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. John: St. John's Lutheran Church and School, 115 N. Spring in Elgin, will celebrate the last Sunday of the church year at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Hannibal Frederich will preach on the epistle, Jude 24 and 25, with the theme, "To Him Who Is Able." St. John's Chancel Choir will sing at the Sunday service at 8 a.m. and the Children's Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. There will be a worship service at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. For information, call (847) 741-0814.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd. in Elgin, offers the 9 a.m. traditional worship and the 10:30 a.m. contemporary service. Holy Communion will be offered. 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. After the 10:30 a.m. service, there will be an "Economic and Investment Outlook Update Workshop" presented by Rob McGarvie, a Thrivent Financial associate. A light lunch will be served. On Wednesday, Nov. 25, members are invited to worship at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Church (San Esteban Martir), 225 Kennedy Drive in Carpentersville to celebrate Thanksgiving. Pie and coffee will be served after worship. For details, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.

St. Peter: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Eric Gawura will complete his sermon series on "The Paranormal and the Supernatural" with the topic, "Witches, Demonic Possession, and Black Magic" at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 18N377 Galligan Road, Gilberts. Christian education classes for all ages starts at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday Adult Bible Study from 9:30 to 11 a.m. is currently studying the Book of Revelation. There will be a special service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Eve, followed by a Pie Fellowship at 8 p.m. The senior high youth are offering a Parent's Day Out from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, for children, ages 3 to 10. Call the church to sign up. Funds raised will go to the youth's 2010 mission trip. St. Peter is having a coat drive to collect new or slightly used coats for those in need in the community. Drop off coats at the church office. For details, call (847) 428-4054 or visit stpeterlutheran.org. The Heartland Blood Centers mobile coach will be at St. Peter from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 6. To sign up for a time slot call the church or Helen Kuhfahl at (847) 428-6712. You need a photo ID to donate. The Sonshine Christian Preschool offers classes for 3- and 4-year-olds. For details, call (847) 551-9935.

Evangelical Covenant: On Sunday, Nov. 22, Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave. in Elgin, will worship at 10:30 a.m. with traditional worship and Children's Church for kids through sixth grade. High school and adult Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m. Thanksgiving Eve worship is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. You'll hear seasonal hymns and proclamation, followed by a pie social. For details, call (847) 888-2302.

St. Peter: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Gerhard Mau preaches on "What Do You Make of 2012?" at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (a quarter-mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Sunday school and Bible class meet at 10:20 a.m. The community is invited for a community Thanksgiving service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. For details, call the church office at (847) 464-5721. Little Saints Preschool is accepting registrations for a new 3-year-old Intro to Preschool class for those who missed the September age deadline. Call Kristina, preschool director, at (847) 464-5134.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Mark Anderson will be the guest minister for two Sundays at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Evangelical Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills. The retired missionary brings insight about Christians in an international setting. Adult Sunday school and church activities for children are held at 9:30 a.m. The children's message will be given by George Delask. The Angel Tree and Mitten Tree Christmas Outreach programs are coming soon. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit countrycov.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel offers 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 "Malakhi." 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. Prospective members, interfaith families, and guests of all faiths are welcomed. The Hadassah/Sisterhood is planning to visit the Holocaust Museum in Skokie on Sunday, Nov. 22 and to host the Hanukkah Bazaar, from Nov. 22 to Dec. 13. The Community Interfaith Thanksgiving service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at Seventh Day Adventist Church on Bode Road in Elgin. The United Synagogue Youth group will attend the "Turkey Dance" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at a Highland Park synagogue. 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 reading is "Toldot." For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail shiratsh@comcast.net, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the 9 and 11:30 a.m. services will feature the "Hanging of the Greens" at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. This will include worship time where scriptures and Christmas hymns will be included plus groups decorating the church and a potluck lunch at 12:30 p.m. Special music in the 9 a.m. service features the children's choirs under the direction of Laura Johnson and Lynda Fox. In the 11:30 a.m. service, the OMG Worship Band (youth band) will be featured. The Christian education classes for all ages is 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon titled, "Truth or Consequences" based on John 18:33-37, 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. A traditional Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. The start of Advent services will begin with suppers at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 and worship at 7 p.m. The Larkin Giving Tree is here again. They gave the church a new big tree to hold lots of requests for Christmas presents. It is a simple yet wonderful ministry the congregation likes to participate in. The church will celebrate the Rev. Loren Krout's 80th birthday with a bit of cake this coming Sunday. They are thankful for his active ministry here at St. John even at 80 years old. The church was able to give donations to two local ministries from their Octoberfest proceeds. Checks will be sent to the community food pantry and to Senior Christian Ministries. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on "A Walk on the Waves" at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The readings are based on Psalm 8:1-8 and Mark 6:45-52. The Chancel Choir will sing the anthem, "Cry Out and Shout" by Knut Nystedt. Sunday school will convene in the sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. and then be dismissed to its own chapel service. Adult Christian Formation begins at 9:15 a.m. with breakfast and an in-depth Bible study of the book of Revelation; or, on this fourth Sunday of the month, Controversial Conversations with Carl. Food will be the topic of discussion - its abundance as well as scarcity, its distribution and what Christians can do to end hunger. At 7 p.m. Sunday, the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving service will be held at Elgin Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1141 Bode Road. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Praise and Worship Leaders will render the music at 8 a.m. and the Choral Ensemble at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Brotherhood Ministry will host the "Barber Shop" at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Free haircuts will be provided. Friday night basketball is back. Basketball will be played from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays in the multipurpose facility. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Thanksgiving and Stewardship Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Aaron James' sermon is based on John 18:33-37 (Christ the King) at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Pledge cards will be collected for the 2010 stewardship campaign, "Our Common Journey," in thanksgiving of the gifts of time, talent and possessions. The 24 persons who have been members of FCC for 50 or more years will be recognized and honored for their many years of faithful service. After both services, a special Harvest Day Coffee with a bountiful feast of homemade breads will be available during the fellowship times in the narthex.

Join them as they join churches worldwide in presenting Bibles to the fourth-grade children at 9 a.m. 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 Chancel 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 Cary Plettau, drums.

Donations of food and monetary support to supply needy families in the community Thanksgiving dinners are being collected through Nov. 22. Christmas gifts are being gathered for the Elgin Mental Health Center patients through Dec. 7. Call the church office for a complete list of items to be collected. The church office will be closed Nov. 26-27 for Thanksgiving. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Messiah: Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Church Road in Elgin, will display quilts and health kits during its Thankoffering worship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. A Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, with appetizers being served at 6:15 p.m. and dessert with fellowship after the service. For details, call the church office at (847) 695-0144.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Nov. 22, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will look at the theme, "Hang In There," based on Jude 20-25, 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.

In addition, Thanksgiving worship will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

Trinity Lutheran: On the Last Sunday of the Church Year, Nov. 22, the Rev. Eugene Wille will preach the sermon, "Watch and Keep Watching!," based on Mark 13:24-37 at the 9 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Terwilliger Ave. in Hampshire. A Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. For details, call the church at (847) 683-2238.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Revelation 1:4b-8 with the theme, "The Unchanging Christ" at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Nursery care is available during the service. The free Sunday school program for children age 3 through seventh grade will begin at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Youth classes are offered for children attending eighth grade and up. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. James Episcopal: On Christ the King Sunday and the Last Sunday of Pentecost, Nov. 22, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 8 and 10 a.m. services at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. His sermon will be "Not From This World." The pastor will celebrate a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. All are welcome. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.