McHenry County religion notes

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First Congregational: On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Trust Your Talent, Not Your Doubt," based on Matthew 25:14-30, 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 Whitechapel Bells will play in the second. After attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, the Sunday school children will begin learning about the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin and how God loves them and seeks them out when they get lost.

This month's Mission of the Month will be Faith in Action of McHenry County, a network of religious congregations, community agencies and civic-minded individuals that works with seniors of our community who live at home. The "Clickin' Sticks," knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the church. At 7 p.m., the Chancel Choir will practice. The Thursday Study Group will meet at the Homuths at 10:15 a.m. The group is beginning a new study based on "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. Newcomers are welcome.

On Thursday, Nov. 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., there will be an Advent Wreath Making Fellowship for anyone from First Congregational Church UCC in Huntley and St. John United Church of Christ in Union to participate together in making Advent wreaths for their homes. On Sunday, Nov. 23, the church's handbell choirs will host the annual Sunday Brunch from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for age 12 and under, and may be purchased at the door. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "The Relationship That Nothing Can Destroy," based upon 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee and Fellowship follows the Sunday services. 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 Sundays, 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 school is at 9 a.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Rev. Jim Carr will be the adult leader of "Created in God's Image" at 10:30 a.m. at the Cosman Center. On Mondays, Shepherd's Voices Choir meets at 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, Prairie Points Quilting meets at 9 a.m., and the Bible study, "Unafraid," from 12:30 to 2 p.m. On Wednesdays at Citizens Bank, the adult Bible Study will be at 10 a.m. and the confirmation class at 6:30 p.m. at Citizens Bank. Pizza will be at 6 p.m.

On Thursdays, Prairie Ringers Bell Choir will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cosman Center. WELCA Group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 20. Check locations, for day and evening hours, in the Sunday announcements. On Fridays, the church's Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. Rehearsals for the children's Christmas musical "It's a Wonder-full Life", continue on Sundays, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the Cosman Center with Pie Fest 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, Nov. 16, 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 middle school. The Silver Saints will meet at 11:30 on Monday, Nov. 17 at the Golden Corral in Algonquin for lunch and fellowship. All seniors are welcome. Awana meets every Monday with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Kids Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Children from preschool through fifth grade are invited to attend. Everyone is welcome. The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the church. Study the book of Revelation through "Be Victorious" by Warren Wiersbe.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, talk about the book "The Shack" by William Young at 7:30 p.m. in the library. The high school youth will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at an off-site location. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will talk about its mission and outlook at 10:45 a.m. Larry Dille, a member of the congregation, will speak about the creation of the church's vision statement. The Rev. Dan Larsen will follow-up with the church's vision for the future. The adult choir, led by musical director Tom Steffens, will sing. Sue McCowin will have the Story for All Ages before the kids go to their religious education classes. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Youth Sunday, Nov. 16, the Rev. Dave Inglis will be joined by FCCs youth to lead the services at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Special music for each service will be performed by the Alleluia Sound High School Choir and the Chancel Choir. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. Each Sunday at 9 and 10:45 a.m., 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.

On Sunday, Nov. 16, UCC Coffee Project sale of fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate items after each service in the fellowship hall. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at 1:30 p.m. in the Banner Library. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study meets at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. The confirmation class will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. On Thursday, Nov. 20, the Young at Heart group will meet at noon at the Crystal Lake Country Club for their monthly luncheon and program. This month's program will be presented by Dr. Chris Bibby of the Barrington Center for Counseling & Psychotherapy. His topic will be "Stress Management for Today." At 7:30 p.m., Common Ground will meet in the chapel. The program is "Huston Smith & The Recovery of Soul & Spirit," presented by Herbert Bronstein. On Saturday, Nov. 22, the men's fellowship breakfast will be at 8 a.m. in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sundays, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, leads worship at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Child care is offered during the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services. Faith Quest Sunday school is at 9 a.m. New members will be received into the congregation at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16.

The Children's Milestone Ministries will be celebrated during the coffee hour. The Milestone Ministries for youth ages 3 through ninth grade will be represented. Worldview Mission Market opens at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Featured will be items from Panama, Mexico, India, Tanzania, Amish Country and other U.S. destinations. This year's market will include Fair Trade items from "Trails to Bridges" an international store located in Wisconsin. The market will be also be open Sundays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14 during the coffee hour.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Immediately after is the Pie Fest, a custom for more than 22 years. Celebrate Advent beginning Sunday, Nov. 30. Come to Bethlehem Village from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Explore Bethlehem's marketplace shops, make items with craftspeople, visit the Census Taker and register yourself. At the "Giving Tree," folks are invited to pick a card and shop for a Christmas gift for one of 80-plus residents at Sheltered Village in Woodstock. The annual Sheltered Village Christmas party is Wednesday, Dec. 3. Bethany joins other Crystal Lake churches bringing items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry during November until Thanksgiving Eve. This harvest of items will be in the sanctuary on Thanksgiving Eve. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit bethanylc.com.

Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Nov. 16, the church recognizes that during these trying and uncertain times, you can only be certain when you stand firm in your faith and "Practice the Presence" at the 10 a.m. service at the McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution. On Nov. 16, her topic will be "God Rocks."Music this week is provided by the church band. 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 Science of Mind curriculum is "Castles of Creation." 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church: On Sunday, Nov. 16, 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 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and Matthew 25:14-30. Music will be offered by the Children's Choirs and the Senior Choir. On Sunday, Nov. 16, all are invited to attend the installation of the Rev. Cope into the office of senior pastor at 2:30 p.m. The church will also dedicate the new grand piano as part of this celebration. A reception follows in the fellowship hall.

Who did Jesus say he was? Join the adult enrichment opportunities at 8:45 a.m. Sundays. The discussions are often spirited and interesting and all points of view are welcome. Bring a Bible or borrow one from the church and join them every Sunday or as often as possible. All are welcome to attend. The Entertainment books are available for $20 from the church's men's fellowship. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

On Sunday, Nov. 23, during worship, they will remember those loved ones who have passed away in this church year. (Nov. 23 is the last Sunday of the church year.) During the worship, they will read the names and light a candle for members of the church who have died and others who have had funerals in our church. There also be a time when everyone will be invited to come forward and light a candle for any of their loved ones who have passed on. On Tuesday Nov. 25, there will be a Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service at 7:30 p.m. This service includes local churches and will take place at the Congregational Church, 109 Washington St., Algonquin. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

St. Paul's Anglican: 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, Nov. 16 at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. The Rev. Michael DuCette's sermon will be based on the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24. Bible study will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m., continuing the study of the Gospel of John. For details, visit www.acahome.org or call (815) 338-0205.