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.

Immanuel Baptist: On Saturday, March 7, Immanuel Baptist Church, 500 St. Charles St. in Elgin, will start a new program from 4 to 5 p.m. to help define the labor market for Christian people in general. The tuition is free and is open to all area residents that want to get a job and need a resume. On March 7, the subject is "Your God-Given Gifts and Experience Matter." The second program will be from 4 to 5 p.m. March 14 with the title "Learn What Makes Employers Want." The third program is from 4 to 5 p.m. March 21 on Prepare resumes, cover letters, e-mails, etc. The fourth program is from 4 to 5 p.m. March 28 with the subject "Learn How to Look for a Job." The fifth program is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 4 on developing interview skills. The sixth program is April 11 on learning tips to manage your money. These classes will be hosted by Lucy Townsend, Northern Illinois University and Susan Lira, Kane County Nurses Staff. On Sunday, March 8, enjoy the service at 11 a.m. The Judson quartet, Theophilus Singers, will lead followed by a choral selection "Jesus is Calling." Jim Townsend will speak on "The Strangest Story in The Bible."Come in early for coffee and fellowship. For details, call (847) 741-6902 or visit www.ibcelgin.org.

St. Peter: On Sunday, March 8, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Rejoice in Sufferings?" 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. The Wednesday Lenten worship at 7:30 p.m. will feature guest preacher the Rev. Caleb Schauer from St. John Lutheran Church of Union. The Altar Guild will serve a soup and sandwiches before worship beginning at 6 p.m. Seniors meet for lunch and bingo at noon Thursday, March 12. 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 8, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline entitled "Seeds of Risky Love" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. At 6 p.m., members from the Church of the Brethrrn congregations in the Chicago metro area will gather for a joint Lenten service at the York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard. The Spirited Sisters will host a birthday party for kids and their moms at the Community Crisis Center on Sunday, March 15, providing refreshments and small gift bags for everyone. 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: The happiest holiday of the Jewish calendar is Purim. This year Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin, will celebrate it at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9. A family-friendly program will include costumes, shpiel, hamantaschen, and lots of noise. A carnival of games and lunch will be held at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 8. 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. 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 "Tetzaveh." It is also Shabbat Zachor, which means they read a special part of the Torah in preparation for Purim. On Saturday, March 14, there will be an adult education class on Birchat Hachamah, after Shabbat services and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Just what is this holiday, and why does the synagogue only celebrate it once every 28 years? For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Yonker will be sharing the message, "What's On Your Mind?," at 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. The Saturday evening and 8 a.m. Sunday morning services are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. The Sunday 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. Holy Communion this weekend will be celebrated at the 10:45 a.m. service. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m. Immanuel continues its Lenten midweek worship at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Rev. Bruce Meissner will share the message throughout Lent, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will be sharing the messages for the midweek services, sharing a sermon series he has called "Only Jesus." Join them for some meditative worship, as they watch and hear how only Jesus: "Could Challenge Us to Move Mountains!", "Can Make Us Look Up on the Last Day!"; "Would Wait So Long for Someone!"; "Would Let Someone Else Determine His Destiny!"; "Would Wash between Our Toes!"; "Would Take Our Place in Hell!"; and on Easter, "Only Jesus - Can Roll Away the Stones!" For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit Immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, March 8, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "Do No Harm, Part 2: Practicing the Rule" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25 and Mark 8:31-38. The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger. Children who are 4 and older are invited to attend the multi-grade Sunday school class held in the church youth room. There are three times to attend the Lenten study: at 5 p.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. Mondays and 12:30 p.m. Thursdays. The Sunday sermons are based on the "Three Simple Rules for Christian Living" study book. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, March 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 Ave. in Elgin. The sermon, "Divine Things," will be given by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison. The 11:30 a.m. worship will include a message, "Living Hope."

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 annual Family Game Night, sponsored by the family ministries team, will combine with the ever popular monthly Holy Grounds Coffee House from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 6, downstairs in Rogers Hall. The difference for Family Game Night this year is that refreshments will be provided and then will be sold to help the youth raise funds for their summer mission trip. Participants are asked to bring their favorite board game to the event. Food Bags will be distributed March 7-8 and should be returned March 15. As the economy is in such dire straits, the food pantries need help more than ever. First UMC's donations go to three area pantries: Interfaith Food Pantry, Centro de Informacion, and the FISH Food Pantry. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, March 8, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Calling Christ Calling" based on Luke 9:18-20, 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 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 guest preacher this Lent midweek is Rev. Metzger from St. John's Sycamore. He will preach on the "King of Kings: Life Through Death." Call the office for more details. The liturgical color is purple in observance of Lent. It is a color that encourages solemn reflection as you follow the Savior to the cross.

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 8, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will ask "Who is Your Barnabas?" 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 assisting in the leading of worship will sing "Lord, Speak to Me" by Jeffery Rickard. Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and after the children's message, students are dismissed to their individual classes. One of the newer ministries of the church is "Stepping Stones," a ministry of mental health and education. The March 8 meeting will be in the library at 9:15 a.m. Attendees will view and discuss "How to Develop a Caring Congregation." At the same time, in fellowship ball, Rev. Donehoo continues an in-depth discussion of Paul's letter to the church at Corinth. As pastor says, "It's reading other people's mail." I Corinthians makes for lively discussion. 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 8, the Rev. Janie McCutchen will deliver the message at the 8 a.m. message with "A Sign of the Time", inspired by II Timothy 3:1-9 and the Rev. Robbie Robinson will preach on "Is Jesus Your All and All", inspired by Revelation 22:1-13 at 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford choir will perform for the 10:30 a.m. service.

Join the Youth Ministry and Theatre Arts Ministries in celebrating Black History Month at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8 in the multipurpose center. The ministries will be present the play "Boss Man." The Christian Board of Education will be conducting their annual workshop for all ministry leadership and members at 9 a.m. March 14 in the multipurpose center. Come out at 3:30 p.m. March 15 for the initial sermon of LaSha Brown. Divine Movement & S Step will host their annual concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, March 8, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "Becoming Maladjusted For Jesus," based on selections from Amos, 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 Chancel Chimers, sixth through eighth-grade bell 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 Mission Ministry is collecting donations of personal products for the armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the military is well supplied, personal products must be paid for by the soldiers. If you would like to help our servicemen and women, consider donating a few of these supplies. Contact the church office for a complete list of items to be collected. All donations will be assembled and sent overseas.

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 Pastoral Search Committee will hold a "Chat" at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 8 in the sanctuary. The process of searching for our next pastor will be reviewed with an update. Plan to attend with any questions you may have. 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 Lenten study series, "Rethinking The Christian Vision" continues at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Over the next five 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, including an Adopt-a-Highway project. All ideas are welcome. The confirmation class will travel to Temple Shalom in Chicago Friday, March 13 to experience the Jewish faith and understand the deep-seated roots of our faith. The group will meet at 4 p.m. to attend the Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m., which is open to all. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, March 8, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the second Sunday in Lent by looking at the topic of "Does Everything Have Its Price?" based on Mark 8:36-37 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. 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" and 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 with the theme of "King of Kings" at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, March 8, the Rev. Jim Benzing will preach at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The United Church of Christ practices Open Communion so that all who seek to follow Christ may partake in this meal. 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.