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Upcoming
• "Beyond the Nutcracker:" 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 15 and 3 p.m., Dec. 16, Lincoln Way West High School Performing Arts Center, New Lenox. Christian variation of the famous ballet: Emma goes on a magical adventure from World War II London to the very first Christmas. Features 150 local cast members and custom-designed costumes and sets. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under. Purchase at ballet58.org or by calling 708-329-8773.
Dec. 6
• Pray with the Franciscan Friars – 8 a.m. (morning prayer) and 5:30 p.m. (evening prayer) Monday through Friday, St. John the Baptist friary, Joliet. For information, call Brother Ed at 217-316-4335.
• Thursday Morning Scripture Reflection at St. Francis Woods – 9 to 10:30 a.m., Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, 9201 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort. Every Thursday – except Christmas and New Year's day – to Mother's Day. Registration not required.
• Lunch and Learn – Noon to 1:30 p.m.; also Dec. 13, Joliet Jewish Congregation,
250 N. Midland Ave., Joliet. Torah study. $5. RSVP at 815-741-4600. Visit www.jolietjewishcongregation.com.
• C3 Martial Arts Classes – 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Judson Memorial Church campus, 2800 Black Road, Joliet. Christ Centered Combat (C3) is a martial arts, self-defense class for those ages 7 and older. First two classes are free. Call 815-342-3538 or visit www.fbcjoliet.org.
• Wildside – 6 to 7:30 p.m. (seventh and eighth grade) and 7 to 8:30 p.m. (high school); also Dec. 13, United Methodist Church of New Lenox, 339 W. Haven Ave., New Lenox. Food, fun and fellowship. Grades 3 to 6. For information, call 815-485-8271.
• "The Center – 6:30 to 9 p.m.; also Dec. 13, First Presbyterian Church, 805 Western Ave., Joliet. Free food, games and hang time. Dec. 6: Speaker: David Hill. Topic: "Money Matters." For information, call 815-474-2569, email info@thecenterjoliet.org or visit www.thecenterjoliet.org or Facebook.com/thecenterjoliet.
• Thursday Church – 6:30 p.m.; also Dec. 13, The Village Christian Church, 8965 S. Bell Road, Minooka. For information, visit www.thevillagechristianchurch.com.
• Family night – 6:45 to 8 p.m.; also Dec. 13, Crystal Lawns Church of the Nazarene, 2424 Caton Farm Road, Joliet. For information, call 815-436-3380.
Dec. 7
• Women’s Bible Study – 9:30 a.m., United Methodist Church, 339 W. Haven Ave., New Lenox. For information, call 815-485-8271.
• Fish fry – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council 4400, 1813 Cass St., Joliet. Fish, chicken and shrimp. Carryout. Call 815-723-3827.
• Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – 4 p.m.; also 9 a.m., Dec. 8, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 127 S. Briggs St., Joliet. For information, call 815-722-7653.
• Musical & Birthday Celebration Shabbat with Dairy Potluck– Dinner is 6 p.m. Musical is 7:30 p.m., Joliet Jewish Congregation, 250 N. Midland Ave., Joliet. For information, call 815-741-4600 or visit www.jolietjewishcongregation.com
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception – 7 p.m. (English, church; and Spanish, Cana); also 7:30 a.m. (church), Dec. 8; 9:15 a.m. (English, church), noon (English, church), 7 p.m. (Polish, Cana), St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 S. Rt. 59, Plainfield. For information, call 815-436-2651 or visit www.smip.org.
• Immaculate Conception Masses – 4 p.m. (English) and 7:30 p.m. (Polish); also 8:30 and 10 a.m., Dec. 8, St. Mary Nativity, 706 N. Broadway St., Joliet
ª Immaculate Conception Masses – 7 p.m.; also 7 p.m. Dec. 8 (Polish), Holy Cross Church, 826 Elizabeth St., Joliet.
• Live Nativity – 7 to 9 p.m .; also 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 8, The Christian Life Church, 15609 159th Homer Glen. Visit Mary and Joseph and most of all baby Jesus. Share gifts beside the wise men. Help the shepherds with the live animals around the manger. Free, coffee, hot chocolate, cookies. Drive thru or park and pet the animals. For more information, call Mike Zloch 630-417-6901 or email mzloch1@att.net
Dec. 8
• Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – 7:30 a.m., St. Bernard Catholic Church, Sterling Avenue and High streets, Joliet. Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. For information, phone 815-726-4474.
• Christmas Cookie Sale – 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Minooka United Methodist Church Annex, 308 Massasoit St., Minooka. Decorated and homemade cookies. $12 per bucket.
Sponsored by Minooka United Methodist Women. Benefits missions helping women and children.
• Second Time Around Sale – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 805 Western Ave., Joliet. Gently used ornaments, garland, wreaths and trees; nativities, dinnerware, ceramics, Christmas sweaters, outdoor decorations. Benefits Presbyterian Women mission projects. For more information, call 815-727-9259 or visit www.firstpresjoliet.org.
• St. Anne/St. Ambrose Religious Education – 9 to 10:30 a.m., St. Ambrose Church, 1711 Burry Circle, Crest Hill. For more information, email Sister Mary Francis at sistermaryfrancisw@gmail.com with questions/concerns.
• St. Mary Magdalene Religious Education – St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 127 S. Briggs St., Joliet. For more information, call the religious education office at 815-727-4600 or the rectory office 815-722-7653.
• Saturday services – 9 a.m., Joliet Jewish Congregation, 250 N. Midland Ave., Joliet. Call 815-741-4600 or visit www.jolietjewishcongregation.com.
• "Journey Through the Old Testament" book signing – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, Joliet. 52-week Bible devotional. $10. Meet the author Dale Hansen. First devotional book available, too. For more information, visit groundedandgrowingweekly.com.
• Confession – 2 to 5:30 p.m, St. Mary Immaculate Parish 15629 S. Rt. 59 Plainfield
• Confession – 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. Holy Cross Church, 830 Elizabeth St. Joliet. For more information, call 815-726-4031.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation – 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. St. Mary Nativity Church, 706 N. Broadway, Joliet. For more information, call 815-726-4031
• Confession – 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 710 W. Marion St., Joliet. For information, call 815-727-4746.
• Fish Fry – 4 to 8 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council 4400, 1813 E. Cass St., Joliet. Carryout. Call 815-723-3827.
• Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary 150th Anniversary – Mass is 5:45 p.m. Dec. 8 at the church in Braidwood. Potluck dinner to follow in fellowship hall. Attendees asked to bring dish to pass. Last name beginning with A to H: side dish; I to Q: vegetables and fruits; R to Z: desserts. For more information, visit icparishbraidwood.org.
Dec. 9
• St. Mary Nativity Christmas Craft Show & Pancake Breakfast – 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 702 N. Broadway, Joliet. Spaces available, $20 each. A pancake breakfast, hosted by the Rev. Gordan Michels Council #12014 Knights of Columbus will be in the cafe. Free Admission. Email StMarysChristmasShow@gmail.com or call 815-722-8518.
• "Let There Be Christmas" cantata – 9 and 10:45 a.m., New Lenox United Methodist Church, 339 West Haven Ave., Joliet. Live 24-piece orchestra, liturgical dancers and the Davidsmeier String Ensemble. For more information, call 815-485-8271.
• Saint Mary Nativity and Holy Cross Faith Formation Program – 9 to 10:15 a.m. For more information contact Nanci at 815-726-4073 or nsmith@stmarynativity.org.
• Sunday School and Adult Bible Study – 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 1000 S. Washington, Lockport. For more information, call 815-838-1017 or visit www.1umclockport.org.
• Hebrew Classes for Adults – Joliet Jewish Congregation, 250 N. Midland Ave., Joliet. Call 815-741-4600 or visit www.jolietjewishcongregation.com.
• Sunday School – Joliet Jewish Congregation, 250 N. Midland Ave., Joliet. Call 815-741-4600 or visit www.jolietjewishcongregation.com.
• Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) – 9 a.m.; Sundays through May, St. Mary Nativity, 706 N. Broadway St., Joliet. High school students and adults. To register and for more information, call 815- 726-4031
• Confession (Polish) – 10 to 10:20 a.m., Holy Cross Church, 830 Elizabeth St. Joliet.
For more information, call 815-726-4031.
• Cold Was The Stable – 2 p.m., St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Seneca. Carols that reflect on the Holy Family at the stable. The Prairie Singers are a chamber ensemble comprised of singers from Grundy, LaSalle, Kendall, and Livingston counties. For information, call 815-287-9806.
• Annual Christmas Concert – 4 p.m., Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 1503 Arthur Ave., Joliet Guest choirs: Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church and Joliet Central High School's New Era Choir.
Dec. 10
• Chapel Bible study – 7 p.m., United Methodist Church of New Lenox, 339 W. Haven Ave., New Lenox. New members encouraged. For topic and information, call 815-485-8271.
• Monday Night Bible Class – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1000 S. Washington, Lockport. For more information, call 815-838-1017 or visit www.1umclockport.org.
• Our Lady of Guadalupe novena – 7 p.m.; also 7 p.m. Dec. 11. Mass is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 followed by fellowship, St. Mary Immaculate Parish, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield.
• Bible Study –7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Romeoville Recreational Center, Bodine Room, 900 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville. Hosted by: Maranatha Christian Center. For more information, call 708-524-2122.
• Explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation– 7:30 to 9 p.m., St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Plainfield. Fourth part of five-weeks series "Catholics Returning Home." Preregistration is requested but not required. For more information, call 815-436-2651 or visit www.smip.org.
• "The Mary You Might Not Know" registration deadline – Event is noon, Dec. 12, Joliet Franciscan Center, 1433 Essington Road in Joliet. Advent reflection. Speaker: Sister Barbara Kwiatkowski, counselor for the Joliet Franciscans. Men and women welcome. Light lunch. Bring item for local food pantry. To RSVP, contact Nan Nagl at 815-725-8735, x116 or by nnagl@jolietfranciscans.org
Dec. 11
• Bible study – 9:30 a.m., St. Mary Nativity, Nativity Room, 706 N. Broadway St., Joliet. Book of Genesis. For information, call Denise Adelmann at 815-838-0337.
• Celebrate Recovery – 6 p.m., Restoration Christian Church, 114 Channahon St., Shorewood. Bible-based teachings and music. Men and women in separate groups. Free and open to the public. For information, call Mike Vollmer at 815-545-6522 or visit rccnow.org.
• 12 Step Recovery Bible Study – 7 to 8:30 p.m., Community Christian Church, 24035 Riverwalk Court, Plainfield. For more information, email John Mailhiot at jm@miatt.net.
• Families United Overcoming Addiction – 7 to 8:30 p.m., Community Christian Church, 24035 Riverwalk Court, Plainfield. For more information, email Sheree Stilwell at shereestilwell@comcast.net.
Dec. 12
• Circle of Love – 9 a.m. to noon, First United Methodist Church, 1000 S. Washington, Lockport. Provides diapers and feminine hygiene products which cannot be purchased through the government assistance program. For more information, call 815-838-1017 or visit www.1umclockport.org.
• Confession – 3 to 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 710 W. Marion St., Joliet. For information, call 815-727-4746.
• AWANA – 6:15 p.m., Parker Road Bible Church, 18512 Parker Road, Mokena. Kids learn Bible verses, sing songs and play games. For information, call 708-463-1125.
• Kidz Club – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Channahon United Methodist Church, 24751 W. Eames, Channahon. Preschool to fourth grade. Learn about Christian values through music, art, science, storytelling, drama, games, cooking and videos. Light snack. For information call 815-467-5275 or visit www.channahonumc.org.
• Youth Small Group Ministry – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Channahon United Methodist Church, 24751 W. Eames, Channahon. Grades five through 12. Fellowship and discussion. For information, call 815-467-5275 or visit www.channahonumc.org
• Praise Ringers Bell Choir – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 401 East Kahler Road, Wilmington. Bell ringers needed. For information, call 815-476-5474.