Area churches, groups plan holiday events

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Updated: January 9, 2012 8:39AM

Elgin: Family Puppet Show at Elgin Bible Church
Looking for a fun but Christ-focused Christmas celebration? Bring the family and enjoy the exciting “Dewey’s Christmas Tail” Puppet Show at Elgin Bible Church on the east side of Elgin. There is no admission charge. The puppet show is presented by the award-winning “Hands 4 Him” puppet team and features fun music backgrounds and special lighting. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with the same show repeated at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. All are welcome. Elgin Bible Church is at 1580 E. Chicago St. (Route 19) in Elgin. Call 847-888-1978 or visit www.elginbiblechurch.org.

Hampshire: Bluegrass band to sing carols at Zion

Zion United Methodist Church will welcome new members during its 10:15 a.m. worship service Sunday. The Georgia Rae Family Band from Richmond will provide bluegrass-style Christmas carols and folk hymns during the service. A goodwill offering will be received to contribute to the band’s travel expenses and music lessons for the young performers. Christmas Eve will be celebrated with a candle-light service beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The public is invited to this special service as well as to all the services of the church. There will be no service on Christmas morning. The regular service time resumes at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, with Holy Communion. For more information, contact Pastor Diana K. Otterbacher at 847-683-2430.

West Dundee: Concert set at First Congregational

First Congregational Church of Dundee invites the community to come to worship with us at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday for a Christmas Concert, “A Thrill of Hope,” by Joel Raney with chamber orchestra. FCC’s annual event is offered to the public by the Cantata Choir, an adult vocal choir directed by Robert Blazek with Linda Gilmore, accompanist. This musical is a dynamic retelling of the Christmas story divided into four parts: Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. “The Church on the Hill” is at 900 S. Eighth St. (Route 31 and Angle Tarn), West Dundee. For more details, call First Congregational Church of Dundee at 847-426-2161, ext. 210, or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Carpentersville: Breakfast with Santa on Sunday

The Carpentersville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5915 is hosting a Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. This a fund- raiser, so invite your friends and neighbors to join you for an enjoyable breakfast. Everything from Eggs Benedict to steak and eggs will be served. There will also be activities for the little ones. Call Elaine Slack at 428-658-3391 or call the post home at 847-428-4836.

Algonquin: Blood drive set for Sunday

The Knights of Columbus from St. Margaret Mary Church and LifeSource are sponsoring a blood donor drive from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at McDonnell Hall on the school campus at 111 S. Hubbard St.

There will be refreshments served and also a drawings for prizes donated by businesses from around Algonquin. Every donor will receive a certificate for $10 off on a Sal’s Pizza, voted best pizza in the area several times over the last few years. Come join us in this worthy cause that helps so much these days.

At this time of year, a gift of life giving blood is greatly appreciated. We encourage you to come and donate and if your business would like to donate a prize to be raffled off, please contact Bill Burg at 847-323-6304.