Lake Co. religion notes
Deadline for submissions is noon Monday. To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301.
Dec. 12
VeggieTales movie: At 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Northwest Christian Community will host the satellite broadcast of a VeggieTale Christmas movie along with a new music video with Matthew West and Amy Grant titled "Give This Christmas Away." There will be games for children and door prizes. Free. Northwest Christian Community is at 28566 N. Lemon Road, Mundelein. (847) 949-NWCC or www.nwcc.cc.
Christmas 4 Kids: Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch, will offer Christmas 4 Kids at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. All children 3 years old through fourth grade are invited to this one-day free event. Children learn about Christmas through crafts, games and lessons. Lunch is included. Registration is 9:30-10 a.m. The session lasts until 2 p.m., but parents are invited back at 1:45 p.m. for a special finale. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org
Toy collection: Bethel Lutheran Church, Cartridge World and Prairie Crossing Charter School are collection sites for Second Chance Toys. They will be collecting gently used, sanitized toys until Dec. 12 at all three locations. For details, contact Bethel Lutheran Church, 5110 Grand Ave, Gurnee, at (847) 244-9647.
Christmas Pageant: Quentin Road Church in Lake Zurich will offer a program of music, singing and drama at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 2 p.m. Dec. 20. The program features a cast of more than 500 people, dramatic costumes, live animals and, powerful music. Tickets cost $10 each, $6 for groups of 10 or more. (847) 438-4494, ext. 1040, or qrchristmas.com.
Dec. 13
Children's Christmas Program: Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville, will have its Children's Christmas Program Sunday, Dec. 13, with one service at 10 a.m. and a Christmas luncheon following the service. www.gracelutheranlibertyville.org or (847) 367-7050
Sunday school program: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will have the Sunday school Christmas program at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. (847) 438-7709 or www.stmatts.net
Children's service: Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch, will offer a children's Christmas service, "Come Lord Jesus," for grades 3-8 at 4 p.m. Dec. 13. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org
Christmas organ concert: St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church will host its annual Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the church, a half-mile east of Route 45 on Route 173. The concert is open to all ages and will feature a variety of music performed by professional musicians. There also will be time for a sing-along. Refreshments will be included. The concert is free, but freewill donations will be accepted to help raise money for parish's building fund. for details, call (847) 395-FISH (3474).
Dec. 14
Body and Soul Bible study: Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, will have a Body and Soul Bible Study Monday, Dec. 14. Yoga is at 9 a.m. (bring your mat), Bible study at 10 a.m.
Dec. 15
Menorah at the Mall: A large 6-foot menorah sculpted out of solid ice will be lit in a public display during the annual "Menorah at the Mall" celebration at Gurnee Mills Mall. On Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m., the celebration will begin with the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle by Gurnee Mayor Kristie Kovarik at Gurnee Mills Mall, 6170 Grand Ave., Gurnee, inside entryway G. The lighting of the menorah will be followed by live music, crafts for children, traditional latkes and jelly doughnuts, a raffle and an entertainer. For details about Hanukkah or about Chabad of Gurnee, visit http://www.chabadofgurnee.com
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. The parish also will offer Advent Penance Service with confessions at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. The service 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. 16
Advent program: St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 W. Church St., Libertyville, will present a program in Advent titled "On Having a Heart NOT 'Two Sizes Too Small'" Wednesday, Dec. 16. Join for a simple supper at 6:15 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. To register for child care, call (847) 362-2110 or e-mail office@stlawrencechurch.org.
Dec. 17
Christmas program: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will have its Christmas program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. (847) 438-7709 or www.stmatts.net.
Dec. 20
Blue Christmas: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, will host its first Blue Christmas celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 20. There will be prayers and Scripture acknowledging that God's presence is for those who mourn and for those who are experiencing struggles. (847) 223-2310
Special children's service: Everyone is invited to join with the children of St. John Lutheran Church, 405 W. Route 176, Island Lake, as they celebrate Jesus' birthday in a special children's service at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Christmas caroling: Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, will have a Community Christmas Carol Sing-along at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. www.annunciationgurnee.org or (847) 336-3730.
Christmas Tableau: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will have a contemporary service Christmas Tableau, "The Christmas Rose," at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. (847) 438-7709 or www.stmatts.net
Christmas cantata: The Choir of Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, will present a Christmas Cantata-Caribbean Christmas at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday, Dec. 20. The choir will perform this Calypso/Gospel music with the accompaniment of keyboard, guitar, percussion, string bass and flute. Community Protestant is at 418 N. Prairie in Mundelein. For details, call (847) 566-4000 or visit www.communityprotestant.org
Lessons and Carols: Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch, will offer a musical service telling the lessons of Christmas at 8 and 10:45 a.m. Dec. 20. In addition, a children's Christmas service, "Come Lord Jesus," for students in kindergarten through second grade will be offered at 4 p.m. Dec. 20. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org.
German Christmas service: The fifth annual German Christmas service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. This service is conducted entirely in German. A hospitality hour following the service features German cakes, sweets and coffee. Faith Lutheran Church is at 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org.
Dec. 24
Christmas Eve: Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, will be celebrating Christmas Eve with candlelight services Thursday, Dec. 24. The Family service will be at 7 p.m. and the Christmas Eve Vigil service will be at 11 p.m. The family service at 7 p.m. is designed for the younger worshippers. The vigil service at 11 p.m. will include Communion. Community Protestant Church is at 418 N. Prairie in Mundelein. (847) 566-4000 or www.communityprotestant.org
Candlelight Christmas Eve service: A Christmas Eve candlelight worship service will be at 7:30 p.m. at Community Christian Church, 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 945-8824 or www.ccclincolnshire.org.
Holiday services: Faith Lutheran Church, 24300 Grass Lake Road (at Route 59) in Antioch, will have a traditional Christmas service at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24; a candlelight service at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 24: and a Christmas Day Service at 9 a.m. Dec. 25. (847) 293-6101 or www.faithantioch.org
Holiday services: Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville, will offer the following services Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Family Candlelight, 8 p.m. Family Worship and 11 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion. On Dec. 27, there will be one worship service at 10 a.m. www.gracelutheranlibertyville.org or (847) 367-7050.
Holiday services: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will have Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m. (family candlelight service) and 11 p.m. (choral cantata candlelight Communion service with music by handbell choir starting at 10:30 p.m.) Dec. 24; Christmas Day Communion service at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 25; and New Year Communion worship service at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. (847) 438-7709 or www.stmatts.net
Dec.
Stuffing stockings: The Sunday school at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ in Mundelein, is gathering items to stuff into Christmas stockings that will be distributed by the Night Ministry of Chicago. During the week before Christmas, the Night Ministry's Health Outreach bus visits six regular Chicago neighborhoods and gives out the stockings to hundreds of their guests, as well as hot chocolate and cookies. Items such as thermal socks, lip balm, candy, hand warmers and magic gloves are put in the stockings. Community Protestant's Youth Group will be taking a tour of the Night Ministry facilities in early December and see firsthand the wide ranging programs offered to the homeless. Community Protestant Church is at 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein. For details, call (847) 566-4000.
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.