludes Lutheran School Week as a "dress-up day" for students, with St. Matthew grandparent and special friends invited to attend a chapel service at 12:45 p.m. St. Matthew School will be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7. Each church service will include student testimonial, with the cherub choir singing at the 10:45 a.m. service.

Food and faith: A two-week interactive Food and Faith event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, March 7 and 14, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville. What we eat determines the health of our families and has a large impact on God's Creation and our neighbors all around the world. A simple soup lunch will be served during the sessions - to demonstrate conservation of Earth's precious resources, bring your own reusable bowl, cup and utensils to each session.

RSVP to the church office at (847) 367-4060 by March 2 for planning purposes. Also, bring a donation of healthy nonperishable food for the COOL food pantry. Baby-sitting can be arranged during the sessions for a nominal fee, but reservations must be made in advance. Indicate the number of children and their ages when making your reservation. The Food and Faith series will be at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville. www.holycrosschurch.org.

School registration: St. Matthew Lutheran preschool, pre-k and kindergarten will be accepting enrollment applications for 2009-10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at 24480 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. (847) 438-6105/6103 or www.st.matts.net

Clergy connection: K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home, the "Chapel on the Lake," in Fox Lake will hold its first monthly "Clergy Connection" Tuesday, March 3, beginning at 9 a.m. The program, "Hospice - The Experience You Want, The Care You Need," will be led by Robin Daniell, LCSW, of Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, who will present an overview of the services available through hospice. A question-and-answer time will follow her presentation. The program is open to all clergy, support staff, and parish lay leaders in Lake, McHenry, and northern Cook county communities. There is no cost and a complimentary continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 9 a.m. K.K. Hamsher Funeral Home is at 12 N. Pistakee Lake Road in Fox Lake. Reservations are appreciated and may be made by calling the funeral home at (847) 587-2100 or e-mail hamsher1212@sbcglobal.net.

Bible study: The Church of the Holy Family, 25291 W. Lehmann Blvd., Lake Villa, will offer Bible study Wednesdays at noon during Lent. Bring your own Bible and lunch. There are a limited number of Bibles available for those who don't have one. For details, call Melanie Bryant, (847) 356-0647.

Lenten course: Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church will begin a new contemporary series of faith-based courses called Via Media from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in Lent, starting March 4. The program is open to anyone who is curious about or interested in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church is at 5725 Stearns School Road in Gurnee. annunciationgurnee.org or (847) 336-3730

Video series: Grace Lutheran Church will present the video series "They like Jesus but Not the Church" by Dan Kimball. Through the five-part series, you'll encounter the firsthand thoughts and feelings of those who find Jesus attractive but don't care for organized religion. Light soup supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent, followed by the video series. For details about this and other Lenten events, visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. (847) 367-7050.

Dessert with the Rabbi: Rabbi Looper will host Thursday morning discussions called "Dessert with the Rabbi" from 10 to 11:15 a.m. March 5 and 19 at the synagogue, 21 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. The program features discussion, study and dessert for a fee of $25.

Women's Ministry Retreat: Jamie Beran, certified life purpose coach, life plan facilitator and instructor, will share about finding your purpose in Jesus at the St. Matthew retreat Friday to Sunday, March 6-8, at the Cove of Lake Geneva, Lake Geneva, Wis. For details, call Scarlett Mankowsky at (847) 540-5501 or visit stmatts.net. St. Matthew Lutheran Church is at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

Concert: Faith Lutheran Church continues the "Sounds of Faith" concert series at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7, with a special performance of The Jan Sobieski String Quartet. The group will be performing works by Beethoven, Schubert and Pärt. The concert will be followed by hospitality of cake and coffee. Faith Lutheran Church is at 24300 Grass Lake Road in Antioch. (847) 293-6101.

Concert: Forty members of the College of Lake County Gospel Choir will sing the "Gospel Mass" by Robert Ray during the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, March 8, at United Protestant Church of Grayslake, 54 S. Whitney St. (847) 223-8131.

Purim party: A Big Balloon Show Purim Party will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Lake County Jewish Community Campus, 23280 N. Old McHenry Road in Lake Zurich. Families with children are invited to enjoy a performance of the Purim story by "Smarty Pants" using balloon sculptures, balloon magic and wearable balloon costumes. Make Purim crafts and eat hamentashen. The cost is $18.54 per family in advance, $25.75 at the door. For details, contact Heidi Massey at hmassey@gojcc.org or (224) 406-9204.

Desserts Seder: Shir Hadash Women's Desserts Seder will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Lamb's Farm Country Inn Restaurant, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Cost: $20. Registration is due by Sunday, March 1. Call Stacey Zenn at (847) 680-8204 to RSVP.

Clothes for the needy: Clothing in sizes ranging from infant to size 16 boys and girls is available the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Episcopal Church's Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need community service project, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Next dates are: March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. There is no cost. Donations of gently-used children's clothing in good condition are always welcome. standrewsgrayslake.org or (847) 223-2310.

Lenten Mission: St. Mary of Vernon will have a Parish Lenten Mission for three evenings, Sunday through Tuesday, March 15-17, at 7 p.m. in the Worship Center. Dr. Terry Nelson-Johnson will present "The Paschal Mystery: Cheerleader or Participant?" The topic will cover how we are invited to actively live the Paschal Mystery and use Christ's passion, death and resurrection as a model through which to live our lives. Sunday night's gathering will include a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. in the John P. Finnegan Parish Center, a simple Lenten meal Monday at 6 p.m., and a dessert reception following the presentation Tuesday evening. For details, contact Maureen Evers at mevers@maryofvernon.org and (847) 362-1005, or by visiting www.maryofvernon.org.

Honor your parents: A special program called "Honor Your Father and Mother: Limits and Limitations" will be led by Rabbi Scott Looper at 7 p.m. Monday, March 16, at Hawthorn Lakes, 10 E. Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. This program is intended for adult children and their parents.

Judaism 102: Congregation Or Shalom will offer the last in a series of three classes called "Judaism 102: Religious School for Adults" for a fee of $18 for members and $25 for nonmembers Wednesdays from 7 to 8:15 p.m. On Wednesday, March 18, participants will learn how to "Spice Up Your Seder," discussing ways to add variety to the traditional Seder. These ways include having a "chocolate Seder," a women's Seder, drama and hands-on activities that fit with individual choices, depending on those participating. Treats are served at every class. The synagogue is at 21 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills.

Italian fest: Advance tickets (required) are now on sale for St. Andrew Episcopal Church's annual Italian Fest from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Church Hall, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Eat in or take out. (847) 223-2310 or www.standrewsgrayslake.org.

Got Shabbat: Families with children ages 4 to 8 can spend a Shabbat afternoon at JCC's Got Shabbat? from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Congregation Or Sholom, 21 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills. Enjoy craft projects, food, Shabbat songs and Mark Nichols Puppet Palace. Contact Susan Ellenby at (224) 406-9223.

Dating violence: "Can You Hear Me?" - an open discussion about dating violence - will be offered from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville. A brief introduction will be followed by two workshops and light refreshments.

Survivors of Suicide: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcomes those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide to participate in its Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide program meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. (847) 376-2118.

Retreat: A Lenten Retreat, "The Seven Last Words of Christ," will be offered from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Free, but registration is necessary by calling (847) 223-2310.

Stations of the Cross: St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, will offer Stations of the Cross Explored at 6:30 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m. April 1 and 8. (847) 223-2310 or standrewsgrayslake.org.