Fox Valley religion special events

Taste of Epworth: "The Taste of Epworth UMC" will be served up from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Epworth United Methodist Church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue in Elgin. Outdoor summer fare will be offered in tasting sizes, in an effort to raise funds for growth and expansion of mission and ministry. Brats, hot dogs, corn, watermelon, chicken and beef kebabs, nachos, homemade ice cream and lemonade are on the menus and prices will vary. Everyone is welcome to come and fill up on food, fun and fellowship. For details, call the church office at (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.

Wild West Variety Show: Joy Community Presbyterian Church youth group is hosting a "Wild West Variety Show" to benefit their July mission trip to Montgomery, W. Va. The funds raised will assist with the rising cost of fuel for travel. This will be the youth group's third trip to Montgomery with Group Workcamps Foundation. They will assist with the construction of new homes, make repairs to existing homes, insulate, and paint homes for financially challenged families. Join the church today for fellowship, dinner, silent auction, and to see all the talented folks at Joy Community. The "Roundup" begins at 6 p.m., chow time is 6:30 and the big show is at 7 p.m. at the church, 108 S. Lakewood, Lake in the Hills. For details, or if you would like to send a donation to support the youth, visit www.joycommunity.org or call the office at (847) 515-8800.

Concert at First UMC: On Sunday, Holly McNeill will perform in concert at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the church. The audience is invited to a reception in the church fellowship hall after the performance. The program will feature songs from her new CD, "Hope," which will be available for sale at the concert. A portion of the CD sales will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for children under age 12. To purchase tickets, or for details, call (847) 426-3761.

Young adult group at Barrington UMC: "Reconnecting 20s and 30s" is now forming at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (at Route 59) in Barrington. If you are 20- or 30-something, join them to connect with other young adults in the area. Starting Sunday, they will meet in the parlor from 10:30 a.m. to noon Sundays; food will be provided. For details, e-mail Julia at jhooper@childrensmemorial.org.

Crosswise Day Camp: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin will hold Crosswise Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon June 27 at the church, 340 Grand Blvd., Elgin. Children completing first to sixth grade are invited to attend. Activities include interactive Bible studies, camp-style worship, games, crafts, silly skits and field trips. Bring a sack lunch Monday to Thursday. Cost is $30. Scholarships are available. Contact Jill Olson or the church office at (847) 741-8434. "County Fair" vacation Bible school for children 3 years old through completing kindergarten will be held the same week from 9 a.m. to noon. Contact the church office for details.

Outer Space Adventure: First Congregational Church of Huntley will offer vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Frisday. The theme is "Outer Space Adventure." The children will be astronauts, taking off each day for a different planet, encountering alien life forms and learning about God's command to go everywhere in His world. Children age 3 through those entering sixth grade are welcome. The cost is $10 for the week. Advance registration is appreciated but is not required. Those interested may call the church at (847) 669-3691 for information and registration forms. The church is at Church and Main streets in downtown Huntley.

God's Big Backyard: St. John's Lutheran Church and School in downtown Algonquin will offer "God's Big Backyard" vacation Bible school. The adventure starts each day at the Backyard Bash, the backyard buddies (Stan, Cooper, Alex and Nick) discover how much fun service can be. Each day, activities include crafts, stories, snacks, games and lots of fun. The Backyard Bash will be from 9 a.m. to noon each day Monday to Frisday. The program will kick off each morning in the church, 300 Jefferson St. in downtown Algonquin (just one block west of Route 31). The program is open to children of all faiths and ages 3 through completion of fifth grade. Registration is strongly encouraged. To register or simply receive details, call the church office at (847) 658-9300.

Children's Education Week: Calvary Lutheran Church invites families in the community to join them for adult and children's education week on Monday to Thursday. Seven times in the Gospel of John, Jesus says "I Am." In this Christian Education Week, they will learn about what these "I Am" statements mean. Each evening will start with a meal at 6 p.m., followed by vacation Bible school and adult bible study at 7 p.m. Monday will be a potluck and the other three nights' meals will be provided. On June 26, they will close the week with a Vespers service at 7 p.m. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 535 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.

Power Lab VBS: First Congregational Church in West Dundee invites children to "Power Lab: Discover Jesus' Miraculous Power!" The research and testing will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Frisday. Get ready for an adventure, following Jesus as he heals, helps and gives power to people who need him. Power Lab is fizzing with fun for kids, teenagers and adults. They will explore God's Word. Each day your children will be a part of 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. The 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 www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/fccdundee. Registration is limited. The deadline is June 13 or when space is filled. 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. As a thank you for parents who volunteer, nursery care is available for any other children, age 2 and younger. To be a part of the fun, go to the Web site and visit the volunteer box on your child(ren)'s Participant Registration form and complete a Volunteer Registration form as well. The church is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For details, call the church at (847) 426-2161 ext. 204 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Power Lab VBS: Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee invites the community to mark their calendars the fourth week in June for vacation Bible school. Normally, Immanuel host VBS on the third week in June but changed their schedule to accommodate the later release of Community Unit District 300 schools. It will take place Monday to Frisday. This year, Immanuel will be using Group Publishing's "Power Lab, Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power" material to teach children biblical truths. Power Lab doesn't rely on traditional teaching methods; rather kids will experience Bible stories in powerful, life-changing ways. Each day children will take part in fun Bible learning they can see, hear, touch, and even taste. Bible Point crafts, team-building games, and lively Bible songs are just a few of the Power Lab activities that help children apply what they learn into real life. The children also will participate in a hands-on mission project called Operation Kid-to-Kid that involves nearly a million other children across North America. Older children will be out in the community serving others for Monday to Frisday. The program begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at noon. Registration will open in mid-April. Immanuel accepts children from the ages of 3 to 12 and welcomes all in the community to join in this fun week. There is no registration fee. A donation of $25 per child for the entire week is encouraged. The church is at 310 E. Main St. For details, call the church office at (847) 428-4477.

Cosmic City VBS at Epworth: Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will offer a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 7-11. "Cosmic City" is this year's theme, and all manner of activities, games and music will be used to teach all 3- to 12-year-olds the "awesome wonder of God." Everyone is welcome to attend. Registration begins June 8 at the church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue, or by calling the church office at (847) 931-5400. The cost is $20 for one child or $40 for a family. For details, call the church office at (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org.

Rescue Zone at Baptist church: Fox Valley Baptist Church in East Dundee presents its vacation Bible school, "Rescue Zone: Saved by God's Power" starting at 6:30 p.m. July 13-17. All children, ages 4 to 12 including incoming sixth-graders, are invited. It is five nights of rescue stories from the Bible. Each night will feature a thrilling Bible adventure, along with games, age-appropriate lesson centered crafts, and snacks. There will also be songs, skits, contests, and special appearances from our "His Hands" puppet team. In addition, they will have a special Bible study for all interested parents of the attendees, and starting at 5:30 p.m. each night a special program for teenagers. The church also wants to introduce the attendees to some real life rescuers as well; there will be special nightly appearances from the police and fire departments of East Dundee and neighboring communities, as well as a special police canine demonstration from the Carpentersville Police Department. The program is free. Registration is recommended. Visit the Web site at foxvalleybaptist.org and click on the "VBS Registration 2008" tab, or call (847) 428-5413.

Dinner and movie: Have you ever had "Poor Man's Lobster?" You will not want to miss this directly from Fitzgerald's Genoa Junction Restaurant in Genoa City, Wis. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. in West Dundee, will be serving an all-you-can-eat rib and fish boil from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 20. They will be showing a first-run Christian movie, "The Wager" with Randy Travis. "The Wager" will be shown before or after the dinner. Tickets for dinner and a movie are $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12 until June 15 then the tickets will be $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Call the church office to purchase your tickets now at (847) 426-7311. "The Wager" will also be shown at later dates to be announced.