McHenry Co. religion notes

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.

Bethlehem Lutheran: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 417 W. Main St. in West Dundee, worships at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (traditional) and 8 a.m. (traditional) Sunday. Fellowship is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and Bible classes for all ages meet at 9:15 a.m. Sundays. The 10:45 a.m. service is a blended worship service at the newly acquired Bethlehem Community Worship Center in the former Congregational building on Fifth Street.

The church offers Sunday school, teen classes and three adult classes. One class is studying the lessons from the service that day, another is reading through the Bible and the third class is studying John Ortberg's book "Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them." Everyone is welcome to any class. For details, call (847) 426-7311.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will offer an adult education talk by Rabbi Joseph S. Ozarkowski, "Jews and the Environment" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the synagogue, 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake. Ozarowski is the Rabbinic chaplain to the Jewish Healing Network of Chicago and his talk is the third in a series of lectures co-sponsored by MCJC, The Shalom Group and Congregation Tikkun Olam. Through discussion of Jewish texts, Ozarowski will explore what Judaism says about environmental responsibility. The lecture is free and open to the public. For reservations, call (815) 455-1810.

• The synagogue's Jewish Artist Showcase will be April 5-6. Works by local artists will be available to browse and to buy, including watercolor, pottery, weaving, jewelry and acrylics. The show will open at 8:30 p.m. April 5 with a wine and cheese reception, and will run the following day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For details, call the MCJC office at (815) 455-1810.

• Second Night Seder will be from 6 to 9 p.m. April 20 in observation of Passover. For details, call (815) 455-1810.

• Religious school classes meet Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, with instruction for students in grades two through eight. Sunday-only instruction is offered for children in kindergarten, first grade and high school.

For information about 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, open during religious school hours, that offers a wide array of Jewish-themed gifts and holiday supplies.

• Shabbat services led by Rabbi Maralee Gordon are at 6:30 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue. The services are free and open to anyone. 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.

New Life Baptist: Help celebrate the church's 10th anniversary and its recent graduation from a mission church to a self-supporting congregation at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive, Lake in the Hills.

The newly renovated facilities also will be dedicated during the special service. All former members of the church, as well as those who contributed to the renovation project, have been invited to return for the celebration. Norm Nicklas, the North American director for Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, will be the guest speaker during morning worship. Located in Harrisburg, Pa., it has been New Life's supporting mission agency for the past 10 years.

After the celebration service, all members and special guests are invited to stay for lunch.

New Life begins each Sunday with a fellowship time at 9 a.m. Sunday school classes for infants, children, youth, and adults begin at 9:15 a.m. Child care is available during the morning worship service for infants through 3-year-olds; children's church is offered for children age 4 through second grade.

For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.

First Congregational: The Rev. Dan Hinckley will preach at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services Sunday at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St., Huntley. A women's trio will sing during both services.

• Sunday school children will begin a new adventure called "Digging into the Bible" in which they learn about the layout and construction of the Bible.

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

St. John Lutheran: The Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message "No Peace without Forgiveness," based on John 20:19-31, 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 is 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 follow the Sunday services.

• The Mission Resale Shop on Washington Street is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Gifts, good-quality used clothing and small household items all may be purchased at reasonable prices. Donations are accepted 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 children in first to eighth grade, as well as 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.

St. John: On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "Living the Life of Riley," based on 1 Peter 1:3-9, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington.

Fellowship will be at 9 a.m. and Sunday school and Bible study at 9:15 a.m.

• The choirs practice Wednesdays with the voice choir at 6:30 p.m. and bell choir at 7:30 p.m.

• TOPS meets at 6 p.m. Mondays. Weight Watchers meet at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. The pinochle club meets the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. The monthly men's breakfast Bible study is the first Saturday of the month at 7 a.m. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The sermon is "I Need to Hear From God," inspired by II Kings 19:12-17. The Male Chorus will perform music for the 8 a.m. service while the Combined Choir will sing at the 10:30 a.m. service.

• Second Baptist Church will fellowship with St. Joseph Baptist Church of Chicago at 3:30 p.m.

• The Couples Ministry will meet at 4:30 p.m. April 19. The discussion will be "Making money an asset to marriage." The meeting will be held in the fellowship hall. All couples are encouraged to attend.

• On Wednesday, Bible study will begin at noon followed by Wonderful Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. Bus and childcare services are available. Second Baptist is at 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. 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 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary 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.

• Merry Widows will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday. New member orientation will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. April 13 in the church office in the lower level of Citizens Bank. New members will be received April 20.

• The Rev. Sue Ellen Grundt will be installed as associate pastor at 10 a.m. April 13. The Senior Shepherds Game Night will be at 6 p.m. April 18 at Citizens Bank.

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

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf will share a message, "Famous Last Words," based on John 20:19-31, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. Worship is at 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

The Saturday evening and Sunday 8 a.m. services are traditional with organ music, hymns and liturgy. The Sunday 10:45 a.m. service is a contemporary service of worship and praise featuring worship leaders and a worship ensemble. Holy Communion this Sunday will be celebrated at both the 8 and 10:45 a.m. services. "Faith Factory" for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m.

• At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." The service, held in the sanctuary, is piano-led and an informal, non-liturgical worship style that blends favorite hymns and songs of praise. This week, the Rev. Gregg Bowen will share the first in a sermon series he has titled, "Three Anchors to Cling To During the Storms of Life." This week's message is called "Clinging with Prayer." During the message, young children are invited to participate in a children's ministry offering called "Faith Factory +" which takes place in Luther Hall, adjacent to the sanctuary.

For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.org. See what is new in worship, listen to recent sermons, find out what is happening at the church or the day school program, or send a question or comment that might allow the church to better connect with you.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Bruce Cole leads worship with "Even You!" at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way, Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. Nursery for children 3 and younger is available at both services; Sunday school is offered for children age 4 through second grade.

• The middle school classes resume Wednesday with dinner at 5:15 p.m. followed by class and small groups until 7:30 p.m.

• The high school group resumes at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.

• Alcoholics Anonymous meets at noon Sundays andˆ½ 7:30 p.m. Mondays every week.

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

• Preschool registration is now open. Call Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512 for information

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents this week's theme is "Thomas, Doubter and Confessor" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Pete 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31.

There is no Sunday school on Sunday. A nursery is also provided.

• Fleece donations of two yards long are welcome in the Fireside box. The fleece will be used to make comfort pillows. Recycle your cell phone by dropping it off in the Fireside Room. FISH Food Pantry donations are welcome as well as Campbell's Soup UPC codes for Marcy-Newberry Center in Chicago.

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

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

The topic for this Sunday is "Our Bodies, Ourselves." This is the sixth 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. The pastor will speak on the physical expression of spirituality.

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.

Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, guest speaker the Rev. Bob Blake will present the sermon, "The Resurrection: A Different Way of Living" at the 9:30 a.m. worship at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. The Agape Singers will perform special music.

• The Witness for Peace Vigil will be held at 11 a.m. Saturdays at the Otter Creek Shopping Center.

• The Lunch Bunch will meet at noon April 6 at Panera Bread on Randall Road in Elgin.

• The Seasoned Servants will serve at Soup Kettle on April 5. The church is at 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Rob Leveridge, minister for seminary relations at Chicago Theological Seminary, will preach at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at 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 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 the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday, the church's outreach ministry will sponsor a potluck lunch, a panel discussion with Rev. Leveridge, the Rev. Dave Inglis, church intern Jenny Lee, and church member and hospice chaplain Gail Greener for an opportunity for dialogue. "Acts of Faith," the new book by Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of Interfaith Youth Core, and "Adam, Eve, and the Genome," edited by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, president of Chicago Theological Seminary, will be offered as door prizes. Those with a last name starting with A to J should bring fruit or dessert; K to Z bring a salad or main dish.

• The Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the Youth Room. The 2008 Confirmation class is invited to attend.

• On Wednesday, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study group will meet at 10 a.m. in the library.

• On Thursday, the Women's Fellowship holds their luncheon and program at noon in the fellowship hall. This month's program will be a presentation by dramatic book reviewer Suzanne Hales, who will be reviewing "The Ride of Our Lives" by Mike Leonard, a features correspondent for NBC's "Today Show." The ladies of the sister church in Crystal Lake, St. Paul's UCC are invited to attend.

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

Bethany Lutheran: This Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra will share the message 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 all services. The 9 and 10:45 a.m. services will include the fifth annual Stephen Ministry Recognition and Service of the Word for Healing.

Faith Quest Sunday school meets at 9 a.m. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.ˆ½

• On Monday for the Bookers at Bethany, this month's book is "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. Confirmation classes resume at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday.

New member classes begin April 6 at 10:15 a.m.

Part two of "Building Bridges, Tearing Down Walls" begins April 13. April 13 also will be Recognition of Volunteers.

April 20 is Youth Sunday and Earth Day. The senior high youth will lift up Bethany's choice to work toward becoming a green congregation.

On April 27, new members will be received at 10:45 a.m. with a luncheon for new members at noon.

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: On Sunday, the McHenry County Church of Religious Science welcomes you to join them for the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic, "Endings Are But Beginnings." This will be a service of memories, thanksgiving, and release as the church moves its location to their own space in Cary in April. Special musical guest this week is Lia Nicine McCoo. Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service, and children's program and toddler care.

The children's curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." 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 "Accepting Truth."

Those who arrive early will enjoy the meditation at 9:45 a.m. Service location is at the Country Inn and Suites, 600 Tracy Trail in Crystal Lake. For details, call (815) 444-0942 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org .

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The Senior Choir and the Joyful Sound Handbell Choir will provide music.

The meditation will be based on Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Palm 16, 1 Peter 1:3-9 and John 20:19-31.

Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. there is a Bible study with the pastor.

The men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. April 12. The vacation Bible school will be on June 23-27. 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.

First Congregational: On the Second Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Lois Bucher will preach at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The sermon is "Resurrection Hope" and her scripture readings will be 1 Peter 1:3-9 and Acts 2:14a, 22-23. The Open Door Service begins at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel and the 10:15 a.m. service is in the sanctuary. After the children's sermon, Sunday school students leave for individual classes.

Adult Christian Formation is held between services after a 9 a.m. breakfast. Child care is available. At 9:15 a.m. the in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark continues to challenge notions of discipleship and what is means to follow Jesus. The class is open to anyone and no biblical expertise is necessary.

The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Jon Warfel, will assist with worship in the 10:15 a.m. service with the anthem, "Peace I Leave with You" by Knut Nystedt.

Parking lots are nearby as well as a municipal parking garage. For details, call the church at (847) 741-4045 or visit www.fcc-elgin.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.

His sermon will be based on the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of John. The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John, eighth chapter.

The ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Michael DuCette will take place April 5 at the Church of the Apostles in Pewaukee, Wis. Anyone seeking a ride may call the church. A reception will be held after the service April 6 in honor of his ordination and his first service as a priest.

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.