TEENS ENCOUNTER CHRIST

Peterstown Teens Encounter Christ scheduled TEC 166 for boys ages 16 to 20 for Saturday, Nov. 14, to Monday, Nov. 16. This is the first boys weekend of the TEC season. The program is open to youths of all faiths. For more information or to receive an application, contact Brenda Barnickel at 815-538-2091.

POLKA MASSTERS IN LA SALLE

Polka Massters from Joliet, a popular multi-piece band, will play a 4 p.m. Mass Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Hyacinth Church, 927 10th St., La Salle. Everyone is welcome to this uplifting liturgy.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

There will be a community-wide men's prayer breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fox River Lutheran Church, 2785 U.S. 52, Sheridan. Bring a friend and have a great time of food, fellowship and prayer.

BOE TO INTERN AT BETHEL LUTHERAN

Brett Boe of Newark, son of Brad and Pamela Boe, completed his third year at the Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He will serve at Bethel Free Lutheran Church in Grafton, N.D., for the next year. His duties will include visitations, Bible studies and worship. Boe and his wife, Theresa, and son, Gideon, will live in Grafton.

Pastor Tim Carlson will be Boe's supervisor. Carlson will take a three-month sabbatical during the time Boe and his family will be there. Boe is looking forward to doing God's will in North Dakota and has felt a calling to become a minister since grade school.

SPIRITUALITY AND PRAYER GROUP AT ST. MARGARET'S

A discussion group for anyone interested in learning about contemplative prayer and spiritual growth will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in the first-floor Presentation Room at St. Margaret"s Hospital, Spring Valley.

The group will meet once a month and is open to all faith traditions. It does not matter if you are attempting to initiate a spiritual life, recover a neglected one or deepen an already developed spirituality. Selected passages from ancient and contemporary writers will be used to explore various aspects of a growing prayer life.

For more information about the program, contact Jeri, St. Margaret"s pastoral care department, at 815-664-1348.



ILLINOIS VALLEY MIDDAY CONNECTION

Illinois Valley Midday Connection is a nondenominational Christian women"s group that invites all women from the Illinois Valley to the Tuesday, Nov. 17, luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Deer Park Country Club, 100 Deer Park Lane, Oglesby, where the theme will be "It's a Beautiful Life." There is no membership fee or special requirements to attend. Deer Park is handicapped accessible and everyone is welcome.

The special feature will be "A 5-Minute Makeover." Guests will be shown how to go from "Whoa to Wow in 5 Minutes" by Penny Brown of Ankeny, Iowa. Brown will also be the guest speaker and will share the true secrets of a beautiful life in her presentation titled "The Essence of True Beauty."

Musical entertainment will be provided by Patty Hopkins of Ottawa.

For reservations, call Vickie at 815-223-4687 or Anita at 815-223-2852 or e-mail scolari12@comcast.net. Free child care is available if reservations are made by Wednesday, Nov. 11. Cost for the program is $15, which includes lunch with a beverage, tax and tip, and is to be paid at the door.

The group also will meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Delaney's Family Restaurant in Oglesby for prayer and fellowship. No reservations are necessary.

The club is sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries.



BRANDT TO SPEAK AT BETHEL

Pastor Michael Brandt of Sioux Falls, S.D., knows what it is like to face uncertainty and to walk through the dark valley of the shadow of death. Four years ago, his wife of 36 years was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and died four months later.

But Brandt also knows what it is like to experience the power of hope when we walk by faith.

Brandt will speak at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ottawa Sunday, Nov. 8, through Wednesday, Nov. 11, on the theme "Certain Hope for Uncertain Times."

Find encouragement and hope through Brandt's messages at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, and Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. The public is invited for any or all of the messages. No reservations are necessary and there is no cost to attend.

BOOK DISCUSSION AT 1ST CONGREGATIONAL

First Congregrational United Church of Christ, 910 Columbus St., Ottawa, will have a book discussion on "Against The Meshugenah" by Danny Evan's Rage at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Worship services are at 10 a.m. Sundays, with Sunday School and adult education at 9 a.m. and coffee and community at 11 a.m.