Fox Valley notes on religion

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.

Immanuel Baptist: On Sunday, Feb. 22, Immanuel Baptist Church, 500 St. Charles St. in Elgin, will have a time for musical worship with the Theophilus singers from Judson University which will be followed by a number from their choir, "A Hymn of Promise." An informative sermon on "Where You are Going After This Life?" will be given by Rev. Townsend, who will elaborate on this and will explain it thoroughly.

There will be a time for meeting the pastor after the sermon. Gary Hillquist is the minister of music. Come early and enjoy cup of coffee and interesting chatter.

For details, call (847) 741-6902 or visit www.ibcelgin.org.

St. Peter: On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Rev. Gerhard Mau will preach on "Unveiling God's Glory" at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road (one mile east of Route 47) in Hampshire. Sunday school and adult Bible class follows at 10:20 a.m. For information, contact St. Peter's Lutheran Church at (847) 464-5721.

It's aluminum can pick up day - bring your cans to the pickup parked near the Dumpster. Aluminum cans benefit the Sunday school.

Registration is open for Little Saints Preschool, including the Intro to Preschool class. Call Kristina at (847) 464-5134 for a tour or for details. Members of the community are encouraged to apply.

Calvary Lutheran: Calvary Lutheran Church, 535 N. McLean Blvd. in Elgin, begins Lenten worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. The theme for the Wednesday Lenten services is "By His Wounds, We are Healed." Wednesday services are at 4 and 7 p.m. each week through April 1 and will include Holy Communion. Calvary Evening Circle will also serve a Lenten supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. A free will offering will be taken. The community is invited to join Calvary as they meditate on the Lord's suffering for their sins. For details, call (847) 741-5433 or visit www.clce.org.

Epworth UMC: On Feb. 25, "A Time to Focus on Prayer" will be the theme of the Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. All are welcome to join together to remember why this tradition is important. Come receive ashes on the forehead, a symbol of death and sorrow over sin. Holy Communion also will be given at an open table, welcoming to all who wish to receive the gift of the Body of Christ.

Lenten small group studies will begin at the church. Groups will meet at a variety of times for six weeks to discuss the best seller "The Shack." The book tells the tale of Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, who has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

Small groups are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4. Other times and dates are being formed, interested individuals should contact the church office for sign up options. Supervised children's activities (kindergarten to sixth grades) are available for the 6:30 p.m. class on Wednesdays, beginning with freewill hospitality dinner served from 5:30 to 6:4 5 p.m. For details, call (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org. Or visit www.epworthumcelgin.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel has been serving the Fox River Valley for over 116 years. As a member of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, it offers a full range of services: Torah school for prekindergarten to high school, adult education classes, a youth program for age 6 to 12, Sisterhood and Men's Club, and age-based interest groups. This week's Torah portion is "Mishpatim." 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.

Shirat 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 Monday, March 9, they will celebrate Purim at 6:30 p.m. This week's Torah portion is "Mishpatim," where they are reminded to be sensitive to the needs of strangers, as they were once strangers in Egypt. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Yonker will be sharing the message, "Making Our Way Down the Uneasy," at 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. The Saturday evening and 8 a.m. Sunday morning services are traditional with organ, hymns and liturgy. The Sunday 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. Holy Communion this weekend will be celebrated at the 10:45 a.m. service.

"Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

This Wednesday, Feb. 25, Immanuel begins its Lenten midweek worship with Ash Wednesday services at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Rev. Bruce Meissner will share the message for Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will be sharing the messages for the midweek services, sharing a sermon series he has called "Only Jesus." Join them for some meditative worship, as they watch and hear how only Jesus: "Could Cleanse the Temple," Is Worth That Much!," "Could Challenge Us to Move Mountains!", "Can Make Us Look Up on the Last Day!"; "Would Wait So Long for Someone!"; "Would Let Someone Else Determine His Destiny!"; "Would Wash between Our Toes!"; "Would Take Our Place in hell!"; and on Easter, "Only Jesus - Can Roll Away the Stones!" For Ash Wednesday, ashes will be imposed on the forehead before the services begin for those that wish them. Ash Wednesday and Midweek Lenten services are at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit Immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Feb. 22, the children's choirs, under the direction of Laura Johnson and Lynda Fox, will provide special music at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin. The sermon, "Keeping Quiet," will be given by the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison. The 11:30 a.m. worship will include a message from the Rev. Mona Walker, "Greatest Act of Love."

There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m.

"Watching the Disciples: Learning from Their Mistakes," is a Sunday morning adult Lenten study to begin with an introductory meeting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. The seven sessions will meet during the Christian education time beginning Sunday, March 1, and will conclude Easter Sunday. This study looks at the 12 disciples as they tried to follow Jesus and live the challenging life to which he had called them. Examining the mistakes of the "Twelve" can help you to assess your own discipleship in order to see where it may need strengthening. Everyone is welcome.

The church is conducting a community, downtown Lenten worship session at noon each Thursday from Feb. 26 through April 9 (Maundy Thursday). The worship begins at noon in the chapel and lasts about 30 minutes. You are invited to bring a sack lunch and facilities will be made available for eating it after the worship time. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit www.fumcelgin.org.

St. John: On Sunday, Feb. 22, Transfiguration Sunday, the Rev. Loren Krout will preach the sermon, "A Vision Fair," based on Mark 9:2-9, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Fellowship is at 9 a.m. and family education hour from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. A children's talk time is included before the sermon. The Quilters meet at 9 a.m. Mondays.

Lenten midweek services begin at 7 p.m. Wednesdays with a Lent dinner at 5:30 p.m. There will be a rotating pulpit again this year.

The youth group is planning a for Sunday, March 1. Call the office for details.

A date has been set for the first Friendship Sunday in three years, May 17. They are also planning a church picnic for late July in the Burlington Park. The day will include an outdoor service. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

First Congregational: On the Last Sunday of Epiphany, Feb. 22, the Rev. Paris Donehoo will speak on "Redemptive Relationships," at the 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. services at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. This week's topic is "Who Is Your Lord?" is based on 2 Corinthians 5:11-15 and Mark 9:2-10. The Open Door service starts at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. Assisting with the second service, the chancel choir will sing the anthem, "Christ Upon the Mountain Peak" by Paul Bauman and Brian Wren. Sunday school starts at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and after the children's message, students are dismissed to their individual classes.

Adult Christian Formation starts with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. and continues with an in-depth Bible study of the book of 1 Corinthian the fellowship hall or "Controversial Conversations with Carl" discussing the "Bush legacy" in the library.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Chime Choir practices at 6 p.m.

On Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday, there are two opportunities for observing the occasion. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., individuals may meet with the pastor in the chapel for individual prayer, Holy Communion, and ashes, and at 7 p.m. there will be an Ash Wednesday service with quiet reflection, readings, prayer, quiet music, Holy Communion, and imposition of ashes (if desired) in the chapel.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, Damaris, the women's dining out group, meets at 6:30 p.m. at Olive Garden at Spring Hill Mall.

On Friday, Feb. 27, the 2009 Jane Hampton-Chipman Memorial Recital Series begins at noon with Jon Warfel at the organ and Carlyn Lloyd as flutist. Warfel is the church's music director/organist. The public is encouraged to attend.

For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for both services. Second Baptist is celebrating Black History Month and encourages all members to wear African apparel throughout the month of February. To close out Black Heritage Month, SBC will host the citywide Black History Program starting at 5 p.m.

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 "barbershop" beginning at 9 a.m.

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. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Rev. Donald Longbottom will present the sermon, "Making Space for a Faith That Will Not Fade," based on Mark 9:2-13, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Traditional worship, with the Chancel Choir and a vocal or bell choir, will be at 9 a.m. Progressive worship, a spirit-filled experience with the Praise Singers and Band, will be at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by the Adult Bell Ensemble, directed by Robert Blazek; and the Chancel Choir, directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, piano/organ accompanist. The 10:30 a.m. service will feature songs and music by the Praise Singers and Band: Cheri Blazek; Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, keyboard; Noah Katsma, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.

Children, age 3 through fifth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families and move to Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. and to God's Big Backyard for KidsOwn Worship at 10:30 a.m. A new snack time for kids will be held in God's Big Backyard from 10 to 10:10 a.m. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Children should be signed in and out. Adult education class, "To Begin at the Beginning," resumes at 10:30 a.m.

Africa Mission Chili Cook-off Fundraiser will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the narthex. Do you make really great chili? Then enter a pot in the chili cook-off and put it to a vote to prove it. One pot of chili is all it takes to be crowned the best. Everyone is invited to try as many as you would like of the various entries and vote for your favorite. $5 per person is all it takes. Come join in the fun, the fellowship and the opportunity to raise money for the Africa mission. Another mission trip is planned for June 2009. Anyone interested in joining should call Kim or David Olson at info@zawadinizawadi.com.

The high school youth group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday to discuss the natural issues associated with sex in a Christian, safe environment with a medical professional. This is not your normal health class. Parents with questions or concerns about this sensitive topic are encouraged to call Chad Coe, director of youth ministries, at (847) 426-2161 ext. 202.

The women's book/Bible study meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays with Karen Gundersen. The group will be reading "Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out" by Joanna Weaver. Read chapter seven and reflect on the Study Questions. The book is available at all major bookstores. If child care is needed, call the church office.

God's Kitchen, which begins at 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, is a Lenten Family Dinner Series that continues through April 1. The meals are served buffet style and a freewill offering will be taken. Sign up by calling the church office with the number attending on a specific date and in which areas you will be able to lend a helping hand. Come gather in God's Kitchen.

Prepare yourselves for the beginning of Lent by attending the Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the Sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will participate in this service that includes the distribution of ashes. Lent is a time for reaching deep within ourselves for the strength that navigates every human experience. It is a time of renewal and the restoration of our faith. The service is planned for all ages; however, nursery care will be provided.

The Dundee and Elgin Area Lenten Organ Recital Series from 12:10 to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, will feature Michael Surratt. A reception will follow. Treat yourself to this Lenten gift of music. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

King of Glory: On Sunday, Feb. 22, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, will observe the transfiguration of Jesus by looking at the topic of "Listen to Him!" based on Mark 9, at the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. services.

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 9:20 a.m. They also offer during the school year various midweek educational opportunities as well as a preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as youth programs for various age groups.

On Mondays, join "The Refuge." Connect with God in a different, informal way at 7 p.m. Come for fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy some coffee and snacks before worship. This week, the theme is "Lean on Me" as they take a look at how they can lean on Jesus for help they need in times of trouble.

In addition, a series of six Wednesday evening Lenten worship opportunities begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 25, with an Ash Wednesday service and the celebration of Holy Communion.

The church is at Hopps and Randall roads, Elgin. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit www.kogonline.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Mark 9:2-9 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. On Transfiguration Sunday, the light of God's glory in Jesus has enlightened you through baptism and shines in you also for others to see.

It is an open and affirming congregation, welcoming all to their services. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.