McHenry Co. notes of 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: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation 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 on Thursday. 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. Friday 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.

Adult members of MCJC are invited to a Progressive Dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 8. The event will take place over the course of the evening at three member's homes. For details or to RSVP, call MCJC 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 religious school offers two-day a week on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Instruction is offered to students in second to eighth grade, and 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.

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.

Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam will participate in the National Jewish Outreach Shabbat Across America Friday. A special format will be used for the Shabbat service during which the prayers and rituals will be explained, making it an ideal learning service for interfaith families and those wishing to re-connect with their roots. The service will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. All are welcome to attend; no RSVPs required.

For those wishing to share a whole Shabbat evening, they will join for dinner at Pirro's (Italian) Restaurante, 228 Main St., Woodstock at 5 p.m. and then proceed to the service. Attendees will make their selections from the regular menu and are responsible for their own tab. RSVPs are required for dinner by Tuesday, by calling (815) 334-7110, and directions can be given at that time.

For details on the congregation, its religious school or adult programs, visit the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

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

The Chancel Choir will sing in both services and the Crusader Bells will play in the first. The Sunday school children will begin learning about the story and meaning of Palm Sunday.

Another rehearsal for this year's Hobo Show will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for performances on March 8-9. The two performances of this year's Hobo Show (which includes a dinner) will be at 6 p.m. March 8 and noon March 9. For tickets and details, call the church office at (847) 669-3691.

The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

On Sunday and March 9, the Outreach Committee of the church will be collecting food and money to make Easter baskets for the Grafton Food Pantry. They welcome donations of boxed potatoes, canned vegetables, cake mix and frosting, as well as $15 for the purchase of ham.

For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Here's Mud in Your Eye," based on John 9:1-41, 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 this week will be taken from Matthew 26:36-45, "Garden Tears: Jesus' Agony."

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 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.

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 women's retreat will be held March 15 at Cosman Center. The theme will be "Pray Without Ceasing." The leaders will be Diane Tieman and Barb Fey from Parish Support Services of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. The day's program will be from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

At the February church council meeting, Jules Pelka was elected to serve as president; Mike Kasal as vice president; Sue Boyle as treasurer; Kristi Cordle as council secretary.

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

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, continues its discussion on spiritual practices for Unitarian Universalists at the 10:45 a.m. service.

The topic for this Sunday is "Do We Worship Our Goals?" This is the third in a series of talks on Unitarian Universalist spiritualist practices by the Rev. Dan Larsen, with a class to follow at 7 p.m. Monday.

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 Laetare Sunday, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. New members will be welcomed at the 9 a.m. service. 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.

The church continues 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 Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the youth room. Parents are invited to this meeting.

On Sunday, First Forum will meet in the library at 10:45 a.m. The discussion will be led by participants in the adult work tours at Re-Member on the Lakota Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.

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.

On Thursday, Women's Fellowship holds their luncheon and program at noon in the fellowship hall. This month's program is presented by Jackie and Russell Piggott, founders, and Rhonda Donahue, board member, of "Blessing Barn" of McHenry County whose motto is "You Donate -- We Distribute -- Giving -- Receiving."

On March 8, the "Living the Questions" study will meet at 9 a.m. in the library. The topic for the study is: "Evil, Suffering and a God of Love."

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

Light of Christ: This weekend, worship services are held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. The Rev. Kendall Koenig is senior pastor and the Rev. Sharon Rogers is associate pastor.

This weekend Rev. Kendall continues the sermon series, "The Lights Go Out, the World Catches a Glimpse," with "Wrestling with God." The scripture reading for his sermon is taken from John 9:1-41.

Lenten Worship is at 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays. Join them for dinner from 6 to 6:30 p.m. before worship. This year, each Wednesday evening will begin in song, watch a clip from "The Andy Griffith Show" have some discussion of their timeless lessons, and close in song. Join church members on a trip back to visit Mayberry and check out how Andy, Barney, Opie and Aunt Bea solve issues that you still face today.

The Light of Christ Egg Hunt will take place at 1 p.m. March 15 on the new property at Sleepy Hollow Road and Longmeadow Parkway. The community is invited to join them as they celebrate the Risen Lord with the children.

During the month of March, Light of Christ Church will be delivering "Meals on Wheels" to the residents of Algonquin/Lake in the Hills. Volunteers to deliver the meals are needed.

Vacation Bible school volunteer information night will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Singles Ministry is having a potluck and games night off site March 8. Call the church office for details about this ministry.

Holy Thursday worship is at 7 p.m. March 20. Good Friday worship services will be at 5 and 7 p.m. March 21.

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. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 7:45 a.m.

First Communion for the fifth-grade youth and their families will be celebrated during the 9 a.m. worship service.

Senior high youth will worship together during the 10:45 a.m. service.

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

Midweek Lenten Suppers and Drama continue Wednesdays, 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 middle school youth retreat at Lutherdale Camp, Elkhorn, Wis., is planned for March 7-8.

SPARCS junior high youth will go ice skating from 2 to 4 p.m. March 15. The eighth grade Community Service Project is March 17. The youth and their families will be coordinating a dinner and party for the PADS guests that evening.

The Senior Ministry Group has several March activities planned. The musical presentation and dinner for seniors is Wednesday at Prairie Ridge High School and March 12 at Central High School as well as the Maundy Thursday Senior Luncheon on March 20. Holy Week begins Palm Sunday, March 16 with worship at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. Easter Sunday is March 23 with special worship times at 7, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

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 and early March, 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 the book by Aman Motwane. The Rev. Anne Muelleman's topic on Sunday is "I See the Lesson You Bring Into My Life." How seeing the worth of another changes their appearance in our eyes. Music will be by Patricia Caldwell.

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.

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. March 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 "I Am Guided". The children's program is prepared to handle toddlers, with parental support. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara will preach at 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.

The meditation will be based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalms 23, Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41. Music will be offered by the Handbell Choirs. There will be a special offering collected for "One Great Hour of Sharing."

On Sundays, the Adult Enrichment Class will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Sunday school will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. there is a Bible study with the pastor.

Girl Scout Sunday will be at 10 a.m. March 9. A blood drive will be from 2:45 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. The men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. March 8, with speaker Arn Schaper. Maundy Thursday on March 20 will start at 6 p.m. with the Seder Meal followed at 7:30 p.m. by worship. On Good Friday, March 21, there is a noon service. Easter Sunday services are 8 and 10 a.m.

For information, call the church office (847) 658-5308.

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.

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.

His sermon will be based on the first chapter of the Gospel of John. This is the fourth Sunday in Lent.

The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John, Chapter 7.

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.