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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jorge Morales, associate conference minister of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, will be the guest speaker in the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. His sermon will be "Excelling in the Grace of Giving," based on 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. The Chancel Choir will sing in both services.

Holy Communion will be celebrated, as well as the baptism of Emma Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Rachel and Scott Thomas, goddaughter and niece of Laurie and Wade Runge.

The mission for June will be "Strengthen the Church," a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that funds new congregations and renews existing ones.

The Sunday school-aged children will enjoy their first "Fun in the Sun" outdoor activity during the 9 a.m. service, after the children's message. This will be "Water Day," so they need to wear something that can get wet and put on sunscreen.

At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the confirmation class will travel to Trinity UCC in Chicago as part of its "worshipping differently tour."

The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Allens' house.

On June 7, the church will participate in the first of four Huntley Farmers Market craft fairs, to be held on the first Saturday of each month. The church will have a booth on Church Street near Main in which they sell craft and art projects from 8 a.m. to noon.

For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Who Does the Father's Will?" based on Matthew 7:15-23, at 5:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. A supervised nursery is offered at the 9 a.m. service.

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 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. Nursery care is available at both services.

Sunday is Grafton Food Pantry Day. On Sunday, the Sparkplugs and the youth group will do a tire pressure check after each service.

Music rehearsals are at the Citizens Bank in Huntley. On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. at Citizens Bank.

Prairie Points Quilting will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Citizens Bank.

Congratulations to this year's confirmands: Jonathan Boster, Brody Burkart, Pierce Cordle, Cody Gliot, Tyler Hennessy, Troy Miller and Tim Ramirez.

A new "Parent Link" newsletter is available for parents on the Web site. Also, "Footsteps of Paul Cruise" can be seen.

Signup for vacation Bible school, "Rainforest Adventure," has begun. The program will be from June 16-20 at Mackeben Elementary School in Algonquin. You can sign up your child online at www.sotp.org. Also, sign up for help to furnish supplies.

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. Bruce Cole will lead worship with the sermon, "Beyond the Walls," based on Acts 10, 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.

On Sunday, the church will show appreciation for the Sunday school teachers with a reception at 10 am. They also will have an annual meeting at 11:30 am. All registered voters are encouraged to attend.

On June 8, the church will have a breakfast at 8 a.m. to honor the high school graduates, followed by a ceremonial walk at the 9 a.m. service.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. On Tuesday, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m.

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.

"Discover the Power of God's Love" at vacation Bible school this year. Registration is now open for the program on July 28 to Aug. 1. Cost is $35 per child for kids in preschool through fifth grade. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501 for registration information.

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

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

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock, revisits the question "What Is a Unitarian Universalist?" at 10:45 a.m.

In part 2 of this sermon, the Rev. Dan Larsen and the congregation will continue their discussion of what makes a Unitarian Universalist. The church also will receive new members during a special recognition during services.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, there will be a class for those who want to know more about the church and consider joining. For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

Second Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will bring the message, "I am not crazy!," inspired by Mark 5:1-15, for the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin.

The male chorus will sing for the 8 a.m. service and the Choral Ensemble will sing for the service at 10:30 a.m.

Holy Communion will be observed during both services while baptisms will take place during the 10:30 a.m. service.

The annual Sunday school promotion program will be held during the Sunday school's hour of 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on June 8.

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

Bus and child care services are available. Second Baptist is at 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. For details, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the summer worship schedule continues at 10 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Those who wish are welcome to come at 9:45 a.m. to join in a hymn sing.

The Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will consider the pros and cons of "blessing" motorcycles, pets, food and children. What do blessings mean? His message is titled "Birds, Bikes, Biscuits and Babies." The church will hold its first Motorcycle Blessing in the church parking lot at 2 p.m. today. All bikers are welcome. The pastor will give the blessing and attendees are welcome to join together for a short ride after the ceremony.

Nursery care for children, ages birth to 3 years, and Storytime for preschoolers and kindergartners is available.

After the service, members and friends of the Turkish American community in Chicago will bring Turkish cuisine to FCC. The food is being offered in exchange for donations of cash or checks, and all money raised will be contributed to relief efforts among those hit hardest by the recent earthquakes in China. Food will be available either as a sit-down luncheon in the fellowship hall, or to carry out and consume at home. Food also will be available for those who plan to attend the budget hearing at 11:15 a.m. FCCers will be working with their Turkish counterparts to serve the food.

The Marietta, Ga., youth choir, One A-Chord, visits Crystal Lake on Sunday to present their program at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Directed by Suzanne Tucker, One A-Chord is a dynamic group of senior high students from Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible study group will meet at 10 a.m. in the library. On Friday, the Mature Singles Club will attend a student-led production of "Hamlet" in Woodstock. Call Ron Woodruff, (815) 206-0498, for details.

Bethany Lutheran: Intern Michelle Magee will share the message at the new summer worship times at 8:30 and 10 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

Child care is provided during the 10 a.m. service during the summer months.

Summer Sunday school program meets at 10 a.m. June 8 through Aug. 24.

Confirmation classes wrap up the year with the seventh-grade confirmands doing a Servant Event June 24 at the Zion Development Corp., Rockford; and the eighth-grade youth attending confirmation camp the week of June 15-21 at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.

The garage sale is scheduled for Friday and June 7 at the church.

The 21st annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly is June 13-14 at Augustana College in Rock Island. Bethany will be represented by four delegates, one visitor and the two called staff.

The senior ministry group will take a day trip to the Hindu temple in Bartlett on June 16. They will meet at 9 a.m. at the church to car pool.

The food pantry will be staffed by Bethany members June 30.

Vacation Bible school, "Power Lab" is set for 9 a.m. to noon July 14-18. Registration is under way. For details, call the church office.

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: The McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution will explore four secrets of prayer on Sundays during June. This series is based on the spiritual novel, "The Prayer Chest." Since the beginning of time, every man and woman has prayed millions of prayers daily. Why then are only a handful of them answered? What role does luck, chance or fate have in your life? How can you discover and live your destiny? A remarkable and inspiring story about one family in desperate need of a miracle, and the Three Secrets of Prayer that transforms their lives forever. "I am open to receive all of life's riches," will be the daily prayer for the next 30 days. The Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic on Sunday is "All of Life's Riches." Special guest musician is Tricia Alexander.

Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service at 204 Spring St., lower level in Cary. There is a children's program and toddler care. If you arrive early, there is a meditation at 9:45 a.m.

The children's curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." June lessons relate to the Thanksgiving step of spiritual prayer treatment. Your kids will uncover wholeness and eliminate thoughts of lack and limitation. This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Release," the fourth step of treatment.

There is a Tuesday morning mediation with Bhanta Sujatha at 10 a.m. for a $10 donation. The weekly healing service is at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Healing services at The Center for Spiritual Evolution are popular and known for their uplifting effect with concentrated high vibrational energies revealing spiritual perfection in all areas of our life. The pastor will deliver a short message leaving ample time for prayer, meditation, and spiritual mind treatment by she and the church's professional practitioners in response to your healing requests.

As a transdenominational church, all services and activities are open to everyone without obligation. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org .

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St.

The message is based on Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Psalms 46, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28, Psalms 31:1-5, 19-24; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28, 29-31 and Matthew 7:21-29.

The church will have a blood drive from 2:45 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Summer vacation Bible school will be from 9 a.m. to noon 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.

St. Paul's Anglican Church: At St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael DuCette, vicar, 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 sermon will be based on the Chapter 14 of the Gospel of Luke. The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John 12. Summer break will start June 8. Bible study will resume in the fall.

Synod XXIII of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley/Anglican Church in America will be held June 3-5 in Des Moines, Iowa. See Mike Hepperlen for details.

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.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs. A youth program is available for sixth grade to high school. In addition, interest groups meet regularly for men, women, seniors, and others. Consult the monthly newsletter which is available at www.ckielgin.org.

Religious school is offered for prekindergarten to high school. This is the last Sunday of religious school until the fall. For details, call the congregation office.

This week's Torah portion is a special portion for "Bamidbar." 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.

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. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week."

They are currently counting the Omer, eagerly awaiting the holiday of Shavuot, when they celebrate receiving the Torah. Join them at 12:30 p.m. June 7 for a class on Revelation and then for Shavuot services at 8 a.m. June 9.

Guests are welcome. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.

Country Covenant: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Harder will offer the message, "The Ways of God are True" at the 10:30 a.m. service at Country Covenant Church, Route 47 and McDonald Road in Elgin. The Scripture reading is John 14:5-6. Adult Sunday school is held at 9:30 a.m.

On Wednesday, the Young Couples Evening meets at 6:30 p.m. in the church basement. There will also be a Prayer Evening meeting in the sanctuary at the same time. For details, call (847) 464-5381 or visit Web site www.countrycov.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon, "Built on the Rock" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Scripture lessons are Genesis 6:11-22, 7:24, 8:14-19; Psalm 46; Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-31; and Matthew 7:21-29.

Sunday school is held for prekindergarten through high school at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

Pickup date for hoagies is Sunday.

The church picnic is planned for June 8 and Kane County Cougar game on June 14.

Tickets are on sale for Holly McNeil in concert, a fundraiser for the church, on June 22. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.

Church of the Brethren: Join Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren for worship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday when they celebrate Music Sunday.

The church is at 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit www.hacob.org.