Fox Valley religion notes

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.

Living Water Church: On Sunday, the Rev. Louise Forshe will bring the message at the 7 and 10:30 a.m. services at Living Water Church, 601 Hill Ave. in Elgin. Her bilingual message in English and Spanish will be on "Becoming a New Creature."

All are welcome, especially if you don't have a church home. Living Water Church is a church of the languages -- English, Spanish, Polish, French and all other languages follow. It is a church where you can praise the Lord in your native language. All languages are welcome.

Louise Forshe Ministries is separated from the church. Louise Forshe Ministries is a community service. For details, e-mail livingwaterofelgin@yahoo.com.

Bethlehem Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Steve Wiota, interim pastor, will be preaching at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 417 W. Main St. in West Dundee.

Weekly Sunday school and Bible classes for all ages is at 9:15 a.m. Sundays through Memorial Day. Morning classes are a study of the weekly Gospel, a study reading through the Bible and a study of the book "Everybody's Normal Till You Get To Know Them."

Everyone is invited to bi-weekly in home Bible studies. The studies include a study of Max Lucado's "3:16: The Numbers of Hope" or a study of the book of Ephesians.

Bethlehem will host Fay's Pork Chop/Chicken Barbecue dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 10. This is a drive-thru event in the parking lot of the Bethlehem Community Ministry Building. Each dinner consists of 2 pork chops or two chicken quarters or one of each applesauce, baked beans, cole slaw, and roll and butter for $11. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the church office at (847) 426-7311. Ticket sales end on May 4.

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 a special portion for "The 7th day of Pesach." The service is led by Rabbi Jonathan Kohn in prayer and study. At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the Yizkor service will be held. The service is led in prayer and study by Rabbi Kohn.

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 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

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."

This week, Shabbat coincides with the seventh day of Passover. In addition to the special Torah reading, they will read The Song of Songs, which is seen as an allegorical love poem between God and the people of Israel.

Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66: 8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; and John 14:15-21.

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

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

Recycle your old cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also welcome are Campbell's Soup UPC codes for Marcy-Newberry Center in Chicago.

The Youth Mission Group will host a talent show and chili dinner at 6 p.m. today. Cost is $10 or $5 for children. It includes the dinner. Dinner includes beef or veggie chili and salad with a dessert bar of frozen custard available for an additional donation. Show your support for the youth, have a good meal and be entertained in the process.

Mark your calendar for future events including the church picnic on June 8; Kane County Cougar game on June 14 and a concert fundraiser June 22.

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

St. John: On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, the confirmands will read their statements of faith during the services as one of their requirements for confirmation 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 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 Sixth Sunday of Easter, the third annual Folk Music Worship Service will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The Open Door Service begins at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. After the children's sermon, Sunday school students leave for individual classes.

Rather than the Chancel Choir and organ, the sanctuary will resonate with the rhythms of guitars, banjos, harmonicas, tambourines and voices lifted in simple but profound melodies.

The Rev. Paris Donehoo will speak at both services on "The Eliezer Option." The text will be Genesis 15:1-6 and Luke 12:32-40.

Adult Christian Formation is held between services after a 9 a.m. breakfast. Child care is available. At 9:15 a.m. the in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark. The class is open to anyone and no biblical expertise is necessary.

Parking lots are nearby as well as a municipal parking garage. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline will present the sermon, "The Great Divide" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

On May 4, church school teachers will be recognized with a potluck luncheon. The Spring Congregational Business Meeting will be held after the luncheon.

Members will gather on the Kimball Street bridge from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday for the weekly Witness Ministry Peace Vigil.

The Congregational Nurture Ministry Group is planning a Bike Hike led by John Lengle on May 3, a Nature Walk on May 5, and a Labyrinth Walk led by David Doudt on May 17. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon is "I Am On Assignment," inspired by Psalms 105:17-22. The Praise and Worship Team will render the music for the 8 a.m. service and the Choral Ensemble will sing at 10:30 a.m.

The Young Adult Ministry in conjunction with the Youth Ministry invites all to "Moments Pass. Consequences last. Sex … It's worth the wait." This is a workshop geared for students in seventh to 12th grade. The workshop will be held May 17. Attend this life-changing workshop to learn the truth about sex. Through this workshop, one will learn the spirituality of sex, the benefits of abstinence, and the consequences of premarital sex. Call the church for details.

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

Bus and childcare services are available. Second Baptist is at 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, senior intentional interim pastor, will present the sermon, "Lesson From The Hayfield," based on Mark 2:13-17, at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at 10:15 a.m. will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Cheri Blazek, Robert Blazek, Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer, Linda Gilmore and Sara Tustin; Joy Ringers, fourth- through fifth-grade bell choir directed by Linda Gilmore; and the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist.

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 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 "Paul Teaches in Athens" based on the Bible story in Acts 17:16-31: God is alive.

The Women's Bible Study meets at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The study is based on the book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. Study materials will be available. Join them in finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life.

Michele Sharik, a member of the well-known San Francisco handbell ensemble Sonos, will be performing a solo handbell concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the church. She will perform a tapestry of story and music woven together in a presentation that takes the listener on a musical journey from Renaissance England to modern America and all points in between. Linda Gilmore will be the accompanist. There is no charge for this concert, but a free-will offering will be taken.

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

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder will lead the message, based on Psalm 139, 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.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Greg Applequist presents a series called "Good Sense Budgeting." The evening will begin with a potluck dinner and then an hour of interesting and informative information about money management.

Also meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a small study group meets for anyone reading the New Testament. Bring your Bibles and your questions for discussion.

May 17 is the annual fundraiser for children's camp at Covenant Harbor. Faye's pork chop or chicken dinners will be $10 per ticket. There also will be a bake sale at the church. Dinners can be pre-ordered or available as drop-in from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Carry-out or eat at the church. Many activities for adults and children are planned.

May 18 will be a presentation by Maranatha Productions titled "Simon Peter, Fisherman." 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 sixth Sunday of Easter as examine the topic of hope and life as found in I Peter.

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.

Join the "Equipping to Share" workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17. Learn how to be a better witness of your faith. The $10 registration fee covers lunch and materials. Call for details.

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, 1 Peter 3:13-22, at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. You can log on to the Internet to learn how to do just about anything -- except how to have hope.

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.