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.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, May 17, visiting pastor the Rev. Joyce Cosman invite you to join them for Sunday worship and the Service of Confirmation at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills.

Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation, study, and prayer. Children's Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m.

The Wednesday study group continues "Rocksolid," an exploration of faith for the mature Christian and for the new Christian, at 7 p.m. A Fay's Pork Chop dinner fundraiser is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Tickets are $12 advanced sales or $13 at the door. Join them for music and conversation, a bake sale, and raffle. The monies raised are used to send campers to summer camp. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel has been serving the Fox River Valley for over 116 years. As a member of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, it 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 "B'hor B'Chukotai." 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.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, 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." "B'har-B'chukotai," which teaches you of the relationship you should have with the planet - "The earth is the Lord's." Man only lives here on trust, and should treat it as such. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the theme, "You May Already Be a Winner" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6 and John 15:9-17.

The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger. Children who are 4 and older are invited to attend the multi-grade Sunday school class held in the church youth room.

There will be a benefit concert for the Community Crisis Center and PADS to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17 in the church sanctuary. Holly McNeil, Claude and Jan Quisenberry, Act of Grace, Steve and Sylvia Francois and the Rev. Steve Mindrup will be the featured musicians. Admission will be a canned good and there will be a free-will offering.

Beginning June 6, there will be Saturday services with fellowship, praise and prayer. Fellowship will start at 5 with the service at 5:30 p.m.

]Each Sunday's service is now being digitally recorded and is available on the Web site on Monday. If you are unable to attend, visit the Web site.

For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Music Sunday, May 17, the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of John Slawson; the Celebration Ringers (bell choir) under the direction of Jonathan Besancon; and the children's choirs, under the direction of Laura Johnson and Lynda Fox, will provide special music at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. There will also be recognition of 2009 graduates from the congregation and recognition of Christian education workers at the church at that service. Lay speaker Pat Hargis will be giving the message at the 11:30 a.m. service, with music provided by the OMG Praise Band and the Youth Singers.

There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On May 17, Friendship Sunday, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "What A Friend We Have" based upon Romans 1:16-17, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The summer schedule begins May 17 which includes a 9 a.m. Sunday service and a 7 p.m. Wednesday service. The first Wednesday service will be May 27. On May 17-18, St. John's duty days will be at the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. The Ladies Spring Luncheon takes place Thursday. They are also planning a church picnic for late July in the Burlington Park. The day will include an outdoor service. The board of Christian education has picked the vacation Bible School program "Crocodile Dock" from Group Publishing; the planned date is July 20-24. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, will preach on the subject "How Goes Your Soul?" at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. It is based on selected passages from the New Testament books of John and Luke's gospel. The Chancel Choir will assist in the leading of worship, singing the lovely Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision."

Adult Christian Formation offerings start with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. This Sunday the in-depth Bible study group will complete its yearlong study of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. Another offering this week will be a program offered by Stepping Stones, FCC's Ministry of Mental Health, called "Unemployed: What Now?," presented by Pat Segal and Adam McCoy. Childcare is available.

After the 10:15 a.m. service May 17, participants in Mission Trip '09 will hold the last fundraising luncheon. The luncheon in the fellowship hall will feature a variety of salads and breads along with a silent auction. The group of 30 youth and adults will be doing mission work in Washington, D.C. during the week of July 2-12. They will be working in various soup kettles, homeless shelters, day care facilities, food pantries and drop-in centers.

There are parking lots close to the church as well as the municipal parking garage. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "It All Depends On You," based on Luke 10:1-11, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The Evangelism and Welcoming Ministry will be highlighted during worship. After both services, join them for fellowship and treats.

Traditional worship, with the Chancel Choir and a vocal or bell choir, will be at 9 a.m. Progressive worship, a spirit-filled experience with the Praise Singers and Band, will be at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be an All Choirs Ring and Sing. 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, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, keyboard; Patrick Infusino, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.

The Third Sunday Benevolence Offering will be donated to "Strengthen the Church." This special mission offering of the United Church of Christ helps to grow the UCC.

Children, age 3 through fifth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families at 9 a.m. then move to Sunday school classes. A snack time for kids will be held in God's Big Backyard from 10 to 10:10 a.m. During the 10:30 a.m. worship, parents can take their children, age 3 to fifth grade, directly down to God's Big Backyard for Children's Worship Workshops, a special children's church designed especially for them. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Children should be signed in and out.

The church council chat will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday.

High school mission trip benefit dinner will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at Regina's Via 31 in West Dundee. Tickets are on sale in the church office for $50. This price includes a three-course meal, entertainment and four hours of fun and fellowship. There be silent and live auctions as well as raffle items. The high school youth are raising funds to attend the Coastal Breeze Workcamp in Elizabeth City, N.C. July 24-Aug. 2. The group will provide home repairs at no cost for the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people that need help maintaining their homes. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 202.

The church serves dinner at the Community Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided Tuesday, May 19. If you are interested in cooking, donating food or delivering the meals, call the church office. Some menu items need to be prepared while others can be purchased and dropped off at the church. Any help is appreciated by the temporary residents.

PADS of Elgin, Inc. provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships. Four volunteers, 18 and older, are needed to provide staffing at PADS, 1730 Berkley St., Elgin, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. Sign up by calling the church office.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will look at the theme "What is Love?" based on John 15, as they look at what that word really means for you today, 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.

For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from John 15:9-17 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The theme will be Jesus gives you the most important of all of his commandments, that you love one another. 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.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message, "I'm Making Progress!," based on Judges 16:22-31, at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for both services.

The SBC Choral Ensemble musical drama will be performed at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16. All are welcome.

The Brotherhood Ministry invites all men to come out every fourth Saturday of the month to fellowship with your Brothers in Christ. Free haircuts will be provided by the "barbershop" beginning at 9 a.m. On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. Bus and child care services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

St. Peter: On Sunday, May 17, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach the message, "Born of God to Love" at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Sunday school hosts a "doughnut fellowship" after worship followed by their Bible Olympics. Senior Card Club meets at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 21. Sunday school and adult Bible class follows at 10:20 a.m. For information, contact St. Peter's Lutheran Church at (847) 464-5721. Registration is open for Little Saints Preschool, including the Intro to Preschool class and prekindergarten class. Call Kristina at (847) 464-5134 for a tour or for details. Members of the community are encouraged to apply.

St. James Episcopal: On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 9 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. The sermon will be "Remember the ROOT Command." The readings appointed for this week are Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, and John 15:9-17. This week's Sunday school teacher is Amy Simatos. Children will be dismissed to go to their classes after the procession and a short message from Rev. Frye. The collection for the troops is going strong. A list of suggested items is included in the bulletin and copies are available in the Parish House. Help let the soldiers know they are not forgotten. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Rev. Frye will lead a special forum on Pentecost after coffee hour to discuss the Gifts of the Spirit and how you can use your gifts at St. James. For information, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.