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.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs. A youth program is available for sixth grade to high school. In addition, interest groups meet regularly for men, women, seniors, and others. Consult the monthly newsletter which is available at www.ckielgin.org.

Religious school is offered for pre-kindergarten to high school. For details, call the congregation office.

This week's Torah portion is Ki Tissa. 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.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "Drinking From the Well of Living Water" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11 and John 4:5-42.

Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

Fleece donations of 2 yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows.

This year's remaining Lenten Organ recitals are as follows: Thursday at First Congregational Church in Huntley, featuring Vernon Studt; March 6 at St. Catherine of Siena in West Dundee, featuring Maurice Martin; March 13 at St. James Episcopal Church in West Dundee, featuring the Rev. Richard Gilbert and Phyllis Connelly. These Lenten recitals are at 12:10 p.m. The 3 p.m. Sunday recitals are: Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Elgin, featuring Phyllis Connelly; March 2 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Elgin, featuring Steve Smith and Phyllis Connelly; March 9 at Barrington United Methodist Church, featuring Jeff Neufeld. March 16 will feature a Palm Sunday Festival Concert at St. Catherine in West Dundee at 4 p.m.

During Lent, the Missions Committee is sponsoring a food collection for FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Boxes are available in the narthex and Fireside Room.

Recycle your cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Mona Walker will give the sermon "Intentional Faith Development" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin.

Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m.

Special music will be provided by the children's choirs, directed by Laura Johnson, and the adult Cathedral Choir under the direction of John Slawson.

A praise worship service, "Get Hooked … on the Lord," will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday with Pat Hargis in charge of the music and the message.

Hector Olivera, a renowned Rodgers Organ Co. organist from California, will play the dedication concert for the new organ at the church at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The public is invited to the dedication of this newly rebuilt and enlarged organ. There is no charge for attendance. There will be no 6 p.m. "Get Hooked ... on the Lord" service that evening only.

The organ has a new digital console, additional pipes -- including trumpets installed at the rear of the sanctuary.

For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the Third Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Thirsty," based on Exodus 17:1-7, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington.

Fellowship will be at 9 a.m. and Sunday school and Bible study at 9:15 a.m.

The Lenten midweek services continue with supper at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. They will use a rotating pulpit again this year and the Lenten theme is "The Body of Christ."

The choirs practice Wednesdays with the voice choir at 6:30 p.m. and bell choir at 7:30 p.m.

TOPS meets at 6 p.m. Mondays. Weight Watchers meet at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. The pinochle club meets the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. The monthly men's breakfast Bible study is the first Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the Third Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will speak on "Spiritual Amnesia" at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The chapel service is at 8:15 and the 10:15 a.m. worship is in the sanctuary. Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. with the children in the sanctuary then leaving for class after the children's sermon.

At 5 p.m. today, a special family event called "Renovation Recreation" will be held, starting with a buffet dinner in the fellowship hall. It will be followed by a series of vaudeville type acts in the sanctuary. Proceeds will benefit the church's upcoming renovation project.

The chancel choir will assist in leading the 10:15 a.m. service as they sing Philip Wilby's anthem, "If Ye Love Me."

Each Sunday at 9:15 a.m., an in-depth Bible study meets to study the Gospel of Mark. On Sunday, "Controversial Conversations with Carl" will meet at 9:15 a.m. and try to assess where things stand after the Feb. 5 primaries and then take a look at the Electoral College.

"Tuesdays with Jesus" is a Lenten experience in spiritual growth led by the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, and the Rev. Lois A. Bucher, associate pastor. For six consecutive weeks, starting Feb. 12, this group meets to discuss the book "Disciple's Joy: Practices for Spiritual Growth" from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the chapel

Damaris, the women's fellowship group, will be dining out at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bennigan's, 495 Airport Road in Elgin for dinner and conversation. All who are interested are invited to attend.

On Friday at noon, Marsha Webster, music director and organist of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, will present the 30-minute organ recital in the sanctuary. This is the fourth in the Jane Hampton Chipman Lenten series.

For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon title is "You Can't Keep Us Down." The praise and worship leaders will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the choral ensemble will sing at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Right Hand of Fellowship will be extended to each new member during both services. The church encourages all members and guest to dress in African attire for services throughout the month, in recognition of our African heritage.

At 5 p.m. Sunday, Second Baptist will host the citywide Black history program and Edmond will be the featured speaker.

Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and childcare services are available. Second Baptist is at 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, intern Greg Applequist's message this week continues the Wednesday study topic "Walking Across the Room" at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin.

Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy Scripture-related conversation and study.

Children's Sunday school meets during the 9:30 a.m. service in the church basement. Childcare is also available during the service.

Yarns and Needles will meet at 7 p.m. Mondays in the church basement. Bring your projects and join in.

Wednesday's study group will begin at 6 p.m. with a light supper. At 6:30 p.m., the discussion about the mysteries of the Holy Spirit and opportunities to speak to others about your faith will begin. Books and study guides are available.

For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the third Sunday in Lent as they examine the topic "Stricken For You," based on Exodus 17:1-7.

The blended service is at 6 p.m. Saturday, traditional style worship at 8:15 a.m. Sunday with a contemporary worship at 10:45 a.m. led by the praise team singers and band.

Adult Bible classes are held every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. along with a special educational program for children called Kingdom Kids.

The church also offers various mid-week educational opportunities as well as a preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds during the school year, and youth programs for various age groups.

The Wednesday Lenten services are at 7 p.m. through March 12.

The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture on John 4:5-42 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Sometimes you think of yourself as on a search for God. Yet to tell the story of your faith in a more biblical way, you would have to say that Jesus is on a search for you. He comes to you, speaks to you, and in the encounter initiated by him, you are saved.

Join the church at its recently renovated, handicap-accessible building. It is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming all to their services. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

Calvary Lutheran: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, continues its Lenten services at 4 and 7 p.m. each Wednesday through March 12. A free will offering will be taken. The community is invited. For information, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.