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, Jan. 4, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Another Road," based on Matthew 2:1-12 and John 1:1-18, 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. Holy Communion will be served.
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 choir sings on the first and third Sundays of the month and welcomes new members.
On Thursdays, the Genesis Bell Choir (beginning adults) will practice at 6 p.m. and the Whitechapel Bells (advanced adults) will practice at 7 p.m. 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, "Lost in the Word", based on Luke 2:40-52, 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. Holy Communion will be offered at all services. Sunday school will begin a new year on Jan. 4 at which time children meet at the 10:30 a.m. service, and are excused to go to their classes after the pastor's children's message.
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 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 Mondays, Shepherd's Voices Choir meets at 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 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. On Fridays, the church's Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Jan. 11, a new Bible study group will begin from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is a seven-week course.
A new book study group, "Tuesdays at Noon" will be starting in January. This book study will be "The Unveiling of Mary Magdalene." Watch for further details in the announcements.
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, Jan. 4, 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.
Anyone interested in membership at Faith is invited to attend "Faith v.1" at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4 in the fellowship hall.
They will be "undecorating" the church at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4. Many hands are needed.
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 theme is "Animals Night." Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. On Tuesdays, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m.
The middle school kids will meet for dinner, fellowship, worship and small groups from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Adult Bible studies meet at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to study the upcoming Sunday's scripture; and again at 7:30 p.m. Meet in the church library.
The Men of Faith will hold the monthly breakfast and fellowship meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The January topic is "Appearing for the Defense" and the discussion will be the world's challenge to the Christian man's thinking and faith in God.
A blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 11. You can schedule your appointment online at www.fccwired.tv or call the church office at (224) 569-6501.
Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.
Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, Jan. 4, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, focuses on being spiritually reborn at 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Dan Larsen will speak about how Unitarian Universalists, as liberal, free-thinking, spiritual travelers have to be spiritually reborn in "Unitarian Universalists Must Be Born Again." There will be a class for prospective new members after worship.
Sue McCowin will have the Story for All Ages before the kids go to their religious education classes.
On Sunday, Jan. 11, the church will hold a special all-generational worship service at 10:45 a.m. The church school presents an all-church celebration of Chinese New Year as the worship service. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.
First Congregational: On the Second Sunday after Christmas, Jan. 4, the Rev. Bette Zattau will lead the 10 a.m. only service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake.
There will be no Sunday school classes, but nursery care will be available. The church office will be closed through Sunday, Jan. 4.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, choir rehearsals begin with Cherub for second- and third-graders at 3:45 p.m.; Carol for fourth and fifth grades at 3:45 p.m.; Chancel for sixth through eighth grades at 7 p.m.; and Vestry for adults at 8 p.m.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, the Friendly Service group meets at 10 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Living the Questions meets at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room. The topic for discussion is "The Prophetic Jesus."
On Saturday, Jan. 10, Living the Questions meets at 9 a.m. in the multipurpose room. The topic for discussion is "The Prophetic Jesus."
On Sunday, Jan. 4, Alleluia Sound Choir Rehearsals begin from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Choir Room. Junior Fellowship for middle school youth will meet at 4 p.m. in the Youth Room. Pilgrim Fellowship for high school youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
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.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: January is back to basics month at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science community. It is time to dig deep within and find the rich vein of truth. This month, they will review the principles of Science of Mind and put them into practice in their daily lives. The first Sunday of the new year, Jan. 4, will be the annual Burning Bowl Service at 10 a.m. At this time, participants are encouraged to release conditions, attitudes and feelings about the old year to clear a space for the new, then to set their intention for 2009. Practitioners will be available to help with prayer treatment work to speed the manifestation. The Joyful Noise Band will be providing the music this week.
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. 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, Jan. 4, worship will be at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St.
There will be a men's breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 10.
On Jan. 18 at 11:15 a.m., there will be acolyte training for past and future acolytes. Anyone in third grade and older are welcome to join for pizza after the worship service.
What do you call a ministry where you can learn to knit or crochet and turn into a blessing to someone else? Yarn Works. Beginners are welcome. If you already know how to do the yarn work of your choice, you also are welcome. For details, call the church. Yarn works will meet every Thursday; one session will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the other session will be 7 to 9 p.m.
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: 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, Jan. 4 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 2. Bible study will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.
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.