Fox Valley religion notes

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.

St. Peter: On Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Testimony, Truth, and 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. Items for the annual "Trash to Treasure" event may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. May 25-29. Clothing is not being accepted. The sale will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 5; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6. There will be a bake sale from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

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.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, May 24, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline titled "Open Hearts" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The worship also will include a licensing and installation service for Associate Pastor Audrey deCoursey. 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. The last Common Meal of the church year will be at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. The Spirited Sisters will hold their second annual retreat June 5-7. 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 "Birkat Hachodesh." 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 "Bamidbar," in which Moses takes a census of the entire Israelite community. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "I've Got the Power" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53. 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. A garage sale will be held on June 5-6 to benefit the vacation Bible school scheduled for July 20-24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Beginning June 6, there will be Saturday services with fellowship, praise and prayer. Fellowship will start at 5 p.m. with the service at 5:30 p.m. Each Sunday's service is now being digitally recorded and is available on the Web site on Monday. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will present the sermon, "Opening Minds," at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The 11:30 a.m. service will include a message, "The Father's Promise" with special music by The Homegrown Worship Band. Special music for the 9 a.m. service will be provided by Kevin and Kelly Johnson on piano. 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. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On May 24, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Seeing is Believing" based on 1 John 3:1-3, in recognition of Armed Forces Ministry Sunday, at the 9 a.m. service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. They will recognize the armed forces this weekend and pray for their safety. They also will remember the military chaplains who serve to help soldiers deal with the horrors of war. The summer schedule includes a 9 a.m. Sunday service and a 7 p.m. Wednesday service. The pastor will be giving the benediction at the Memorial Day service at East Park in Hampshire. St. John completed its duty weekend at the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. More than a dozen members participated with others in the work to prepare for Monday morning distribution. 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 Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on the church's ongoing renovation with "More to Come" at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Everyone who passes through downtown Elgin can see that the north wall of the 1962 addition to the church has been totally removed and a west-facing adjoining wall is in the process of being removed. Replacement block, brick, and windows are en route to the site. There will be much more external work to be done through the summer. The Chancel Choir will assist in the leading of worship, singing the anthem "O God Give Peace" by Robert Leaf. Coffee hour will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Mission trip '09 will leave by Amtrak the evening of July 2 for their work in Washington, D.C. Besides work in soup kettles, homeless shelters, food pantries and day care facilities, they will take a capitol tour on the Fourth of July. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, May 24, 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 Chorale Ensemble will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. The Brotherhood Ministry invites all men to come out every fourth Saturday of the month to fellowship with your Brothers in Christ. Free haircuts will be provided by the "barbershop" beginning at 9 a.m. On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. Bus and child care services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Memorial Sunday, May 24 the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "Time For Memory," at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The church will commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be 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 high school youth group meets from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Sundays with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. The middle school youth group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27.

The XYZ's will gather for their monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27. Enjoy the luncheon prepared by Pat Crowe and "Keeping in Shape" program by physical therapist Don Schmidt. Call the church office if you plan to attend. A free will offering will be taken. "XYZ, eXtra Years of Zip," is a group for singles and couples, 55 years of age and older.

After diligent evaluation, the pastoral search committee unanimously selected the Rev. Aaron James as candidate for congregational approval as senior pastor. "Meet & Greet" opportunities to become acquainted with the pastor will be held on Saturday, May 30. A reception in the narthex is scheduled from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and an open house at the home of Dave and Karen Henderson from 7 to 9 p.m. In addition, the pastor will be leading worship on Sunday, May 31 at the single worship service at 9 a.m., followed by the annual program meeting in which the congregation will be asked to call him as their new senior pastor. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, May 24, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will look at the theme "We've Got Mail," based on the ascension text of Acts 1:1-11, 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. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 24, guest pastor, the Rev. Richard Gilbert will preach at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The congregation will take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives in our country's wars. 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.