Religion -- Special events
Understanding Islam: Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church will offer "Understanding Islam," taught by Taufiq Ahmad of the Islamic Association of McHenry County, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, April 2-23. Islam has become the fastest growing faith in the U.S. With radical Islamists so much in the news, Christians need to be aware of the "Real Islam" and what people of that faith believe. The church is offering the program to help participants gain some understanding of the Islamic faith and that, in understanding, they might create an atmosphere of acceptance, tolerance and commonality as people of faith striving to live in unity in today's world. The public is invited. For details, contact (815) 459-1132 or office@rclpc.org.
Choirs go on tour: The Alleluia Sound High School Choir and the Good Vibrations Handbell High School Choir from First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake present their 36th annual Spring Concert Tour on April 11-14. Performing at four different locations during the four-day period, the choirs travel to Janesville, Wis., Portage, Wis. and Apple Valley, Minn. They conclude in Crystal Lake with their "Welcome Home Concert" at 7 p.m. April 14 in the sanctuary, 461 Pierson St. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. Alleluia Sound and Good Vibrations began their tour at 7:30 p.m. April 11 at the First Congregational Church in Janesville. On Saturday, , the choirs perform during the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. On Monday, the choirs perform at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's School in Portage. The Alleluia Sound Vocal Choir is directed by Ann Tucker, director of music. The Good Vibrations Handbell Choir is directed by Toni Gambini, bellmaster. Accompanist is JoAnn Black, percussionist is Kevin Donka. Both choirs will present a variety of musical selections. Alleluia Sound will sing the original composition, "Knock and the Door Will Be Opened," written by Tom Vos. Vos is a composer and professional violinist now living in the Los Angeles area. Growing up in Crystal Lake, he was a member of the FCC choir program from preschool through his high school graduation in 1988. This song is now considered a signature piece for the choir.Seniors Annie Adducci and Amy Ross will sing a duet in the selection "Lord, You Are Light." Senior David Cablk will perform a solo arrangement of "Amazing Grace" on handbells. Also part of the program is the song, "This Little Light of Mine," where alumni of the choir are invited to join along in singing. The soloists for this piece include Adducci, Michael Ferguson and Katie Peterson. Ryan LaSarre and Adducci sing solos in the large work "Reason to Rejoice." The choir will also perform "Here I Am Lord," "Come to the Music" and "Psallite" by Praetorius. Accompanied by Donka on conga, their processional will be "Praise the Lord." The choirs will end their program with the traditional "Bell Boogie" as well as "Rhythm of Life." Members of the Alleluia Sound Choir are: Annie Adducci, Eric Bremicker, Alli Brachmann, Bo DellaMaria, Mariah Donka, Taylor Dostal, Alec Erbland, Michael Ferguson, BJ Gannon, Lena Grobe, Jennifer Haak, Collin Hubbard, Taylor Irish, Samantha Ivers, Ryan LaSarre, Marianne Ling, Maribeth Ling, Liz Linning, Irene Major, Sarah Mieth, Andrew Muniz, Emily Neie, Katie Peterson, Kristin Peterson, Amy Ross, Will Streit, Matt Tunnicliffe, Matt Wallace and Emily Wolfe. Members of the Good Vibrations Handbell Choir are: Alli Brachmann, David Cablk, Mariah Donka, Alec Erbland, Michael Ferguson, BJ Gannon, Ryan LaSarre, Liz Linning, Dan Pieplow. For details, call the church office at (815) 459-6010, e-mail fcccrystallake@sbcglobal.net or visit the Web site at FCCCrystalLake.org.
Handbell choir hosts supper: St. John Lutheran Church Handbell Choir is hosting their 12th annual spaghetti supper/bake sale from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Admission to the all-you-can-eat supper is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children age 6 to 12. Children under age 6 get in free. Bring your family and enjoy some great food and fellowship.
Spaghetti dinner: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1647 Ravine Lane in Carpentersville, is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. The doors will open about 4:45 to 5 p.m. with the dinner served starting at 5 p.m. There also will be a bake sale. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 3 to 11, children under 3 are free. Tickets will be available at the door. The dinner benefits local and global missions of the church. For details, call (847) 428-1627.
Spirit of Life: As part of the Spirit of Life Chorus spring concert series, they will be performing "Creating Joy" at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road, Hampshire. Other concerts include: 4 p.m. April 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 S. Rush, Roselle; 5 p.m. April 19 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 W. Army Trail Road, Carol Stream; and 5 p.m. April 27 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 254 Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. For information, visit www.spiritoflifechorus.org.
Spirit's Harmony: On Sunday, Spirit's Harmony, a Christian male quartet from Oregon, Ill., will conduct the 9:30 a.m. worship at Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Church Road, off Route 31 in Elgin. Nursery is provided. For details, call the church at (847) 695-0144.
School open house: On Wednesday, meet and greet Noah's Ark Preschool's new kindergarten teacher at an open house. Debbie Randle-Hayes will head up the new extended-day kindergarten class at Noah's Ark, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) in Barrington. It will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily starting this fall. The kindergarten information session will be from 9 until 11 a.m., and the "How Great Thou Art" open house will be noon until 2 p.m.
Studies show that students taking part in extended day programs demonstrate strong academic advantages and perform as well or better than half-day students. Randle-Hayes has taught kindergarten for nearly 20 years, and holds a master's degree in early childhood leadership and advocacy, a bachelor's degree in elementary education, as well as two associate degrees. She also tutors children pre-k through second grade, has worked with gifted children for the past four summers through National-Louis University. A ministry of Barrington United Methodist Church, Noah's Ark's facility consists of five spacious classrooms equipped with developmentally appropriate materials as well as an expansive outside playground and an indoor motor room. "Our preschool provides an environment which nurtures and stimulates the development of young children and surrounds them with God's presence," stated director Mary Bradley. "Noah's Ark uses The Creative Curriculum to ensure that we are addressing each area of development with the children. We believe in the importance of a hands-on approach to learning, and understand that children learn the most through play and by taking an active role in the learning process. In addition, we introduce Jolly Phonics, a stimulating literacy program, in our 4-year-old program, and introduce pre-math skills. We also nurture each child's spirituality by teaching Bible stories, and we closely monitor social and emotional development." Noah's Ark offers low student-to-teacher ratios, plus all instructors meet state qualifications, and are trained in CPR and first aid. Regular preschool classes are half day, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For tours of the facility and registration, call (847) 844-3738. For details, visit www.BarringtonUMC.com.
Open house at Griffin school: Griffin Christian School, a ministry of Fox Valley Baptist Church, is now accepting enrollments in all grades for the 2008-09 school year. The school, at 16N562 Vista Lane in East Dundee, is for preschool through 12th grades. An open house for prospective families will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Enrollment information will be available. The school offers a full, Bible-based academic schedule, along with classes in art, music, computer skills, gym and several foreign languages. After-school care also is available. The preschool program is for both 3- and 4-year-olds. Parents can choose between a two-day or a five-day program, either mornings or full day. The kindergarten program is either mornings or full day. Both programs feature early learning activities with a low student to teacher ratio, and include phonics-based reading instruction. The elementary program is a multi-age class, but with traditional classroom instruction and a phonics-based reading program. The middle and high school programs use a technology-based, individualized program, utilizing the latest in computer technology to assist in the learning process and prepare our students for the modern collegiate experience. For several of their subjects the middle and high school use an online curriculum with real time assistance, where each student can complete their subjects with lessons specifically tailored to their needs. Traditional classroom instruction in several subjects also is included. For information, or to make an appointment to visit the school, call (847) 428-5413 or visit www. griffinchristianschool.org.
Spring rummage sale: Are you looking for items at bargain prices to light of the current economic "squeeze"? The large spring rummage sale at the First Congregational Church of Huntley is almost here. Sale hours will be noon to 7 p.m. April 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday with items half-price, and 8 a.m. to noon April 19 at $3 per bag. This sale, sponsored by the Women's Circle for over 30 years, has become so large that the entire church is involved. There will be lots of good quality items, such as children's clothes, toys, youth clothes, sports equipment, adult clothes, books, linens, crafts, kitchen items, furniture and boutique items, all nicely sorted out and in categories. The church is at Main and Church streets in downtown Huntley. For details, call the church office at (847) 669-3691.
Prophetic meetings: On April 18-20, join Morning Star Church for three special prophetic meetings featuring Sharnael Wolverton of Swiftfire Ministries. Wolverton is a popular conference speaker and host of her television show "Swiftfire with Sharnael Wolverton." She is the author of the books titled "Keys to Third Heaven … Using Third Heaven Revelation to Impact a World" and "The Seers Handbook." She is currently completing her third book, "Overcoming the Religious Spirit." Meeting times are 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. April 20 Morning Star is at 41W350 Powers Road, off Route 47 in Huntley. For information, call (847) 669-9800 or visit www.morningstarwoc.org.
Clothing sale at Barrington UMC: The Barrington United Methodist Women is planning a "Like New Spring and Summer Clothing Re-Sale" Friday and Saturday at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road in Barrington. The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18 and 9 a.m. to noon April 19. Plus, on April 19, shoppers can take advantage of a bargain bag sale, with all the goodies you can fit into either a $3 or a $5 bag. Proceeds from the sale will go toward local missions. As its name implies, the new "Spring and Summer Clothing Re-Sale," patterned after the rummage sale, will feature all types of spring and summer clothing, jackets, swimwear, accessories, shoes and sandals for adults and children. Are you looking to donate gently used summer treasures? Donations of clothing will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April Tuesday and Wednesday. Tax donation receipts will be readily available. For details, call (847) 836-5540.