Fox Valley religion notes
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.
St. John: On the Second Sunday of Christmas, the Rev. Hannibal Frederich will be preaching on the Gospel for the day, Luke 2:40-52, which is the account of the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring in Elgin. Under the theme of "In the Father's House," they will consider how Jesus is still found in His Father's house through the proclamation of His Gospel. The Sounds of Praise bell choir will perform at the 10:30 a.m. service. For information, call (847) 741-0814.
Country Covenant Church: On Sunday, Jan. 3, the Rev. Mark Anderson, a retired missionary from France, will be the guest minister at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Evangelical Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Campton Hills. Anderson's sermon will give new insight for the coming year. Adult Sunday school and church activities for children are held at 9:30 a.m. The children's message will be given by George Delask. On Saturday, Jan 2, men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday's Bible study will focus on Psalm 23 at 7 p.m. For information, call (847) 464-5381 or visit countrycov.org.
St. Peter: On Sunday, Jan. 3, meet Jesus as a tween at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road, Hampshire. Join the Donut Fellowship after worship. Sunday school resumes at 10:20 a.m. Men's Bible Breakfast meets Saturday at Hampshire's Rose Garden. Call the church at (847) 464-5721 for details. Little Saints Preschool is taking registrations for our Intro to Preschool. The class meets 9 to 11 a.m. Fridays and is intended for children who turn 3 after Sept. 1, 2009. For details, call Kristi at (847) 464-5134.
Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel offers 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 "Vayehi." 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. Prospective members, interfaith families, and guests of all faiths are welcomed. 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 ckielgin.org.
Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services 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. Rabbi Ora Schnitzer will lead services starting at 9:45 a.m. and give a talk about the Torah portion of the week. This week's Torah reading is "Vayehi." For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail shiratsh@comcast.net, or visit CongregationShiratShalom.org
First UMC-Elgin: On Sunday, Jan. 3, the Rev. Jonathan Hutchison will preach on "You Shall See" at the 9 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland in Elgin. The 11:30 a.m. service will be "Your Light Has Come." Special music will be provided by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of John Slawson in the 9 a.m. service. At the 11:30 a.m. service the Divine Impact Youth Group will provide the music. There are Christian education classes for all ages from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The youth group meets at 12:45 p.m. Holy Grounds Coffee House, sponsored by the youth group, is open to the public in Rogers Hall of the church from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8. For details, call (847) 741-0038 or visit fumcelgin.org.
King of Glory: On Sunday, Jan. 3, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin, observes Epiphany and they will look at the theme "Light in the Dark Ages," based on Matthew 2, 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" and 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. For details, call (847) 931-1520 or visit kogonline.org.