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 "Jesus is My Light"

Louise Forshe Ministries, a community service, is separate from the church.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs.

This week's Torah portion is a special portion, Emor. 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 more information, 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."

At 12:30 p.m. today, there will be a 12:30 p.m. class on "Medinat Yisrael, 60 Years of Independence"

This week's Torah portion is Emor, which teaches about the holiness of time. Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShirat Shalom.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon, "Got Gifts?" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 1; and John 7:37-39.

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

The youth group is selling hoagies for $5. Pickup dates are June 6-7. Support the youth mission trip by buying hoagies. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: Worship this Sunday will celebrate several events at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin. It is Pentecost Sunday, Mother's Day and Confirmation Sunday. Seven young people will be confirmed into membership of the church during the 10 a.m. service.

The Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will give the message on the topic, "What A Noise," at the 10 a.m. service and Cindy Palm will give the message at the 6 p.m. praise service.

Christian education for all ages will be from 8:50 to 9:50 a.m. Sunday. A reception will be held at 11:15 a.m. for the confirmands.

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

St. John: On Pentecost and Mother's Day, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "People of God" based upon 1 Peter 2:4-10, 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.

For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: The arrival of Pentecostal Sunday means the confirmation class will affirm their baptisms and be welcomed as members into First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. During the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services, they will read Statements of Faith that they have personally written. The rite of confirmation will take place only at 10:15 a.m., but the class will lead both worship services. At 10:15 a.m., the Chancel Choir will sing J.S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Come, O Creator Spirit, Come" by Dennis Larson.

The Rev. Lois A. Bucher, associate pastor and teacher, will present confirmands to the congregation: Philip Brictson, son of Mark and Jo-Ann Brictson; Keaton Fahnestock, son of Robert W. and Tracie Newcomer Fahnestock; Alexander Halfpenny, son of Michael and Barbara Halfpenny; Samantha Kottmeier, daughter of Frank and Debi Line Kottmeier; Cameron Leberecht, son of Dennis and Debra Leberecht; Andrew Mitchell, son of Albert C. and Elizabeth Ellsworth Mitchell; Christopher Taylor, son of Mark Christopher and Linda Mitchell Taylor, and Dennis Turnquist, son of Jerry and Kathleen Larson Turnquist.

At 9:15 a.m., an in-depth Bible study continues in the fellowship hall. All are welcome. Also at 9:15 a.m., "Stepping Stones," the Mental Health Ministry will share a DVD presentation of the experiences of Patricia Deegan, whose onset of illness began in her late teens and is living in recovery from schizophrenia today. Part 2 of the DVD will be presented in June. All interested persons in the community are welcome.

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, "By the Manner of Our Living" at the 9:30 a.m. Mother's Day worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The junior high youth will collect food for the Interfaith Food Pantry.

The 3 p.m. Mother's Day concert, "Always Home, Always Hope," is a benefit for the Community Crisis Center. There is no admission charge. It will be free-will offering.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message, "Momma's Faith Never Gives Up!," inspired by 2 Kings 4:18-37, for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service and the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music at 10:30 a.m.

On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. Second Baptist will begin studying "Experiencing God," written by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King.

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: Pentecost Jazz Sunday will be presented at both of the "Invite a Friend" worship services this Mother's Day at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee.

Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church and a party is planned. This musical event will feature "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" and "Now's The Time" by the Praise Singers, and several songs by the Jazz Ensemble. The community is invited.

The 10:15 a.m. service will feature "When The Saints Go Marching In" by TEMPOS high school bell choir directed by Linda Gilmore.

Education for all ages takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays.

The adult teaching meets from 9 to 10 a.m. 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.

Children can attend 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.

The women's book study concludes at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers invites the community to their "Peace Officers' Memorial Service" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. The ceremony includes remembrances of officers who fell in the line of duty in 2007, keynote speakers and respected law enforcement honor guards. A static display of law enforcement equipment will be on exhibit in the parking lot from 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served immediately after the ceremony.

Vision Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 with Deborah Burnight, CEO of Facilitated Resources. Discussions will provide the opportunity to discover a new congregational vision for mission and ministry. Nursery care and lunch will be provided. 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 in honor of Mother's Day titled "Celebrating Our Mothers," 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.

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 coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, under the theme "It's Really About the Word."

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 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 church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, join the celebration of the birthday of the Christian church and the fellowship of the Christian home at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville.

Join the church at its recently renovated handicap accessible building. 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.