First United Methodist in Elgin celebrates 175 years

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:11AM

Elgin: First Methodist
starts anniversary year

First United Methodist Church on Highland Avenue has become a landmark in this city’s rich history, its intricate iron steeple rising high above the Elgin skyline. This year, First United Methodist Church will celebrate 175 years as a congregation. A yearlong celebration is planned that will include events that bring the church back to its early roots. To begin the anniversary observance, the church will hold an interfaith service at 11 a.m. Sunday. Guest speakers will include the Rev. Olin Sletto from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, the Rev. Geoffrey Wirth from St. Thomas More Catholic Church, and Rabbi Jonathan Kohn from Congregational Kneseth Israel, as well as welcoming remarks from Elgin Mayor David Kaptain. Music will be provided by the church’s Cathedral Choir and Celebration Ringers. A fellowship reception and refreshments will follow the service. The church is at 216 E. Highland Ave. More celebration events are planned in the coming weeks. Details can be found on the church’s website, www.fumcelgin.org/.

Hampshire: Events set
at St. John Lutheran Church

The Junior Youth Group “IGNITE” is now meeting on Sunday evenings at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The IGNITE group includes sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. St. John will once again provide Lenten midweek worship services beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 (Ash Wednesday). It will have a rotating pulpit with guest pastors from around the circuit. Its theme this year is the Penitential Psalms. The church is at 13N535 French Road, Hampshire. Call 847-683-2338 or visit the website at www.stjohnburlington.com.

St. Charles: Hosanna!
Lutheran plans for Lent

Hosanna! Lutheran Church will have Lent Worship Services beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. Services that day will be at noon and 6:30 p.m., and will include Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes on the forehead. During the rest of the Lenten season, special midweek services will be held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. through April 4. For more information, call the church office at 630-584-6434, email at Welcome@HosannaChurch.com or visit its website at www.HosannaChurch.com. Hosanna! is a Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ church and is located at 36W925 Red Gate Road (entrance just east of Randall Road), St. Charles.

West Dundee: Events
at First Congregational

In February, the Mission Ministry of First Congregational Church of Dundee is collecting sugar and flour for FISH (Friend I Shall Help) Food Pantry. These baking and cooking staples are always needed. The Third Sunday Benevolence Offering will be designated for the FISH Food Pantry. For each $1 donated, over 8 pounds of food can be distributed as compared to $1 spent at a local discount store, where that price buys less. Donations of size 4-6 diapers and infant formula are also being collected for the Community Crisis Center to distribute to the children and adults who come to the Elgin center for shelter, counseling and financial assistance. Drop off donations to the church. First Congregational serves dinner at the Community Crisis Center in Elgin on a monthly basis. The next meal will be provided on Tuesday. Anyone interested in cooking, donating food, formula or size 4-6 diapers, or delivering the meals, is asked to contact the church office. God’s Kitchen begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. and is a Lenten Family Dinner Series that continues through March 28. The meals are served buffet style, and a free-will 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. Prepare yourselves for the beginning of Lent by attending the Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will participate in this service, which includes the distribution of ashes. The church is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For more on services and times, call 847-426-2161, ext. 210, or visit the website at www.fccdundee.com.