Fox Valley religion notes

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Bethlehem Lutheran: On Sunday, Sept. 27, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd. in Elgin, offers the 9 a.m. traditional worship with Holy Communion and the 10:30 a.m. contemporary service. Nursery is available for the 9 a.m. service for infants and toddlers. Sunday school for children age 3 to sixth grade is available from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Youth group for seventh to 12th grade meets at 9 a.m. in the Loft. The confirmation class meets from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, the children's choir meets from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.; Praise Him contemporary ensemble from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.; and adult choir from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., the church serves at the Soup Kitchen at Holy Trinity Church. The Child Development Center will be selling taffy apples between services from Sept. 27 to Oct. 18. Walkers are needed for the CROP Walk on Oct. 18. Signup is at the welcome center to receive the donation envelope. For details, call (847) 741-8434 or visit blcelgin.org.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Sept. 27, 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. New members will be received during the service. On Saturday, Sept. 26, Lai Fulton conducts Chinese Cooling Class from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register at (847) 464-5381. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Bible Study on Lord's Prayer will be at 6:30 p.m. Adult Sunday school and children's activities are at 9:30 a.m. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Sept. 27, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "A Long Haul Perspective" at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. There will be a congregational business meeting at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The Adult Choir began its season with a retreat last weekend and its first presentation in last Sunday's worship. The congregation is in its fall stewardship drive with the theme "Partnering with God: Living Faithfully with Money." Members are invited to the Conference of the District of Illinois and Wisconsin of the Church of the Brethren, Nov. 6-8 at Naperville. The congregation is involved in counter-recruiting for peaceful alternatives in order to encourage young people to consider peaceful vocations. 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 "Ha'azinu." Kol Nidre will be at 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 and Yom Kippur service begins at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28 with Yizkor at 11:30 a.m., Mincah at 4:45 p.m., Ne'ilah at 6 p.m., the shofar at 7:20 p.m., and Break-the Fast at 7:45 p.m. 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. Information on High Holy Day services is also available by calling the office. Rosh Hashana begins Friday, Sept. 18. 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 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 Friday, Oct. 2, the Erev Sukkot Family Shabbat service will be at 6:30 p.m. with Pizza in the Hut for Sukkot. Visit congregationshiratshalom.org to RSVP. Sukkot will be Saturday, Oct. 3 and Shabbat services will be led by Rabbi Ora Schnitzer at 9:45 a.m. On Saturday, Oct. 10, Shabbat and Yizkor services will be held beginning at 9:45 a.m. At this time, the Simchat Torah services are being planned. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail shiratsh@comcast.net, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Sept. 20, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will preach on "Conflicts and Disputes," based on James 3:13-4:8, at the 9 a.m. service, and "Welcoming God," based on Mark 9, in the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. New members will be received. Special music will be provided by the Celebration Ringers. 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 the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Sept. 27, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "God Provides - and Forgives," based on Numbers 11:4-6, at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Worship is at 8 and 10:30 a.m., followed by fellowship at 9 a.m. and the Family Education Hour from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.

Octoberfest is just around the corner. Join St. John for the day on Saturday, Oct. 3. The day will start with a 5K run and walk. Later in the day join them for their traditional German dinner and music from 4 to 7 p.m. This year the church welcomes the Kishwaukee Ramblers to entertain them. Their music brings joy to young and old. The New Lutheran Study Bible will be available starting this fall on Reformation Day, Oct. 25. 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, Sept. 27, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will preach on "Asking the Right Question," based on 1 Samuel 8:6-20 and Acts 2:37-39; 15:23b-29, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The 8:15 service is in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will present "Trust in the Lord" by Allen Pote.

Sunday school will begin after the children are dismissed from 10:15 a.m. worship. Sunday school will convene in the sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. before being dismissed to its own chapel service in the newly renovated education building. Adult Christian Formation offers breakfast from 9 a.m. and in-depth Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. with an overview of the first five books of the Old Testament before deciding which of the books to study in-depth. "Controversial Conversations with Carl" will convene in the church library at 9:15 a.m. to discuss health care reform. After the second service, the congregation will move outside to the front sidewalk to see a new time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the newly-renovated education building. On Saturday, Sept. 26, a "Renovation Revival Retreat" will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church. Breakfast and lunch will be served and attendees will draw on their collective sense of God's leading to try to sum up the purpose of the church in one brief sentence. Bring your Bible. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Sept. 27, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message, "I Need Some Downtime," inspired from Matthew 26:36-46, for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Praise and Worship Leaders will perform at the 8 a.m. service and the Choral Ensemble at the 10:30 a.m. service. The SBC Women's Conference will be held Oct. 9-11. The theme for 2009 is "Empowered With Purpose and Praise", Psalm 139:14. The conference will have sessions on "Harmonious Family"; "Spiritual Spending";"Love Gone Wrong"; "Biblical Women"; "Thinking Through Darkness"; "My Black is Beautiful"; "Sista 2 Sista"; and "Rx Relationships". The keynote session will be "Empowered with Purpose and Praise." Sign up before and after church service or visit sbcelginil.org. 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.

Holy Trinity: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St. in Elgin, will hold Service of Comfort at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. This is a service of readings and music that will provide comfort for everyone seeking comfort due to the pain of loss of a loved one, loneliness, health issues, broken relationships, job-related issues, or fear of the future. It will be a quiet meditative service. Guests are welcome. Coffee and refreshments will be served after the service. For details, call the church office at (847) 742-2025 or visit holytrinityelgin.org.

First Congregational: On the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Sept. 27, the Rev. Aaron James, senior pastor, will preach "Elective Surgery," based on Mark 9:38-50, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. After worship at the second annual Feast & Festival, they will be roasting a few hogs, sharing side dishes and enjoying some homegrown entertainment with games and activities for the kids of all ages. All attending the hog roast feast are asked to bring family size side dishes and to make a small freewill donation toward the cost of the barbecue pigs.

Children, age 4 to 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 their new Sunday school rotation rooms for Children's Worship Workshops. Classrooms have been redesigned into creative media-inspired and kid-pleasing workshops that teach Bible stories and truths. The workshops included: art, story and drama, Bible games and computers and science and cookery. Classes or groups rotate into a different workshop each week, but stay with the same story for four weeks learning it in-depth through a variety of media. Teachers do not rotate; they stay put in their workshop repeating their lesson to a new group of children each week. Nursery care is available for infants through first-grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music will be by the Bells of Dundee, adult bell choir directed by Jane McMullen; the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist; and the Praise Singers and Band: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Penny Mensik and Sue Schmidt with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, keyboard; Patrick Infusino, bass and Scott Person, drums. The high school youth group meets with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays. Bring your friends, both old and new. The middle school youth group will meet from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Bring your friends, both old and new. A new member class will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The class is an effort to involve adults in a discussion about basic issues of Christianity. Completion of this class may enable one to become a part of the church (although participation does not obligate one to join), to prepare for adult baptism or to have a review of the Christian faith. A fundraising car wash will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 in the church parking lot. Jenny and Tiffany Gawrysh will be running in the Walt Disney World Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge as members of Team McGraw for the Tug McGraw Foundation Jan. 9-10, 2010. The foundation seeks to raise awareness and improve the quality of life for those patients and caregivers confronted with brain tumors. As a part of Team McGraw, they are raising funds to support research in this effort. Donations will be accepted at the car wash or can be made online at www.active.com/donate/teammcgrawpickrace/teammcWTwins. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Epworth UMC: Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W041 Highland Ave. in Elgin, invites everyone to visit during the new fall worship hours, Sundays through May. Praise Worship begins at 11 a.m. Sunday with performances from the Beacon Praise Band and elements of drama, videos and more. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:45 a.m. and classes offered include: Women Under Spiritual Construction presenting "The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life," a video series mapping out the challenges of living authentically; Men of Faith presenting Tony Dungee's book "Uncommon;" Current Events Bible Group focuses on weekly scripture and current events in a biblical perspective; Young Adults Bible Study for ages 18-25; as well as Christian education for children with classes available from 2 years to high school. Epworth also features Connections Family Worship at 5:30 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. This service has no traditional sermon, instead offers participants ways to get active with their faith. Service projects, such as creating sandals for the Community Crisis Center, and packing flood relief buckets for UMCOR, and activities, such as life-size board games and puppet shows, are the center focus of this worship service that caters to those who desire activity at church. YouTube videos, crafts and skits are also used to help participants find modern ways to live in faith. Join them at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 for the next Connections Family Worship. For details, visit www.epworthumcelgin.org or call (847) 931-5400.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Sept. 27, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the 17th Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme, "Patiently Endure" based on James 5, 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, Sept. 27, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 9:38-50 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The theme is "Jesus is tough on us."Nursery care is available during the service. The free Sunday school program for children age 3 through seventh grade will begin at 9 a.m. 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 17th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 27, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 8 and 10 a.m. services at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. His sermon will be "Courage for Community." Daniel Melendy will be baptized at the 10 a.m. service. The readings appointed for this week are Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22, Psalm 124, James 5:13-20, and Mark 9:38-50. The pastor will be in the office Fridays, Oct. 2-30. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.

Immanuel UCC: On Sunday, Sept. 27, the 9:30 a.m. worship will include "A Blessing of the Animals," led by guest minister, the Rev. Susan Tyrrel, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 415 W. North Ave. in Bartlett. Bring your friendly, well-behaved animals. If not caged, they must be tagged in case they flee. Bring a photo of your animal to be blessed if he or she is nervous, aggressive, or just not able to come. Bring appropriate cleanup products, if needed. For details, call (630) 289-1320 or visit bartlettiucc.org.

On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, guest minister, the Rev. Susan Tyrrel, will base her meditation on Acts 2: 38-47 at the 9:30 a.m. service at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 415 W. North Ave. in Bartlett. Join them to celebrate the connection with Christians from all over the world. For details, call (630) 289-1320 or visit www.bartlettiucc.org.