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.

Trinity Lutheran: On Easter Sunday, join the 7:30 a.m. worship, followed by an Easter Breakfast Potluck Brunch, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Terwilliger Ave. in Hampshire. There will be no 9 a.m. service. Bring a brunch item dish to pass, table service and beverages will be provided. For details, call the church at (847) 683-2238.

Carpenter House: Carpenter's House Community Church, 201 N. Kennedy Drive in Carpentersville, invites the community to its annual Easter drama, "Reflections of the Heart," at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12. They will be celebrating Jesus the healer, his sacrifice and resurrection. For details, call the Rev. William Legge at (847) 428-0999.

Immanuel Baptist: On Saturday, April 11, Immanuel Baptist Church, 500 St. Charles St. in Elgin, will offer a free class on job interviews at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11. On Sunday, a free breakfast of sausages, eggs, hot cakes and coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. Come and enjoy the fellowship. The 10:45 a.m. service will start with the Judson Singers. The choir accompanied by the brass section will bring an Easter concert for your pleasure. The Rev. Jim Townsend will give his sermon on "No Creaks or Croaks." For details, call Rev. Townsend at (847) 697-6150 or Jack Thompson at (847) 361-4250. Visit www.ibcelgin.org.

St. Peter: On Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "The Journey From Darkness to Light" at 6:30 a.m. sunrise service at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Easter breakfast will be served at 7:3 a.m. At the 9 a.m. worship, the theme is "The Case of the Missing Body." 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.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, April 12, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline entitled "Seeds of New Life" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The Adult Choir and the Children's Choir will provide special music.

The congregation celebrated "love feast" on Maundy Thursday. This is a high point of the church year when members and friends come together to remember and enact the Last Supper. The service included feet-washing, a common meal, and the communion of the bread and cup.

The worship center throughout Lent has reflected the theme "Seeds of New Life." Sprouting and flourishing from seed to full bloom, plants and flowers grow larger and fuller each week from the simulated furrows of brown earth on the altar.

On Friday, April 17, the Good Samaritan Banquet to raise money for the Good Samaritan Fund of Pinecrest Community, a Church of the Brethren retirement center in Mt. Morris, Ill., will be held at 6 p.m. for dinner and 7 p.m. for entertainment at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. The magician Wayne Braun will be featured. Call (815) 734-4103 ext. 273 for reservations.

On Sunday, April 19, the Stewardship Formation Ministry will sponsor a workshop titled "Living Simply in a Time of Economic Uncertainty" from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Also on April 19 the Spirited Sisters will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room 6 for a birthday celebration which will include games, trivia, crafts, cake, and ice cream. This is open to all women.

On Tuesday, April 21, "The 2:44 Circle" will have its first meeting to begin a process of mutual assistance and empowerment in these times of declining prosperity at 6:30 p.m. Members and friends will meet to talk about what we can do together to face hard times. (The name refers to the scripture passage Acts 2:44.) 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 "Chol Hamoed Pesach." 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. A special service for Yozkor will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 16. 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." This week's Torah portion is the special portion for the middle of Passover, and includes the "Thirteen Attributes of G-d." For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: On Good Friday, April 10, there will be a 10:30 a.m. service and Tenebrae services (services of shadow/darkness) at 7 and 9 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. Easter Sunday will begin at 6 a.m. with a Sonrise service, followed by a traditional festival service at 8 a.m. and Celebration service at 10:45 a.m.

The Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will be preaching at the Sonrise service with a sermon titled "Only Jesus - Can Roll Away the Stones" and the Rev. William Yonker at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services with a sermon titled "The Upside After Being Upside Down." Holy Communion will be celebrated at all three services on Easter and special music offered at all three services from brass ensembles, choirs and a praise ensemble at the 10:45 a.m. service.

An Easter Breakfast served in Luther Hall, sponsored by the Youth of Immanuel, will be offered between all three Easter services, from 7 to 7:45 a.m. and 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Easter Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "To Us Who Were Chosen as Witnesses" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and John 20:1-18. Easter Sunday services will be at 7:30 and 10 a.m. There will be no Sunday school, but the nursery will be open for children 3 and under at the 10 a.m. service. On Good Friday, April 10, there will be a 12:10 p.m. service in the sanctuary and a 7 p.m. joint service with Trinity United Methodist Church in Carpentersville. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Good Friday, April 10, a short drama titled, "Peter , Do You Love Me?", will be a part of the evening's worship at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. This drama takes you through the events of the very first Good Friday; the very day Jesus was crucified, revealing perhaps what the disciples Peter and John were feeling the evening after the crucifixion of Jesus. The Easter Sunday worship is at 9 and 11:30 a.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Resurrection Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Of First Importance," based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, 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. Good Friday will include 3 and 7 p.m. services. The 7 p.m. service is a Tenebrae service. Resurrection Sunday includes a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. followed by an Easter breakfast hosted by the youth group. A second worship of celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m. followed by an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Easter Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will ask "Get Up and Go" 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 Easter anthem will be "Resounding Alleluias" for choir, handbells, and trumpet. At the end of the 10:15 a.m. service, those who enjoy singing Handel's "Hallelujah!" chorus will be invited to join the Chancel Choir. Easter brunch will be served at 7:30 a.m. and between services at 9 a.m. There will be no coffee hour or Adult Formation classes this Sunday. Did you know that you have just the right gifts for what God wants you to do? "LifeKeys" can help anyone discover how significant their gifts are, and how to explore and hone those gifts. The classes will be at 7 p.m. Mondays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11 and 18. On Good Friday, April 10, Music Director Jon Wand will present the Chancel Choir, soloists and an orchestra in "Sabat Mater" by Giovanni Pergolesi at noon. The concert is free and all the community is welcome. There are parking lots close to the church as well as the municipal parking garage. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message, "Real Power" inspired by Philippians 3:1-14, at the 7 a.m. sunrise service and 10:30 a.m. service at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Chorale Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Sunday School Ministry will present its annual Easter program, "Where Is Easter" at 9 a.m. in the multi-purpose center. The church will join in the celebration of the Elgin citywide non-denominational multi-cultural Good Friday service sponsored by the African American Christian Ministers Alliance. The Good Friday service will be held at 7 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The Pastors Group of Elgin will join in the celebration. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

Living Water International Church: On Sunday, Louise Forshe will have a special Resurrection Sunday service at 7 a.m. at Church Of Louise Forshe Ministries-Living Water International Church, 601 Hill Ave. in Elgin. A "Time for the Family Service" will be at 10:30 a.m.The topic of her bilingual sermon is "He Has Risen" in English and Spanish. Living Water International Church is a church of the languages English, Spanish, Polish, French and Swahili, plus all languages are welcome. Louise Forshe Ministries is a community service, which is separate from the church. For details, visit www.livingwaterofelgin.org.

First Congregational: On Easter Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "Resurrection Now," based on the Resurrection Story, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Adult Bell Ensemble 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.

An Easter egg hunt will take place at 10 a.m. in celebration of springtime. The hunt will be held on the church grounds, weather permitting. Children will be grouped by age and every egg will have special treats inside. Prizes will be awarded. There will be plenty of family fun on the grounds while the kids hunt for the eggs. Refreshments will be served free of charge.

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.

On Good Friday, April 10, the sanctuary will be open for prayer from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

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. 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 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at PADS, 1730 Berkley St. in Elgin. Sign up by calling the church office. The middle school youth group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. The Ladies Afternoon Circle will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16 for fellowship and the program, "Advanced Directives," which will provide alternatives with decisions regarding preparing for whatever the future may bring. If your wishes are documented, it will simplify matters when this information is needed. A notary will be present if you have any paperwork that requires such authorization. Use this opportunity to focus on planning to reduce stress for your family at a later date. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Easter Sunday, April 12, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the celebration of Easter and the victory of Jesus Christ over death and the grave at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services. There also will be a 6 a.m. sunrise service. 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. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 16:1-8 at the 10 a.m. service with "Alleluia He is Risen" at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Join the Easter breakfast at 8 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children, 12 and under, children 3 and under eat free. There will not be Sunday school on Easter morning to allow the children to enjoy breakfast with their families. After worship, children are invited to stay for the annual Easter egg hunt. On Good Friday, April 10, join in the worship at 6:30 p.m. remembering Jesus' crucifixion. For details, call (847) 428-1712.