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.

Bethlehem Lutheran: Bethlehem Lutheran Church is 100 years old. Part of the congregation's celebration is to have former pastors and sons of the congregation in ministry to return to preach on designated weekends. On May 30 and 31, former pastor the Rev. Steve Simon, currently ministering in Texas, will bring God's Word at the following worship times at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Rev. Steve Woita and the congregation invite you to worship with them. There will be a reception for Rev. Simon and wife Dottie following the Saturday worship and between services on Sunday. For details, call Bethlehem at (847) 426-7311.

St. Peter: On Pentecost, Favorite Hymn Sing Sunday, May 31, there will be a recognition of graduates at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Items for the annual "Trash to Treasure" event may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 29. Clothing is not being accepted. The sale will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 5; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6. There will be a bake sale from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

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.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Paul Bischoff, interim pastor, invites you for Sunday worship 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. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, May 31, worship will be at 9:30 a.m. followed by Fellowship Time at 10:30 and Church School at 10:45 a.m. at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The worship will include the quarterly Two-cents a Meal offering in support of the Global Food Crisis Fund.

There will be a service of ordination for Highland Avenue associate pastor Audrey deCoursey at 3 p.m. at her home congregation, the York Center Church of the Brethren, in Lombard. Members of the Highland Avenue Congregation will be traveling to Lombard for the service, which will be followed by a reception with refreshments. For information, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel 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 "Shavuot." In addition the usual service, Yizkor will be said Saturday morning. The service is led in prayer and study by Rabbi Kohn. 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." At 9 a.m. Friday, May 29, welcome Shavuot with them. This Shabbat will also be the second day of Shavuot, celebrating the revelation at Sinai. Services will be at 9:45 a.m., and will include Yizkor remembrance services. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Confirmation Sunday, May 31, Jacob Hicks, Joseph Malicdem and Meghann Small will be confirmed at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. "The Coming of the Advocate" is the message to be given by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison at that service. The 11:30 a.m. worship service will include a message, "Meaning of Pentecost," given by the Rev. Mona Walker. Special music for the 9 a.m. service will be provided by Kyle Johnson on piano.

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 Pentecost Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Takin' Care of Business" based upon Acts 2:1-4, at the 9 a.m. service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The summer schedule includes a 9 a.m. Sunday service and a 7 p.m. Wednesday service. The first Wednesday service will be May 27. The church continues the Walk-R-Run sessions twice a month. You can find information on the sessions by www.stjohnburlington.com.

Thanks to everyone who bought geraniums to help beautify the altar in observance of Memorial Day.

The first Octoberfest 5K meeting will be held this Sunday after worship. If you are interested in the race and the planning of it, give them a call. 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 Pentecost Sunday, May 31, will also be Confirmation Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The confirmands will bring the message "Sharing Our Faith" at both the 8:15 a.m. service in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service in the sanctuary. At the second service, they will be assisted by the Chancel Choir singing the anthem, "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" by William Dawson. After services all are invited to a Fellowship Hour on the lower level.

Adult Christian Formation will have its last session until fall starting at 9:15 a.m. in the library with Controversial Conversations with Carl, discussing "Same Sex Marriage - Does it pose a threat to society?"

During the church's renovation project, it is suggested that the municipal parking lot may be the handiest place to park because the rear entrance to the church is not open. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the 8 and 10:30 a.m. messages at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Combined Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Sunday school teachers and students invite you and yours to witness the second annual Sunday school Super Sunday. "The Disciple's Dozen" is the Christian concepts of the Sunday school supplemental curriculum. The theme is "Teach them to your children." Super Sunday is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 14. On June 20, the youth ministry will sponsor the third annual Senior Recognition and Rededication Program at 6 p.m. Join in celebration as they honor graduating seniors and God in service. The theme for this year's celebration is "Celebrating A Future of Hope and Promise." 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.

First Congregational: On Pentecost Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Aaron James, guest pastor, will present the sermon, "First Impressions," based on Acts 2:1-21, at the 9 service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. James grew up in Antioch and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, majoring in business administration and English. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, he was ordained in the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ and called by Plymouth Congregational Church UCC in Des Moines, Iowa to serve as an associate minister in the Transition into Ministry program funded by the Lilly Foundation. His ministry among the Plymouth community is a 27-month assignment, which began in June 7.

Sunday's Ministry of Music will be by the Adult Bell Ensemble and the Chancel Choir. The service will also 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.

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. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. Children should be signed in and out. The program meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 31 in the sanctuary. The first item on the agenda will be the introduction and call of Rev. Aaron James. Childcare and activities for the children will be provided.

The high school youth group meets from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Sundays with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. The middle school youth group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Epworth UMC: As the summer begins, Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W041 Highland Ave. in Elgin, will be changing Sunday worship to traditional worship from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m.; CONNECTIONS family worship from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.; and praise worship from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Each worship opportunity has a flavor of its own. A detailed description of each service is available on the Web site, epworthumcelgin.org. They invite you to come worship through the summer and beyond. For details call (847) 931-5400 or email office@epworthumcelgin.org. Or visit www.epworthumcelgin.org.

King of Glory: On Sunday, May 31, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the celebration of the day of Pentecost as well as the 20th anniversary of King of Glory by looking at the theme "What Makes a Church Great?," based on Acts 2:1-21, 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 31, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Acts 2:1-21 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Join them this Sunday as they celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church. 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.