Fox Valley religion notes

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.

Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, the Rev. John Feldman, guest minister, will present a message 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, study, and prayer. June 29 will be the annual service and picnic in the park. Mark your calendar for Lions Park in Elburn and spend the day with them. Vacation Bibles school is scheduled for the first week of August. Every Wednesday for the month of July will be VBS planning night. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit the Web site at www.countrycov.org.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the 9:30 a.m. worship will feature a sermon by the Rev. Joel Kline titled "Have No Fear" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

The Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the church fellowship hall. The "Rain Forest Adventure" vacation Bible school will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28. Children age 3 through sixth grade will participate. There will be Bible stories, music, crafts, science activities, and more. For information call (847) 741-5124 or go to the Web site at www.hacob.org.

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.

This week's Torah portion is "Shelah Lekha." 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. 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.

Shirt 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." On July 12, after services and lunch, they will have a class at 12:30 p.m. on "Prayer and Song." This week's Torah portion is "Sh'lach," where they learn how to make tzitzit, ritual fringes. 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, "In the Day of My Trouble" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 22:8-21; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23 and Matthew 10:40-42. The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger. Children who are 4 and older are invited to attend the multi-grade Sunday school class held in the church youth room. Tickets are on sale for Holly McNeil in concert on Sunday. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. The concert will be a fundraiser for the church. Summer vacation Bible school will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 21-25. Registration forms are available at church on the special VBS bulletin board. Questions may be directed at vbsdundee@yahoo.com or www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/fumcdundee.

June 28 is the annual canoe outing. They leave at 2 p.m. from Buffalo Park in Algonquin and end at the bike bridge at South End Park in West Dundee. Bring your own brown bag lunch for fellowship and refueling afterward in the gazebo at the park. Beverages will be provided.

The Missions Committee encourages donations of powder laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets, dish soap, dishwasher powder or liquid, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, Clorox wipes, and Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface spray. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison gives the message, "Matthew's Version," based on Matthew 10, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. Special music will be provided by Logan and Russell Jostes on the piano. Carleton Rogers, lay member of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference from First UMC, will give a report on the conference sessions earlier this month.

Christian education for all ages is at 8:50 a.m. and the youth group meets at 11:15 a.m.

The United Methodist Women are accepting items to be sold at the church rummage sale June 27-28. The items may be brought to the church during the week. The rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon June 28. For details, call (847) 741-0038, ext. 102 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Making Satisfaction," based on Matthew 10:24-33, at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. The summer worship schedule includes a 9 a.m. Sunday worship service and a repeat service at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Quilters meet at 9 a.m. Mondays. 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 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, the Rev. Pat Lindquist will speak on "Finding the Courage to Admit the Exact Nature of Our Wrongs," at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The Open Door service starts at 8:15 in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is held in the sanctuary. The Scripture readings will be Romans 2:12015 and Ephesians 4:20-24.

"The Beach Party" is the theme of the vacation Bible school from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at Trout Park in Elgin. In case of rain, it will move to the church. It will have something for all ages with Bible stories, playing games, singing songs and making crafts. The program is free and open to anyone.

On Thursday, Damaris, the women's dining-out group, will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 2484 N. Randall Road, Elgin. All women are invited. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Wing Park pool has been rented for swimming and all members and friends of the church are urged to come and bring their friends and neighbors. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Greg Allen, associate minister, will deliver the message for the 8 a.m. service and the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message for the 10:30 a.m. service at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Praise and Worship Leaders will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service. After the 10:30 a.m. service, Second Baptist will travel to First Congregational Baptist Church in Chicago for a 4 p.m. celebration service where Rev. Edmond will deliver the message sermon. The Evangelism Ministry will host its second annual Praise and Worship Rally on June 28. The rally will start at 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church and will conclude at Clifford Court with games, entertainment, food, and fun. The mission statement is: "Save those for Jesus."

The Brotherhood Ministry invites all men to come out every fourth Saturday of the month to fellowship with your Brothers in Christ. Free haircuts will be provided by the "barber shop". On Wednesday, the Bible study will begin at noon followed by evening Bible study starting at 7 p.m. Bus and child care 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 New Member Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "It's All About ... Becoming," based on Joshua 3:7-17, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. The church offers a single Sunday service at 9 a.m. from June 1 through Aug. 31. New members will be welcomed into the congregation. Sunday's Ministry of Music will feature songs by the Praise Singers: Mark Boekenhauer, Sonja Boekenhauer and Sara Tustin with Linda Gilmore, piano and organ accompanist; and "I'll Never Walk Alone" by Richard Holloman. Children are invited to go to the 9 a.m. service with their parents. After "Our Children's Time," youth, age 3 through fifth grade, may attend "FaithExplorers in God's Big Backyard" with scripture, crafts and movement. The curriculum is "Raising Children to Love Their Neighbors." It offers many opportunities for mission projects for preschoolers as well as older kids. Join the summer full of fun, learning and discipleship. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Coffee and fellowship time will follow the services in the narthex hosted by the Hospitality Team.

Adult Teaching will be at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. The high school youth group will meet from 10:15 a.m. to noon Sunday with Chad Coe, director of youth ministries. Youth are advised to bring clothes that they can be "active" in.

The church invites children to vacation Bible school, "Power Lab: Discover Jesus' Miraculous Power." The research and testing is from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday. Get ready for an adventure, following Jesus as he heals, helps and gives power to people who need him. Power Lab is fun for kids, teenagers and adults. Everyone involved in this VBS will explore God's Word and never be the same again. Each day your children will be a part of amazing Bible adventures that they can see, hear, touch and even taste. Wacky Works Crafts, Daily Challenges that apply Bible truths to everyday life, team building Hyperspeed Games, lively Bible songs and tasty Test Tube treats are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help faith grow into real life. Vacation Bible school is for children age 3 through fifth-grade. School age kids should sign up for the grade they are currently completing. Register online at the VBS Web site, www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/fccdundee or call the church office. The cost is $30 per student or $70 for families of three or more and includes a collection of five adorable Bible Buddies, a T-shirt and a Sing and Play Music CD for each family when you register.

The Global Mission Ministry, in conjunction with Cumberland Mountain Outreach, will build a home for a deserving family in Kentucky. Volunteers will build wall panels at the church which will be trucked down and assembled on the home site in Beattyville, Ky. Aug. 16-23. Home Build Training sessions will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday. For details about Cumberland Mountain Outreach Ministries Inc. visit my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=136554&ck.

The church has also been invited by HOMES, Inc. (Housing Oriented Ministries Established for Service) to help repair homes in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky July 12-19. There is room for 24 volunteers to work, touch a life, be moved and have fun. Basic tools are welcome and no previous experience is required. Workers must be at least high school age. Call the church office to attend the next meeting at 6 p.m. June 28.

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

King of Glory: This week, King of Glory Lutheran Church will observe the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost as they look at the theme of "Standing Firm to the End," based on Matthew 10. The regular weekly worship schedule includes a more traditional style worship at 8:15 a.m. Sundays, as well as a contemporary style 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.

Join a new worship opportunity called "The Refuge." Connect with God in a different, informal way every Monday at 7 p.m. Come for fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy some coffee and snacks before worship. 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 on Matthew 10:24-39 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Jesus disrupts your world. He disturbs your peace in order to bring you a new sort of peace. If you would be disciples of Jesus, you had better be prepared for disruption. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.