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.

Larkin Avenue Baptist Church: On Sunday, July 5, Captain Stephen Epperson, a chaplain with the U.S. Navy, will be the guest speaker at the 10 a.m. service at Larkin Avenue Baptist Church, 1158 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. Epperson has a powerful story of his work of 30-plus years in the Navy. For details, call (847) 742-5014 or visit labcelgin.org.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, July 5, 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. Vacation Bible school will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 14. "Crocodile Dock" will have preregistration and registration on the first night, Aug. 10. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, July 5, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon focuses on Mark 6:1-13 at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. It focuses on the sense of urgency needed to feel as Jesus did in this provocative text. A new Living the Questions series for the summer will meet for six weeks about 10:45 a.m. Sundays, July 12 to Aug. 16, in the lounge. This is the latest in the Living the Questions DVD curriculum, titled "First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God." Two of today's preeminent biblical scholars, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, explore the historical background to the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Their presentation of theological concepts is both accessible to a wide audience and relevant to an evolving world. No prior homework is required, but to receive the discussion question packets ahead of time, contact the Rev. Audrey deCoursey. If you will be requiring child care, call the church office by the Wednesday before. Vacation Bible school will meet on the theme, "Discovery Canyon: Explore the Wonders of the Word!" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Thursday, Aug. 20; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22. A light, drop-in supper will be offered for children and parents at 5:30 p.m. preceding the two evening sessions. All children age 3 through sixth grade are welcome to come, and bring friends. The congregation has created a resource sharing bulletin board for work opportunities and assistance. It is located in the library. 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 "Hukkat-Balak." 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." This week's Torah reading is "Balak," where the prophet Balaam, who came to curse the people of Israel, ends up blessing them instead. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, July 5, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will preach on "Self-confidence" at the 9 a.m. service and "Great is the Lord" at the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music at the services will feature a vocal solo, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine" by Laura Johnson and instrumental music by Jonathan Besancon at the 9 a.m. service. The Youth Group leaves July 4 for a weeklong mission trip to work at the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Fourteen youth and four adults will make the trip. 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 fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Let Freedom Ring" based on Mark 6:1-13, 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 youth group will be selling pizza and popcorn again at the Fourth of July festivities in Burlington starting at 6 p.m. Come and join in the fun and fireworks. The church continues the Walk-R-Run sessions twice a month. You can find information on the sessions by www.stjohnburlington.com. They are also planning a church picnic for late July in the Burlington Park. The day will include an outdoor service. The St. John float will be in the Coon Creek Days parade set for Aug. 2. The theme will be fishers of men as they share Jesus with the world. 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.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, July 5, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the sermon, "Nothing Can Stop My Praise," inspired by II Samuel 21:15, at 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 and the Choral Ensemble will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Theatre Arts Ministry presents Poetry Night on Saturday, July 18. Poets, comedians, rappers, mimes, and jugglers are encouraged to perform. Contact Jocelyn at jyarbrou@roosevelt.edu for details. Sunday school is 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 5, the Rev. Michael Kirchhoff, guest pastor, will deliver the message, "How to Fail Successfully," based on Ezekiel 2:1-5 and Mark 6:1-13, at the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Sunday's Ministry of Music will be by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Sonja Boekenhauer, Rick Gilmore, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin. The first Sunday of each month is set aside for donations of nonperishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 and 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. These gifts will help those less fortunate in the area. Children, age 3 through 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 God's Big Backyard for "Fruits of the Spirit." This Kids' Travel Guide adventure leads children on a 13-week scripture based discovery of how God's Spirit helps express his love to others through caring actions and healthy attitudes. Children will explore how to be strong in the decisions they make and how to live out the "Fruits of the Spirit" in their own daily lives. A snack time for kids will be held 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. Summer Parent's Day Out is offered on Tuesdays from July 7 to Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Celebrate the Fourth of July and explore the world God has created for you. For details, contact Michelle Hendricks at 847.426.2161 ext. 204 or by e-mail to mhendricks@fccdundee.com. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, July 5, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the fifth Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme "Strength in Weakness," based on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 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, July 5, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 5:21-43 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. On this weekend when the nation celebrates the blessings of freedom may God make America a blessing to the world. Sunday school is on summer break. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. James Episcopal: On the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, July 5, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 9 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. His sermon will be "The Power of Unbelief." The readings for this week are 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 and Mark 6:1-13. The first Sunday of each month is a service of healing. All are invited to come to receive prayer and anointing. Every child and family will receive an American flag as a reminder for everyone to give thanks to God for our nation and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. The parish office will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. Regular office hours resume July 6 from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The collection of personal items for the troops is ongoing. A suggested list of items is available in the parish office. Rev. Frye will be in the parish office on the following Fridays: July 10, 17, and 31 and Aug. 21. Call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, to schedule an appointment at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.