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.

St. Peter: On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Rev. Gerhard Mau preaches on "Christian Submission" at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (a quarter-mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. It will be repeated at the 7:30 p.m. Monday service. Little Saints Preschool is receiving registrations for fall enrollment. Call Kristina at (847) 464-5134 for a tour or for details.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "Entering into the Conversation" at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. At 10:45 a.m. after the fellowship time, there will a StoryFest in the fellowship hall. Vacation Bible school is concluding from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22. The theme is "Discovery Canyon: Exploring the Wonders of the Word." There will be a congregation potluck picnic after worship on Sunday Aug. 30 at Wing Park in shelter 2. 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 "Shoftim." 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. Registration is now being taken for the new school year. A Back-to-School family picnic will be held on Sunday, Aug. 23. Guests are welcome. 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 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. On Saturday, Aug. 22, the weekly Torah portion is "Shoftim." Moses teaches that the judges must have the ability to remain objective and the strength to refuse bribery. Shirat Shalom will hold High Holiday services beginning Friday, Sept. 18. Ticket information will be on the Web site, CongregationShiratShalom.org on Aug. 27. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail shiratsh@comcast.net, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Christian drama group, The First United Methodist Players, presents "Off Season" at First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland in Elgin. This skit reminds the congregation that they should remember the spirit and message of Christmas all year long. "Off Season" will be performed at both the 9 and the 11:30 a.m. services with the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison delivering the message at the 9 a.m. service and Pat Hargis will give the message at the 11:30 a.m. service. Participants in the skit will be regulars Bob Brooks and Ken Walker, and introducing Kevin Johnson. The skit is directed by Ken Walker. Special music at the 9 a.m. service will be provided by Marcy Gloede and Kathy Kowalski who will be playing two selections for four hands on a single piano. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 23, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Near and Far," based upon Mark 7:1-13, 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 Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry has decided to include pickup of goods in the Burlington Fall Fest parade. The project was a success at the Coon Creek Days parade. The church continues the Walk-R-Run sessions twice a month. You can find information on the sessions by www.stjohnburlington.com. St. John will begin Sunday school and Sunday morning Bible studies Sunday, Sept. 13. All are welcome from preschool (potty-trained) and up. The church has paper recycling bins in their parking lot for local residents. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Aug. 23, the sounds of guitars, banjos, mandolins and more will waft through the worship at the 8:15 a.m. service in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service in the sanctuary of First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The neighborhood group, Blue Tulip Wranglers will sing "Hand It Over" and "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" The FCC Gospel Quartet will sing "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning." The Rev. Paris Donehoo will continue his sermon series on Bumper Sticker Theology with a message titled "Question Authority." Rehabilitation of the exterior of the church is moving quickly. On Rally Day, Sept. 13, the congregation will open the "time capsule" that was hidden in the 1961 education wing cornerstone. New items are being prepared to be placed in the 2009 cornerstone. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message for the 8 a.m. service and the Rev. Clem McCullough, associate minister, will preach at the 10:30 a.m. service at the church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Praise and Worship team will render the music the 8 a.m. service and the Choral Ensemble will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. Church members will travel to Springfield Baptist Church in Evanston for a 3:30 pm service. On Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Let's Talk: Let Your Voice Be Heard! The Teen Summit" is designed to allow youth ages 12-18, to share in a discussion on selected topics within a group setting. Call the church office to register or after Sunday services. The program is free; a light continental breakfast will be served. For information, call (847) 695-7757. The Kinship Care Education Symposium will run in conjunction with the Teen Summit. On Wednesday Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday 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 the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 23, the Rev. Aaron James, senior pastor, will preach "Natural Selection," based on John 6:56-69, at the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday's Ministry of Music will be by Mark Heuer on trumpet. The service will also feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Rick Gilmore, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin. Back-to-school supplies will be collecting for underprivileged children in the area by the Mission Ministry through Aug. 23. Any school item will be appreciated. Donations, material or monetary, can be dropped off at the church. Your gifts will give many children an opportunity to have a great start on the new school year. 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." 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. Get on board with the next visit of Thomas the Tank Engine to the Illinois Railway Museum. Help raise money for Habitat for Humanity by working during Thomas' annual stop on Aug. 22-23 in Union. The railway museum will donate your wages to Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers, age 16 and older, are needed to help with tickets and story telling, tend crossing gates, serve as a host and more. If you are interested in helping out, visit www.hfhnfv.org. Volunteers also may call Connie Kitzinger of Habitat for Humanity at (847) 836-1432. The middle school youth group will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Messiah: Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Church Road in Elgin, will have the theme "Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life" at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Aug. 23. The women's group meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and the men's group meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays. For details, call the church office at (847) 695-2960.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Aug. 23, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the 12th Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme, "False Advertising," based on Mark 7:6-8, at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services. They take a look at the importance of the faith God sees in one's heart, versus the faith that shows just on the outside. 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. 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, Aug. 23, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Ephesians 6:10-20 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The theme will be you are called to "be strong in the Lord." Sunday school is on summer break. Nursery care is available during the service. Registration for the free Sunday school program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 23 and 30. The free Sunday school program for children age 3 through seventh grade will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 in the fellowship hall. Youth classes are offered for children attending eighth grade and up. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

St. James Episcopal: On the 12th Sunday After Pentecost, Aug. 23, 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 "Who is Greater?" The readings appointed for this week are Deuteronomy 18:15-18, 1 Corinthians 4:9-15, Psalm 91 or 91:1-4, and Luke 22:24-30. The pastor will be in the office Aug. 28. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.