McHenry Co. religion notes
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Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam will hold a Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. July 25 at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Anyone contemplating membership in for the coming year is encouraged to attend. Services are followed by an Oneg Shabbat which is an opportunity to meet with others and learn more about the congregation. Membership and religious school registration packets for the coming year will be mailed shortly. If you would like to be added to the congregation's mailing list, call (815) 334-7110 or use the email link on the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org.
McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will be welcoming four teenagers from Israel to lead a two-week day camp at the Crystal Lake synagogue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays from July 21 to Aug. 1. The camp is open to non-MCJC members, and kids ages 6-17 who wish to learn more about the Israeli culture. Through song, folk dancing, language, food and games, the Israeli counselors will introduce campers to a what life is like in Israel. The campers will also take field trips to area pools and beaches.
Cost for the camp is $150 for the two weeks (fees are reduced for those only able to attend one week of the program), and campers are asked to bring their own dairy lunches. Registrations are still being accepted. For details, contact MCJC at (815) 455-1810 or go to mcjc-online.org.
A Shabbat dinner will be held July 25 after services which begin at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP for the meal, call MCJC. The MCJC Book Club will be discussing "Away," an epic novel by Amy Bloom, which recently became available in paperback. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at MCJC, and anyone interested is invited to attend. 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. It is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For details, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.
New Life Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Wood will continue sermon series titled "Building a Strong Foundation" from the book of 1 Corinthians at the 10:30 a.m. service at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills. New Life begins each Sunday with Sunday school classes for infants, children, youth, and adults begin at 9:15 a. m. Two new adult classes are now forming. Child care is available during the morning worship service for infants through 3-year-olds; children's church is held for children, age 4 through second grade.
Small Bible study groups meet at several locations during the week. A coed softball game takes place at 6 p.m. each Tuesday at Sunset Park on Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. The church's quarterly business meeting will be held on July 27 after the morning worship service and a covered-dish lunch. A Family Fun Night is planned on Aug. 1 at Sunset Park. Activities for the entire family will include children's games as well as coed softball, basketball, and games for the nonathletic. Vacation Bible school takes place Aug. 4-8 at the church. "Dino Detectives: Digging for God's Truth" is this year's theme. All children, ages 4-11, are invited to come from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and enjoy the Bible stories, music, skits, puppets, crafts, games, recreation, and snacks. For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Arn Schaper, guest minister, will give a meditation, based on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 and Isaiah 44:6-8, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. There will be a duet by Sheri and Dick Storer and a solo by Annette Leffelman. The Sunday-school aged children will enjoy a video.
The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Wetton's. On July 26, from 4 to 7 p.m., the annual Faye's BBQ dinner, a large community event, will be held on the lot at the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. Advance tickets are $12 and may be purchased by calling the church office. Tickets at the door, as long as they are available, will be $13. 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, "Ohs, Oohs, Aahs, and Ahas", based on Romans 8:18-27, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday 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.
Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Sue Ellen Grudt 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.
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. On Tuesday, the Bible study group will meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Citizens Bank. Shepherd Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. July 25 at Citizens Bank. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Aug. 24. Details to follow.
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 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. Adult Bible studies are offered Wednesdays. At 9 a.m., study the text for the upcoming Sunday. At 7 p.m., they will study the book of Mark.
A decorating party for vacation Bible school will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
The Silver Saints will meet for lunch and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Colonial Cafe in Algonquin. New members are welcome!
"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.
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. Dave Inglis will preach.
On Sunday, First Forum will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the church library. The pastor will lead a discussion of how race has a powerful impact on our ability to thrive in our culture.
On July 26, the men's fellowship breakfast at 8 a.m. in the fellowship hall. This month, all are invited to hear Gary Christ talk about his quest to clear Cambodia of land mines. During his many trips to Cambodia installing septic systems for orphanages, he saw what a problem unexploded land mines were. Utilizing farm equipment and mechanical know-how based on his local farming experience, he developed a machine to safely detonate the mines and has been doing so since 2006. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Light of Christ: This weekend, the Rev. Sharon Rogers continues the sermon series, "How Can I Be Sure - About the Bible?" with his sermon, "What About Those Other Religions?" 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.
The Scripture reading for the sermon is taken from Acts 17: 16-32. Worship services are held at the blended 5 p.m. Saturday, the 7:45 a.m. traditional, 9 a.m. blended and 10:30 a.m. contemporary Sunday services. During the summer months, an additional worship service has been added on Monday at 7 p.m. (blended). The Theatre Camp of Light of Christ Church presents, "Honk" by Andrew Drewe and George Stiles, a story of the ugly duckling, at 7 p.m. today. The performance is free and open to the public. A "Photography Camp" will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11-15 at Light of Christ Church. This camp will be led by a professional photographer. Sign up is available in the Welcome Center of the church. Cost is $40 per student.
On Aug. 22-23, the Good News Praise Band of Light of Christ, directed by Melody Kuphal will participate in the Turning Point Radiothon, broadcast by STAR 105.5. For details, call Joanne Weber at (847) 658-9250.
Bethany Lutheran: The Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, 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. Childcare is provided during the 10 a.m. service during the summer months.
Summer Sunday school program meets at 10 a.m. Sunday through Aug. 24.
The 12th annual Christmas in July focus continues throughout the month. "Wish List" items will be given to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Home of the Sparrow, PADS at Bethany and Veteran's Home in Hebron. Welcome Back Katie Coffee Hour is planned for Sunday between worship services. Katie Gavle has spent the past year serving as part of the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The Art Wall displays Katie's photos to accompany her stories.
The annual summer blood drive is from 8:30 until noon Sunday. Senior high youth meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday for Impact Night. A senior outing to Lutherdale Bible Camp is planned for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Bookers at Bethany meets at 7 p.m. July 28. This month's book is "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. An all-congregational picnic is planned for 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Main Beach in Crystal Lake. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.
Preschool registration for fall 2008 continues. 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 Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science Community welcomes special guest, Barbara Gulbranson, author of "How to Attract Your Soul Mate, the Secrets of Lasting Love, and Living Your Joy." Gulbranson will also be the guest speaker at the 10 a.m. Celebration Service this week. Her service message will be "You Can Live Your Joy." There will be a book signing after the service. She will present her workshop, "Conscious Love: Finding and Keeping Your Soul Mate" from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25 in registered or $35 at the door. The workshop will be held at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, 204 Spring St 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." July lessons relate to "Letting Go and Letting God." This week's topic for kindergarten through 5th is "Be Ready to Accept Your Good." 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 trans-denominational 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 "Let Them That Have Ears, Hear - God is still speaking to the willfully deaf." The message is based on Romans 8:12-25 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. An Intergenerational Summer Sunday school at 8:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in learning more about the Congregational Church, and the United Church of Christ there will be a new member class on Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
There is a Bible Study every Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. The Bible study will be reading "What is So Amazing About Grace," which is based on the best-selling book by author Phillip Yancey. This study will be looking at how God's grace actually works in our day-to-day lives. It is an uplifting study of God's power in our lives. For details, call the church office (847) 658-5308.
During Founder's Day weekend, on July 25-26, there will be a bake sale and yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main, Algonquin in the rear parking lot. For details, call at (847) 854-4552
St. Paul's Anglican Church: St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, will worship using 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 by the Rev. Michael DuCette, vicar, will be based on the 15th chapter of the Gospel Matthew. Bible Study is on summer break and resumes in the fall. July 27 is the last day to bring school supplies for the Salvation Army collection. Food pantry donations will be delivered after Sunday. 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.