Lake Co. religion notes

Deadline for submissions is noon Monday. Due to space limitations, not all "Your Faith" items are listed here.

Immigration issues: Lake County United was awarded $40,000 by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to help residents of Lake County. Lake County United, a citizen's organization with 38 church, synagogue, mosque, unions and nonprofit members in north suburban Lake County, will use the CCHD award for their education work with immigration issues. More information about Lake County United can be found in the 2009 Catholic Campaign for Human Development's Annual Report on the Archdiocese of Chicago's Web site, www.archchicago.org.

Nov. 21

Concert: The Sounds of Faith community concert series continues in November with a special performance by Koiné at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Faith Lutheran Church in Antioch. Koiné brings a new sound to traditional Lutheran and Christian music. The concert will be followed by hospitality, which includes coffee and desserts. Faith Lutheran Church is at 24300 Grass Lake Road in Antioch. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org.

Nov. 22

Ecumenical Thanksgiving service: The community is invited to the Grayslake Ecumenical Community Thanksgiving service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the United Protestant Church of Grayslake. The service will include music by a combined church choir consisting of singers from St. Gilbert Parish, St. Andrew's Episcopal, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran, United Protestant and Wildwood Presbyterian. A reception will follow the service. The United Protestant Church is in downtown Grayslake at the corner of Park and Whitney streets. For details, call (847) 223-8131 or visit www.upcgl.org.

First Mass: The Rev. Richard McMahon will preside over his first Mass as ordained priest at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Holy Trinity Community Church, 1625 N. Deep Lake Road, Lake Villa. All are welcome.

Nov. 25

Thanksgiving service: Abraham Lincoln and the Battlefield Balladeers will perform at a special Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1822 E. Grand in Lindenhurst. In addition to the President's historical presentation, there will be period music by the Battlefield Balladeers. The service will be followed by a pie and an opportunity to meet and greet the President and Mrs. Lincoln. (847) 356-8140 or www.smlc.info.

Thanksgiving services: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 North Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will host two services of thanks and praise at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26. (847) 438-7709 or www.stmatts.net.

Nov. 26

Thanksgiving Mass: St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by celebrating a Thanksgiving Mass Thursday, Nov. 26, at 9 a.m. at the church, 2101 E. Route 173, Antioch. (847) 395-FISH (3474).

Thanksgiving service: St. John Lutheran Church, 405 W. State Road 176, Island Lake, will offer a service of thanks and praise at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26. (847) 526-7614 or www.stjohnislandlake.com

Thanksgiving service: Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, will have a Thanksgiving Day service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26. www.annunciationgurnee.org or (847) 336-3730.

Thanksgiving breakfast and worship: Join First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville's annual Thanksgiving Worship Service and Fundraiser Breakfast Nov. 26 at 219 W. Maple Ave., on the corner of Maple and Douglas, Libertyville. The senior high students will serve breakfast in Fellowship Hall from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., with the worship service following at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Tickets for the pancake breakfast are available in the church office or can be purchased at the door ($5 per person, $15 per family of four, with $3 per additional family member). All proceeds benefit the 2010 Senior High Mission Trip to Belfast, ME. www.firstpreslibertyville.org

Dec. 2

Women's worship: On Wednesday, Dec. 2, enjoy a Women's Ecumenical Advent Worship Service: Bringing Our Presence to the Christ Child. Reception will be at 7 p.m. in Social Hall and 7:30 p.m. worship in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, 219 W. Maple Ave. The service features virtuoso harpist Alison Attar, Vespers Bells and soprano soloist Susan Henning. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Amy M. Heinrich and the Rev. Roberta Dodds Ingersoll, First Presbyterian; the Rev. Krista Henning-Ferkin, Holy Cross Lutheran; the Rev. Judy Sherk, United Methodist; Rector Jane Clark, St. Andrew's Episcopal; the Rev. Kathy Bostrom, Wildwood Presbyterian and the Rev. Emily Rosencrans, chaplain, Lake Forest Hospital. (847) 362-2174 or www.firstpreslibertyville.org.

Dec. 4

Meals for the starving: Holy Cross Lutheran Church is coordinating an effort of more than 5,000 community members of all ages to package one million lifesaving meals for starving children around the world during an event Dec. 4-6 at the new Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Through a partnership of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Minnesota-based Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), volunteers will package specially-designed meals that provide the key nutrients a starving child needs to survive and thrive. FMSC will distribute these meals to orphanages, clinics, relief centers and schools in more than 60 countries in the developing world. Holy Cross Lutheran Church is seeking volunteers to help at this event. Two-hour packing sessions, each beginning with a brief orientation and overview of FMSC's work around the world, will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with the last day's session beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. For details or to volunteer, visit www.onemillionmeals.info or call the church at (847) 367-4060

Dec. 5

Cookie walk: St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of the Archangels No. 2600 will host its annual Cookie Walk and Bazaar Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6. Hours will be 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the church hall. There will be a variety of cookies and baked treats to purchase for $7 per pound. There also will be handmade crafts and holiday collectibles such as vintage light sets, ornaments and more. Proceeds will benefit the parish and the Catholic Daughters. St. Raphael the Archangel is on Route 173, a half-mile east of Route 45, near Antioch.

Night in Bethlehem: Come explore ancient Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born. You can explore the city as a family, make a craft and hear the Christmas message together by visiting Mary and Joseph in the stable. Join in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec 5, at St. John Lutheran Church, 405 W. State Road 176 in Island Lake. Reservations are not necessary but appreciated. Call the church office at (847) 526-7614. A freewill offering will be received.

Cookie Walk: The community is invited to pick out holiday treats for gift-giving and holiday parties at the eighth annual Cookie Walk from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the United Protestant Church of Grayslake, 54 S. Whitney St. Homemade cookies, candies and holiday treats, are all priced at $7 per pound. The Cookie Walk is sponsored by the UPC Women's Christian Fellowship, with proceeds to benefit their mission activities. (847) 223-8131.

Dec. 8

Advent events: With the Advent season approaching, St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church has scheduled several events for parishioners to prepare for themselves for the coming of Christmas. For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Monday, Dec. 8, the parish will offer three Masses at the church at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The parish also will offer two Advent Penance Services with confessions, one Wednesday, Dec. 9, and the other Tuesday, Dec. 15. The service Dec. 9 will begin at 6:30 p.m. The service on Dec. 15 will begin at 7 p.m. Both services will be in the church. The service Dec. 9 is for students in the parish's religious education program and their families. The service Dec. 15 is for all adults. St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church is on Route 173 in Antioch. Weekend Masses are 4 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Confession is from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays or by appointment. For information about the parish or to register, call the church office at (847) 395-FISH (3474).

Dec. 10

'A Christmas Carol': The Beginnings Drama Team of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein, presents its second annual production of "A Christmas Caro," Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 10-12. Charles Dickens' play has been adapted by John and Wendi Kelly of Grayslake and features many North suburban actors, including Ethan Kofman, 9, of Mundelein, in the role of Tiny Tim. Tom Koch, Vernon Hills, stars as Scrooge. The cast includes: Anita Pahlman, Druce Lake; Megan Hutsell, John Kelly, Tania Lynn, Alexia Skye, Elizabeth Zimmerman and Michael Zimmerman of Grayslake; Claire Sural, Libertyville; Al Hitzke, Bobbi La Belle, Chris Markgraf, Sue Markgraf, Jimmy McGonagle, Colin Selbo, Rachel Selbo, Jenny Tomlin, Rebecca Van Sickel of Mundelein; and Jamie Hartman of Waukegan. This year's production will be directed by Wendi Kelly, with Assistant Director Tania Lynn and Technical Director John Kelly. Crew and logistical support is being provided by Brenda Sural of Libertyville; Tom Beyer, Brian Odino, Chuck Fitz-Hugh of Mundelein and Kenn Pahlman of Druce Lake. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each day, with a matinee at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. Proceeds will benefit church programming and community outreach. Bring canned goods for a food drive to benefit COOL Food Pantry and Transitional Housing, Waukegan. For details or tickets, call (847) 752-5861 or visit www.standrewmundelein.org.

Ongoing

Church activities: Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church, 1500 W. Hawley St. in Mundelein, offers a variety of activities. Photo Club meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Craft Club meets at 9:30 a.m. every Monday. Open gym for basketball is every Saturday at 11 a.m. Women's Bible Study is at 11 a.m. every Friday. Men's Bible Study is every Saturday at 8 a.m. For questions, call (847) 949-8670 or visit kirkofthelakes.org

Parenting: Hope Church, 32475 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake, will offer Hope from 7-8:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays, September-December. Topics include Real Parenting, Real Financial Freedom and Real Belief. (847) 543-1659 or hopeepc@hopeepc.net

Youth group: The Junior and Senior High Youth Groups of Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, in Mundelein will meet Sunday evenings this fall. Junior High Youth will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays, while Senior High Youth meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. the first and third Sundays. The groups meet at Community Protestant Church, 418 N. Prairie Ave. in Mundelein. For details, call the Rev. Alisha Mills at (847) 566-4000.

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.