Lake Co. religion notes

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Awards: Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, recently presented the Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministries' Awards to nine area recipients for their outstanding contributions to catechesis and youth ministry in Catholic parishes across Cook and Lake counties. The 2009 Archdiocesan honorees include: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team from St. Emily Parish, 1400 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Melissa Hajdu, Peter Hajdu, Len Mondi, Michael Schiller; and director of religious education from St. Joseph Parish, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville, Rosalind Camardella.

Night of Hope: The Federated Church of Wauconda, 200 S. Barrington Road, Wauconda, is having a Relay For Life Fundraiser, "Night of Hope," Saturday, May 16. Starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be a silent auction, root beer floats, bake sale, and cancer ribbons and other items for sale. The Outdoor Luminaria Garden Service will begin at 7:45 p.m., where you can remember your loved ones in the Bubbles to Heaven Ceremony. For details, call (847) 526-8471.

Blood drive: The United Protestant Church of Grayslake will host a LifeSource Blood Drive on Sunday, May 17, that is part of a Boy Scout Eagle Scout Project for Max Bonczar of Scout Troop 451. The church is located at 54 S. Whitney St. in downtown Grayslake and sponsors Troop 451. The blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the church's fellowship hall. Donations are taken on a walk-in basis, or you may schedule an appointment by calling LifeSource at (847) 323-5866. I

Concert: The Elaine N. Sherman Fine Arts Fund presents "Hebrew Melody" at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe. Cantor David Goldstein will be joined by both the Advent Chamber Orchestra and Kol Zimrah, Chicago's own Jewish community choir. Admission is free. Reserve seats by calling the synagogue office at (847) 835-0724.

Blood drive: Millburn Congregational United Church of Christ is conducting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17. Representatives from LifeSource, Chicagoland's Blood Source, will be at the church at U.S. Route 45 and Grass Lake Road. Appointments are being taken to assure fast and efficient donations. Call Gary Garland at (773) 983-5761.

No church service: There will be no church service at the Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sunday, May 17, due to the Prairie Pedal event. Services will be resumed on May 24, at 9:15 a.m. in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community. www.prairiecircleuuc.org, or (847) 604-1908.

Foresters: The next general meeting of the Foresters Lago Branch will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein. The public is invited. For information, call 1-800-828-1540.

Golf fundraiser: St. John Lutheran School, 501 W. Park Ave. in Libertyville, will hold a golf outing Sunday, May 20, at Chevy Chase Country Club. Tee times begin at 4 p.m. for nine holes, scramble format. A buffet dinner will follow at 7 p.m. The cost is $60 per person for golf and dinner. Not a golfer? Bring the family and join everyone for Chef Walker's famous St. John Dinner Buffet for $20 per person. All proceeds from this event go toward the St. John Playground Fund. Reservation forms available in the St. John School office; deadline is Thursday, May 14. For more information, call Joe Lofsness at (224) 627-0860 or e-mail at jlofsness@wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Summer schedule: The Summer Worship Schedule at Grace Lutheran Church begins on Sunday, May 24, with one worship service held each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship will follow. Summer Promiseland will begin Sunday, May 24, following the children's message during our 9:30 a.m. worship service. For more information about worship services and vacation Bible school, taking place June 15-19, contact the church office at (847) 367-7050 or visit aboutgracelutheran.org. Grace Lutheran Church is located at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville.

Honoring servicemen and women: St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, will honor the servicemen and women who have fought and died for our country from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 25. The church will be open to all for prayer and meditation. Starting at 11 a.m. there will be a prayer followed by the reading of the names in remembrance of all who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last couple of years. Call the church to sign up if you would like to be one of the volunteer readers. This year the church will need four readers for each time slot. The church will also be walking in the Grayslake Memorial Parade May 25. Line up at Grayslake High School at 9 a.m. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. (847) 223-2310.

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, May 28, at Carmel High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. (847) 376-2118.

Rummage sale: The annual rummage sale at Joy! Lutheran Church will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 29, and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30. No items are priced. Joy! is at 749 S Hunt Club Road in Gurnee.

Ribbon cutting: The Zach Taylor Memorial Playground Committee invites everyone at 11 a.m. Saturday May 30, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the phase one of the playground to the children of the Antioch community. Organized games for the youngsters and a free picnic lunch are planned as part of the celebration at Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road, Antioch. In February 2007 an auto accident took the life of 8-year-old Antioch resident Zachary Taylor and his aunt Brandy Taylor and his cousin, Nikki Taylor. Zach's family and friends created a memorial project to honor his memory. Resources for phase two of the project has accumulated to just over 25 percent of project completion needs at this time. Donations may be sent to the Zach Taylor Memorial Playground Project at 24300 W. Grass Lake Road, Antioch. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org.

Farewell celebration: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will have a farewell celebration honoring Kathy Neumann, music director and organist, who is retiring May 31. Neumann has served St. Matthew's music ministry for 27 years on a volunteer basis. A special musical service of thanksgiving for Kathy's ministry will take place at 10 a.m. There will not be a 9:30 or 10:45 a.m. service that day. A reception will be held in her honor in Krueger Hall immediately following the service. (847) 438-7709.

Russian vocal ensemble: Christ Community Church, Zion, presents the Lyra Vocal Ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia, at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 7, in the sanctuary at the church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive. Lyra is a community of professional musicians, most of whom are students or graduates of the St. Petersburg Conservatory and sing in churches and musical theaters throughout that city. Freewill offering. (847) 746-1411.

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: 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.

VBS: Crocodile Dock vacation Bible school will be June 15-19 at Joy! Lutheran Church, 749 S Hunt Club Road in Gurnee. Registration forms are available online at www.joylutheran.org and in the church office. (847) 362-4569.

Family meals: Learn how to get seven meals for a family of four prepared for less than $70 from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee. A famous chef will show how this is done. The demonstration costs $10. Call (847) 336-3730 to reserve your seat. Payment is due at the presentation. www.annunciationgurnee.org

Learn about congregation: Congregation Or Shalom invites anyone interested in learning more about the congregation and its offerings to attend the Or Shalom Young Children's service at 6 p.m. Friday, June 19, or the regular Friday night service at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Scott Looper will be leading the services and will be available to answer any questions. School registrations for students in preschool and older are now being accepted for the 2009-2010 school year. Contact Marcia Cohen to register. For those who have always longed to take a trip to Israel, Rabbi Looper is leading a group to Israel in June 2010. For those interested, contact the temple. For additional information regarding any of these offerings or upcoming events, call Congregation Or Shalom at (847) 362-1948 or visit www.orshalomlc.org.

Friday Friends: Friday Friends has been organized within The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein for the purpose of fun and fellowship. The group meets the second Friday of the month, each time at different members' homes. For details, call (847) 949-8670.

Recycling: On the third Sunday of each month, youth will man the recycle bin between services, from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and after the second service, after 11 a.m. Bring your old newspapers, junk mail and catalogs. Youth will be ready to assist with the unloading of your car as you drive up to the bin in the Grace parking lot. The recycle bin is in place on a daily basis, so come any time that is convenient for you. A portion of the cash credits for all paper donations will be used toward a green gift for the community. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville. aboutgracelutheran.org or (847) 367-7050.

Grief support group: Faith Lutheran Church announces the formation of a GriefShare Support Group, which provides support for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Meetings are from 7-8:30 p.m. Sundays through May 31, excluding Easter, April 12, at Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road in Antioch. (847) 293-6101 or faithantioch.org

For seniors: The senior group, The Primetimers, meets at The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein the fourth Monday of the month for refreshments, book studies and guest speakers. In addition, the group sometimes attends local plays, historical activities and visits tourist attractions. For details, call (847) 949-8670.