Notes on Religion

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "Confirmed to What?," based on Luke 18:9-14, at a special 10 a.m. Confirmation Service at the First Congregational Church, 11628 Main St., Huntley. The Chancel Choir will sing and the Crusaders Handbell Choir will play. The Sunday school children will begin a study of John the Baptist.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Knit/Crochet Group meets. At 5 p.m. Nov. 10, a special contemporary service will be held, which will include praise and worship music, drama, prayer and a message from the pastor. Sunday school children and teens are invited to attend the service. Nursery services will be provided for those too young to participate. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "The Right to Be a Saint," 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. 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 schedule a school tour, call Principal John Kirchhoff at (847) 658-9311.

Living Waters: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael E. Thomas will preach at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1808 Miller Road, Crystal Lake. Traditional service is held at 8 a.m. Sunday, followed by contemporary services at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. On Sunday, the Outreach Committee and others who are interested will be assembling college care packages.

Sunday school, Kids Klub, is at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. Adult forum meets at 9:15 a.m. Sundays and they are exploring "Giving To God," an inspirational look at becoming more thankful and generous. Another adult forum, meeting at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, is studying the book of Isaiah. The high school youth group meets for Bible Study meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at church.

The Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family program tags will be available at the church from Nov. 11-25, with gifts due Dec. 2. They are looking to adopt seven to eight families in need, and they also will be trying to help a family in Tennessee. Further details are available at the church.

Parents and children, infant to fifth grade, are welcome to Niagara Smalls at the church for activities from 5 to 6 p.m. and pizza dinner from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The theme will be "God's Blessings" on Nov. 14.

On Nov. 18, the volunteers from Living Waters will be helping the Red Cross by having a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Even if you are not a possible candidate, come in anyway and let the Red Cross make an evaluation. Walk-ins are welcome. Call (815) 455-2424 or visit www. livingwaterschurch.com.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Sue Ellen Grudt 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. Grafton Food Pantry food collection is Sunday.

The church's Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Cosman Cultural Center cafeteria.

Youth Fest will be Friday at Luther College. Nancy Ramirez will preach Nov. 11. The Rev. Mark Boster will return to the pulpit Nov. 18 for Harvest Sunday services. There will be no confirmation class on Nov. 21. For details, call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish will talk about "Surviving the Holidays, Part One -- Crunch Time" 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 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 Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast meeting at 8 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The discussion this month will be about building a spiritual infrastructure with God as a base. All men of faith are welcome.

The church will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. until noon Nov. 11. To be a donor, call the church at (224) 569-6501 to schedule an appointment. Red blood cell donors also are needed. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.faithcommunity churchhuntley.com.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Rev. Dan Larsen will ask what the successful Unitarian Universalist "spiritual" church of the future looks like in "The Almost Church" at the 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. The Adult Choir, under the direction of Tom Steffens, will sing. Church school students will remain at worship until after Melissa Weir's children's story and then go to religious education class.

For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On All Saints 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.

The names of members who have recently passed away will be read. Worship will begin with a procession of banners created especially for this occasion. Congregation members have placed bells on the banner ribbons in memory of loved ones. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. This is also Food Pantry Sunday. Members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Crystal Lake Interfaith Food Pantry.

At the 9 a.m. service, the Cherub and Carol choirs will sing. At the 10:45 a.m. service, the Melody Makers and the Vestry Choir will sing.

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 are provided for infants and toddlers at each service.

After each service, coffee is served in the fellowship hall. Beginning Sunday, FCC's Giving Tree will be on display and people are encouraged to select an ornament/tag and purchase the requested gift. The goal is to collect gifts for needy adults and children from three McHenry County Service organizations: Turning Point, Family Health Partnership, and Pioneer Center. Unwrapped gifts are to be returned to the church during either service Dec. 9.

The high school choirs, Alleluia Sound and Gloria Dei Bell Choir, continues their annual Christmas Greens sale to raise funds for their 2008 spring tour. Order forms will be available in the fellowship hall after each service.

On Sunday, the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet at 6:30 p.m. for a video scavenger hunt.

On Tuesday, Kelly Looking Horse, an Ogala Lakota American Indian and cultural director of Re-Member, will speak at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. He and his wife, Susie, will teach how to make "dream-catchers." There will be a small fee for materials.

On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Study Group continues its fall study at 10 a.m. in the library.

On Thursday, the "Living the Questions" class will meet at 7 p.m. The topic for the session is "Lives of Jesus." The class will be repeated Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. On Friday, the Enrichment Ministry will host a Friday Night at the Movies. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. in the church library. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Bethany Lutheran: On All Saints Sunday, members who have died during this past year will be remembered 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.

The All Saints banner will be hung on the front wall of the sanctuary. This banner, created in 2000, has the names of loved ones written on the many smaller crosses that make up the large cross. The memorial gifts will be dedicated. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all three services. Special music will feature the choirs, brass ensemble, organ and liturgical dance. New members will be received at 10:45 a.m. followed by a luncheon in their honor. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.

The Men's Ministry will host a chili supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds will be used to purchase new pads for the PADS program. Tickets will be on sale Sunday morning.

The Senior High Youth Impact Night meets from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Giving Tree is up in the gathering area. Folks are invited to pick a card and shop for a Christmas gift for one of residents at Sheltered Village in Woodstock. The annual Sheltered Village Christmas party is planned for Dec. 5.

Commitment Sunday will be Nov. 11 at all services. The World View Mission Market opens on Nov. 18. Featured will be items from Greece, Turkey, Africa and the U.S. as well as handcrafted items from Bethany members.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, followed by the annual Pie Fest. Thanksgiving Outreach is World Hunger. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Heritage Sunday, the Rev. Arn Schaper will lead the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The church celebrates all members who have been members for 25 years or more. The message is based on Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalms 119:137-144, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, and Luke 19:1-10. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Music will be offered by the Handbell Choirs.

November is Mission Month, and the sermons for the month will be focused on mission.

Before and after worship, they are having "A Greater Gift Sale," a program of SERRV International. This is an opportunity to purchase at a reasonable price these handcrafted pieces, made by individuals in Third World countries. This sale helps these artisans get a fair price for their goods and provides credit, business training opportunities and offers a way to keep their families out of poverty's reach. It also raises awareness about worldwide economic and social injustices by sharing of the stories. When you buy something at the SERRV sale, you make a difference in developing communities. These items make great Christmas gifts.

The Men's Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 10. Thanksgiving service will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Congregational Church of Algonquin.

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: This week's Torah portion is Haye Sarah at Congregation Kneseth Israel. 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 visit www.ckielgin.org.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, at 9:45 a.m. Saturdays and followed by a community kiddush luncheon. This week's Torah portion is Chaye Sarah, in which Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a righteous wife for his son Isaac. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShirat Shalom.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville, will celebrate All Saints' Sunday. The Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Ephesians 1:11-23. On all Saints' Sunday, the focus tends to be on faithful souls in heaven. This emphasis on the afterlife prevents you from seeing the saints who are alive and working among you. Sunday school is designed for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Nursery care is available. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, Immanuel Lutheran Church of East Dundee celebrates the Festival of All Saints, taking time in worship to remember the legacy of gifts God bestows on you through the lives of those who have come before you -- now part of the Church Triumphant in heaven. The Rev. William Yonker shares the message for the weekend services, his message, "Dying to Live," based on Revelation 7:15-17. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." This week, the Rev. William Yonker begins a two-week series of messages. 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. On All Saints Day, the congregation will remember members, loved ones, and friends who have died in the past year. A Thanksgiving Potluck will be held Nov. 18 after worship. Donations of 12 pounds of frozen turkeys are needed as well as, helpers to cook, serve and clean up. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

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.