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.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation: On Sunday at noon, teens from the McHenry County Jewish Congregation will be making their annual trek to Woodfield Mall to buy holiday gifts for the less fortunate.

At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27, the MCJC Book Club will discuss "The Yiddish Policeman's Union," a novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon. Non-members are invited to take part in the discussion.

MCJC is still accepting registrations for membership and its religious school for the year. Instruction on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings is offered to students in second through eighth grade. Sunday-only instruction is provided to children in kindergarten and first grade and high school. For information on membership or a registration packet, call (815) 455-1810.

Adult education programming is offered on Sunday mornings and throughout the week as well. Each Tuesday at noon, Rabbi Maralee Gordon holds a "Lunch and Learn Torah Study."

MCJC holds Shabbat services at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 8617 Ridgefield Road in Crystal Lake. Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Maralee Gordon and are free and open to everyone. This is the only Conservative Jewish congregation in McHenry County. Interfaith families are welcome. It is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "Thanksgiving," based on Psalm 95:1-7, in the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The theme is, "The only way we can truly give thanks is to think about our blessings." The Chancel Choir will sing in both services and the Whitechapel Bells, the adult bell choir, will play in the second. The Sunday school children will begin learning about the story of the 10 lepers, focusing on the one who was thankful. On Sunday, the annual Bell's Brunch will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for age 12 and younger. They may be purchased from bell choir members, the church office or at the door. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Ready or Not; Here It Comes," based on Malachi 4:1-6, at 5:30 p.m. today 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. Call (847) 658-9300 or visit www.stjohnsalgonquin.org.

Living Waters: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael E. Thomas will preach at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1808 Miller Road, Crystal Lake. Traditional service is at 8 a.m. Sunday, followed by contemporary services at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. God's Groupies Sunday School for fifth- to eighth-graders is participating in the unit on "Following Jesus." Sunday school, Kids Klub, is at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. They are in the "Good News" Christmas rotation, and preparing for the Christmas pageant. Regular attendance is very helpful so the kids learn their parts and music.

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 through Nov. 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.

On Sunday, 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. Thanksgiving Eve worship at 7 p.m. will be followed by "Breads, Pies and Spreads." Call (815) 455-2424 or visit www.livingwaterschurch.com.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Harvest 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.

Weighty Matters will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays at Citizens Bank. Shepherd Voices will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Citizens Bank. There will be no confirmation class on Wednesday.

The Thanksgiving Eve service will be at 7 p.m. in the Cosman Center cafeteria. After the service, the Women's Ministry will host a coffee hour featuring many homemade pies. On Nov. 25, Shepherd of the Prairie's "Homeless Helpers" will assist the homeless shelter program in Crystal Lake at Bethany Lutheran Church. The group will leave at 5:45 p.m. from the church office. A sign-up sheet will be on the Welcome Table.

The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish will talk about "Surviving the Holidays, Part Three -- Money Matters" at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated. 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 Silver Saints will have their November luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Nico's in Huntley.

Adult Bible studies are offered Wednesdays. At 9 a.m., study the text for the upcoming Sunday. At 7:30 p.m., study the book of Acts.

Thanksgiving Eve worship will be at 7 p.m., followed by the pie fest. Join them for fellowship and thanksgiving. Bring your favorite pie to share. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.faithcommunity churchhuntley.com.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the traditional Thanksgiving service at 10:45 a.m. at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. The Rev. Dan Larsen will speak on Thanksgiving, and the church will celebrate a Unitarian Universalist version of communion. The adult choir, directed by Tom Steffens, will sing "America The Beautiful." Church school students will remain at worship until after Sue McCowin's children's story and then go to religious education class. For details, call (815) 338-0731 or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Thanksgiving Sunday, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with the family. After the message, they will be excused to Sunday school. Fair Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate products are for sale in the fellowship hall. The First Forum study group meets at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the library. On Sunday, the Pilgrim Fellowship youth group will meet in the Youth Room at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, the FCC Book Group will hold its first meetings at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Participants can attend either meeting. The discussion will be led by Jenny Lee, Concordia Theological Seminary student and church intern. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Light of Christ: This weekend, the Rev. Kendall Koenig focuses on God's vision in "Imagine a Place -- Is this God's Call?" at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. Speakers will share their joys and stories of the prayer vigil and home visits. The scripture reading for the sermon is taken from Numbers 13:1-3; 17-33. Worship services are held at 5 p.m. today and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A 24-hour prayer vigil continues through 6 p.m. today.

Thanksgiving Eve services will be at 5 and 7 p.m. Special music will be presented by New Hope, the church's handbell choir, and the adult and children's choirs. Pie Fest will follow after each service. Those worshipping are asked to bring a pie to share and non-perishable food items for the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry. The senior high youth group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the annex. For details, call (847) 658-9250.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra will share the message 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. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.

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. Gift wrapping will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 3. The World View Mission Market is open. Featured will be items from Greece, Turkey, Africa and the U.S. as well as handcrafted items from Bethany members. The Senior Breakfast Club meets at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Colonial Restaurant in Crystal Lake. The program will be about Faith in Action.

With the Community Harvest, Bethany joins other Crystal Lake churches bringing items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry from now until Thanksgiving Eve. This harvest of items will be placed in the sanctuary. Or folks can help by purchasing a Thanksgiving dinner basket for a family of 4; it costs $12.50. Thanksgiving Eve worship will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by the annual Pie Fest. Thanksgiving Outreach is World Hunger. Bookers now meets at Bethany. This month's selection is "Close Range: Wyoming Stories" by Annie Proulx will be discussed at 7 p.m. Nov. 26. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Howard Self will lead at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message is based on Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, and Luke 21:5-19. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Music will be offered by the Children's Choirs. November is Mission Month. The Harvest Festival All-Church Luncheon will be from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Thanksgiving Service will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Congregational Church of Algonquin. Church Underground Teen Lock-in will be at 8 p.m. Thursday. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

Kneseth Israel: This week's Torah portion is "Vayetze" at Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St. in Elgin. 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. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, Elgin, offers participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, at 9:45 a.m. Saturday and followed by a community kiddush lunch. On Nov. 24, the congregation celebrates the bat mitzvah of Tali Ilani. Services will be at the Marriott Chicago Northwest in Hoffman Estates. This week's Torah portion is "Vayetze," about Jacob's dream encounter. For details, call (847) 695-6246 or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First Congregational: On Sunday, Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Luke 21:5-19 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

First Congregational: On Thanksgiving Sunday, the Rev. Richard Nye presents the theme "Risky Business" at 8 and 10:15 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Thirty-three people will be recognized and honored for being members for 50 or more years.

A Harvest Day Coffee will follow the services. Traditionally, each family is asked to bake a favorite bread (pumpkin, cranberry, banana, zucchini, etc.) and bring it to the church before worship. The Congregational Care Ministry will be delivering any remaining breads to the homebound. Church Council Chat will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.