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.
St. John: St. John's Lutheran Church and School, 115 N. Spring in Elgin, will begin a new church year with a message based on the Gospel for the First Sunday in Advent, Luke 19:28-40 at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Hannibal Frederich will preach on Christ's first and second Advents under the theme, "Coming Soon!" St. John's Chancel Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. The midweek Advent services will start Wednesday, Dec. 2 with a short devotional service at 11 a.m. and the main service at 7 p.m. This year's theme for the evening Advent services is "I TOLD YOU SO!" They will looking at some of the prophecies concerning Jesus Christ in the Scriptures. Everyone is also welcome to the Advent dinners at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. A free-will offering will be taken for the meal. For information, call (847) 741-0814.
Bethlehem Lutheran: On Sunday, Nov. 29, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd. in Elgin, will celebrate the first Sunday in Advent with healing services at the traditional worship at 9 a.m. and the contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. This week the theme is "Waiting" based on Luke 21:25-36. 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 annual Sancta Lucia Festival will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 followed by a Swedish buffet in Wittenstrom Hall. For details, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.
St. Peter: On Sunday, Nov. 29, the Rev. Eric Gawura will present the sermon, "Ready, or Not, Here I Come!" at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 18N377 Galligan Road, Gilberts. There will be no Sunday school on Nov. 29. Tuesday Adult Bible Study from 9:30 to 11 a.m. is currently studying the Book of Revelation. Advent services begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. 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. The fee is $5 per child. Call the church to sign up. There will also be a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 5 p.m. after Parent's Day Out for $5 a plate in advance or $6 at the door. 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 Saturday, Dec. 5, Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave. in Elgin, will hold the annual "Santa Lucia" Christmas breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be traditional Scandinavian food and festive atmosphere. At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, they gather for traditional worship, and children's church for kids through sixth grade. High school and adult Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m. For details, call (847) 888-2302.
St. Peter: On Sunday, Nov. 29, the Rev. Gerhard Mau preaches on "The Christmas Love of Time" 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 follows with a special session inviting parents to work within their children on an intergenerational Advent project to take home and help make Christ's light the center of Advent for the families. All training and supplies provided. At the Wednesday Advent worship at 7:30 p.m., the pastor will preach on "The Christmas Love of Acts of Service." Lenten Supper is served at 6:15 p.m. 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. 29, the Rev. Mark Anderson will be the guest minister 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 today's world. Adult Sunday school and church activities for children are held at 9:30 a.m. The children's message will be given by Chris Bartlett. The Angel Tree and Mitten Tree Christmas Outreach programs have begun. On Saturday Dec. 5, Women's Ministries Brunch will be at 10 a.m. On Saturday, Dec. 12, the adult fellowship Christmas potluck will be at 6:30 p.m. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit countrycov.org.
First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Nov. 29, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will preach on "Being Ready" at the 9 a.m. service and the Rev. Mona Walker's sermon will be "Perpetual Gratitude" at the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music in the 9 a.m. service features the Cathedral Choir under the direction of John Slawson. In the 11:30 a.m. service, Pat Hargis will be provide the special music. There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.
St. John: On the First Sunday in Advent, Nov. 29, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon titled, "Be Prepared," based on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, 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. The start of Advent services will begin Wednesday, Dec. 2 with suppers at 5:30 p.m. 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. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.
First Congregational: On First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on "Here We Go Again" 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 2 chapter of Isaiah and the 13th chapter of Romans. The Chancel Choir will sing "And the Glory of The Lord" from G.F. Handel's Christmas portion of "Messiah" at the 10:15 a.m. worship. Adult Christian Formation begins at 9:15 a.m. with breakfast and an in-depth Bible study of the book of Revelation. On Sunday, Dec. 6, join the family fun activity hour at 4 p.m., followed by joyous choral, hand bell, and folk music at 5 p.m. at the annual Advent Vespers service. A churchwide potluck supper is at 6 p.m. after the service. The activities are free and the public is invited. The church joins with all the community at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 for a community Christmas Carol sing-along. There will be guitar, mandolin and banjo for accompaniment, and singing your favorite Christmas songs. Everyone is invited. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.
Second Baptist: On Sunday, Nov. 29, 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 Combined Choir Male Chorus will render the music for both services. Friday night basketball is back. Basketball will be played every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the multipurpose facility. Bus and child care services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.
First Congregational: On First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, the Rev. Aaron James' sermon is based on Luke 21:25-36 (The Coming of the Son of Man) at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. 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 Bells of Dundee, directed by Jane McMullen; and 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.
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 Mitten Tree is on display. By picking a mitten from the tree and purchasing a gift, you will be making Christmas brighter for needy, homeless children in the area. All wrapped gifts will be collected for distribution by Sunday, Dec. 13.
The high school youth group meets with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays. Bring a favorite Thanksgiving dish. Drinks will be provided. The group will enjoy their meal together, give thanks and then decorate the youth room for Christmas while watching a favorite Thanksgiving movie. The middle school youth group will meet from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Adult Bible Study with the Rev. Aaron James begins from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays. Join the pastor and embark on a new faith journey. The church will host "We Wish You Christmas" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The community is invited to this concert to celebrate the songs of the season. This special program, 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. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.
King of Glory: On Sunday, Nov. 29, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will look at the theme, "Broken Promises - Kept Promises" based on Jeremiah 33, 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. Special Advent worship will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.
St. James Episcopal: On the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, 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 "My Soul Proclaims the Greatest of the Lord: Keeping Promises." The Outreach Committee has a goal of giving 100 local families a hearty Christmas dinner. The dinners cost $27.50 each and will feed a family of six. They want to reach out to military families and veterans as well as patrons of the FISH Food Pantry. Dinners can be picked up at the church or delivered if necessary on Saturday, Dec. 19. St. James will again be collecting coats, hats, and mittens for the needy in our community. Bring donations during church office hours from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday to Friday. The pastor will be in the office on Fridays, Dec. 4-18. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.