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 UMC: On Sunday, June 21, Trinity United Methodist Church, 1647 Ravine Lane in Carpentersville, will celebrate God, our heavenly father, and our earthly fathers with a special Praising Father's Day Festival at 10 a.m. outside on the lawn. They will be joined in a musical service of worship by the Rev. Rich Rubietta from Grayslake. Dads, sons, daughters, friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors are all invited. There will be a casual picnic luncheon after worship and a short outdoor activity period. The event will end about 1 p.m. Rev. Rubietta is a modern-day circuit rider and Conference Evangelist for the United Methodist Church. Appointed to Abounding Ministries, he now crisscross Northern Illinois each week, introducing creative uses of music in worship, school assemblies, workshops, youth events and retreats. He helps congregations redevelop and rediscover their voice in worship. He pastored congregations for 14 years in Freeport, Morris, Joliet and Grayslake.

St. Peter: On Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Today is the Lord's Day of Favor" at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. It will be repeated at the 7:30 p.m. Monday service. 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, June 21, the Rev. Paul Bischoff, interim pastor, invites you for Sunday worship 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. The church picnic will be at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28 at Elburn's Lions Park, 500 Filmore St. A potluck luncheon will follow the service. Bring a dish to pass. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Joel Kline will examine Mark 4:35-41 as it relates to the message of the power of peace: how you can learn to live peacefully in the midst of life's storms and what good news you can share with the turbulent world around you at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Also this Sunday, they will welcome a special guest, Michael Muchilwa, a SERRV staff member from Kenya. He will hold a forum in the fellowship hall at 10:45 a.m., discussing his work as manager of SERRV's new Africa Capacity Building Project. Muchilwa works with marginalized artisans and farmers in skill training, product design, and small business development. A new Living the Questions series for the summer will meet for six weeks about 11 a.m. Sundays, July 12 to Aug. 16, in the lounge. This is the latest in the Living the Questions DVD curriculum, titled "First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God." Two of today's preeminent biblical scholars, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, explore the historical background to the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Their presentation of theological concepts is both accessible to a wide audience and relevant to an evolving world. 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 "Shelach-Lekha." 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 "Sh'lach L'cha," where the spies are sent to the Land. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Mona Walker preach on "Why Are You Afraid?" at the 9 a.m. service and "Faith of Our Fathers" at the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will feature the "OMG" (O Mighty God) musical group at 9 and a special praise group at the 11:30 a.m. service. 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 Father's Day and the third Sunday after Pentecost, June 21, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "A Good Return," based upon Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, at the 9 a.m. service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The summer schedule includes a 9 a.m. Sunday service and a 7 p.m. Wednesday service. The church continues the Walk-R-Run sessions twice a month. You can find information on the sessions by www.stjohnburlington.com. 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 Father's Day Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. He will continue his series of sermons on "Bumper Sticker Theology." This week's title is "We're Spending Our Children's Inheritance." At the 10:15 a.m. service, new members will be received into the church. Vacation Bible school is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. June 21-25 at Wing Park Shelter 1. The evening hours will make it more convenient for working parents to get their children to the program. The theme will be "Camp EDGE" (Experience and Discover God Everywhere). It will conclude with a celebration at the Wing Park pool from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 25. It is open to all children and offers every age level of student-camper something special. Call the church office at (847) 741-4045 to get your children registered. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the special Father's Day sermon at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. messages at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. All fathers and father figures are encouraged to attend. The Male Chorus will render the music for both services. The second annual Father/Daughter dance will follow the 10:30 a.m. service.

On June 20, the Youth Ministry of Second Baptist Church will sponsor the third annual Senior Recognition and Rededication Program at 6 p.m. Join in celebration as they honor the graduating seniors and God in service. The theme for this years' celebration is "Celebrating A Future Of Hope and Promise." 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 Father's Day Sunday, June 21, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will deliver the message, "Dr. Don's Farewell" at the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. A reception will follow worship in honor of Rev. Longbottom's 18 months of service at the church. Children, age 3 through fifth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families at 9 a.m. After the children's message, they will be dismissed to God's Big Backyard for "Fruits of the Spirit." This Kids' Travel Guide adventure leads children on a 13-week scripture based discovery of how God's Spirit helps express his love to others through caring actions and healthy attitudes. Children will explore how to be strong in the decisions they make and how to live out the "Fruits of the Spirit" in their own daily lives. A snack time for kids will be held from 10 to 10:10 a.m. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. The middle school youth group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 for Olympics Night with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. All kinds of events will be set up to test your will and abilities. Team competitions and individual events will amaze and challenge you in this true test of endurance, intelligence, will power and flexibility. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments served. Bring your friends and be ready (and dressed) to be outside and active. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, June 21, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the third Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme "Peace! Be Still!," based on Mark 4, as Jesus calms the storm, 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.

St. James Episcopal: On Father's Day and the Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 21, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching and celebrating at the 9 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.