Lake Co. religion notes

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Aug. 21

Greek fest: Lake County Greek Fest at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Libertyville will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 21-23. This year's event features entertainment including live Greek music, the Olympic Dance Troop, a tribute to the Beatles and music from the '70s and '80s. This can all be enjoyed while feasting on traditional Greek favorites. This year St. Demetrios is offering a 10 percent discount to military personnel and their families; or for those who want to purchase tickets in advance - 10 percent more value - which is redeemable for food coupons or can be used as cash at the bar or sweets table. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1400 O'Plaine Road, Libertyville, just south of Route 120 and north of Route 137. There is free parking and a shuttle at the Viking Middle School at 4460 Old Grand Ave. in Gurnee or $10 on-site parking. Call (847) 623-0190 for more details and advance ticket purchases.

High Holy Days: Anshe Tikvah will have High Holy Days at Stevenson High School - Performing Art Center in Lincolnshire. Cantor Rob Jury will be spiritual leader and choir members from Chicago Symphony Choir will be featured. Rosh Hashana is Sept. 18-20 and Oct. 1; Yom Kippur is Sept. 28. Tickets are available. For details, call (847) 917-7726 or visit www.anshetikvah.org. Anshe Tikvah celebrates Shabbat at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 and 28 at Hawthorne School, 200 Glendale, Wheeling. First year of religious school is free with new membership.

Aug. 23

Blessing of backpacks: Students in preschool and older can bring their backpacks or lunchboxes to the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, Aug. 23, at Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. There will be a special time during the service to celebrate and bless the beginning of another school year. Teachers, aides, principals, administrators, secretaries, librarians, janitors and bus drivers are invited to attend. Children can also bring a school supply item to be donated to Lutheran World Relief. The church is putting together school kits for kids in need. For a complete list of needed items, check out the Web site under "Upcoming Events." For the August worship schedule and listing of upcoming events, visit aboutgracelutheran.org or call (847) 367-7050

New pastor: Rod Matthew Krueger has accepted a call to be the next pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Island Lake. Pastor Krueger, along with his wife, Gretchen, and their four children will be moving to Island Lake from northern Minnesota. Pastor Krueger's installation service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at St. John Lutheran Church, 405 W. State Road 176, Island Lake. A reception in the church fellowship hall will immediately follow the service. saintjohnlutheran.com.

Outdoor worship: At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, Grace Lutheran Church will worship together outdoors on the patio area behind the sanctuary. Chairs will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating on the grass. Don't forget the sunscreen! (The service will be moved indoors if the weather does not cooperate). Grace Lutheran Church is located at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. (847) 367-7050. aboutgracelutheran.org.

Aug. 24

Body and Soul Bible Study: Yoga at 9:15 a.m. (please bring your mat) and Bible study at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee. annunciationgurnee.org, (847) 336-3730.

Aug. 27

Cooking for less: On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road in Gurnee, will host a cooking demonstration and tasting of seven meals on a budget. A local chef will demonstrate using foods and creative techniques to make your dollar go further. Recipes and cost estimates for all seven dishes will be provided. The presentation takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended but the $10 payment is not required until the presentation. Call (847) 336-3730 to reserve your seat.

Aug. 28

Rummage sale: Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ in Mundelein, is accepting items for the Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, rummage sale. The church accepts clothing, household items, furniture, tools, books, art work and kids items. Rummage sale donations can be dropped off at Community Protestant Church, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein, during the daytime Mondays through Thursdays. For details, call (847) 566-4000.

Sept. 6

Family Education Center: North Shore Congregation Israel will dedicate its new Family Education Center Sunday, Sept. 6, as part of the synagogue's Mitzvah Day events. The center provides an additional 8,650 square feet of indoor and outdoor space on two levels with an adjoining 2,500 square foot patio. Built utilizing the hillside by the lake, this multipurpose space is designed for experiential learning, informal gatherings or formal events. Mitzvah Day is the synagogue's annual day of community service. The projects range from packing hundreds of iPacks filled with necessities and gifts for the homeless and packing backpacks with needed school supplies for the entire Jordan Community school (grades K-8) in Chicago to donating blood for the American Red Cross and recording books on tape for autistic children. Volunteers will also sort canned food and do grocery shopping for local area food pantries and take pets to visit with local nursing home residents. North Shore Congregation Israel is at 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe. For details, call (847) 835-0724.

Sept. 9

Women's Bible study: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will offer a Women's Fall Bible Study on the book "The Faith" by Charles Colson. The 12-session series will be led by instructor Georgeanna Guritz, member of The Village Church of Barrington. Classes will run from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 9-Nov. 25, in St. Matthew's Conference Room. "The Faith" will be available for purchase the first night of class. Child care will be provided. St. Matthew is on Old McHenry Road, between Quentin and Midlothian roads. For details and to register, call Kay Lattanzi at (847) 540-1155.

Sept. 12

Clothes for the needy: Clothing in sizes ranging from infant to 16 boys and girls is available the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Episcopal Church's Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need community service project, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Next dates are: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. There is no cost. Donations of gently used children's clothing in good condition are always welcome. For details, visit standrewsgrayslake.org or call (847) 223-2310.

Sept. 13

Fall worship schedule: Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, will resume its fall worship schedule Sunday, Sept. 13. Services will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Christian Education classes for preschoolers through adults are at 9:45 a.m. Nursery care is provided. The church is at 418 N. Prairie in Mundelein. (847) 566-4000.

Sept. 24

Special speaker: New York Times best-selling author Matthew Kelly will speak live at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in the St. Mary church sanctuary, 22333 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for check-in and seating. Kelly will begin speaking promptly at 7:30 p.m. The evening will conclude with a book signing and fellowship. Advanced registration is required. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. Registration forms and information are available at www.stmaryfc.org or by calling the parish office at (847) 223-0010. Registrations for two or more tickets are also accepted online at events.org/stmaryregistration.

Oct. 3

Rummage sale: The annual Community Garage Sale at Community Christian Church will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Bargain hunters will find clothing, sports equipment, books, and toys for kids of all ages. Special treasures will include antiques, collectibles, designer clothes, glassware, jewelry, pictures, silver and furniture. Donations for the sale will be accepted at the church Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. Tax receipts will be available. For details, call (847) 945-8824. Community Christian Church is at 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. For details, visit ccclincolnshire.org.

Ongoing

Services in Spanish: Church of the Holy Family/Sagrada Familia (Episcopal) in Lake Villa offers services in Spanish at 5 p.m. Sundays. Sunday Eucharist service in English is at 9 a.m. The church is at 24219 Lehmann Blvd. (847) 356-7722, theholyfamilychurch.com. Thrift Shop is open 9 to noon Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. $2 bag sale last Saturday each month. Donations are welcome.

Friday Friends: Friday Friends has been organized within The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein for the purpose of fun and fellowship. The group meets the second Friday of the month, each time at different members' homes. For details, call (847) 949-8670.

Recycling: On the third Sunday of each month, youth will man the recycle bin between services from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and after 11 a.m. Bring your old newspapers, junk mail and catalogs. Youth will be ready to assist with the unloading of your car as you drive up to the bin in the Grace parking lot. The recycle bin is in place on a daily basis. A portion of the cash credits for all paper donations will be used toward a green gift for the community. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville. aboutgracelutheran.org or (847) 367-7050.

For seniors: The senior group, The Primetimers, meets at The Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church in Mundelein the fourth Monday of the month for refreshments, book studies and guest speakers. In addition, the group sometimes attends local plays, historical activities and visits tourist attractions. For details, call (847) 949-8670.