Notes on Religion
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.
Epworth UMC: Ash Wednesday services at Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin are a time to focus on prayer.
Ash Wednesday Service is at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join together to remember why this tradition is important.
Lenten small group studies will begin at Epworth UMC. Groups will meet at a variety of times for 7 weeks to discuss Richard Foster's video presentation of the classic Christian disciplines and how they can help us grow in deeper spiritual life.
Small groups are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 9 and Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (two separate groups). Supervised children's activities (kindergarten-sixth grades) are available for the 6:30 p.m. class Wednesdays, beginning with free-will hospitality dinner served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Epworth UMC is 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin.
All are invited to join in open discussions at any time during this season of prayer.
For details, call (847) 931-5400 or visit epworthumcelgin.org.
Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs. A youth program is available for sixth grade to high school. In addition, interest groups meet regularly for men, women, seniors, and others. Consult the monthly newsletter which is available at www.ckielgin.org.
This week's Torah portion is "Mishpatim." 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. 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.
Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, 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."
Adult Education classes are held on Thursdays and Saturdays.
This week's Torah portion is "Mishpatim," where some of the laws of kashrut are received.
Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.
Calvary Lutheran: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, begins its midweek Lenten services at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. The Rev. Mark Bestul will preach on the theme "With His Dying Breath." This Wednesday the sermon will be based on Jesus' words "Father, forgive them." Lenten services continue at 4 and 7 p.m. each Wednesday through March 12. This Wednesday, a supper will be served by Calvary Evening Circle from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken. The community is invited to join them for worship and the supper. For information, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.
First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Tom Walker, retired former senior minister at the church, will give the sermon at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin. His sermon title is, "A Mountaintop Experience," based on Matthew 17:1-9, the Transfiguration of Christ.
Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir, directed by John Slawson. They will be singing, "In Memory of You" and "Come Share God's Gift."
Christian education for children, youth and adults begins at 8:50 a.m. with the youth group meeting at 11:15 a.m.
A praise worship service, "Get Hooked … on the Lord," will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday. Walker will be giving the message.
Church events for Ash Wednesday will be revised to include the special worship service at 7 p.m. TGIW (Thank Goodness it's Wednesday) supper and Celebration Ringers rehearsal will be at 5:15, special classes at 6 and Cathedral Choir rehearsal at 8 p.m.
For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.
St. John: On Transfiguration Sunday, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, ""Wonderful Oops" based on 2 Peter 1:16-21 at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington.
Fellowship will be at 9 a.m. and Sunday school and Bible study at 9:15 a.m.
The Lenten midweek services begin Wednesday, with supper at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m.
The choirs practice Wednesdays with the voice choir at 6:30 p.m. and bell choir at 7:30 p.m.
TOPS meets at 6 p.m. Mondays. Weight Watchers meet at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. The pinochle club meets the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. The monthly men's breakfast Bible study is the first Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.
First Congregational: On the Last Sunday after Epiphany, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will deliver the sermon, "Glory Be!" at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The chapel service is at 8:15 and the 10:15 a.m. worship is in the sanctuary.
The 8:15 a.m. service will be in the chapel, and the 10:15 a.m. service in the sanctuary includes the Chancel Choir singing the anthem "Christ Upon the Mountain Peak." Holy Communion will be served.
Adult Christian Formation starts every Sunday at 9 a.m. with breakfast in the fellowship hall. The Gospel of St. Mark is being studied in depth. Everyone is invited.
Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. with children and parents together in the morning worship. After the children's sermon, Sunday school students leave the sanctuary for individual classes.
Ash Wednesday offers two opportunities for worship. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Rev. Lois Bucher will be in the chapel to serve Holy Communion, pray with attendees, and impose ashes for those who desire them. At 7 p.m. in the chapel there will be a special worship service offering a time of quiet reflection and an invitation to discipleship. It will include readings, candlelight, prayer, quiet music, silence, communion and imposition of ashes for those who desire them.
Friday marks the beginning of the popular Jane Hampton Chipman Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series. Starting off the series of seven concerts is the award-winning organist, John Kevin Linker, director of music/organist at Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Ky. A native of downstate Princeton, Linker received a bachelor of music degree from Northern Illinois University, a master of music from Chicago Musical College (Roosevelt University) where he was an organ and harpsichord student of David Schrader. He is currently pursuing a doctor of music degree at the University of Cincinnati. Linker is well-known and well liked in the Fox Valley, having served as organist/music director at churches in Elgin and St. Charles. This free concert starts at noon in the sanctuary at the church, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The public is invited to attend.
For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.
First Congregational Church of Elgin is at 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin's downtown. Numerous parking, including a multi-level municipal lot, is within a block of the church. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit the Web site at www.fcc-elgin.org.
Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "Blame it on Jesus," at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.
As it is Super Bowl Sunday, the youth of congregation will participate in the annual "Souper Bowl" of caring program to raise money for the Elgin Interfaith Food Pantry. The youth will collect non-perishable food items and money.
A four-week series title "Amazing Grace: Christians and Modern Day Slavery" will begin this Sunday during the church school hour, at 10:45 a.m. Led by Anna Speicher and meeting in the Arts Room, the sessions will address issues of why millions of people across the world still suffer in slavery today.
The Witness Peace Vigils will be at noon Saturdays at the entrance to the Otter Creek Shopping Center on Randall Road in Elgin.
Jayne Taylor-Greenfield will travel in March to the mountain village of Gramothe in Haiti, with Team Vision, a group of doctors, nurses, counselors, and other professionals to provide basic medical, nutritional, and optical care for area residents. Financial support for this trip will be welcomed.
For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.
Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The message will be Faith On Trial", inspired by the 22nd Chapter of Genesis.
The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 10:30 service. February kicks off Black History Month. Second Baptist encourages all members and guest to dress in African attire for services throughout the month in recognition of our African heritage.
On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.
Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and childcare services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.
First Congregational: On Scout Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor, presents the theme, "Mountain Top Delight," based on Matthew 17:1-8, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Holy Communion will be offered. Scouts will serve as ushers, greeters, speakers and color presenters.
Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 10:15 a.m. service will be "Follow Me to Jordan" by the Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, accompanist. Praise songs will be led by Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer, Linda Gilmore and Sara Tustin.
S(o)uper Bowl Collection continues through Super Bowl Sunday. The Community Ministry is collecting cans of soup and donations of non-perishable food items for FISH Food Pantry and/or size 5 and 6 diapers for the Community Crisis Center. These gifts will help those less fortunate in the area.
Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Programs offered include Sunday school for children age 3 through eighth grade and adult teaching on the book of Mark.
The adult teaching meets from 9 to 10 a.m. The study is led by Longbottom. Explore Mark and encounter the oldest gospel witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Nursery care is provided.
Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers age 5 and under from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Children should be signed in and out.
Coffee and fellowship time will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the Hospitality Team.
Children are invited to go to the Sunday 10:15 a.m. service with their parents. After the KidsOwn Worship message, children age 3 through sixth grade may attend KidsOwn Worship, a special children's church designed especially for them. The theme will be "Jesus Gives the Beatitudes" based on the Bible story in Matthew 5:1-12: A humble heart s God.
God's Kitchen is a Lenten Family Dinner Series that begins at 6 p.m. on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 6) and continues through March 12. The meals will be prepared in the church kitchen and served buffet style in the Narthex. A free will offering will be taken. Come gather in God's Kitchen.
Lent begins with an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7 p.m. Longbottomwill officiate. The Chancel Choir, adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, will participate in this service which includes the distribution of ashes.
F.R.O.G. Friday (Families Relying On God) will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. This month they are celebrating God's love with pizza, games, Valentine's Day craft and cookie decorating. Kids of all ages are welcome. Join them each month for F.R.O.G. Fridays for pizza, games, music, crafts and fellowship. A free will offering will be taken.
For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.
Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder's message will be "Wise and Foolish Builders," based on Matthew 7: 24-29, at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin.
Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Bibles and enjoy good, Scripture-related conversation and study.
Children's Sunday school meets during the 9:30 a.m. service in the church basement. Childcare is also available during the service.
Yarns and Needles will meet at 7 p.m. Mondays in the church basement. Bring your projects and join in.
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday will be a Young Couples Marriage Enrichment Class. Young is not an age; any newly married or married couple who might need a brush-up is welcome. There will also be a 6:30 p.m. Prayer meeting. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.
King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the Transfiguration of Jesus as they look at the topic of "Ups and Downs" based on Exodus 24 and Matthew 17.
The blended service is at 6 p.m. Saturday, traditional style worship at 8:15 a.m. Sunday with a contemporary worship at 10:45 a.m. led by the praise team singers and band.
Adult Bible classes are held every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. along with a special educational program for children called Kingdom Kids.
The church also offers various mid-week educational opportunities as well as a preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds during the school year, and youth programs for various age groups.
The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture from Matthew 4:12-23 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville.
Join the church at its recently renovated handicap accessible building. It is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming all to their services. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.