Religion -- Special events

Red Bird Mission Crafts: Epworth United Methodist Church hosts Red Bird Mission Crafts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. The Red Bird Mission, located in the southeastern Kentucky mountains, is an agency of Red Bird Missionary Conference related to the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. There will be baskets, some made of honeysuckle vines and creek willow, that are family traditions developed in an age when self-sufficiency was necessary in the isolated mountains. Another native art is the woven rugs. They will have an assortment of corn-shuck items including a variety of flowers. Other items include handmade dolls, unscented beeswax candles, jewelry, jams and jellies. There are note cards, history books of the area, recipe books, hand painted gourds, woven place mats, and handmade brooms. The wooden crafts consist of toys, games, utensils, cutting boards, cooling racks and furniture. Wood and cloth Christmas ornaments and an assortment of nativity sets add to the colorful display. For details, call Kara Berg at (847) 931-5400.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: On Sunday, faith communities from all over Elgin will gather for the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders. This year, the service will be held at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. Representatives from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths will speak and a choir consisting of musicians from several faith communities will sing. Refreshments will be served after the service. For information, call (847) 741-4045.

Community Thanksgiving and Praise: Highland Fellowship Church will host a Community Thanksgiving and Praise service with other local Elgin churches at 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, 2250 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. For details, call the church at (847) 741-6629. The other local churches are: Grace Evangelical, Elgin Evangelical Free, Community Baptist, Family Life, St. Hugh of Lincoln, Elgin Bible, New Covenant Fellowship, International House of Prayer, Grace Community, Immanuel Baptist, Elgin Vineyard and Church on the Rock.

Hymn Festival: On Sunday, Westminster Presbyterian Church are co-sponsoring a special Hymn Festival along with the American Guild of Organists at 3 p.m. at the church, 2700 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Timothy Albrecht, university organist and professor of church music from Emory University in Atlanta will lead the congregation in singing some of the great hymns of the faith, along with Westminster's Chancel Choir. There will be a reception with homemade desserts. Admission is free. For information, call (847) 695-0311.

Thanksgiving Sunday: On Sunday, Wesley United Methodist in Elgin will celebrate its Thanksgiving Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. with special music with the addition of Wesley's Orchestra and Cello Choir. Wesley Chancel Choir will present the anthem, "Love Divine," a tribute by Charles Wesley hymns and accompanied by the orchestra. The church is at 1070 South St. For details, call (847) 742-7256.

Thanksgiving service: The Larkin Avenue Baptist Church, 1158 Larkin Ave. in Elgin, will have its Thanksgiving service with Holy Communion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. It will be a time of celebrating and sharing the blessings of 2007. For details, call (847) 742-5014 or e-mail to info@labcelgin.org.

Thanksgiving service: First Presbyterian Church (USA), 240 Standish St. in Elgin, will have its annual Thanksgiving Eve service with Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m. Gather with family and friends, celebrate God's blessings, partake of Holy Communion and hear the reflections of two church members. All are welcome. Child care will be provided. Parking is available in the back parking lot. For details, call Ruth Barkby at (847) 742-6365.

Thanksgiving dinner at St. Joseph: The 24th annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for those in need, alone or homebound is once again being sponsored by St. Joseph Catholic Church of Elgin. They are asking for food donations and money. Meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the school cafeteria, 274 Division St., Elgin. Tickets for this event may be picked up at the parish office. If you are homebound and would like a meal delivered, call Sharon at (224) 587-3579. If you would like to make a cash donation, mail checks payable to St. Joseph Church - Thanksgiving Dinner, 272 Division St., Elgin, IL 60120. If you would like to volunteer time, call Leo or Tina at (847) 697-7616 after 5 p.m. Last year, approximately 1,000 meals were served, including home deliveries by 200 volunteers from the area.

Alumni reunion: St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School will have an alumni reunion from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in the school cafeteria, 274 Division St., Elgin. The potluck get-together is for all St. Joseph Elementary School alumni. Bring a dish to share if you can. For details, call Zhennie P. Graf at (224) 805-6317.

Christmas Past Sale: First Congregational United Church of Christ will hold a "Christmas Past Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30 and 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 at the church, 30 N. Washington St., Carpentersville. Gently used Christmas decorations, lawn decorations, lights and many items will be available for bargain prices. This sale is being sponsored by the Women's Fellowship of the church to help the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville.

Christmas Delights: St. John Lutheran Church Ladies Society will hold their annual bazaar, "Christmas Delights," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road, Burlington. There will be Christmas decorations, crocheted and knitted items, kitchen items, embroidery, quilts, baked goods, and lunch will be available for purchase. For details, call the church at (847) 683-2338.

Family Christmas concert: First Congregational Church will host its family Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at the church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. The FCC Music Department presents "And All The Stars Looked Down," featuring works by Victoria, Wilberg, Whitacre and Rutter. Audience members will hear familiar carols, "Good Christian Friends Rejoice," "Fum, Fum, Fum" and the men singing "Mary Had A Baby." The handbell choir will ring "Infant Holy," "Stille Nacht" and "Wassail Song." Favorites such as Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and "Happy Holiday" will close the concert. Come expecting to sing some carols with the choirs as well. Ann Tucker, director of music, and Toni Gambini, bellmaster, direct this year's performance. Joining the Vestry Adult Choir and Jubilate Adult Handbell Choir is the Alleluia Sound Choir. Barb Thorsen and Jo Ann Black will be the accompanists. For information, call the church office at (815) 459-6010 or visit FCCCrystalLake.org. The public is invited to attend this holiday program. The church is handicapped accessible.