Fox Valley religion notes
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St. James Episcopal: On the Fifth Sunday of Easter and Mother's Day, May 10, guest the Rev. Tom Haverly will be preaching and celebrating at the 9 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. The readings appointed for this week are Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:24-30, 1 John 4:7-21. and John 15:1-8. This week's Sunday school teacher is Lianne Dalphy, and the nursery teacher will be Jason Tennyson. Children should sit with their parents until dismissed to their class after the processional. The Memorial Day collection for the troops is ongoing. A list of suggested items is included in the bulletin and copies are available in the Parish House. Let the servicemen and women know they are not forgotten. Sunday, May 31, is the Feast of Pentecost. Everyone is invited to wear the bright colors of Pentecost - red, yellow and orange, to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Join the, at coffee hour for birthday cake. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.
St. Peter: On Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach his Mother's Day message, "Perfect Love" at the 9 a.m. service 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. 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 and prekindergarten 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, May 10, the Rev. Paul Bischoff, interim pastor, invites you to a Mother's Day worship service led by the Lonesome Theologians at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills.
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. The Wednesday study group continues "Rocksolid," an exploration of faith for the mature Christian and for the new Christian, at 7 p.m. A Fay's Pork Chop dinner fundraiser is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Tickets are $12 advanced sales or $13 at the door. Join them for music and conversation, a bake sale, and raffle. The monies raised are used to send campers to summer camp. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.
Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, May 10, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline titled "A World Without Borders" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The adult church school class called "Move Your Prayer," which explores ways to pray through play, dance, and movement, will meet at 11 a.m. in the adult education room 6 and will continue through May 31. Each session invites participation for all levels of skill and mobility and can be enjoyed in "church clothes." Beginners are eagerly welcomed. The church softball team begins its season at 1:50 p.m. Saturday, May 23 at the Elgin Sports Complex (Field 7) where they will face the team from Epworth United Methodist. Common Meals for the month of May will be at 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, May 13 and May 27, in the fellowship hall. All are welcome. For information, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.org.
Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel 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 "Emor." 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." This week's Torah reading is "Emor," which speaks of the major Jewish festivals. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.
First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "Divine Horticulture" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Acts 8:26-30; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8.
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 will be a benefit concert for the Community Crisis Center and PADS to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17 in the church sanctuary. Holly McNeil, Claude and Jan Quisenberry, Act of Grace, Steve and Sylvia Francois and the Rev. Steve Mindrup will be the featured musicians. Admission will be a canned good and there will be a free-will offering. Beginning June 6, there will be Saturday services with fellowship, praise and prayer. Fellowship will start at 5 with the service at 5:30 p.m. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.
First UMC-Elgin: On Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Rich Rubietta, the Northern Illinois Conference evangelist, will provide the music and message, "Chance to Dance" at the 9 and 11:30 a.m. services at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The Cathedral Choir will provide an anthem, "River in Judea," at the 9 a.m. service. There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.
St. John: On May 10, the Fifth Sunday of Easter and Mother's Day, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "To Tell the Truth," based upon Mark 10:35-45, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services 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. Join them for Friendship Sunday on May 17 as the church will switch to the summer schedule with a Sunday service at 9 a.m. and Wednesday service at 7 p.m. (The first Wednesday service will be May 27). On May 17-18, St. John's duty days will be at the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. They are also planning a church picnic for late July in the Burlington Park. The day will include an outdoor service. The board of Christian education has picked the vacation Bible School program "Crocodile Dock" from Group Publishing; the planned date is July 20-24. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.
First Congregational: On Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on the subject "Suffer the Children"at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The Chancel Choir will sing "The Lord Is My Shepherd" by David Mathews at the 10:15 a.m. service. The Handbell Choir will be ringing two musical pieces during the service. Adult Christian Formation continues at 9:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall where Rev. Donehoo leads the discussion of I Corinthians. Another opportunity to learn will be Friday, May 15. Church members are invited to join the confirmation class for their visit to Congregation Kneseth Israel. The group will attend the synagogue's 7:30 p.m. prayer service. After the service, the group will meet with Rabbi Kohn and learn more about the Jewish faith. Fundraising efforts continue for the July mission trip to Washington D.C. mission trip '09 will have 30 youth and adults signed up to work in the nation's capital in soup kettles, homeless shelters, food pantries, and day care facilities. A luncheon and silent auction is planned for Sunday, May 17. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.
Second Baptist: On Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the 8 and 10:30 a.m. messages at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. The SBC Choral Ensemble musical drama will be performed at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16. All are welcome. On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.
Living Water International Church: On Mother's Day Sunday, the Rev. Louise Forshe will have a special service dedicated to mothers at 10:30 a.m. at Church of Louise Forshe Ministries-Living Water International Church, 601 Hill Ave. in Elgin. She is encouraging daughters and granddaughters to bring their mothers and grandmothers to this special service. It is a great place to bring your loved one. Each mother or grandmother will receive a special Mother's Day card in English or Spanish. They are under the leadership of Bishop Linda C. Shearrill and the Chief Apostle, R. D. Henton. Living Water International Church is a church of the languages English, Spanish, Polish, French and Swahili, plus all languages are welcome. For details, visit www.livingwaterofelgin.org.
On Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, Louise Forshe Ministries will be passing out Mother's Day cards in English and Spanish in the community. Visit myspace.com/louiseforsheministries. Louise Forshe Ministries is a community service, which is separate from the church.
First Congregational: On Sunday, May 10, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "True Greatness", based on Mark 9:30-37, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services 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 Mother and Child Handbell Ensemble, directed by Charlotte Norman; 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; Patrick Infusino, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.
Children, age 3 through fifth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families at 9 a.m. then move to Sunday school classes. A snack time for kids will be held in God's Big Backyard from 10 to 10:10 a.m. During the 10:30 a.m. worship, parents can take their children, age 3 to fifth grade, directly down to God's Big Backyard for Children's Worship Workshops, a special children's church designed especially for them. 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 women's book/Bible study meets from 10:15 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. The book is available at all major bookstores. If child care is needed, call the church office.
The middle school youth group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
The Ladies Afternoon Circle Spring Luncheon and Program will be held at noon Thursday, May 14. May is National Mental Health Month and, in observance, the ladies of the circle will have Katie Petray present information and answer questions regarding NAMI Kane County, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This gathering will be an offsite luncheon at the home of Janet Oatman. Contact the church office if you need directions.
For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.
King of Glory: On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will look at the theme "It's All About Connection" based on John 15:1-8, as they look at the importance of our connection with the true vine, Jesus Christ, at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services.
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.
For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.