Notes on Religion

Notes on religion 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.

Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam's Yom Kippur observance will continue today at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock.

A morning service will be held at 10 a.m. with an adult discussion group at 3 p.m., followed by Yizkor and Concluding Services at 4:30 p.m. Immediately following these services, a brief Havdalah service and a potluck dairy break fast will be held downstairs.

Congregation Tikkun Olam, a Reform congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, welcomes interfaith families and those who may wish to return to their Jewish roots. Religious school classes are offered for students in second through eighth grades. For details, visit www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "Duh!" based on Luke 16:1-13, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 Main St., Huntley.

The theme is, "Believers need to spend as much time and energy studying and managing things of God as they do things of the world." The Instrumental Group will play in both services and the Genesis Handbell Choir will play in the second. The Sunday School children will continue the theme of "Recognizing and exploring what it means to be created by God."

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Knit/Crochet Group meets.

The church continues to have a craft/baked goods booth open during the farmers market on Saturday mornings. It is located on Church Street across from the square. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "What Shall I Do Now?," at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.

Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. Coffee and fellowship follows the Sunday services on the second Sunday of each month.

The Mission Resale Shop, located on Washington Street, is open on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gifts and good quality used clothing, and small household items can be purchased at reasonable prices. Donations are gratefully appreciated, and proceeds benefit mission work locally and afar. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

St. John's Lutheran School offers a day school program for first to eighth grade; all-day kindergarten and morning and afternoon preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Church membership is not required. To register or schedule a school tour, call Principal John Kirchhoff at (847) 658-9311.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 and 10:30 a.m. services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care are available at both services.

"Focus Love for Others," led by Rev. Boster, will meet at 6 a.m. Wednesday at the Panera Bread on Randall Road near I-90 expressway. The second group will meet at 10 a.m. at Citizens Bank.

On Sunday, Sparkplugs will take a trip to Volo Auto Museum and Antique Mall. Meet at 1:15 p.m. at Cosman Center to carpool.

A new support group for prayers for encouragement and solid fitness, Weighty Matters, will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays at Citizens Bank. It is led by Carol Lilla and Theresa Molgren. Register at the welcome table.

On Sunday, a Temple Talk will be given by Rhonda Anderson, who is the head of McHenry County's ecumenical volunteer service organizations. The topic will be "Faith in Action."

On Oct. 7, the church's Homeless Helpers will be helping at the PADS homeless shelter at Bethany Lutheran Church of Crystal Lake. They will leave from the church office at 5:45 p.m. They are currently collecting washcloths, towels and twin bed sheets. Bring all donations to the church office.

The Rev. Jim Carr will be leading an adult study at 10:30 a.m. all four Sundays in October. The study is called "For Milk and Meateaters: Rev. Carr is writing the study based on 1 Peter 2:2. Topics will be the call, prayer, love and service.

Carthage College, affiliated with ELCA, will hold programs for high school students, called "Capture Carthage." The dates are Oct. 8, 26 and Nov. 9, 12. This is a program for students who might like the atmosphere of a small college. You may register online at www.carthage-edu/visit. On Oct. 7, Fred Aigner, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services, will be the guest speaker at both services. For details, call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish will deliver the message, "Grow Up," based on II Peter 1:1-7, at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. Worship services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. Nursery for children up to age 3 is available at both services as well as Sunday school for children from age 4 through second grade. The children's choir will rehearse at 10 a.m. Sundays. Awana will be Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Kids Club from 6 to 7 p.m.

The middle school "Affirmation of Faith" classes will be Wednesdays with dinner at 5:15 p.m. and classes and small groups at 6 p.m. All youth in middle school are invited to attend. The Silver Saints will have their monthly luncheon and cards at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. A Gentle Hatha Yoga class for all ages will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the church. Advance registration is not required. A good-will donation is accepted.

The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Century 21 office on Route 31 in Algonquin. They will be studying a Beth Moore series. All high school youth are invited to get together to hang out and enjoy fellowship and devotions from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.faithcommunity churchhuntley.com.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Rev. Dan Larsen will continue his discussion of the implications of "Spirit of Life," a beloved Unitarian Universalist hymn by Carolyn McDade, at the 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. The three-part sermon series introduces themes that will be explored in an adult education class that Rev. Larsen and religious education director Sue McCowin will offer every Monday evening in October at 7 p.m.

McCowin will tell a children's story before students and teachers proceed to church school classes. The adult choir, under the direction of Tom Steffens, will sing. The green sanctuary committee will serve fair-trade coffee during the social hour after the service. For details, call (815) 338-0731 or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will bring the message at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Worship is at 9 and 10:45 a.m.

After each morning service on Sunday, the Outreach Ministry will hold an Outreach Fair. Information about the church's various outreach activities will be available, as will fundraising merchandise. Some of the things to be offered for sale are reusable canvas shopping bags, FCC note cards, and a pen-and-ink drawing of the church in archival quality mat ready for framing.

Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their family. After the children's message, they will be excused to their appropriate Sunday school class. Nursery care and Toddler Time is provided for infants, and toddlers at each service.

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet in the youth room. The topic will be "What Are You Worth?" At 4 p.m., the Junior Fellowship youth group will meet in the youth room for "Bunco & More."

On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Study Group will begin its fall study at 10 a.m. in the FCC library. Also on Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m., the confirmation class will meet in the youth room. On Thursday, FCC's Moms' Time Out group will meet at the Woodstock Public House at 6:30 p.m. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or FCCCrystalLake.org.

Light of Christ: This weekend, the Rev. Kendall Koenig continues the sermon series, "Amazing God, Amazing Grace" at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. This week, his sermon, "Scandalous Grace," takes a look at how everyone needs God's grace and forgiveness. The Scripture reading for his sermon is based on Matthew 20:1-16.

Worship services are held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Singles Ministry will kick off with a fellowship event off-site at 7:30 p.m. today. The Women's Ministry kicks off at 5 p.m. Sunday with a dinner and a presentation with learning and laughter. Cost is $12. Register at the church in the Welcome Center. Auditions for the children's Christmas program will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the church

The senior high youth group, SWAP (Students With A Passion) meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the church annex. For details, call (847) 658-9250.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra will preach at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Faith Quest Sunday school meets at 9 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all services. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. Summer Sunday school at 10 a.m. for children, preschool through fourth grade.

On Sunday, the Rev. Brian Konkol and his wife, Kristin, will be at Bethany from 3 to 5 p.m. the Bethany congregation is among those who help sponsor the couple's ministry in Guyana through the ELCA Global Mission Program. Bethany sent four mission trippers to Guyana this summer to work on site with the Konkols.

On Sunday, the Senior High Youth will meet for Impact Night from 4 to 6 p.m.

Bookers at Borders meets at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crystal Lake Borders store. The September selection is "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It" by Jim Wallis.

Taize worship is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. All are welcome. The elementary school retreat for third to sixth grade will be Sept. 28-29 at Camp Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wis. The theme is "Walking Wet."

On Sept. 30, the eighth-grade Milestone, "Celebration of Discipleship," at 9 a.m. There will be a "Sending Service for Tanzania Mission Trippers" at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services. Eleven folks from Bethany will be leaving Oct. 1 to spend two weeks in Tanzania.

The fourth annual Ministry Fair is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. The theme this year is "God's Paths of Stewardship." Twelve Ministry Paths with over 50 ministry opportunities will be featured. A Pathway Maize will be set up for the children with a special surprise at the end. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, the Rev. Joette Waters, founder of the Center for Creative Living/Empowerment Center Chicago will be speaking at the McHenry County Church of Religious Science on "The Three R's of Consciousness."

Waters teaches personal growth through the spiritual principles of the Science of Mind by facilitating classes, workshops, and seminars. She takes complex spiritual and philosophical ideas and presents them in a simple, often humorous way.

Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday celebration service, and children's program. If you arrive early there is a meditation at 9:45 a.m. The new fall curriculum, is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." The lessons for September will focus on "Knowing God." This month's topic for kindergarten through fifth is "God is For Me." Your kids will develop an awesome awareness of God's loving presence in all that is. The children's program is prepared to handle toddlers.

Sunday service is at the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail in Crystal Lake. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or www.rscgc.org/McHenry.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Howard Self will lead the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message is based on Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, Psalms 79:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and Luke 16:1-13. Sunday school will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Music will be offered by the Cherub and Chapel Choirs.

The Beach is a midweek youth program that meets Wednesday evenings. It includes activities, Bible study and a meal for youth from kindergarten through high school.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, the Congregational Church will enjoy the musical ministry of Bryan Sirchio. Join in a belated celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ. Light refreshments will be available. A free-will offering will be received. Surplus funds will be donated to aid the ministries in which he is involved in Haiti.

A new member class begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 3.

Wednesday practice for vocal and handbell choirs includes: Chapel Choir for third through eighth grades from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.; Cherub Choir for kindergarten through second grades from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Chimers for third through sixth grades from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Joyful Sound Handbell Choir for seventh-grade to adult from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Senior Choir from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Shop at the Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main St. in Algonquin. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The church is handicap accessible at the rear entrance. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin continues its services for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will be held at 9 a.m. today, with Yizkor said at approximately 11:45 a.m. Religious school for pre-kindergarten to high school began. For information about the holidays or school, contact the congregation office.

This week's Torah portion is Shabbat Yom Kippur. 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, Guests are welcome.

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 www.ckielgin.org.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, 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." A four-week class on Hebrew comprehension will begin on Oct. 9. Hebrew school registration is now open for the fall. Call to learn about the individualized program. Egalitarian High Holiday services for Yom Kippur conclude with a communal break fast meal today. Following the High Holidays, the congregation will celebrate the Festival of Booths, the holiday of Sukkot. Join them for the Family Shabbat Service and "Pizza in the Hut" on Friday. Cost for dinner is $5 per person. Call to R.S.V.P. by Sunday. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@ gmail.com, or visit www. CongregationShiratShalom.org

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, guest preacher the Rev. Jock Ficken will be sharing a message "Room to Grow," based on Matthew 25:14-19, at 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." The Rev. Don Bojens will be sharing a sermon series "Sufficiency of God's Word." This week's message is based on John 14:1-6, called "When You're Down." For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon at the 10 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Art & Soul Ministry will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday. The United Methodist Women will have their annual rummage sale Sept. 28-29. The annual Hobo Show will be Oct. 27. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "Empowered by the Spirit" at 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. This is one of three sermons using the 300th Anniversary theme of Church of the Brethren. At noon today, the Stewardship Formation Ministry Group is sponsoring a two-hour workshop by Don Fecher on the "ABCs of Life Planning." For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver the message at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The pastor will preach "Faith, Stronger than Doubt," derived from the 28th chapter of Matthew. The Male Chorus will host their annual fall concert at 6 p.m. today. All are welcome. All women are invited to the church's annual women's conference on Oct. 12-14. The conference theme is "We're Better Than That", derived from Genesis 16:8. Call the church for details and to register for the conference. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Richard Nye, transitional pastor, presents the theme "Stories That Transform Us -- Joseph" based on Job 33, at First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m.

Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 8 a.m. service will be by the Reverberations bell choir directed by Kristy Warnke. Music at 10:15 a.m. will be provided by the Bells of Dundee and the Chancel Choir.

Confirmation for eighth-grade youth will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.