Fox Valley religion events
"Latter Rain Awakening": Join Morning Star Church and The River Church for "Latter Rain Awakening Chicago," a prophetic evangelism conference featuring prophetic evangelists Sandy Brown-Glassford and Greg Glassford this weekend. Brown-Glassford is an inspired and prophetic preacher/evangelist, who tells the story of her agonizing, mafia-influenced lifestyle as a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, including drug addictions, prostitution, self-abuse and several near fatal suicide attempts. Her true story of deliverance brings hope and freedom to all who hear it. Greg Glassford has performed as a solo artist and with his SpiritWind Band, leading concert crusades and teaching people how to enter into the presence of God through music and worship. Together, the couple have a new song and a fresh new message to the Body of Christ, our nation and the world. Meeting times are 7:14 p.m. Friday, Nov 20; and 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. There is no charge for these meetings. Morning Star Church and The River Church are at 41W350 Powers Road in Huntley. For details, call (847) 669-9800 or visit morningstarwoc.org and theriver-church.com.
Thanksgiving baskets: Morning Star Church, 41W350 Powers Road in Huntley, will be distributing Thanksgiving baskets, with everything needed for a Thanksgiving feast. Food item donations to fill these "baskets of blessings" are greatly appreciated. The following is a list of items needed. Non-refrigerated items that are needed for each basket include: two boxes of stuffing, canned vegetables (two each of corn, string beans and yams), one 5-pound bag of potatoes, one 3-pound bag of apples, one package of brown-and-serve rolls, two packages of turkey gravy, one can of cranberry sauce, one pound mixed nuts, and one pound assorted chocolates. Refrigerated items needed for each basket are: a 12- to 14-pound frozen turkey, one container of frozen Cool Whip, one quart of eggnog, one pound butter or margarine, one Sara Lee frozen pumpkin pie, and one Sara Lee frozen apple pie. All food items must be received by Friday, Nov. 20. Financial donations of any amount are also welcome. A gift of $50 will prepare a basket for one family. Morning Star Church wants to ensure that no one in our community is left out this Thanksgiving, so call (847) 669-9800, ext. 155, or e-mail outreach@morningstarwoc.org if you wish to donate or know someone who might be in need of one of these baskets. Visit morningstarwoc.org/thanksgiving for details.
Concert fundraiser: A free concert by the band NoBlurr will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Highland Fellowship Church, 2250 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. An offering will be taken with the proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund at Highland Christian Academy. NoBlurr group members Rene LeDesma of Elgin, Camille Eiseman of Crystal Lake, Annie Sander of Crystal Lake and Tom Vitacco of Carpentersville have traveled the globe with Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington for over 15 years. The academy offers affordable rates for parents of children in preschool (age 3) through eighth grade. A needs-based scholarship program is available as well as many incentives for families considering enrollment. Flexible payment schedules are also available. The public is welcome to attend the concert, but seating is limited. For information, visit abouthca.com or call (847) 741-5530. Visit noblurrmusic.com for details about the band.
Documentary, fair: On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St., will show the documentary, "The Next 7 Generations," narrated by Ashley Judd, at 6:30 p.m. It documents the journey of 13 indigenous grandmothers, as they travel around the globe to promote world peace and share their indigenous ways of healing. Originating from all four corners, these 13 wise women elders, shamans and medicine women, first came together in 2004 at a historic gathering in upstate New York. Motivated by their concern for our planet, they decided to form an alliance: The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. The fifth annual Fair Trade Gift Fair will be held from noon to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The fair features socially responsible gifts that benefit the buyer, seller and the planet. The sale include handcrafted items and textiles from imported from the Third World directly from artisan co-ops as well as fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. The fair is sponsored by the Green Sanctuary, the environmental ministry of the Unitarian Universalist congregation. For information, call (815) 338-0731 or visit cucw.org.
Community Thanksgiving Service: The Interfaith Community Thanksgiving service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at Elgin Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1141 Bode Road.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: The third annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. All are welcome to attend this service to give thanks, enjoy fellowship and make an offering for the benefit of others. Sponsored cooperatively by the FaithBridge Interfaith Association, the evening will include texts, prayers, music and participants from the various traditions. Offerings will benefit the Woodstock, Carpentersville and Richmond food pantries. For information, call the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones at First Congregational, (815) 459-6010; Rabbi Maralee Gordon at the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, (815) 455-1810; or Taufiq Ahmad at the American Muslim Community Organization, (847) 604-4818.
Open house: The Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main St., Algonquin, operated by the Congregational Church of Algonquin as a mission project, will be hosting a special weekend open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28. The Heavenly Attic will feature their seasonal Christmas Boutique. The stock consists of numerous gently-used Christmas crafts, a large selection of decorations, Christmas books, children's toys and books as well as an assortment of Christmas sweaters, and vests. They also carry men's, women's and children's clothes and accessories in addition to linens, housewares and gift ideas. All proceeds of the Heavenly Attic benefit the activities of the church.
Christmas trees: Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave. in Elgin, will have fresh-cut Christmas trees available beginning on Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, and continuing every weekend until Dec. 13. These quality trees come from local growers and come in many shapes, sizes and prices. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or visit epworthumcelgin.org.
Cookie Walk: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, will host its ninth annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission is free. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and will be sold by weight. A boutique of holiday items and handmade mittens, hats and scarves will also be on sale and the church's cookbook, "A Taste of Heaven," for $5 each. For details, call (847) 426-2161 ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.
Catholic author visits: St. Mary Parish, in partnership with Relevant Radio, will welcome Scott Hahn, an influential Catholic theologian and author, for three talks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. A popular speaker and teacher whose dramatic story of conversion to Catholicism has been the subject of many television and radio interviews, Hahn is a professor of theology and scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the founder and director of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The first presentation, "First Comes Love," starts at 10:30 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., Hahn will present "Why Scripture Matters," in which he will discuss what it means (and how) to read Scripture from the heart of the Church. From 2:30 to 3 p.m., Hahn will present his last talk, "Reasons to Believe" in hich he will offer straightforward responses to common objections to the Catholic faith. Hahn will have a selection of his materials for sale in the narthex (cash or check only) and will be available to answer questions and autograph books. Registration is required. The fee is $15 for all three talks. Registration at the door is $20. To register, call Janet Marmion at (847) 669-3137, ext. 101 or e-mail jmarmionstmary@aol.com. Child care will be provided for each talk. Indicate you intend to use child care when you register.
Christmas concert: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, will host "We Wish You Christmas" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. This special concert, in conjunction with Dickens in Dundee, will feature musical groups and individuals from the church singing, ringing and playing sacred and secular songs. A reception will follow with desserts and beverages. A free-will suggested offering for the concert and reception will be $10 per person. For details, call (847) 426-2161 ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.
Cookie Sale: Faith Lutheran Church, Helm Road and Navajo in Carpentersville, will host its Cookie Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. For details, call Loretta Platter (630) 213-7362 or e-mail yippy@sbcglobal.com.
Living Nativity volunteers: Larkin Avenue Baptist Church invites you to join the Living Nativity scene from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on North Grove Avenue in downtown Elgin as part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Window Wonderland. Volunteers are needed to assist with hospitality, music, acting and labor in setting up and taking down. There will be live animals at this nativity scene. Volunteers are needed for the entire six hours, or from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. Practice will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. It is helpful to participate in the practice. If you can participate, e-mail to info@labcelgin.org, call (847) 742-5014, or visit labcelgin.org and click on Holiday Plans and then Living Nativity Scene.
Festival of Light: "Sancta Lucia Pageant, A Festival of Light" will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd., Elgin. Bethlehem's Swedish heritage comes alive in this beautiful pageant of the Christmas season. The guest soloist is Rise Jones. A Swedish buffet will be served in the church hall after program. A free-will offering will be taken with all monies going to the Elgin Interfaith Food Pantry. For details, call (847) 741-8434.
Christmas Carol Sing: St. James Episcopal Church will be host to a Christmas Carol Sing as part of the Dickens in Dundee celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. A choir made up of singers from area churches will lead the singing. The concert will include handbells, instrumental music, and brass along with organ and piano accompaniment for the carols. A free-will offering will be taken. Anyone in the community is invited to sing in the choir. Rehearsals will be at 11:30 a.m. Sundays, Nov. 22-29, and 1:45 p.m. Dec. 6. Call (847) 515-8743 or e-mail slvrshu35@comcast.net to register for singing in the choir.
Christmas concert: First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake, presents its family Christmas concert, "Wondrous Birth" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, featuring the 60-member adult Vestry Choir, the Jubilate Handbell Choir and the high school Alleluia Sound Choir. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Cookie Walk, Mission Mart: Annual Cookie Walk and Mission Mart of First United Methodist Women will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Select your homemade holiday cookies then shop at the Mission Mart for homemade jams, breads, pickled beets and other treasures. Proceeds from this event is used for both home and foreign mission projects. The Mission Mart money this year is going to support a missionary, who works with the poorest of children in Cambodia.
Christmas puppet show: The HANDS 4 HIM Puppet Team invites you to their annual Christmas puppet show at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St. This year, the performance is titled "Lukeys in Kalamazookey!" Come and join the fun at this family Christmas celebration and learn how the "Lukeys" lose their beautiful, colored spots. The show will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance. The event is free. For information, call (847) 888-1978.
Register at Good Shepherd: Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 1111 Van St., Elgin, are still accepting applications for enrollment for the 2009-10 school year. Church membership is not required. For details, call the school office at (847) 741-7795 or the preschool office at (847) 697-4745.