Lake Co. 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: Adult Education with Rob Jury will be offered at 7 p.m. Monday -- The baseline of Judaism is joy -- sometimes we increase our joy and sometimes we decrease our joy, but we always return to the baseline. RSVP at (847) 917-7726.

At 6:30 p.m. Friday will be a Wine & Cheese Reception, followed by a Shabbat Service at 7 p.m. at 103 Shelter Road, Lincolnshire. ww.anshetikvah.org.

Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): The church at 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire, will offer an Easter egg hunt and carnival from 2 to 4 p.m. March 22. All students in fifth grade and under are welcome to attend. For details, call (847) 945-8824 or visit www.ccclincolnshire.org.

Congregation Or Shalom: Jonathan Wilson, author of the biography "Marc Chagall," murder mystery "A Palestine Affair" and the upcoming "Sunderland," will make a guest appearance, speaking at a dessert reception and book signing at 7 p.m. Sunday at Or Shalom.

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.

• On March 15, adults can try a progressive rummy game called Pisha Paysha. Starting at 7:30 p.m., it will be held at a private home and reservations will be required. It promises to be a free, fun evening.

• A Purim Carnival will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. March 16, followed by a Purim service starting at 7 p.m. March 20.

Grace Lutheran Church: The church invites everyone each Wednesday in Lent for LIQUID, a Lenten Experience, midweek study series. 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 more information, visit the Web site at www.aboutgracelutheran.org or call (847) 367-7050.

• Grace Lutheran Church's "Growing with Grace" Children's program is accepting applications for their "Terrific Two's" and their new "Tremendous Three's" programs. The Terrific Two's Program is for children turning 2 years old by Sept. 1. For more information on this program, contact Beth Zupkus at (847) 367-7050, terrifictwos@earthlink.net or visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org.

Grace Lutheran Church introduces its Growing with Grace "Tremendous Three's" program, a new non-denominational preschool program for the 2008-2009 school year. This program is for children turning 3 years old by Sept. 1. For more information, contact Sarah McAuliffe at (847) 367-7050, tremendousthrees@earthlink.net or visit www.aboutgracelutheran.org.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church: The 2008-2009 registration for Mom's Morning Out has begun. 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 more information, visit www.holycrosschurch.org.

• Brent Allan will bring his "Wacky and Wild Comedy Magic Show" March 15 to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville. The show is being presented by the church's Early Childhood Ministries to benefit its Playground Update Project. Reduced-cost advance tickets and family passes are available. For details, call Mindy Doss at (847) 367-4367.

• "Taste Worship," led by Peder Eide, a national Christian singer/songwriter and speaker, will be offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 16 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Taste Worship invites youth in fourth grade through high school accompanied by a parent, and adults. (847) 367-4060.

• CrossWays Preschool's open registration is in progress. Crossways Preschool serves children who are 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 1. Traditional classes are held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Tuesday and 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.

Wednesday Lenten worship services will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. 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.

Immaculate Heart of Mary: The Lenten Retreat for the Immaculate Heart of Mary ward of the Society of Mary, an ecumenical, Anglican-sponsored society, will be Saturday at Marytown, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Libertyville, at 10 a.m.

The program continues with a tour of the Kolbe/Holocaust exhibit, followed by celebration of the Mass. A luncheon will be provided, followed by a Lenten meditation presented by one of the friars. The retreat will close with the recitation of the rosary and blessing.

The cost is $15 per person, payable at the door.

The Immaculate Heart Ward of the Society of Mary meets every first Saturday of the month for the corporate recitation of the rosary, Mass and fellowship, usually at the Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross at 9 a.m. The ward draws its members from Lake county and southern Wisconsin. The chapel is at 500 Park Ave., Unit 102, Lake Villa.

Marytown: The Catholic Women's Club of Lake County will sponsor a Day of Recollection Thursday at 1600 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. The day will begin with light refreshments at 9:30 a.m. followed by a brief history of Marytown given by Father Dominic. There will be a morning session followed by a short break and at 11:30 a.m., the rosary will be prayed in the side chapel, followed by Mass at noon. After Mass there will be a buffet luncheon and an afternoon session beginning at 1:15 p.m. followed by a time of reflection or a visit to the chapel or gift shop. The day will conclude with a blessing at 2:45 p.m. with the St. Maximilian Kolbe relic. Cost for the Day of Recollection is $20. Reservations are being accepted until Sunday by calling (847) 265-1016.

The regular monthly meeting of the Catholic Women's Club of Lake County will be held at 12:30 p.m. March 13 at Prince of Peace Church, located on the corner of Grand Avenue and Route 83 in Lake Villa. (847) 265-1016.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church: The church has begun a study on Paul's Letter to the Romans. The Rev. Mark Selbo is leading the group, which meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The church is located at 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein.

• Lenten worship services are offered each Wednesday evening beginning with a soup supper at 6 p.m. Please bring a "soup" to share.

• The next Prayer Shawl Ministry meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Nelson Hall. Instructions will be given for making the fleece shawls. To receive a pattern, call (847) 566-6243.

St. Ignatius Episcopal Church: Father Tim Squier will be installed as the new priest of St. Ignatius Episcopal church in Antioch at 3 p.m. April 12 Squier, 37, is married to Chris, and has two children. He originally was from Iowa but now comes from Evanston where he served as assistant at St. Mark's. The newly elected bishop will oversee the Mass. A dinner will follow.

St. John's Lutheran Church & School: The church, at 501 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, invites the community to its Lenten Services: at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, March 5, 12; and at 7 p.m. March 20-21. For more information: www.stjohnslib.com.

• An open house will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. The open house coincides with registration for its preschool through eighth grade programs. Families will have an opportunity to tour the school. Registration packets can be picked up at the school open house located at 501 W. Park Ave. in Libertyville. (847) 367-1441.

St. John's preschool program is open to all children turning 3 years old on or before August 15, 2008. The school's full-day preschool and kindergarten option offers an alternative care solution for families challenged by traditional half-day programs. The school offers extended before- and after-school care, holiday care and a summer program. A reduced registration fee is offered to parents registering now through April.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church: 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 more information, visit the Web site www.afghansforAfghans.org or call 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 more information, e-mail scotthahnatsma@yahoo.com or call Jennifer Pepping at (224) 622-5448.

St. Mary of Vernon: On Fridays through March 14, the Men's Club will host the "all-you-can-eat" Fish Fry which is held at the Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills.

The Fish Fry is open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The menu includes fresh baked and fried fish, macaroni and cheese, baked mostaccoli, award-winning coleslaw, fried shrimp, fresh cut chips and French fries and desserts. A cash bar is available. Prices are $32 for family; $10 for adults; $6 for children 4 to 12; and $9 for seniors 65 and over. Call (847) 816-0896 for further information.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The following midweek services are on Thursdays at 7 p.m.: Thursday and March 13. Each evening service is preceded by a Lenten dinner served at 5:30 p.m. in Krueger Hall, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods.

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.

• Boy Scout Troop 92 will host a Spaghetti Dinner from 4:30-7:30 p.m. today in Krueger Hall at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Cost is $5, ages 4 and under free. For information, call Ron Behrens at (847) 526-9383 or visit: www.troop92.org

Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church: 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). The program is open to anyone who has ever been curious or interested in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition.

The church is at 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee. For more information, call (847) 336-3730 or visit the Web site at www.annunciationgurnee.org.

• The "Seven Last Words of Christ" will be performed at 7 p.m. March 16. This is a moving cantata with soloists singing the seven last words that Jesus said before he died on the cross. The soloists are backed by the Annunciation choir and organist. The cantata ends with a magnificent organ rendition of the earth quaking after Jesus' death.

• The church offers a level-one atrium for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, an international, Montessori-based, Christian education program, which focuses on the religious and spiritual formation of children. Because the children in the level-one atrium are between 3 and 6 years of age and are usually unable to read, the materials allow the children to ponder a particular parable of Jesus or a prayer from the church's liturgy. www.cgsusa.org.

Community Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Villa: The church is holding a prayer service and contemporary Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m. every Friday through Lent.

Special services and events that continue through Lent include a traditional St. Joseph Day Table to celebrate the birth of St. Joseph March 15. Tickets to the buffet dinner that will include braided bread, spaghetti with marinara sauce and cream puffs are $5 each.

Passover Seder will be held at 7 p.m. March 19. The service is a re-enactment of the meal Jesus ate at Passover that includes a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Viewing of the Passion of Christ will be from 7 to 10 p.m. March 21, with the Vigil of Lights at 9 p.m. March 22.

Every Wednesday a Bible study is held at 10:30 a.m. with intercessory prayer at 7 p.m., followed by a Bible study at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about events and services, contact the church at (847) 245-3000 or visit the church Web site, www.myholyspirit.org.

A charismatic orthodox Catholic church, Community Church of the Holy Spirit, 25291 W. Lehmann Blvd., is located one block south of Route 132 (Grand Ave) on Route 59.

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. Bat mitzvah of Julia Freeman.

Friday, 6 p.m.: Shabbat Across America dinner, followed by 7:30 p.m. Shir L'Shabbat Service, Am Echod's trademark musical service. Birthdays during the month of March will be celebrated.

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

Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church: The church is relocating to Alleghany Road in Grayslake. A steeple cross will be added to the new church, dedicated in honor of Sophie Reed's 100th birthday. At a luncheon Feb. 17, the Rev. Mark Jumper presented Sophie Reed with a plaque in recognition of her faith, dedication, and inspiration that she has abundantly bestowed on Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Open Arms Mission: The mission in Antioch, plans to distribute 3,000 Easter baskets to children, senior citizens, hospital patients and other food pantries in Lake County.

Baskets filled with candy, healthy treats and small gifts will be distributed to children and seniors within the Lake Villa, Antioch and Lindenhurst area who use the food pantry and to Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Nicasa Women's Shelter, The Garden Quarter Center, Staben House, Victory Lakes Nursing Home, Winchester House, Condell Hospital children's unit, Avon Township food pantry and A Safe Place.

The mission partners with other organizations to prepare and distribute the baskets, including Lakes Community High School, Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center, Northern Illinois Scholarship Pageant, and various other community groups and organizations.

Open Arms Mission is seeking donations of empty Easter baskets and financial donations to purchase items to fill the baskets. Donations can be made to Open Arms Mission, P.O. Box 79, Antioch, IL 60002. For more information contact the mission, (847) 395-0309.

St. Andrew Church: A Lenten retreat, "Walking the Way of the Cross with Mary," will be offered from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the church, 31 Park Ave. in Grayslake, and will be led by the Rev. Gwynne Wright

Join in at 9:45 a.m. for coffee and doughnuts and then at 10 a.m. to reflect on Mary as she follows her son through his passion and death. Sign up or register by calling the church at (847) 223-2310. The program is free, but the church needs a number in order to have handouts available.

• 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 March 8.

Since they rely completely on donated clothing (infant to size 16), the project welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations. You may 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.

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church: At 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent, the parish will offer Stations of the Cross in the church, on Route 173, a half-mile east of Route 45, Antioch.

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.

Wildwood Presbyterian Church: "The Gospel According to Rock" will be offered at 6:30 p.m. today at the church, 18630 W. Old Gages Lake Road, Grayslake. A second show will occur at 7 p.m. Sunday at the McCormick Auditorium on the campus of Lake Forest College.

Drawing from the lyrics of over a hundred of rock's greatest hits, Toby Jones illuminates rock's take on themes like compassion, love of neighbor, freedom, identity, Sabbath rest, loneliness, the environment, and others. He then puts rock artists in a direct dialogue with the Judeo-Christian Scriptures.

Both shows will include live performances of several of the songs referenced in Jones' book, rock-based multi-media pieces, and some biblical storytelling. The performances are free and open to the public.

Signed copies of Jones's book will be available for $16 immediately after the shows. Rev. Jones will also be preaching at 11 a.m. March 2 at The Community Church of Lake Forest at Lake Bluff, which gathers at the Lake Forest College Chapel.

Words of Blessing Ministry: The Anglican Chapel of the Holy Cross has scheduled midweek worship opportunities. The Walking of the Way of the Cross begins at 7 p.m., followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist each Wednesday in Lent. A short time for refreshments follows and then the weekly program, centered in inductive Bible study and sharing of the Weekly Words and their application to the individual participant, allows small-group interaction. The Weekly Words come from publications of the Words of Blessing ministry available free for the asking.

Church Women United of the Barrington Area: The group will celebrate World Day of Prayer at 1 p.m. Friday at Wauconda Federated Church, 200 S. Barrington Road, Wauconda.

This year's worship service was written by the women of Guyana. The theme, "God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding," is especially meaningful to the women of Guyana..

The guest speaker for this service is the Rev. Digna Campanano who is staff chaplain for Cardiac Care at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. She is an ordained clergy in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Campanano, who hails from the Philippines, has a degree in political science from the University of Pangasinan, Philippines.

All are welcome to attend the service. Free childcare will be provided. For more information, call Linda Osikowicz at (847) 540-5634.

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 more information, call (847) 244-6895, ext. 225.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church: "Noomania -- An Extreme Excitement for Things of a Spiritual Nature," 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. For more information, call (847) 662-2535.