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, July 26, the Rev. Gerhard Mau preaches on "Rainbow Promises" (based on the rainbow that appeared after the world flood in Noah's time) at the 9 a.m. outdoor 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, July 26, 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. Vacation Bible school will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 14. "Crocodile Dock" will have preregistration and registration on the first night, Aug. 10. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.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 "D'Varim." 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 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 "Devarim." For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, July 26, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "Are You a Giver or a Taker?" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21 and John 6:1-21. 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. "Saturday with the Spirit" service will be Saturdays. Come snack and socialize from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Service will follow and end by 6:30 p.m. Come for the food, come for the message or both. Each Sunday's service is now being digitally recorded and is available on the Web site on Monday. If you are unable to attend, visit the Web site. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, July 26, the Rev. Mona Walker will preach on "God Provides," based on the scripture text of John 6, at the 9 a.m. service and "If It Had Not Been for the Lord," using the scripture text from Psalm 14, at the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The Homegrown Worship Band will provide special music at both services. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Savor" based on Ephesians 3:17-19, 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. This Sunday, the church will worship outdoors at 9 a.m. at Burlington Park as part of its annual church picnic. Join them for worship, food, fun, and fellowship. They will worship at church if it is raining. The church continues the Walk-R-Run sessions twice a month. You can find information on the sessions by www.stjohnburlington.com. The St. John float will be in the Coon Creek Days parade set for Aug. 2. The theme will be fishers of men as they share Jesus with the world. The church has paper recycling bins in their parking lot for local residents. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 26, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will continue his series on "Bumper Sticker Theology" 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. His sermon title is "I Will Never Drive a Minivan" and the scripture lesson is Psalm 148: 1-14 and Psalm 121: 1-8. This summer, members of the congregation have been encouraged to read "Power Surge," a book for the changing church. On July 26, at both 9:15 and 11:30 a.m., all are invited to meet in the library and share their thoughts about the book and its implications for the church. On Saturday, Aug. 1, the Mad Hatters Garden Walk and Tea Party will start at 1 p.m. with walks through various gardens along Douglas Avenue concluding with a relaxing tea luncheon. Hats and tea apparel are encouraged. For details on buying tickets, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, July 26, the Second Baptist Church family will celebrate its 143rd church anniversary at 10 a.m. with one combined church service at the church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. Sunday school and orientation classes will be held at 9 a.m. The theme is "Looking Back On Yesterday, Celebrating Our Heritage," based on Nehemiah 6:3. During the Civil War, on Oct. 15, 1862, Rev. Benjamin Thomas of the First Baptist Church brought to Elgin about 125 escaped slaves from plantations in Franklin County, Ala. Mostly women and children; they fled behind the lines of the Union Army. This group of refugees, joined later by husbands and fathers, established the African-American community of Elgin and formed the nucleus of Second Baptist Church. Worship first took the form of camp meetings at Colby's Grove, east of Elgin Academy. Informal services of prayers and songs took place at the home of Arthur Newsome. The Rev. Adoniram J. Joslyn and Harriett Cheney of First Baptist Church provided assistance. Second Baptist Church was formally organized on Dec. 2, 1866. Its first African-American minister was Rev. Richard DeBaptiste, who served as pastor two or three years prior to his death in 1901. On Oct. 4, 1962, Rev. Theodore E. Bedford was called to serve as pastor. On Nov. 21, 1984, Rev. Shirley A. Roberts was licensed as a minister of the gospel, and was subsequently ordained on Sept. 29, 1991. She became the first female minister in the history of the church, and the first African-American female to be licensed and ordained in ministry in the city of Elgin. On Dec. 31, 1998, after more than 35 years of dedicated service, Rev. Bedford retired from the active pastorate, and the honor of pastor emeritus was conferred upon him on Jan. 1, 1999. In early 2000, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond, who was then serving as an associate minister, became the pastor. Under Rev. Edmond, the church experienced a tremendous growth. The nursery was reopened; a young adult ministry was established; and "Wonderful Wednesday" midweek service were begun, as well as a second Sunday morning service. On March 6, 2005, a groundbreaking ceremony was held symbolizing the church's plans to add a 20,000-square-foot multipurpose building. The church began a partnership with Sheridan Elementary School in 2006 with 24 trained volunteers who serve as mentors and tutors to 45 students identified as at-risk. In 2007, an evangelism campaign began with the training of church members. This training culminated with two visits to a local housing complex in April and June. Evangelism continues to be a focus of the church's outreach and service activities. To view more of the church history, visit www.sbcelginil.org. For information, call (847) 695-7757.

First Congregational: On the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, the Rev. Aaron James, senior pastor will preach "Leftovers," based on John 6:1-21, at the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Kasey, Abby and Josh Hawkins will be baptized during the service. Michigan Mission Trip participants will be commissioned during the worship service. The group will be traveling to Thompsonville, Mich. Aug. 2-8 to repair and improve homes for the disabled and elderly. In particular, one woman is wheelchair confined and her house has no ramp access, yet she manages to care for unwed mothers in her home. The adults and youth in mission will join with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of Beulah, Mich. to make a difference and change lives. Sunday's Ministry of Music will be a vocal duet by Rick Gilmore and Sara Tustin, "The Gift of Love." The service will also feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Rick Gilmore, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin. 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. Children should be signed in and out. Summer Parent's Day Out is offered on Tuesdays from July 28 to Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, contact Michelle Hendricks at 847.426.2161 ext. 204 or by e-mail to mhendricks@fccdundee.com. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Messiah: Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Church Road in Elgin, will have the theme "Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life" at the 9:30 a.m. services for four Sundays beginning Sunday, Aug. 2. For details, call the church office at (847) 695-2960.

King of Glory: On Sunday, July 26, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme "God is Willing - and Able!" based on Ephesians 3, 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 26, join in singing praises to God at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Sunday school is on summer break. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. James Episcopal: On the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost, July 26, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 9 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. It also is the Feast Day of St. James the Apostle. The readings appointed for this week are 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 3:14-21, and John 6:1-21. The pastor will be in the office July 31, Aug. 21 and 28. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.