Fox Valley religion briefs

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. Paul's UCC: On Sunday, Sept. 13, Mary Collins, the in care seminary student, will lead worship at the 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. services at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 2730 Pinnacle Drive in Elgin. This week, the church welcomes all the children back for the fall at Rally Day using the theme of "Jesus is our Friend." Coffee hour will be held between services with all monies received going to Holy Joe's Cafe, a United Church of Christ-sponsored mission which helps support the military troops. All are welcome. The Pastoral Care Ministry for the month of September is asking everyone to collect men's tube socks for PADS. For information, call (847) 844-1455.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Sept. 13 the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "It's Not Like That" at the 9:30 a.m. service at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The Fellowship Time will be at 10:30 a.m. after the service. Fall church school classes begin at 10:45 a.m. The Spirited Sisters will have lunch on the patio at the deli, In the Neighborhood, at noon Sept. 13. 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 "Nitzavim-Vayelekh." 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. 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.

First UMC-Elgin: On Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will preach on "Ashamed of Christ," based on Mark 8, at the 9 a.m. service, and "Revealing the Son of Man," also based on Mark 8, in the 11:30 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir conducted by John Slawson. A dramatic presentation by the 1st UMC Players directed by Ken Walker will be presented at both services. "You Sitting in the Pew Next to Me" features Bonnie Thompson and Karen Werth. 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 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Sept. 13, the Rev. Loren Krout will preach the sermon, "A Little Goes a Long Way" based upon James 3:1-12, at the 9 a.m. service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The church will be switching to its fall/winter worship schedule starting Sept. 20 with worship 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. The church's float at Sunday's Burlington parade has the theme, "Fishers of Men." The youth group will also be in the park with the annual food booth. They are raising funds to help them attend the National Youth Gathering next summer in New Orleans. 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, Sept. 13, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will preach on "A Problem for Our Solutions?" 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 "Sing Out a Joyful Song in Praise" by Dale Wood. Church will rededicate their newly renovated educational building with a special service at 10:15. At the conclusion of the service, the 1961 time capsule discovered during the renovation will be opened and the contents placed on display. The community is invited to celebrate this grand occasion with the church. It is also Rally Day which marks the beginning of the church year. Adult Formation classes will resume at 9:15 a.m. Throughout the month, the pastor will be teaching "In the Beginning: An Overview of The First Five Books of the Old Testament." Breakfast is served at 9 a.m. Sundays. Sunday school will begin after the children are dismissed from 10:15 a.m. worship. Children will meet their Sunday school teachers and learn their ways around to the rooms which have been newly redecorated. The new curriculum for all the classes is titled "Rock Solid." Children's Choir, the Hand Bell Choir, and the Chancel Choir are resuming their rehearsal schedules as well. FROG Friday (Friends Relying On God) resumes at 6 p.m. Sept. 18. They will have a pizza supper and enjoy games, singing, crafts, and stories. All are welcome. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music the 8 a.m. service and the T.E. Bedford Choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Evangelism Ministry invites the entire congregation to be part of another Community Outreach Festival designed to "teach all nations" at Clifford Court in Elgin from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The day will be fun-filled with music, food, games, and a special Gospel message. The CUPS Ministry will host its fifth annual marriage conference on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19 at the church. Join them for a celebration of marriage. All couples are invited to attend. 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 Street, Elgin, will kickoff their fall events with a blessing for students and teachers on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the 9:30 a.m. service. Sunday school classes for age 3 to sixth-graders will be held after the blessing. "YOUthghetti," a spaghetti fundraiser dinner, for the senior youth group will be held at 10:45 a.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $5, $3 for children or $15 for a family. There will be games for children at this event. Guests are welcome. More information is available at www.holytrinityelgin.org.

First Congregational: On the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Sept. 13, the Rev. Aaron James, senior pastor, will preach "To Strive is Human; To Surrender, Divine," based on Mark 8:27-38, at the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The Religious Education Ministry will celebrate the "new" Sunday school rotation model. After both services, join them for fellowship, treats and a tour of the classrooms. Children, age 3 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 at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano and organ accompanist. The service will also feature songs by the Praise Singers. The high school youth group will meet for Truth or Dare from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. The middle school youth group will meet from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. Bring your friends, both old and new. New Hope Partnership of Habitat for Humanity will hold a "Blitz Build" the week of Sept. 14 at 140 N. Lord Ave. in Carpentersville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Homes are built primarily through volunteer construction labor, which helps keep the cost of the homes affordable for buyers. Volunteer to help by calling Gerry Witt at (847) 428-0234 or visit www.hfhnfv.org. The church serves dinner at the Community Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided on Tuesday, Sept. 15. If you are interested in cooking, donating food or delivering the meals, call the church office. Some menu items need to be prepared while others can be purchased and dropped off at the church. Any help is appreciated by the temporary residents. PADS of Elgin Inc. provides safe shelter, support services and advocacy to homeless individuals in Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships. Four volunteers, 18 and older, are needed to provide staffing at PADS, 1730 Berkley St. in Elgin, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. Volunteer your service by calling the church office. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Epworth UMC: On Sunday, Sept. 13, bring the family to sign up for Sunday school for all ages at Rally Day at 9:45 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W041 Highland Ave. in Elgin. Classes are available for ages 2 and older, and range from Bible-based children and youth classes, men's and women's classes, current events and small group Bible study on Sundays, and more. Classes on Sunday morning begin Sept. 20 at 9:45 a.m. Beginning Saturday, Sept 12, Connections Family Worship will start at 5:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends for this opportunity to get active learning and activity involved. It features a variety of videos, music, drama, prayers, scripture and more, designed to connect all ages together to get active for God. They will provide the snacks and songs. The worship is for anyone who is interested in taking their biblical learning to a new understanding with hands-on techniques. Upcoming Connections dates are Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. Visit www.epworthumcelgin.org for information on community, ministry, service and other programs and activities for families. For details, call (847) 931-5400.

Messiah: On Sunday, Sept. 11, there will be a special Family Day Program at the 9:30 a.m. service at Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Church Road in Elgin. Special music will be given by the Prairie Voices of Del Webb Sun City, Huntley. Brunch will follow the service. For details, call (847) 695-0144.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Sept. 13, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the 15th Sunday after Pentecost by looking at the theme, "Praise and Cursing" based on James 3, 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.

St. James Episcopal: On the 15th Sunday After Pentecost, Sept. 13, the Rev. Don Frye will be preaching at the 8 and 10 a.m. service at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. Sunday school classes will also resume. Students are invited to bring their backpacks for a special "Blessing of the Backpacks." The pastor will be in the office Fridays, Sept. 4, 11, 25, and Thursday Sept. 17. To schedule an appointment, call Liz Jackson, parish administrator, at (847) 426-5612. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit stjamesdundee.org.