Notes on Religion

To have your information included, e-mail it each week by noon Tuesday to faith@dailyherald.com, fax it to (847) 680-0189 or mail it to Religion listings, 1795 N. Butterfield Road, Suite 100, Libertyville, IL 60048.

Anshe Tikvah: A Shabbat Family Service will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the "Life Care Center," 103 Shelter Road, Lincolnshire. Adult education "Parashat Terumah -- Building A Temple" will be at 7 p.m. Monday. Join spiritual leader Rob Jury for an adult education class to study the weekly Torah portion of Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) and explore the sanctuary that God commanded the Jewish people to build. (847) 917-7726, www.anshetikvah.org.

The Chapel: Are you looking to adopt? Are you a post-adoptive or foster family, or an adoption professional? If you are seeking a deeper understanding of the journey of an adoptee and the related issues, this program is for you.

The Chapel Adoption Ministry, together with Community Youth Network, (CYN) is hosting: "Adoption: Journey of a Lifetime Together" from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 9

The Chapel, Barrington Campus at 180 N. Hawthorne Road, Barrington Hills, (on Route 59, just north of Algonquin Road) will host Sherrie Eldridge, adoptee and author of three highly acclaimed books, "Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Families Knew," "Twenty Life-Transforming Choices Adoptees Need to Make" and "Forever Fingerprints."

Eldridge is passionate about educating those touched by adoption. Her stories of adoption and reunion keep audiences on the edge of their seat as she demonstrates that grief is actually a gift in disguise. Keynote by Eldrige will be "Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew."

Two breakout sessions will also be offered: Options include extensive information on Domestic, International & Foster adoption options; Attachment Disorder & Risk Factors of Adopting Older Children; The Love Language of Adoptees; and Life Changing Choices for Adoptees & Parents. For detailed descriptions, speaker information and bios, visit the Web site at www.chapel.org /adoption.

European Adoption Consultants, The Cradle and DCFS will answer any questions on adoption, costs, and current timeframes and childcare professionals will have CEU's provided for three hours, 20 minutes. Community Youth Network is an approved and registered CEU sponsor.

Cost is $25 per person. Catered lunch, and refreshments are also provided. Space is limited; only 250 conference tickets are available. Register online: www.chapel.org/adoption by Thursday.

Congregation Or Shalom: Starting in February, a special Thursday morning series called "Cooking with the Rabbi," continues, Feb. 14 and 28, March 13, and April 3 and 17, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. The only prerequisites for this course are an $18 fee and a desire to have fun cooking.

Congregation Or Shalom is at 21 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. For information on Congregation Or Shalom and upcoming events, call (847) 362-1948 or visit www.orshalomlc.org.

Grace Lutheran Church: "Growing with Grace" children's program will be accepting applications for their "Terrific Two's" and their new "Tremendous Three's" programs beginning Monday. The Terrific Two's Program is for children turning 2 years old by Sept. 1. For information on this program, call Beth Zupkus at (847) 367-7050 or visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org.

Grace Lutheran Church also introduces its Growing with Grace Tremendous Three's program. Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville is offering a new nondenominational preschool program for the 2008-2009 school year. This program is for children turning 3 years old by Sept. 1. Open registration will begin Monday. For information, call Sarah McAuliffe at (847) 367-7050 or visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org.

Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville.

• Ash Wednesday Worship Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church Wednesday. Service with the Imposition of Ashes will begin at 7:30 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church is located at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. For information, check the Web site at www.aboutgracelutheran.org or phone (847) 367-7050.

• Grace Lutheran Church invites everyone each Wednesday in Lent for LIQUID, a Lenten Experience, mid-week study series. Beginning, Feb. 13, each week the study will look at one of the brief stories from this series that illustrates God's word in the language of today's culture. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a soup supper, and then the Lenten study. Grace Lutheran Church is on 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. For information, check the Web site at www.aboutgracelutheran.org or phone (847) 367-7050.

• A LifeSource Mobile Blood Drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville. Blood donors must show identification, and meet the following qualifications: weigh at least 110 pounds; be in good physical health; be at least 17 years old; have not given blood in the past eight weeks. If you have a question regarding eligibility, call the Medical Help Desk at (847) 803-7921.

Call LifeSource at (847) 803-7943 to make an appointment. Please mention Grace Lutheran Church when making your appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

For information about the blood drive, visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org or call Grace Lutheran Church at (847) 367-7050.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: The 2008-2009 registration for Mom's Morning Out begins in February. Mom's Morning Out is a special preschool program designed for 2-year-olds. Registration forms may be obtained in the church office. For details, call Lisa Valentine at (847) 367-4060.

The church is at 29700 N. St. Mary's Road in Libertyville. For details, visit www.holycrosschurch.org.

• Holy Cross Lutheran Church will host an Around the Cross Concert at 7:30 p.m. today in the Fellowship Hall. Frank Portolese, one of the finest jazz guitarist in the Chicago area and a resident of Green Oaks, will present an evening of popular favorites accompanied by double bass and trapset. This coffeehouse-style evening will benefit Holy Cross youth programs.

• CrossWays Preschool's open registration begins in early February. Crossways Preschool serves children who are 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 1. Traditional classes are held from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings and Tuesday/Thursday mornings. Additional options for 4-year olds include Lunch Bunch and Science Sensation. Lunch Bunch extends the school day until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, and provides additional large motor activity, socialization, and planned activities. Science Sensation is an enrichment program that provides in-depth, age-appropriate and an exciting science and math experience one morning a week. For more information, call Mindy Doss at (847) 367-4060.

• Holy Cross announces its Lenten service schedule and invites the community to share in the special worship and open Communion opportunities.

Ash Wednesday service with Communion is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Wednesday Lenten worship services will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, 20, 27 and March 5. There also will be a service at 7:30 p.m. March 12 with a soup supper at 6:30 p.m. There will be a worship service at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 20, and Good Friday, March 21.

Interfaith Chaplaincy Services: The group is sponsoring a Banquet for Body and Soul Feb. 10 at The Forge Club, 634 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills. Cocktails will be held at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner, entertainment and a silent auction.

Funds raised by this event will support the chaplaincy program at Winchester House, a Lake County nursing home for the frail and elderly, in Libertyville. The program offers spiritual care and religious support which helps individuals gain strength, comfort, worth and effectiveness in meeting life's most serious challenges. For information, call ICS at (847) 336-2777.

Messiah Lutheran Church: The church at 25225 W. Ivanhoe Road, Wauconda, is excited to launch a new program introducing children to good health and fitness. Messiah Kids' Club will sponsor "Color Me Health," a creative program that teaches children about healthy food choices and fun exercises through activities, games, songs and crafts. Each month a newsletter will be sent out filled with healthy food tips and other ideas to incorporate good healthy choices for life. For information, call (847) 526-7112 or visit www.messiah-wauconda.org.

Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church: Come hear Ian Juby, a renowned authority on Creation Science, speak at Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday (especially for kids); and at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. For more information, see qrbbc.org.

St. John's Lutheran Church & School: The church, at 501 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, invites the public to a free concert featuring Jim Gill at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Fellowship Hall. Jim Gill is an award-winning musician and author. He will be presenting a "concert of music and play" to the students at St. John's. His concerts are active, sing-along, clap-along fun for children and families alike.

• St. John's Lutheran Church in Libertyville invites the community to its Lenten Services: at 4 and 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12; and at 7 p.m. March 20-21.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church: To commemorate Shrove Tuesday (the final day before the beginning of Lent), St. Lawrence Episcopal Church will host a Mardi Gras Potluck Feb. 5. All are invited to the event which will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Narthex. Traditional Mardi Gras food will be served. To prepare for Ash Wednesday, a palm burning ceremony will also be held.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, will be observed during two services Feb. 6. Included in the Holy Eucharist services will be the distribution of ashes. Services will be held at noon and 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church is at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville. For information, call the church office at (847) 362-2110 or visit www.stlawrencechurch.org.

• St. Lawrence Episcopal Church will be hosting a Service of Taize at 5 p.m. Feb. 24. A Taize style of service is primarily meditative, but blends music, word, and silence together. It is both a communal and yet largely individual activity.

All are invited to attend this special service. For more information, visit the church Web site at www.stlawrencechurch.org or contact the church office at (847) 362-2110.

• During the season of Lent, the Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church is supporting "afghans for Afghans" by creating community afghans. These blankets will bring comfort and warmth to Afghan women, men, and children who continue to suffer from oppression, war, hunger, poverty, and sickness.

During the season of Lent, the Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in the sanctuary on Monday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. and on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Stitching patterns are available for inspiration -- 7- to 9-inch rectangles will be knitted, to be joined together into blankets to be sent to Afghanistan.. Anyone is welcome to knit rectangles and drop them off at the church office at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville.

For information, look at the Web site www.afghansforAfghans.org or contact the church office at (847) 362-2110.

St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church: The church in Mundelein is hosting Dr. Scott Hahn for a one-day speaking event March 29.

A former Presbyterian minister who once spoke against the Catholic faith, Hahn is now a professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University. He is a prolific Roman Catholic author who speaks at numerous national and international events.

Conference doors open at 9:45 am for check-in and fellowship. Hahn will present three sessions beginning at 10:30 am. The conference will conclude with a book signing around 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 and are available while supplies last. Registration forms are available at www.stmaryfc.org or you may register online at www.events.org/scotthahnatsma .

The church is at 22333 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein. For information, e-mail scotthahnatsma@yahoo.com or call Jennifer Pepping at (224) 622-5448.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The Ladies Aid invites everyone to attend the second annual "Name Brand Greeting Card and Book Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 16 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 in Luther Hall at the church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

Refreshments available. For information, call Jennifer at (847) 680-7793.

• On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6, services of Holy Communion will be offered at noon and 7 p.m. (There will be no Thursday evening service Feb. 7).

The following five midweek services are on Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Feb. 14, 21, 28 and March 6, 13

Each evening service is preceded by a Lenten dinner served at 5:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall.

Midweek Lenten homilies will focus our attention on numerous locations in and around the city of Jerusalem where significant events of our Lord's passion took place. Historical background will be shared to gain a better understanding of the significance of each location and its connection to God's plan of salvation.

• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hawthorn Woods, will host a Bible Study for women titled "Daniel: Lives of Integrity/Words of Prophecy". Classes are open to all women from St. Matthew and the community, and will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall beginning Feb. 27 through April 9. Child care will be available.

For additional information, call Scarlett Mankowsky (847) 540-5501.

Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church: The church at 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, will offer Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Beginning Feb. 13, every Wednesday evening during Lent there will be a program beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. will be a soup and salad dinner followed by a 20-minute video exploring a series of topics. This will be followed by small group discussions led by the clergy and ending with Compline (a brief prayer service).

(847) 336-3730, www.annunciationgurnee.org

Congregation Am Echod (Reform): The congregation, 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, offers the following Shabbat Service Schedule.

Today: 9 a.m. Study Session with Rabbi Harari, 10 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service celebrating a conversion and naming ceremony.

Friday: 7:30 p.m. "Let's Talk" Shabbat Service: a "sermon free" service with a group discussion in an informal atmosphere.

For details, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@amechod.org.

Crosspoint Church: The church at 27430 W. Nippersink Road, Ingleside, on Feb. 10 will welcome guest speaker Taun Cortado who heads the Radio Ministry for Gospel For Asia (GFA). GFA is one of the largest missionary movements working across the nation of India in evangelism and church-planting work.

Sunday Worship Service is at 10 a.m. Crosspoint Church is affiliated with the Mid America Baptist Conference, Baptist General Conference. For information, call the church office at (847) 587-7722. www.thecrosspointchurch.org

Holy Cross Anglican Chapel: The Words of Blessing Ministry supports neither the Giants nor the Patriots, but will use Sunday to solicit support for food pantries in the area by asking everyone attending on that Sunday to bring cans of soup as a special offering for the hungry in Lake County.

Anyone in the vicinity of the chapel may help with this food collection by dropping off soup anytime from 9 a.m. till noon at the chapel, which is at 500 Park Ave., Unit 102, Lake Villa, and is the location of the Words of Blessing Ministry headquarters.

Sunday services, following the traditional Episcopal liturgy, begin at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday including soup-er bowl Sunday.

• The Immaculate Heart ward of the Society of Mary, an ecumenical, Anglican-sponsored society, will meet for the corporate recitation of the rosary, Mass, and fellowship at the Holy Cross Anglican Chapel of the Words of Blessing Ministry beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. The propers for the day will commemorate the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Christ in the temple 40 days after his birth, an account which is presented in the Bible in the Gospel of Luke.

• The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross will observe the traditional beginning of Lent with the Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Holy Eucharist, and imposition of ashes at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Words of Blessing ministry chapel and office complex at 5:00 Park Ave., Unit 102, Lake Villa.

For information see the Web site: www.wordsofblessing.com or phone (847) 543-7371.

Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist: Join John Crowley, a longtime Unitarian Universalist and the Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation for worship services at 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

John draws from the wisdom legacy of his colleague, friend, and mentor while at Common Ground, the late Christian mystic, Brother Wayne Teasdale.

PCUUC meets each Sunday in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community. Children's liberal religious education for preschool through high school runs concurrent to the adult service. Child care for children up to 3 years old is available during the service.

Additional details, directions, and contacts are available on the Web at http://www.prairiecircleuuc.org, or call (847) 604-1908.

Shepherd of the Lakes Church: The group OneTwentyTwo will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Vine Martini and Wine Bar in downtown Grayslake.

OneTwentyTwo has been one of the most popular bands to participate in this concert series. The group offers a great combination of contemporary Christian and secular music featuring strong vocal performances and musicianship. OneTwentyTwo's members hail from The Chapel, a church based in Grayslake.

Admission is free. No reservations are required. The Vine is at 101 Center St. There is no cover charge or reserved seating. For information, call (847) 543-0900 or e-mail sotl_pr@yahoo.com

St. Andrew Episcopal Church: The church at 31 Park Ave., Grayslake, presents "Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need."

Elijah's Mantle is a community service project with a goal to help families with children in need by supplying gently used children's clothing. The store is open to everyone from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of every month at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, Lake and Park streets, Grayslake. There is no cost. Gently used clothing is available for boys and girls in sizes ranging from infant to size 16. The next store date is Feb. 9.

Since they rely completely on donated clothing (infant to size 16), the project welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations. You can drop off clothing donations at the church on the Saturdays when the store is in operation, or arrange other dates by calling the church at (847) 223-2310.

The church also welcomes anyone from the community who might like to join the staff of volunteers to help sort and distribute the children's clothing. Call the church for details.

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church: The parish will offer four Masses on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6. Morning Masses will be at 7 and 9 a.m., followed by an afternoon Mass at 4 p.m. and an evening Mass at 7 p.m. All Masses will take place at the church on Route 173, a half-mile east of Route 45, Antioch.

At 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, the parish will offer Stations of the Cross in the church.

In March, the parish has scheduled a Lenten mission to help parishioners turn from their hectic lives and reflect on the life that God is calling each one of us to lead. The mission will begin with preaching at all the Masses during the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday. The mission will continue at 7 p.m. March 3-5 in the church, and Mass will be included. The Wednesday program will conclude with the sacrament of penance.

The Rev. Fr. Joseph Henchey, C.S.S., a veteran priest of 51 years who is currently holding the Paluch Chair of Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, will be the mission preacher.

For information on these or other programs at St. Raphael the Archangel, call the parish office at (847) 395-FISH (3474) and ask for the pastor, the Rev. Fr. John Jamnicky.

St. Martin de Porres: The school at 515 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, will have an open house for prospective students from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. For information, call (847) 244-6895, ext. 225.

Beth Judea: Congregation Beth Judea will host its second annual Viva Las Long Grove, an evening of gaming tables, live auction, silent auction and fun Feb. 9. There will be appetizers, noshes, beer and wine and dessert at 7 p.m. The gaming tables will open at 7:45 p.m. This is also the time that the poker tournament starts.

Gaming will consist of blackjack, roulette, poker and bingo. There will be blackjack, Texas Hold'em and bingo tournaments for cash prizes. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. There will be an additional entry fee required for the tournaments.

Cost is $45 in advance or $60 at the door. Advance tickets must be purchased by Feb. 2. Admission includes chips for roulette and blackjack and a bingo card. Call or R.S.V.P. to Beth Judea at (847) 634-0777 or e-mail lneiman@bethjudea.org.

Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

Moriah Congregation: The congregation at 200 Taub Drive in Deerfield will present the best work of more than 50 internationally acclaimed artists from North America and Israel at its 2008 All Judaic Art & Jewelry Fair from 8-11:30 p.m. Feb. 16; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 17; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 18. Adult admission is $10 and covers all three days. For information, contact Karen P. Walanka, executive director, at (847) 948-5340 or kwalanka@moriahcong.org.

St. John's UCC: Enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1520 McAree Road, Waukegan. The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. For information, call (847) 662-6151.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church: "Noomania -- An Extreme Excitement for Things of a Spiritual Nature," begins Feb. 13 and continues through Lent on Wednesday evenings. These midweek retreats offer a casual environment for worship and learning. Soup suppers are offered at 6 p.m.; program at 7 p.m.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is at 824 N. Lewis Ave. (just north of Grand), Waukegan. (847) 662-2535.