Notes on religion

To submit your listings, e-mail M.J. Porter at mporter@dailyherald.com or fax items to (630) 955-0895. Mail should be sent to Daily Herald, 4300 W. Commerce Court, Lisle, IL 60532.

In the news...

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn is one of seven churches in the nation to receive a Cultures of Call grant from The Fund for Theological Education. The grant of $9,000 is for The Elisha Project, a program of exploratory internships for four to six college students during the course of two summers. For details, visit www.thefund.org.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Naperville is sending its first full-time missionary family to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The Raineri family, Pete and Angie, and their twins Nick and Lily, 10, left July 2. Pete and Angie will work with World Gospel Outreach there. For details, visit their Web site at ingoodshepherdshands.blogspot.com or the church's Web site at welcomegrowserve.org.

July 5

The Cenacle Retreat House will present these programs during July at the retreat, 29W012 Batavia Road, Warrenville. The Rev. Charles Miley will present With Grateful Hearts as a weekend workshop about gratitude from July 18-20. The fee is $175 for a single room, $160 for a double. A $40 deposit secures the reservation; after July 5, add $20.

Susan Lincoln will lead the experimental retreat for women, The Healing Power of Song, July 19-20. The fee is $240 for a single room, $225 for a double room, $210 for commuters and includes meals. A $50 deposit secures the reservation; after July 5, add $20.

James Finley will present Little Things that Fill the Whole World: Gospel Metaphors of Spiritual Awakening based on his book from July 25-27. The fee is $275. A $50 deposit secures the reservation; after July 11, add $20. For details, visit www.cenacle.org or call (630) 393-1231.

The Church of St. Francis will hold a Holy Eucharist with baptisms, confirmations and minor ordination at 10 a.m. July 5 at the church, 12 W. School St., Villa Park. Holy Eucharist with major ordination of sub-deaconate conferred on Daniel J. Provost is at 10 a.m. July 6. The services include the Most Rev. Graham S. Wale, presiding bishop of The Liberal Catholic Church and the Right Rev. Christian R. Schoch, Episcopal vicar general of the Church Bishop Christian Regionary Bishop of France, Suisse-Romande and North Africa. For details, call (630) 834-3320.

A Career Transition Workshop will meet from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 2 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 919 S. Washington St., Room 203, Naperville. The sessions will cover the entire process of a successful career search during the drop-in course. The course is free and a workbook is included. The workbook fee is $20. For details, call Tom Schneider at (630) 357-2008.

Holy Spirit Catholic Community will offer a weekly interpreted Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays for those who are deaf or hard of hearing at the church, 2003 Hassert Blvd., Naperville. For details, visit www.HolySpiritNaperville.org or call (630) 922-0081.

St. Thomas United Methodist Church is offering a new service, CrossPoint, from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Saturdays at the church, 2S511 Route 53, Glen Ellyn. A monthly Movie Night with popcorn is planned. For details, call (630) 469-1214.

Congregation Kneseth Israel holds services are 9:30 a.m. Saturdays and 7:30 p.m. Fridays at the synagogue, 330 Division St., Elgin. Judaism 101 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Understanding Hebrew at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. For details, visit the Web site at www.ckielgin.org or call (847) 741-5656.

July 6

St. John United Church of Christ will hold its German language service at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the first Sunday of the month, at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. The Rev. Leroy Huizenga will lead the service; child care is provided. For details, call (630) 355-5208.

Lombard Assembly of God will hold a free fellowship lunch after the 10:30 a.m. service July 6 at the church, 447 W. North Ave., Lombard. For details, call (630) 629-3388.

Harvest Bible Chapel will feature senior pastor, The Rev. Ron Zappia, and his series More Than a Man: Seven Reasons to Follow Jesus at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays through July at the church, 1805 High Point Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 281-4800.

River Valley Community Church's Singles FOCUS, Fellowship of Christians United in Spirit, will meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning with a light meal at 6:30 p.m. at River Valley Community Church, 1655 Bowman Drive, Aurora. Church services are at 10 a.m. Sundays. Upcoming events include lunch and a walk at 12:30 p.m. July 6; a trip to the Grundy County Speedway at 6:30 p.m. July 18: concert at Cantigny Park in Wheaton at 2 p.m. July 19. For details, visit the Web site at www.rivervalleycommunity.org or call (630) 907-2992 or e-mail focussingles@comcast.net.

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church will accept registration for its vacation Bible school, Save the World, until July 6 at the church, 960 W. Army Trail Road, Addison. The school will feature scenes of the movie "Evan Almighty" and is for all ages including adults from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 14-17 with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Registration is $5 per person. A mission offering will be collected each day. For details or to register, call (630) 543-3725.

Calvary United Pentecostal Church will hold its fourth annual 4th of July children's patriotic program at 11 a.m. July 6 at the church, 19W701 Army Trail Road, Addison. Children ages 4-11 will participate and men from the armed forces will be involved in the program. For details, call (630) 628-6866.

Christ Church of Oak Brook will present its Summer Lights featuring spiritual communicators from across the nation at services at 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Sundays at the church, 31st Street and York Road, Oak Brook. Speakers include Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, former chaplain of the U.S. Senate July 6, Dr. Arthur DeKruyter, founder and pastor emeritus of Christ Church Aug. 3; DeKruyter and Dr. Clayton Schmit of Fuller Seminary Aug. 17; Dr. Rosalie de Rosset of Moody Bible Institute Aug. 24 and Dr. Cornelius Platinga, Jr., president of Calvin Theological Seminary Aug. 31. For details, visit www.cc-ob.org or call (630) 654-1882.

St. Paul Lutheran Church will focus on Old Testament readings from Genesis at services at 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays to Aug. 17 at the church, 515 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. For the Genesis series, those attending should bring the story of meeting their life partner July 6; something inherited July 13; a special angel July 20 and something worked and saved for July 27. Summer services are at 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays through Aug. 31. For details, visit www.stpaulwheaton.org or call (630) 668-5953.

Christian Tabernacle Church will hold services at 8 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 100 S. Park St., Roselle. For details, visit the Web site at www.ctcchurch.org or call (630) 529-1282.

Lombard Assembly of God will feature guest speakers at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 447 W. North Ave., Lombard. For details, call (630) 629-3388.

Calvary Episcopal Church will hold summer services at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays through Labor Day at the church, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. For details, call (630) 879-3378.

July 7

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its vacation Bible school, Friendship Trek, from 9 a.m. to noon July 7-11 at the church, 331 George St., West Chicago. The school is for children ages 3-12 with stories, music and crafts. The fee is $10 for the first child, $7 for each additional child. For details, visit www.trinitywc.com or call (630) 231-1175.

Grace Lutheran Church will be the site of a nondenominational prayer ministry of the West Suburban Healing Rooms of Chicago from 7 to 9 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at the church, 950 S. York Road, Bensenville. Appointments are not necessary; first come, first served. For details, call Carolyn Aiello at (630) 860-0566 or (630) 766-3030.

Addison Aglow International will hold a praise and worship titled "One Hour with Jesus" from 10 to 11 a.m. July 7, the first Monday of the month, at Addison Presbyterian Church, 233 N. Mill Road, Addison. The service is open to women, men and teens. Baby-sitting is not available. For details, visit the Web site at www.aglow.org or call Nancy at (630) 543-3016.

The Billy Graham Center Museum will exhibit Cross/Purpose through Aug. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday in the Billy Graham Center, 500 College Ave., Wheaton. Suggested admission is $4, or $3 for students and seniors, $1 for children and $10 for a family pass. For details, visit the Web site at www.billygrahamcenter.org/museum or call (630) 752-5909.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is taking registration for its vacation Bible school planned from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 4-8 at the church, 4501 Main St., Downers Grove. The school is for ages 4 years through sixth grade. The fee is $10 per child, maximum $25 per family. For details, call (630) 968-6231.

The Ministry of New Beginnings St. Hubert Church will meet at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at St. Matthews Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Donation is $3. For details, call (847) 891-1220.

July 8

Family Life Christian Center will hold a Biblical Healing Class from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Christ Community Church, 602 Geneva Road, Wheaton. For details, call Roger Flanagan at (630) 873-0737.

Good Shepherd Church offers parents of teenagers time to get together and Talk Teens from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through July 29, at the church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville. The discussion is based on the book "Let's Talk Teens" and led by Diane Overgard who co-authored the book with Janice Rubin, director of Family Life-Student Ministries at Good Shepherd. Fees are covered by the church as a gift to the community. Participants may purchase the book for $15. For details, visit www.welcomegrowserve.org or call (630) 961-9220.

New Beginnings, a nondenominational self-help group for those experiencing separation, divorce, death of a spouse or loss of a significant relationship, meets at 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville. For details, visit the Web site at www.newbeginningsil.com or send an e-mail to cml525@gmail.com.

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church will sell copies of its 50th anniversary cookbook at the church, 547 N. Main St., Lombard. The cost is $12.50. For details, call the church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at (630) 627-2435.

July 10

A Theology-on-Tap summer speaker and discussion series for Catholics in their 20s and 30s is planned by the Diocese of Joliet as well as Chicago, Gary and Rockford. The program begins at 7 p.m. July 10 with Bishop J. Peter Sartain at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 402 S. Independence Blvd., Romeoville. The Lombard area will hold its sessions at 7 p.m. July 17, 24 and 31 at Champp's Americana Restaurant, 2301 Fountain Square Drive, Lombard. Another session will be at 7 p.m. July 16, 23 and 30 at Corpus Christi Church, 1415 Lies Road, Carol Stream. The series concludes at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at St. Raymond Cathedral, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet with a Mass and picnic. For details and speakers, visit www.dioceseofjoliet.org/yam/.

Grace Lutheran Church will be open as a Praying Place at noon and 7:20 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. For details, call (630) 469-1555.

July 11

Sacred Heart Monastery and Villa St. Benedict will have a service at 2 p.m. July 11 to bless the new facility at 1910 Maple Ave., Lisle. For details, call (630) 852-0345.

A new Christian social group for single, divorced and widowed members in the Addison area will begin meeting at 7:30 p.m. Fridays at a local restaurant. The group will plan activities. For details, call (630) 202-0333.

July 13

The Church of St. Francis will present "History of Angels: Good or Evil" at 11:45 a.m. July 13 and 20 at the church, 12 W. School St., Villa Park. For details, call (630) 834-3320.

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Naperville will hold a 175th anniversary worship service and potluck picnic beginning at 9:30 a.m. July 13 at DuPage River Park, 808 Royce Road, Naperville. The service resembles the church's first service on July 13, 1833 on the DuPage River with the Rev. Jeremiah Porter, a Congregational minister. For details, call (630) 355-1024.

First United Methodist Church will hold its Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. July 13 at Fishel Park, on Grove Street west of Main Street, Downers Grove. Those attending should bring a lawn chair. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. A collection of animals supplies of dog and cat food and kitty litter will be donated to the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove. In case of rain, the normal worship service without animals will be held at the church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. For details, call (630) 968-7120.

St. Margaret Mary Parish Center will hold a scholarship fund Mega Garage Sale sponsored by the Sharing Parish Committee from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18-19 at the parish, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville. Items will be half price Saturday. Proceeds will benefit scholarships at a school in Aurora. Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 13 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 14-16. Acceptable items include clothing, jewelry, linens, appliances, dishes, books, CDs, tapes/DVDs and electronics. Furniture pick up may be requested. For details visit www.smmp.com or call (630) 241-1159.

July 14

Lombard Christian Reformed Church will hold its vacation Bible school, Power Lab, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 14-17 at the church, 2020 S. Meyers Road, Lombard. The free event is open to children from kindergarten through fifth grade and includes crafts, science labs, games music and Bible stories. For details, visit www.lombardcrc.org or call (630) 495-3080.

United Churches of Christ of Bensenville will hold vacation Bible school, Rain forest Adventure, from 6 to 8 p.m. July 14-18 at Peace Church, 192 S. Center St., Bensenville. The school is for grades prekindergarten through sixth and includes stories, crafts, games and songs. For details or to register, call (630) 766-1141.

July 16

St. Charles Borromeo will hold its summer fest carnival July 16-20 at 145 E. Grand Ave., Bensenville. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and includes a craft fair, entertainment, rides, games, food and a Battle of the Bands. For details, call Judy at (630) 860-0173.

July 17

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church will hold its 13th annual golf outing and best ball scramble beginning at 12:30 p.m. July 27 at Salt Creek Golf Course in Wood Dale. Deadline is July 17. The fee for nine holes without a cart is $25; with a cart, $30. Hole sponsorships are available for $50. For details or to register, call Dukie McCarrell at (630) 539-1972.

July 20

Christ Church of Oak Brook will hold a new Healing Prayer and Communion service at 11:30 a.m. July 20 in the garden chapel, Thirty-First and York Road, Oak Brook. The service will be held the third Sunday of the month. For details, call (630) 654-1882.

Grace United Methodist Church will present the Jirani Children's Choir at 4 p.m. July 20 at the church, 300 E. Gartner Ave., Naperville. The choir is from Kenya. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children younger than 12. For details or to reserve tickets, visit www.peopleofgrace.org or call (630) 355-1748. The group also will perform at 3 p.m. July 27 at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.

July 21

Gary United Methodist Church and its affiliate Winfield Community United Methodist Church sponsor a senior high youth fellowship of 50 youth. The youth will travel in the United States for construction ministries including Habitat for Humanity. To support their trip, the 11th annual Gary/Winfield Golf Classic is planned July 21 at St. Andrew's Golf and Country Club, 3N441 Route 59, West Chicago. Sponsors are sought. For details, call Jeff Whitcomb at (630) 853-1991.

Evangel Baptist Church will hold its Power Lab vacation Bible school from 9:30 a.m. to noon July 21-25 at the church, 1900 Manchester Road, Wheaton. The school is for ages 4 to those entering sixth grade. For details or to register, call (630) 668-3225.

Word of Life Lutheran Church will present its vacation Bible school, Son World Adventure Park, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 21-25 at the church, 879 Tudor Drive, Naperville. The school for ages 3 to fourth grade includes skits, crafts, games and stories and a performance at 11 a.m. July 27. For details, call (630) 355-9655.

Congregation Etz Chaim will hold Camp Katan from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 21 through Aug. 1 at 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard. The camp is for ages 3-5. For details, call (630) 627-3912.

Fountain of Life Church will hold its vacation Bible school from 6 to 9 p.m. July 21-25 at the church, 2S361 Glen Park Road, Lombard. The program is open to all children ages 3-12 for God's Serving Hands. A family night is planned July 25. For details or to register, call (630) 627-7202.

July 23

NCO Youth and Family Services will hold a fundraising dinner auction, That Old Time Rock 'n Roll, at 5:30 p.m. July 23 at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $125 per person; scholarships are available. Proceeds benefit services for youth and families in DuPage and Kane counties including counseling, 24-hour crisis intervention, temporary and long-term shelter for boys 13-17 and transitional housing for males and females 18-21. For details, visit www.ncoyouth.org or call (630) 961-2992.

July 25

Calvary Episcopal Church will hold vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 4-8 at the church, 222 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. The theme The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, A Veggietales VBS offers children ages 3 through those entering fifth grade a closing program at 7 p.m. Aug. 8. The school is open to the community and admission is free. Deadline to register is July 25. For details or to register, visit www.calvaryepiscopal.org or call (630) 879-3378.

July 27

Yorkfield Presbyterian Church will hold a Run for Hunger at 8 a.m. July 27 at the church, Lexington and Old York roads, Elmhurst. The event is a 5K run/walk and at 8:45 a.m. a half-mile Kids Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the Elmhurst Food Pantry for needy families. For details, visit www.eypc.org.

July 28

St. Paul evangelical Church will hold its vacation Bible school, Song Games 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to noon July 28 to Aug. 1 at the church, 118 First St., Bloomingdale. The school is free for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. The camp includes an offering for mission groups and donations of canned goods for the Bloomingdale pantry. For details, visit www.stpaulbloomingdale.org or call (630) 980-9196.

Southminster Presbyterian Church will hold its vacation Bible school, Power Lab, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 28 to Aug. 1 at the church, 680 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. For details, call (630) 469-9149.

Aug. 2

St. Andrew United Methodist Church is seeking crafters for its Corn Fest Aug. 2 at the church, 250 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Crafters or artisans may call Vicki Wright at (630) 510-0145.

Science of Spirituality Center will hold its Veggie fest 2008, Good Food Healthy Living, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3 at the center, 4S174 Naperville Road, Naperville. The free event features entertainment, demonstrations and health speakers. Keynote address by Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 2 is Food for the Body, Meditatin - Food for the Soul and at 2 p.m. Aug. 3 Spiritual secrets of the Vegetarian Diet. For details, call (630) 955-1200.

Aug. 6

The Lombard Church of the Nazarene will hold its vacation Bible school, Equipped to Win, beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. Aug. 6, 13 and 20 at the church, 535 E. Maple St., Lombard. The sessions are from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. and include a family carnival on Aug. 20. For details or to register, call (630) 627-9444.

Aug. 8

The Institute of Spiritual Companionship of the Diocese of Joliet, a training and formation program for people in ministry, will be offered as 26 classes and two half-day process days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, September through November, at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center, 402 S. Independence Blvd., Romeoville. Application deadline is Aug. 8. Tuition is $1,000. For details, call (815) 834-4001.

Aug. 19

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will present its "Here I Stand: Leading Change through Self-Differentiation" from Aug. 19-21 at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. For details, visit www.lmpeacecenter.org or call (630) 627-0507.

Ongoing

A Parents Day Out Program will be offered in the fall for children ages 2-4 years at the First United Methodist Church, 424 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. Applications will be taken for the program from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. A $50 fee is due at enrollment and the charge is $25 a day. Children's activities include a Bible story. For details, call (630) 942-0226.

St. Thomas the Apostle Teens with Character, a youth ministry, is selling premium car wash tickets for $20 for the wash at Lexus of Naperville, 2480 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Lexus is donating the services so proceeds will benefit the teens' community service project to buy glasses for the needy at Scott Eye Care in Oswego. Tickets can be purchased at the parish, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville or by calling Corinne Seguin at (630) 305-6318.