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.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On Sunday, Oct. 4, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd. in Elgin, offers the 9 a.m. traditional worship with Holy Communion and the 10:30 a.m. contemporary service. The Rev. Keith Mundy, a regional director of stewardship programs for the ELCA, will be the guest preacher. Nursery is available for the 9 a.m. service for infants and toddlers. Sunday school for children age 3 to sixth grade is available from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Youth group for seventh to 12th grade meets at 9 a.m. in the Loft. The Child Development Center will be selling taffy apples between services through Oct. 18. People who would like to walk in the CROP Walk on Sunday, Oct 18, may sign up at the welcome center to receive the donation envelope. For details, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Paul Bischoff, interim pastor, continues his challenging sermons about how you view God at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills. He challenges you to relate the Bible to your every day life. Special welcome to the six new members received last Sunday. There will be a collection for food pantry. Adult Sunday school and church activities for children are held at 9:30 a.m. On Saturday, Oct. 3, men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. at Rose Garden. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Bible study on Lord's Prayer will be at 6:30 p.m. Sellers must register for the farmers market on Saturday, Oct. 10 by calling (847) 464-5381. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "Go and Do Likewise" at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The Fellowship Time will be at 10:50 a.m. after the service. Church school classes begin at 111 a.m. The traditional Brethren Love Feast, falling on World Communion Sunday, will be at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This twice-yearly service of spiritual renewal is a re-enactment of Jesus' last supper with the disciples. Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice will meet at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Congregation member Tana Durnbaugh will receive the human rights award from Elgin-South Elgin Church Women United at their 2009 Human Rights Celebration Saturday, Oct. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church, 240 Standish. The potluck lunch starts at 12:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Brethren Associate Pastor Audrey deCoursey. On Sunday, Oct. 11, Mark Kuntz, Carolyn Pelc and Mary Frances Flowers will give a special concert featuring music from Beethoven, Brahms, Saint Saens, and other composers at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Spirited Sisters will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dulabaum-Bohrer home for a campfire with songs, stories, and s'mores. 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 for the Harvest festival of Sukkot Shabbat services are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 330 Division St. in Elgin. Shemini Atzeret with Yizkor will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Simchat Torah service will be at 6:45 p.m., followed by an ice cream social sponsored by the Men's Club. Guests are welcome. 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. On Friday, Oct. 2, the Erev Sukkot Family Shabbat service is at 6:30 p.m. with "Pizza in the Hut for Sukkot." To RSVP, visit congregationshiratshalom.org. On Saturdays, Oct. 3 and 10, Rabbi Ora Schnitzer will lead friendly, participatory Shabbat services and Sukkot services at 9:45 a.m. On Oct. 10, there will also be a Yizkor service. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the Torah portion of the week and how it applies today. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

First UMC-Elgin: On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison and lay speaker Bob Carroll will preach at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The pastor will preach on "Good Times, Bad Times," at the 9 a.m. service with special music provided by the Cathedral Choir. Bob Carroll will speak on "Is Jesus Greater Than Angels?" at the 11:30 a.m. service with music provided by Divine Impact, a group of youth musicians from the Fox Valley. There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The next Youth Group's Holy Grounds Coffee House event at the church will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The public is invited to join the fun. At the Coffee House, visit with friends, work on the computers, play board games, or work on homework. This month, there will be a skit presented along with the other activities. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Oct. 4, the Rev. Howard Gleason will walk the congregation through Martin Luther's 20 questions in preparation for the Lord's Supper 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 the Family Education Hour from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Flu shots will be offered from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5. Octoberfest will be Saturday, Oct. 3. The 5K is at 8 a.m. The German dinner and music will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Entertainment is by the Kishwaukee Ramblers this year. St. John is part of the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. Your donations are welcomed. Drop-off points in the Burlington area include the post office and Old Second Bank, as well as the church. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, and the Rev. Lois A. Bucher, associate pastor, will lead their congregation through the special celebration of Holy Communion at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Not only will the congregation give thanks for the completion of the exterior renovation of their church, but they will do so in the celebration of World Wide Communion Sunday with Christians all over the world. "Falling in Love" is the title of the sermon. The scripture references are Psalm 18:1-6 and Luke 22:14-23. The 8:15 service is in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will sing Craig Courtney's anthem, "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord." The Ministry of Missions reminds everyone that the "Neighbors in Need" special offering is being collected this Sunday. Vital among its purposes is help for persons who have lost their homes and have nowhere to go. DiscipleWay begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. This is informational and experiential training in the six marks of discipleship: prayer, worship, Bible reading, service in the church and community, relating to others and giving. A $10 cost covers the cost of the book. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Oct. 4, worship will be at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music at 8 a.m. and the Choral Ensemble at the 10:30 service. The SBC Women's Conference will be held Oct. 9-11. The theme for 2009 is "Empowered With Purpose and Praise", Psalm 139:14. The conference will have sessions on "Harmonious Family"; "Spiritual Spending";"Love Gone Wrong"; "Biblical Women"; "Thinking Through Darkness"; "My Black is Beautiful"; "Sista 2 Sista"; and "Rx Relationships". The keynote session will be "Empowered with Purpose and Praise." Sign up before and after church service or visit sbcelginil.org. On Wednesday Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday 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 World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Aaron James, senior pastor, will preach "Till Death Do Us Part?" based on Mark 10:2-16, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. New members will be welcomed into the congregation at both services. A Ministry Fair will be held after the services to inform and engage the congregation about the many opportunities to share their diverse spiritual gifts and talents. Children, age 4 to 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 their new Sunday school rotation rooms for Children's Worship Workshops. The workshops included: art, story and drama, Bible games and computers and science and cookery. Classes or groups rotate into a different workshop each week, but stay with the same story for four weeks learning it in-depth through a variety of media. Teachers do not rotate; they stay put in their workshop repeating their lesson to a new group of children each week. Nursery care is available for infants through first-grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Joy Ringers, third- through fifth-grade bell choir directed by Jane McMullen; and the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist. 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 and Sue Schmidt with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, keyboard; Patrick Infusino, bass and Scott Person, drums.

The first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of nonperishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 4-6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. These gifts will help those less fortunate in the area.

The middle school youth group will travel to Richardson Corn Maze in Spring Grove at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. This maze is world famous and is the largest corn maze in the world covering 28 acres. The farm also includes a 700-foot Zip Line starting from a 30-foot tall observation tower, for the brave ones. The group will meet at the church at 10 a.m. and return around 6 or 7 p.m. Friends are welcome. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

New Hope Partnership of Habitat for Humanity will hold a work day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at 140 N. Lord Ave. in Carpentersville. Homes are built primarily through volunteer construction labor, which helps keep the cost of the homes affordable for buyers. Volunteer to help by calling Gerry Witt at (847) 428-0234 or visit www.hfhnfv.org.

Epworth UMC: Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave. in Elgin, offers CONNECTIONS Family Worship at 5:30 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. This Oct. 10 service has no traditional sermon, instead offers participants ways to get active with their faith. Service projects, such as creating sandals for the Community Crisis Center and packing flood relief buckets for UMCOR, and activities, such as life-size board games and puppet shows, are the center focus of this worship that caters to those who desire activity at church. YouTube videos, crafts and skits are also used to help participants find modern ways to live in faith. Or, attend a traditional worship service at 8:30 a.m. or a praise worship at 11 a.m. Praise worship features the Beacon Praise Band and often includes elements of drama, videos and more. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:45 a.m. and classes offered include: Women Under Spiritual Construction presenting "The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life," a video series mapping out the challenges of living authentically; Men of Faith presenting Tony Dungee's book "Uncommon;" Current Events Bible Group focuses on weekly scripture and current events in a biblical perspective; Young Adults Bible Study for ages 18-25; as well as Christian education for children through high school. For details, visit epworthumcelgin.org or call (847) 931-5400.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Oct. 4, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe Lutheran Women's Missionary League Sunday, with the theme "Look to the Hills - God Reigns," based on Psalm 121 and Isaiah 52, 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.

Immanuel UCC: On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, guest minister, the Rev. Susan Tyrrel, will base her meditation on Acts 2: 38-47 at the 9:30 a.m. service at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 415 W. North Ave. in Bartlett. Join them to celebrate the connection with Christians from all over the world. For details, call (630) 289-1320 or visit www.bartlettiucc.org.