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: On Sunday, Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will sponsor Scouting Sunday during the 8:30 a.m. traditional service, fellowship time at 9:45 a.m., and through the Emergent service which begins at 11 a.m.

The church is at 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-5400, e-mail office@ epworthumcelgin.org 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.

Religious school is offered for pre-kindergarten to high school. For details, call the congregation office.

This week's Torah portion is "Terumah." 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. For details, call (847) 741-5656 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

Immanuel Lutheran: On the first weekend of Lent, the Rev. William Yonker will be sharing the message, "Our God Disturbed," based on Genesis 3:1-15, at the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee.

The Saturday evening and Sunday morning 8 a.m. services are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. The Sunday 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

Immanuel will hold its Lenten midweek worship at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. For the midweek services throughout Lent, Rev. Yonker will be sharing the messages, sharing the sermon series, "Deep Breaths." This week's Lenten message is "Waiting." Fellowship lunches will be offered after each morning service in Lent and soup and sandwich suppers, sponsored by the youth ministry, will be served before the evening worship.

For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

Calvary Lutheran: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin, continues its Lenten services at 4 and 7 p.m. each Wednesday through March 12. A free will offering will be taken. The community is invited. For information, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "One Man's Act of Righteousness" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11.

Sunday school pre-kindergarten through high school is at 10 a.m. A nursery also is provided.

The Evangelism Committee will sponsor lunch for 40 people at the PADS shelter for six consecutive Tuesdays during Lent. Lunches will be prepared on Sundays after worship for delivery on Mondays. Sign up to help provide ingredients for the lunches.

Fleece donations of two yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows.

During Lent, the Missions Committee is sponsoring a food collection for FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Boxes are available in the narthex and Fireside Room.

Recycle your cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes.

For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Mona Walker will give the sermon "Radical Hospitality" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin. This sermon is the first in a five-part series on "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations."

Special music will be provided by the Celebration Ringers bell choir, under the direction of Jonathan Besancon.

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. Russell Jostes will be giving the message.

For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102, or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On the First Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Scapegoat?" based on Matthew 4:1-11, 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 continue with supper at 5 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m.

The choirs practice Wednesdays; voice choir at 6:30 p.m. and bell choir at 7:30 p.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the First Sunday in Lent, John Kauffman will be preaching and leading worship 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.

At the 10:15 a.m. service, the Chancel Choir will assist in leading worship as they sing Raymon Haan's anthem, "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me."

"Tuesdays with Jesus" is a Lenten experience in spiritual growth led by the Rev. Paris N. Donehoo, senior pastor, and the Rev. Lois A. Bucher, associate pastor. For alternate Thursdays from 6:45 to 8 p.m. starting this week, the Stillspeaking Bible Study group will meet in the downstairs library. Everyone is invited. Sandy Taenzer is leading this group.

On Sundays, Christians are being formed at 9:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall. This Sunday, participants can study the Gospel of Mark in-depth with Rev. Donehoo, or attend the monthly meeting of "Stepping Stones" to discuss ideas and themes from the book "In the Shadow of God's Wings: Grace in the Midst of Depression" by Susan Gregg-Schroeder. Breakfast is served and child care is available. Everyone is invited.

On Friday, organist Charlie Sega will present the 30-minute organ recital in the sanctuary. This is the second in the 2008 Jane Hampton Chipman noon Lenten series. Sega is the current director of music and organist at St. David's Episcopal Church in Glenview.

Fun and fellowship for children will resume from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Friends Relying On God will have dinner, crafts, stories, music and games. Children, kindergarten through sixth grade, are welcome.

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. For details, call (847) 741-4045 or visit the Web site at www.fcc­elgin.org.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "A Crazy Kind of Logic," at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

The class, "Amazing Grace: Christians and Modern Day Slavery" will meet at 10:45 a.m. during the church school hour in the Arts Room.

A group of dedicated volunteers are helping students with reading each week at Washington Elementary School in Elgin.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Rev. Robbie Robinson will deliver the message for the 8 a.m. service followed by the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond at the 10:30 a.m. service at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon title for Rev. Robinson is "Living Proof," inspired by Romans 12:1-10. The sermon for Rev. Edmond is "Why I Preach," inspired by Mark 1:14-15. The Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service.

Second Baptist encourages all members and guest to dress in African attire for services this month in recognition of our African heritage.

The Evangelism Ministry will host its second annual training conference at 8 a.m. today in the multi-purpose facility. The theme is "If Not You Who Then Will Spread the Word."

On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.

The Couples Ministry will sponsor a potluck Valentine's Day celebration from 4:40 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the fellowship hall. All are invited. For information, call the Rev. Andrew and Brenda Love.

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 the First Sunday in Lent, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim senior pastor, presents the theme, "Trusting the Giver," based on John 6:1-15, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at 8 a.m. will be by the Youth Choir, sixth- through 12th-grade vocal choir directed by Charlotte Norman. The 10:15 a.m. service will feature songs by the Praise Singers, Tinkerbells, the Junior Choir and the Chancel Choir.

Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Programs 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 the Rev. Longbottom. Explore Mark and encounter the oldest gospel witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

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 follows 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 can attend KidsOwn Worship, a special children's church designed especially for them.

The church council chat will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The senior high youth will be traveling to Lazer Extreme in Crystal Lake for Lazer Tag at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, will lead the group event.

God's Kitchen is a Lenten Family Dinner Series that continues through March 12. The meals are prepared in the church kitchen and served buffet style in the narthex. A free will offering will be taken.

Lenten Study begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday and continues through March 12. The Rev. Donald Longbottom will lead the study of "The Little Book of Letting Go" by Hugh Prather. According to Prather, letting go is the bottom-line key to happiness. Books are available at Barnes and Noble for $14.95. Nursery care is provided.

The winter blood drive, in conjunction with Heartland Blood Centers, will be from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 16. Call Londa Krueger at (847) 428-8211 to schedule an appointment. Every Heartland blood donor will receive a "don8 bl%d" T-shirt.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin will observe the first Sunday in Lent as they look at the topic of "One Person Can Make a Difference," based on Romans 5:18-19.

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 Wednesday Lenten services are at 7 p.m. through March 12.

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 on Psalm 32 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Advertising tells you there's a pill for just about everything these days. Do you need more pills or just more will?

Join the church at its recently renovated handicap accessible building. Sunday school is for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in fellowship hall. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.