Parish offering wreaths, greens for the holidays
Holiday wreaths: Calvary Episcopal Church is now taking advance orders for holiday wreaths and greens. All proceeds benefit a variety of community outreach ministries supported by the parish. The greens will arrive the week of Thanksgiving. Calvary will deliver orders within the greater Tri-Cities area at no charge. For pricing and an order form, visit calvary-episcopal.org. Those wishing to shop in person may do so Friday through Sunday, Nov. 27-29, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, at Calvary, 222 S. Batavia Ave. For details, call (630) 879-3378.
Open house: The Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main St., Algonquin, operated by the Congregational Church of Algonquin as a mission project, will be hosting a special weekend open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28. It will feature the seasonal Christmas Boutique. The stock consists of numerous gently-used Christmas crafts, a large selection of decorations, Christmas books, children's toys and books as well as an assortment of Christmas sweaters, and vests. They also carry men's, women's and children's clothes and accessories in addition to linens, housewares and gift ideas.
Fair Trade Sale: St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee will hold its fourth annual Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale to benefit local individuals and families in need in the community. The Fair Trade Sale will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, in the church narthex, off routes 31 and 72. They will offer a wide variety of gift items, including chocolates, chocolate Advent calendars, jewelry, Christmas decor, handmade baskets, children's toys, musical instruments, and religious articles, available for purchase from over 20 different countries. For details, call Debbie Schmalen at (847) 426-7326.
Christmas trees: Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin, will have fresh-cut Christmas trees available to take home beginning on Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, and continuing every weekend until Dec. 13. The trees come from local growers and come in many shapes, sizes and prices. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or visit epworthumcelgin.org.
Spaghetti dinner: Two Guys and Free Spaghetti will be held for the eighth time from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, at St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. The event is hosted by Joe Ryan and Matt Rhead, who supply a free spaghetti dinner to anyone who wants to attend. Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread and dessert are free, supplied by Joe and Matt and their friends, who also cook and serve the meal. The "Two Guys" recognize that many families would enjoy a free night out, good food and fellowship, especially in these difficult times. Everyone is welcome. To attend, call (630) 584-2596 or just stop by.
Dinner and a show: On Friday, Dec. 4, to Sunday, Dec. 6, the FCC Players and the Crystal Lake Park District Stagecrafters will present the drama, "The Boys Next Door," written by Tom Griffin and directed by Judy Sijerson. This funny yet touching play focuses on the lives of four men with disabilities who live in a communal residence under the watchful eye of a sincere, but increasingly despairing, social worker. Tickets for the performance at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and noon Sunday, Dec. 6, cost $12 and will include a spaghetti dinner. Tickets for Saturday's performance at 7 p.m. cost $8 and do not include a meal. The dinner and the play will take place in the fellowship hall at the First Congregational Church, Main and Church streets, Huntley. Everyone is invited. Call the church at (847) 669-3691 to make reservations.
St. Lucia Festival: Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival, presented by Swedish American Children's Choir, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln, Batavia. The concert and sweet table included in ticket price. Tickets are $14 or $8 for children, age 6 to 12. Children under 6 are free. For reserved tickets, call (630) 414-9700.
Cookie walk: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St., West Dundee, will host its ninth annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The community is invited to this event. Admission is free. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and will be sold by weight. Pick your own specialty holiday cookies from the selection. For details, call (847) 426-2161 ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.
Santa Lucia breakfast: On Saturday, Dec. 5, Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave., Elgin, will hold the annual Santa Lucia Christmas breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. There will be traditional Scandinavian food and festive atmosphere. For details, call (847) 888-2302.
Catholic author visits Huntley: St. Mary Parish, in partnership with Relevant Radio, will welcome Scott Hahn, an influential Catholic theologian and author, for three talks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. The first presentation, "First Comes Love," starts at 10:30 a.m. From 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., there will be a lunch break. At 1:30 p.m., Hahn will present "Why Scripture Matters," in which he will discuss what it means (and how) to read Scripture from the heart of the Church. After the break, which takes place from 2:30 to 3 p.m., Hahn will present his last talk, "Reasons to Believe" in which he will offer straightforward responses to common objections to the Catholic faith. Registration is required. The fee is $15 for all three talks. Registration at the door is $20. To register, call Janet Marmion at (847) 669-3137, ext. 101 or e-mail jmarmionstmary@aol.com. Child care will be provided for each talk. Indicate you intend to use child care when you register.
Christmas concert: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St., West Dundee, will host "We Wish You Christmas" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The community is invited to this concert to celebrate the songs of the season. This special concert, in conjunction with Dickens in Dundee, will feature musical groups and individuals from the church singing, ringing and playing sacred and secular songs. A reception will follow with desserts and beverages. A freewill suggested offering for the concert and reception will be $10 per person. The church provides financial support to six area organizations in the community serving children, families and singles. Proceeds will be used to fund these charities helping the hungry, the homeless and those in need. For details, call (847) 426-2161 ext. 210 or visit fccdundee.com.
Cookie Sale: Faith Lutheran Church, Helm Road and Navajo in Carpentersville, will host its Cookie Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. For details, call Loretta Platter (630) 213-7362 or e-mail yippy@sbcglobal.com.
St. Nicholas program: Christmas music, a puppet show and skit will be presented at a St. Nicholas Day program from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. It will be at the Peg Bond Center on Batavia's Riverwalk. The program will be presented by members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Dec. 6 is celebrated as St. Nicholas Day in many parts of the world. St. Nicholas, a bishop in the fourth century, ministered to people in Myra which is now in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his generosity and outreach to the poor and children, especially during difficult times. Today in the United States, people know him as Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was known for putting gifts in the shoes of poor people. Those attending the program are asked to bring used, but still usable, shoes that will be donated to various agencies, and nonperishable food for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. Music will be by the church's Third Voice contemporary choir, the traditional Christus Choir, and Immanuel Lutheran School students. Instrumental music will include dulcimer music by Mary Cook. There will be a puppet show by Immanuel's Hands Alive Children's Puppet Ministry, and a skit, presented by adults, to tell the story of St. Nicholas. The program will end with community singing. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. For details, call the church at (630) 879-7163.
Living Nativity volunteers: Larkin Avenue Baptist Church invites you to join the Living Nativity scene from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on North Grove Avenue, Elgin as part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Window Wonderland. Volunteers are needed to assist with hospitality, music, acting and labor in setting up and taking down. There will be live animals at this nativity scene. Volunteers are needed for the entire six hours, or from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. Practice will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. It is helpful to participate in the practice. If you can participate, e-mail to info@labcelgin.org, call (847) 742-5014, or visit labcelgin.org and click on Holiday Plans and then Living Nativity Scene.
Festival of Light: "Sancta Lucia Pageant, A Festival of Light" will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd., Elgin. Bethlehem's Swedish heritage comes alive in this beautiful pageant of the Christmas season. The guest soloist is Rise Jones. A Swedish buffet will be served in the church hall after program. A freewill offering will be taken with all monies going to the Elgin Interfaith Food Pantry. For details, call (847) 741-8434.
Christmas Carol Sing: St. James Episcopal Church will be host to a Christmas Carol Sing as part of the Dickens in Dundee celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee. A choir made up of singers from area churches will lead the singing. The concert will include handbells, instrumental music, and brass along with organ and piano accompaniment for the carols. Traditional Christmas carols will include "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "It Came upon the Midnight Clear." The St. James Handbell Choir will play "Let There Be Peace on Earth" by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. The community choir will sing "Come and Hear the Joyful Singing." Call (847) 515-8743 or e-mail slvrshu35@comcast.net to register for singing in the choir.
Children's musical: United Methodist Church of Geneva will host its annual children's musical at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the church, 211 Hamilton St. The musical "Radio J-O-Y" by Terry York and Vicki Hancock Wright features a creative radio DJ interviewing the children's choir and church staff from a local church about the true meaning of Christmas. It will feature all of the children's choirs, Cherub Choir, Carol Choir and Youth Choir. It is directed by Mike Popplewell, assistant director of music ministries. For details, visit genevaumc.org or call (630) 232-7120.
Christmas concert: First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake, presents its family Christmas concert, "Wondrous Birth" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, featuring the 60-member adult Vestry Choir, the Jubilate Handbell Choir and the high school Alleluia Sound Choir. There will be traditional carols like "Away in a Manger" and "O Come O Come Emmanuel" as well as contemporary pieces such as "Sleigh Ride," "Christmas Nightingale" with Cynara Pierzina on flute and the comedic PDQ Bach "Throw the Yule Log On Uncle John." The Men of the Vestry Choir will present the Nigerian Christmas carol, "Betelehemu" with percussion accompaniment. The Vestry Choir will perform selected movements from "Cantata 142" attributed to J.S. Bach. FCC's Jubilate Handbell Choir will join the Vestry Choir on the "Alleluia" movement. Jubilate will also perform the "Overture" from the Nutcracker Suite as well as "Caroler's Hoedown." The Alleluia Sound Choir will sing "I Saw Three Ships" with four hand piano duo of JoAnn Black and Barbara Thorsen and the Spanish carol, "Riu Riu Chiu." For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Advent tea: The United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St. in West Dundee, are sponsoring their Advent Tea/Cookie Exchange at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Community women are invited to attend. A dulcimer/mandolin musical program will be presented by three musicians from the Rock River Dulcimers of Wisconsin. Selections will include Mountain and Christmas music. Carol singing will also be included. Bring your favorite recipe of four dozen cookies. One dozen will be shared at the Fellowship Tea after the musical program. Three dozen can be exchanged to take home. For details, call (847) 426-3298.
Mothers at the Well: Join the Mothers at the Well as Irene Hollenbach presents "Silence, Stillness and Surrender" from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles. Learn from the Saints that have gone before you how to have a deeper relationship with Jesus. All women are invited. Bring a friend. Child care is available but space is limited. For details, call Patty Turbak at (630) 443-8443.