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: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation is co-sponsoring an adult education series on hot-button topics with other Jewish organizations in McHenry County.

At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, "The Presidential Race: A Jewish Perspective" will be the topic addressed by visiting lecturer Rabbi Joseph S. Ozarowski. His talk will be held at the Sun City Prairie Lodge on Del Webb Boulevard in Huntley. Without endorsing parties or candidates, the rabbi will look at Jewish sources on some issues of importance in the upcoming election, including the economy, the role of government in our lives and terrorism. His talk is part of an adult education series being co-sponsored by MCJC, Congregation Tikkun Olam and the Shalom Group of Sun City. It is free and open to the public. Call MCJC at (815) 455-1810 for details.

MCJC is hosting an adult education series, led by MCJC congregants, exploring Jewish ethical teachings as they relate to you today. Physician Jonathan Kaufman will explore Jewish medical ethics March 6. The sessions will be held at 7 p.m. at MCJC. The series is free and open to non-members. For details, call MCJC at (815) 455-1810.

The synagogue will be observing Shabbat Across America at 6:30 p.m. March 7 by hosting a Shabbat dinner for unaffiliated Jews in the area. The event is designed to introduce Jews with limited Jewish knowledge and background to the joy and beauty of the Jewish Sabbath. The evening will feature an explanatory Friday evening service followed by a relaxed communal dinner. There is no charge. To RSVP, call the MCJC office at (815) 455-1810.

The synagogue will host a Jewish Artist Showcase the weekend of April 5-6, and is inviting area artists to participate in the art show and sale. The art could include watercolor, pottery, weaving, jewelry, acrylics and others. For details, call Elaine Kadakia via the MCJC office at (815) 455-1810.

The synagogue 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."

The synagogue operates a gift shop offering a wide array of Jewish themed gift and holiday supplies that is open during religious school hours.

Shabbat services are 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 UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "One Man's Act of Righteousness" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11.

Sunday school pre-kindergarten through high school is at 10 a.m. A nursery also is provided.

The Evangelism Committee will sponsor lunch for 40 people at the PADS shelter for six consecutive Tuesdays during Lent. Lunches will be prepared on Sundays after worship for delivery on Mondays. Sign up to help provide ingredients for the lunches.

Fleece donations of two yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows.

During Lent, the Missions Committee is sponsoring a food collection for FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Boxes are available in the narthex and Fireside Room.

Recycle your cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. Also FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes.

For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Rev. Dan Hinckley will preach at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley.

The Sunday AM's handbell choir for seventh- to 12th-graders will play in both services.

The Sunday school children will begin the theme; "Jesus and Nicodemus." Another rehearsal for this year's Hobo Show will begin at 10:30 a.m. for performances on March 8-9.

The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, the Rev. Joel Kline's sermon will be "A Crazy Kind of Logic," at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

The class, "Amazing Grace: Christians and Modern Day Slavery" will meet at 10:45 a.m. during the church school hour in the Arts Room.

A group of dedicated volunteers are helping students with reading each week at Washington Elementary School in Elgin.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Putting God to the Test," based on Matthew 4:1-11, 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. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee and fellowship follows the Sunday services on the second Sunday of each month.

On Wednesday, the Lenten season begins with a Lenten dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the Lenten service at 7 p.m. The Lenten theme this year is "Tears Tell the Story" and the message, taken from Matthew 24:26-35, will be "Coming Tears: Jesus' Warning."

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.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, Rev. Robbie Robinson will deliver the message for the 8 a.m. service followed by the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond at the 10:30 a.m. service at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon title for Rev. Robinson is "Living Proof," inspired by Romans 12:1-10. The sermon for Rev. Edmond is "Why I Preach," inspired by Mark 1:14-15. The Choral Ensemble will render the music for the 8 a.m. service while the T.E. Bedford Choir will render the music for the 10:30 a.m. service.

Second Baptist encourages all members and guest to dress in African attire for services this month in recognition of our African heritage.

The Evangelism Ministry will host its second annual training conference at 8 a.m. today in the multi-purpose facility. The theme is "If Not You Who Then Will Spread the Word."

On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.

The Couples Ministry will sponsor a potluck Valentine's Day celebration from 4:40 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the fellowship hall. All are invited. For information, call the Rev. Andrew and Brenda Love.

Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and childcare services are available. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at both services 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.

The Prairie Prayer Team will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at Citizens Bank.

Shepherd Voices will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Citizens Bank.

The "Red Tent" book study will continue from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Citizens Bank.

On Wednesdays, through Lent, a light soup/bread supper will be served at 6 p.m. followed by a short worship service at the Cosman Center.

The confirmation class will be held from 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cosman Center.

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at Citizens Bank. They will continue to meet on the third Thursday of each month.

The Lay Shepherds will meet Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Shepherd of the Prairie Family Retreat will be Feb. 22-23 at Lutherdale. Sign-up for this fellowship time.

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

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with "The Temptation of Jesus," based on Matthew 4:1-11, 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.

Awana will be Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Kids Club from 6 to 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m. The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Century 21 office on Route 31 in Algonquin.

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

On Wednesday, they will begin the evening with a family dinner at 6 p.m. featuring "Crock Pot/Potluck." Worship will begin at 7 p.m. with the topic being "God in Action: The Basics" which will continue each Wednesday evening of Lent. Nursery will be open as well as children's church for children age 4 through second grade.

The church will host a Valentine's dinner/dance Feb. 16 at D'Andrea Banquet Hall in Crystal Lake. The cost is $35 per person which includes dinner and dancing from 6 to 11 p.m. Call the church office for tickets.

Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, continues its two-part sermon series asking "How can I catch up with life?" at the 10:45 a.m. service.

In "It's February and I'm Already Falling Behind (Part 2)," the Rev. Dan Larsen continues to discuss spiritual development, ethical development, Unitarian Universalist identity, and faith development.

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, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Kathryn Halma, executive director of the McHenry County Community Foundation, will speak at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The church begins its Sunday Lenten schedule with a half-hour Holy Communion service at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel.

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.

After each service, coffee is served in the fellowship hall.

On Sunday, the Junior Fellowship middle school youth will meet at 4 p.m. in the youth room for a movie night. At 6:30 p.m., the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet in the youth room.

On Monday, the church council will meet at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room.

On Tuesday, the Great Decisions Discussion Program begins at 7 p.m. in the youth room. There is a fee for course materials.

On Wednesday, the Lenten Soup Suppers begin, with the Social Ministry serving soups, chili, bread, and all the fixings at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The supper will be followed by a devotional time, Lenten Encounter, at 7:15 p.m. in the chapel where participants will engage at least one of the seven last words of Jesus from the cross. Led by the pastoral staff, these sessions will involve exercises that are both imaginative and devotional as we seek to understand their implications for our lives today. The topic for this first session is "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

On Thursday, the Living the Questions study will meet at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. The topic for the study is "A Kingdom Without Walls."

For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, worship is at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 7:45 a.m.

Boy Scout Sunday is celebrated during the 9 a.m. service.

Faith Quest Sunday school meets at 9 a.m. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.

Crystal Pines worship, provided by Bethany members, will be at 10:45 a.m.

The 2008 congregational council and church officers will be installed at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

The senior high youth will pizza night will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Midweek Lenten Suppers and Drama begin Wednesday, through March 12 with soup and salad supper at 6:15 p.m. and Holden Evening Prayer and Drama, "The Last Supper" at 7 p.m.

The blood drive will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17.

The Prayer Chain Recognition, in celebration of the 14th anniversary, will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 24.

For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Preschool registration for fall 2008 begins this month. Programs are available for 2- to 5-year-olds. For details, call Marcia Baker, preschool director, at (815) 477-7463.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: In February, the McHenry County Church of Religious Science will bring more love into the world by focusing on what love looks like. This five-week series "Yes, You Can Change the World" is based on Aman Motwane's book.

Each week you will learn and be offered an opportunity to put into practice tools to cultivate satisfying relationships by understanding how to love someone you don't like, how to love when you feel rushed for time, and how to love those who are rude or difficult. You will practice -- not just talk about love and compassion and non-judgment and peace and being present. The Rev. Anne Muelleman's topic on Sunday is "The Eyes Have It -- I See You and Only You" with music by Amy Beth.

Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday celebration service, and children's program at the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail in Crystal Lake. If you arrive early there is a meditation at 9:45 a.m.

The curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." February lessons relate to the realization step of treatment. Your kids will uncover wholeness and eliminate thoughts of lack and limitation. This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "What Does Love Choose?" The children's program is prepared to handle toddlers, with parental support. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or www.mccrs.org.

St. Paul's Anglican Church: At St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael DuCette, deacon in charge, will use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock.

The deacon's sermon will be based on fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John, 6th chapter.

St. Paul's Parish is part of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley Anglican Church of America. For details, visit www.acahome.org or call (815) 338-0205.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture on Psalm 32 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. Advertising tells you there's a pill for just about everything these days. Do you need more pills or just more will?

Join the church at its recently renovated handicap accessible building. Sunday school is for children age 3 through seventh grade and begins at 9 a.m. in fellowship hall. Nursery care is available during the service. For details, call (847) 428-1712.