Notes on Religion

Your faith

Editor's Note: Due to space constraints, the Daily Herald will no longer be running regular worship service or other ongoing religious program information in its Lake County Your Faith listings. Instead, the Herald religion listings will be focusing on items concerning special events, lectures, speakers and performances.

To have your information included, e-mail it each week by noon Tuesday to faith@dailyherald.com, fax it to (847) 680-0189 or mail to Religion listings, 1795 N. Butterfield Road, Suite 100, Libertyville, IL, 60048.

Archdiocese of Chicago: Two community organizations, Illinois Hunger Coalition and Lake County United, will share $30,000 in grant money from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to help low-income residents in Chicago and the north suburbs meet basic family needs, including school improvement and emergency food assistance.

In 2007, CCHD distributed $533,000 to 24 organizations that are addressing the root causes of poverty with seniors, youth, immigrants, workers and the disabled in Cook and Lake counties.

This year's Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection will take place today and Sunday at 363 Archdiocesan parishes. The funds will be awarded in fall 2008.

Chicago United Synagogue Youth: On Wednesday, CHUSY (Chicago United Synagogue Youth) Region's and BEANS USY proudly present "Turkey and the Beast" from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road in Highland Park. Congregation Beth Judea's Kadima Youth Group and USYers will be attending.

Entrance fee: $10 with can of food for the ARK; $12 without the can; $5 for alumni. Bring some money to donate to tzedakah to win the "rose."

A bus will be leaving from Beth Judea at 7:20 p.m. and will be returning to Beth Judea after the Turkey Dance. It is free to Kadima and USY members; alumni cost is $10.

Beth Judea's youth director is Aaron Polonsky, who can be reached at the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777, ext. 114 for information.

Community Protestant Church and Ivanhoe Congregational Church: The churches will join together for a Thanksgiving Worship Service at 7 p.m. Sunday. The service features a combined choir and a time of fellowship after the service. The service is being held at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, on the corner of Hawley and Prairie in Mundelein. For information, call (847) 566-4000. All are welcome.

Congregation Or Shalom: Sisterhood is sponsoring a Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Hawthorn Middle School North, 201 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills. The bazaar will feature such items as handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing and giftware as well as representatives from many well-known businesses including Tupperware and Pampered Chef. Raffles will be held for a chance to win items donated by each vendor. Admission is free. For information, or if you are interested in being a vendor at this event, contact Debbie at debc54@hotmail.com or call Or Shalom at (847) 362-1948.

First Church of Christ, Scientist: The church at 240 Park Place in Libertyville, which is across from National City Bank, will have a. Thanksgiving morning service at 10 a.m. Thursday.

First Presbyterian Church: The church at 219 W. Maple Ave., Libertyville, invites all to join in a special fellowship and worship service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday. The youth of the church will host a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. which will be followed by the worship service at 10 a.m. The Rev. Amy Heinrich will lead the service and will be joined by the youth.

To begin the Advent season, a special service of "Lessons and Carols" will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The Vespers Choir, under the direction of Jane Orth, will present this traditional worship service. Child care will be available.

For information, call (847) 362-2174 or visit www.firstpreslibertyville.org.

Grace Lutheran Church: The church will hold a Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Immediately following worship the Annual Pie Social held in Cafe Grace. Stay for coffee and a delicious slice of pie. Grace Lutheran Church is at 501 Valley Park Drive in Libertyville. www.aboutgracelutheran.org or (847) 367-7050.

The Lake County Exchange Club: The annual "One Nation Under God" Prayer Breakfast will be from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.

This annual community gathering focuses on giving thanks for the freedom as Americans to live as one nation under God. The featured guest speaker will be (Ret.) Commander Mark Jumper, USN. The program is sponsored by The Exchange Clubs of Lake and McHenry counties.

Currently serving as senior pastor of Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Libertyville, Jumper served as a chaplain for 24 years, retiring in 2006. A veteran of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, he devised and implemented the Marine Corps Warrior Transition Program. Named as the first Coast Guard Chaplain of the Year in 1999, his final assignments included the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the Naval Chaplains School.

His topic, "The Practical Benefits of Being One Nation Under God," will look at the views of America's founders to find guidance for our national and personal life today.

Preceding Jumper's remarks will be a performance by the Grayslake High School Jazz Band.

The free event is open to the public. A free breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, fruit, juice and coffee will be served.

Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit: Join in a service of hymns, prayer and readings to give thanks for the blessings of family, harvest and nation worship at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire.

North Shore Unitarian Church: Young musicians, songwriters and vocalists will showcase their talent at the First Annual Jumpstart Jazz concert, a benefit for Public Action to Deliver Shelter Crisis Services. The performances will take place at North Shore Unitarian Church beginning at 7 p.m. today. The suggested donation is $10 with all funds going to PADS.

A raffle featuring donated gift baskets will be held. Hot cider and homemade baked goods will be served to guests.

For more information on Jumpstart Jazz, e-mail Libby at socialaction@nsuc.org. The North Shore Unitarian Church is located at 2100 Half Day Road (Route 22) in Deerfield, just off I-94.

Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church: All are welcome to join a special Thanksgiving Eve worship service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, featuring holy Communion and led by the Praise Band and Senior Choir. The church is at 10 S. Lake St., Mundelein. For information, call (847) 566-8081.

St. Lawrence Episcopal Church: A Thanksgiving Eve service will be celebrated in conjunction with Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Patricia W. Snickenberger from St. Lawrence and Pastor Bob Davis from Holy Cross will preside over the service. Immediately following the service, a pie social will be held in the Narthex. St. Lawrence is at 125 W. Church St. in Libertyville. For more information, contact the church office at (847) 362-2110 or visit the church Web site at www.stlawrencechurch.org.

• Come in from the cold … the doors will be open at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church in conjunction with the Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Libertyville Friday. St. Lawrence will be offering hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies from 6-8 p.m. in the Narthex. St. Lawrence is at 125 W. Church St., across the street from Cook Park.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church: The church at 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods, will include two services of "Thanks and Praise" in celebration of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday. For information, call (847) 438-7709.

Bethel Lutheran Church: Bethel Lutheran Preschool, 5110 Grand Ave., Gurnee, is offering a new program, Terrific Two's, for children 2 years of age by Sept. 1, 2007. Class begins Jan. 8 on Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:15 to 2:15 for eight weeks. Registration deadline is Dec. 3. Call the preschool at (847) 244-9672 for information.

Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church: The church at 43 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa, will hold Thanksgiving services at 9 a.m. Thursday. For information, call the church at (847) 838-0103.

Congregation Am Echod: The congregation at 2945 Falling Waters Blvd., Lindenhurst, will offer a special Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 for the dedication of the new Reform prayer book, Mishkan T'filah with Scholar in Residence student Rabbi Carmit Harari. For information, call (847) 265-1818 or e-mail amechod@amechod.org

Crosspoint Church: The church, formerly the Fox Lake Baptist Church, 27430 W. Nippersink Road, Ingleside, offers a contemporary worship service with a relevant message from the Bible at 10 a.m. Sundays.

A Thanksgiving theme worship service will be offered on Sunday. Pastor Chuck Vitel's message is titled, "Gratitude Changes the Attitude." Nursery is available as well as a Bible-based program for children ages kindergarten through sixth grade during the morning worship service.

The church is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference. For information, call the church office at (847) 587-7722 or visit the Web site at www.foxlakebaptistchurch.org.

Holy Cross Anglican Chapel: The chapel at 500 Park Ave., Lake Villa, Unit 102, will hold a Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist service at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Millburn Congregational United Church of Christ: The church at 19073 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa, will hold a Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1. Cookies and candy will be $6 per pound. For more information, call the church office at (847) 356-5237.

Open Arms Mission Food Pantry: The food pantry is in the midst of the busiest time of year with a Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Meal Box Program and the Adopt-a-Family Christmas program, but donations are considerably down.

Two days before Thanksgiving the food pantry, serving Antioch and Lake Villa townships, will distribute 450 food boxes filled with nutritious items and all of the ingredients needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. A rise in clients forced the nonprofit organization to order 150 more food boxes for this year's event.

The most pressing need at this time of year is for cash donations, said Executive Director the Rev. Scott Keenan, explaining that the food pantry can purchase food at deeply discounted prices. A donation of $25 goes a long way, providing 80 pounds of food to each family.

The food pantry is on Route 83 south of Route 173, on the west side of road next to A to Z Rental. Food is distributed from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Contributions may be sent to Open Arms Mission, P.O. Box 79, Antioch, IL 60002. Donations are tax-deductible. Donations may be made through Christmas for the Holiday Meal Boxes.

Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation: PCUUC meets each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake, in the Prairie Crossing community.

Join Laura Hebert, director of religious education and the Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation for worship services at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. This special intergenerational service will focus on how what we choose to pay attention to inevitably determines the course of our lives. PCUUC members from each generation will share their answer to Mary Oliver's question, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Children's liberal religious education for preschool through high school runs concurrent to the adult service. Child care for children up to 3 years old is available during the service.

Additional details, directions, and contacts are available at www.prairiecircleuuc.org, or call (847) 604-1908.

• "Churning God: The Emerging World Questions," a talk by Dr. John Biersdorf, will be presented at 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at Byron Colby Barn, Prairie Crossing Community, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake.

Biersdorf will explore the fundamental questions religion has raised in the human psyche through history; with particular attention to emerging questions and issues in American and world cultures.

Biersdorf is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He has been an officer in the Marine Corps, a parish pastor in California and Michigan, director of the Department of Ministry at the National Council of Churches, and on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Yale Divinity School.

The presentation is free. For information, call (847) 543-1202.

St. Paul the Apostle Church: The Adult Choir, together with members of the Children's Choir of St. Paul the Apostle Church, at Hunt Club and Gages Lake Road in Gurnee, will present a Christmas Cantata called "Emmanuel -- God with Us" at 7 p.m. Dec. 15.

This will be the perfect opportunity for families to take a break for one hour from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and come listen to the telling of the Christmas Story in a beautiful setting. This performance will be in a "Lessons and Carols" format with the Christmas story being narrated by Peter Glover and both choirs led by music director Ruth Peck. The songs that will be performed will be contemporary and traditional and the audience will have the opportunity to join in singing a couple traditional Christmas carols while holding lighted vigil candles toward the end of the performance.

A reception with homemade Christmas cookies and beverages will be held in the church's narthex following the performance. There is no charge for the tickets to this event, however a ticket will be needed for admittance. To obtain free tickets for this performance, contact Ruth Peck via e-mail: stpaulapostlemusic@msn.com

St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church: To honor Thanksgiving, St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2101 E. Route 173, Antioch, will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. Thursday in the temporary church.

• The Catholic Daughters of the Americas met for their inaugural meeting Nov. 7 at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Antioch. The group is the first in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Officers are regent Nancy Krupa; vice-regent Cathleen Sombrano; recording secretary Karen Mahoney; treasurer MaryLou Wetzel; and financial secretary Tina Meek.

Catholic daughters meets at 7 p.m. every first Wednesday at St. Raphael the Archangel and is open to all Catholic women 18 years and older. If you have an interest in joining or obtaining more information, contact St. Raphael, 2101 E. IL Route 173, Antioch. (847) 395-3474.

• St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Masses at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the church, 2101 E. Route 173, Antioch.

United Protestant Church of Grayslake: Come pick out delicious holiday treats for gift-giving and holiday parties from among thousands of cookies at the 6th Annual Cookie Walk at the United Protestant Church of Grayslake Dec. 1. The cookie walk will feature cookies, candies and holiday treats priced per pound. There will also be holiday decorations and giftware for sale. The festive Cookie Walk will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. in the lower level of the church Fellowship Hall, at the corner of Park and Whitney streets in downtown Grayslake. The Cookie Walk is sponsored by the UPC Women's Christian Fellowship. For information, call UPC at (847) 223-8131.

• After a successful summer launch, Saturday night contemporary services will again be held at the United Protestant Church of Grayslake at 5 p.m. on the second and third Saturdays of each month. The informal, interactive and contemporary worship experiences include praise music with a Christian band, prayer requests, thanksgiving, Bible readings and a message, all led by Sarah Pressly-James, director of youth ministries. All ages are welcome. The UPC is located at the corner of Park and Whitney Streets in downtown Grayslake. For more information, call (847) 223-8131.

• At 4 p.m. Dec. 9, the premiere performance of "The Holiest of Nights," a Christmas story featuring The Pater's Puppets and the United Protestant Church Chancel Choir, will be held in the UPC sanctuary, 54 S. Whitney St., Grayslake. The community is invited to attend "The Holiest of Nights," which features UPC youth using marionettes and hand, rod, scarf and shadow puppets. The production uses a biblically-based script that was written and is being directed by the Rev. Fred Berchtold, a UPC member, retired United Methodist pastor and a member of Puppeteers of America and the National Storytelling Network. In addition, Rev. Berchtold's display of more than 60 creches from around the world will be on display in the sanctuary that day and throughout December.

Wildwood Presbyterian Church: The Wildwood Presbyterian Church will host a Community Service of Thanksgiving at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Presbyterian Church, 18630 W. Old Gages Lake Road in Grayslake.

Four other Grayslake churches will join in the service, including St. Gilbert's Catholic Church, the United Protestant Church of Grayslake, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

There will be three brief sermons, some Scripture readings and music from all of the churches' choirs.

All are welcome to attend. Participants are asked to bring nonperishable food items and donations for local food pantries.

For information, contact the Wildwood Presbyterian Church office at (847) 223-0073 or www.wildwoodpc.org.

Congregation Beth Judea: The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea will hold its annual blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Social Hall of the synagogue, which is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. The blood drive is being held at this time due to the severe shortage of blood during the Thanksgiving holiday.

A photo ID is required when you fill out paperwork. Bring a state ID or driver's license and make sure to have something to eat before you arrive. Refreshments will be provided by Shalom Kosher Bakery and Life Source.

Call the Beth Judea office at (847) 634-0777 to make an appointment.

• The Beth Judea Youth Department will host a Shabbat Dinner and Service for the members of the various youth groups (Kadinkers, Kadima and USY) and their families Nov. 30. All congregants are cordially welcome to attend.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. Shabbat service.

Cost of the dinner: adult (12 years and older) $18; 6 to 11 years old $10; 5 years old and younger $5. Vegetarian meals are available upon request.

Please contact Aaron at the synagogue office (847) 634-0777, ext. 114, for further information. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove.

• The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea will offer a Hanukkah Shoppe from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the lobby. Before they enter the Shoppe, children will have filled out a form listing the people who are on their shopping list. Forms are available at the Beth Judea office. No gift is more than $9; gifts range in price from $1 to $9. To make this a really easy way for children to shop, the Sisterhood will even provide complimentary gift wrapping and gift stickers. No parents or any other adults will be allowed in the Shoppe, with the exception of some Sisterhood volunteers who will be there to help the children select their gifts.

For information, leave a message for Pamela or Karen at the synagogue office, (847) 634-0777. Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove.

• Beth Judea will host a Family Fun Night today. There will be a Havdallah service, games (bring a favorite family board/card game), karaoke and snacks.

Donations to the Rachel Hirschman Fund are welcome. Rachel was a youth director at Beth Judea who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. The Rachel Hirschman Memorial Fund provides subsidies for USYers attending approved USY programs in Israel.

Please R.S.V.P. to the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777. Walk-ins are welcome Beth Judea is on Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove.

The Knights of Columbus Waukegan Council 731: A special Memorial Mass will be held for all deceased members of the Knights of Columbus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Dismas Church, 2600 Sunset Ave., Waukegan. The service will also memorialize 4th Degree Knights from the Bishops Quarterly Assembly. Everyone is invited to attend the annual memorial service. Cake and coffee will be served following the service.

St. Martin de Porres: The school at 515 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, will have an open house for prospective students from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. For information, call (847) 244-6895, ext. 225.