McHenry Co. religion notes
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.
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 fellowship time at 9:15 a. m. Bible study classes are offered at 9:30 a.m. for all ages. The men's class is studying "The Man in the Mirror" by Patrick Morley; the ladies class is studying "Matthew - Jesus the King," and the teens are studying "Outfitted for Life's Choices." Child care is available during the morning service for infants through 3-year-olds with children's church for children age 4 through second grade.
Vacation Bible school begins Monday. "Dino Detectives: Digging for God's Truth" is the theme for this year's vacation Bible school which takes place Monday to Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. All children, age 4 toh 11, are invited to come each evening and enjoy the Bible stories, puppets, skits, music, games, crafts, recreation, and snacks. For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Ours is a God of Abundance and Plenty," based on Matthew 14:13-21, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. Holy Communion will be served. The mission of the month for August is Neighbors in Need.
The special music will be a vocal duet by Wade and Jessica Runge and an instrumental solo by Phyllis Allen.
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 Homuths.
For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.
St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. Paul Krause, guest speaker, will explore the meaning of Jesus' miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 with his sermon, "Progressive Dinner," based upon St. Matthew's account in Matthew 14:13-21, 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 8 a.m. Sunday with no Sunday school. 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 Ralph Peterson 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. Bring donations of food, disposables and school supplies.
On Sunday, a new member gathering will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Citizens Bank. Child care will be available.
On Monday at Citizens Bank, Prairie Points Quilting will meet at 9 a.m. The first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, the Bible study group will meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Shepherd Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Citizens Bank.
The Lay Shepherds will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 14. Gently used Christian books are needed for the library in the new church. The annual church picnic will be Aug. 17. Sign-up sheets are on the Welcome Table. Sunday school teachers are needed for the 2008-09 year. A sign-up sheet is on the Welcome Table. Sign-up sheets are also available for bulletin assembly, coffee fellowship, choirs and communion bread baking.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Gently used Christian books are needed for the library in the new church. 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.
Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. Gentle Hata Yoga classes for adults are given each Tuesday at 9 a.m. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a floor mat. Advance registration is not needed. On Tuesdays, 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 p.m., they will study the book of Mark.
The Men of Faith will hold their monthly fellowship and breakfast at 8 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. All men of faith and their sons are welcome. The topic in August is "Right" and they will discuss what is right with God.
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: The Rev. Dan Larsen scrapped plans for a popular annual animal blessing service this Sunday. Instead he will call the Congregational Unitarian Church together in worship to memorialize the victims of the Knoxville church shooting and to affirm the liberal religious values and progressive social causes that evidently enraged the shooter. The 10:45 a.m. worship service will feature a chalice lighting by Hannah Rapp. Musical director Thomas Steffens will present special music. Patrick Murfin will read an original poem. The pastor will reflect on the lives lost and common purposes for which they lived. The congregation will be invited to share their thoughts and feelings.
Two people were killed and five more seriously or critically injured at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday morning. The sacrificial blocking of the shooter by a church usher and the quick action in subduing the assailant prevented even more deaths. Knoxville police now report that the shooter left behind a four-page letter blaming the "liberal movement" for destroying America and ruining his life. The house also contained books by leading right wing television and radio commentators who have routinely inflamed passions against liberals. The Tennessee Valley Church is noted for its progressive stands on many issues and had recently played a leading role in advocating for the Gay and Lesbian communities.
"Unitarian Universalists with our long history standing resolutely for social justice are frequent targets of threats and hate crimes," Larsen said, "We've had our share of nasty calls over the years. This time instead of crude threats or petty vandalism, blood has been shed. But as one commentator pointed out "it could be any UU Church in America." It could have happened as easily in Woodstock as in Knoxville. Our community needs to reflect on that and what it means."
The service is open not just to Unitarian Universalists but to all who value love and compassion and oppose a culture of hate and violence. For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.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. Dave Inglis will preach. Nursery care will be available, and children 3 years through kindergarten will be dismissed during the service for Story Time.
On Sunday, First Forum will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the church library.
Also on Sunday, members of the Re-Member Work Tour will begin collecting school supplies to send to the Loneman Day School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Oglala, S.D.
Visitors are welcome to any church activity. The church is accessible to persons with disabilities. Large print bulletins and assisted listening devices are available at Sunday Services an entrance for people with mobility impairment is on the Lake Street side of the church.
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 Does It Really Mean To Be Saved?" 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 Luke 18:35-43; Ephesians 2:1-9. 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).
Summer Jam for junior high students meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The senior high meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
There is still room for all ages in the afternoon session of vacation Bible school, "Power Lab," Monday to Friday. Register in the Welcome Center of the church.
Light of Christ Preschool will have an open house Aug. 10. Michele Niehoff, the new preschool director, will be on hand to share her desire to make Light of Christ Preschool the premier preschool in the community.
A "Photography Camp" will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11-15. 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 is celebrated with all donated items on display in the sanctuary. A Christmas Hymn will be sung. This year donations will be given to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Home of the Sparrow, PADS at Bethany and Veteran's Home in Hebron.
An all-congregational picnic is planned for 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Main Beach in Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake Food Pantry will be staffed by Bethany workers Aug. 18.
The senior breakfast Aug. 18 will feature guest speaker Katie Gavle, bringing highlights from her year in Mexico as part of the ELCA Global Mission Young Adult Program.
The "Start of School Year Blessing" is planned for all students at the 10 a.m. service Aug. 24.
The "Affirmation of Educators Service of Recognition" will be at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services Aug. 24.
Faith Quest Sunday school registration for preschool age 3 through senior high youth is now under way. Classes resume at 9 a.m. Sept. 7.
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.
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 18th chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
Bishop Rocco Florenza will visit in August. The date will be announced later.
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.