McHenry Co. religion notes

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Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam's next Shabbat service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Unaffiliated Jews and interfaith families are always welcome. For details on McHenry County's only Jewish Reform congregation, its religious school or adult programs, visit the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Jan. 25, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Follow Me," based on Mark 1:14-20, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Instrumental Group and the Genesis Bell Choir will play.

The Sunday school children will continue their journey called "Following the Footsteps of Jesus" by "traveling" with Jesus to Nazareth, where He preaches a sermon that upsets the town. Immediately after the service, the annual meeting will be held in the sanctuary, and that will be followed by an all-church potluck dinner in the fellowship hall.

On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m., the Crusader Handbell Choir practices at 4:15 p.m. and the Chancel Choir will practice at 7 p.m. On Thursday, the Genesis Bells will practice at 6 p.m. and the Whitechapel Bells 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, "Do You Have a Minute?", based upon 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school children meet at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, and are excused to go to their classes after the pastor's children's message. Adult Bible class Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and 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.

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.

A congregational meeting will be held Sunday, Jan. 25 after worship.

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. Contributions for the Grafton Food Pantry will be received Feb. 1. Construction continues on the new church building at the corner of Main and Manhattan. 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. 25, 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.

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. On Jan. 26, the theme is "Missionary Night."

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.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27 the church will host an open house from noon to 1 p.m. New members will receive their first month chapter dues for free. Call Rose at (847) 961-6295 for details.

The middle school kids will meet for dinner, fellowship, worship and small groups from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Adult Bible studies meet at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to study the upcoming Sunday's scripture; and again at 7:30 p.m. to study "The Parables of Jesus." Meet in the church library. The high school kids meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Jan. 25, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, asks "What's In a Name?" at the 10:45 a.m. service. The congregation will discuss the name of the church, what it means, and whether or not we should rename the church, and take an informal vote. The Rev. Dan Larsen will speak. The adult choir, led by musical director Tom Steffens, will perform. 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 Sunday, Jan. 25, the Rev. Arn Schaper will preach at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The new class of Stephen Ministers will be commissioned. FCCs praise band, Free Will, will provide special music. At 9 and 10:45 a.m., all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their families. They will be excused to their appropriate Sunday school class early in the service. Nursery care and Toddler Time is provided for infants, and toddlers at each service.

On Friday, Jan. 23, music classes begin for toddlers at 9:30 a.m., and at 10:15 a.m. for Preschool children. On Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Mature Singles Group will have a "Depression Party" at 5:30 p.m., at the home of one of its members. Call Ron Woodruff, (815) 206-0498, for details. On Sunday, Jan. 25, the Adult Work Tour will collect aluminum cans to raise money for their summer work tours; there will be a meeting at noon for anyone interested in participating in a 2010 trip to Guatemala with Mayaworks; the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Veteran Acres for sledding.

On Monday, Jan. 26, FCCs Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. in the Banner Library to discuss "The Stuff of Life;" Monday is also the day FCC works at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Saturday, Jan. 31, 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.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: January is back to basics month at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science community, as they join other Religious Science churches this month to review the principles of Science of Mind and put them into practice in their daily lives. It is time to dig deep within and find the rich vein of truth. The Rev. Anne Muelleman's topic for Sunday, Jan. 25 is "How to Use It" with special music by 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 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Jan. 25, 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 Mark 1:14-20.

On Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor.

What does God want me to do with my life? If this is a question that causes you to wonder periodically, then perhaps the new adult Sunday school class, "Discovering your Spiritual Gifts" may be for you. Scripture say that everyone has at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are entrusted to you for the building up of the church. The new adult offering will help discover answers to the following: Who am I? What makes me unique? What spiritual gifts do I possess? What does God want me to do with my life? How can I make a difference in the life of the church? Join them for "What Does God Want Me to Do With My Life" at 8:45 a.m. Sundays through Feb. 15 in the fellowship hall.

There will be a Men's Breakfast at 8 a.m. Feb. 14.

The Men's Fellowship will have a Chili Cook-off at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15.

The Men's Fellowship will host another St. Patrick's Day corned beef dinner at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, March 15.

A four-week finance class, "Building the Lifestyle You Deserve" will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 12. What does retirement mean to you? How much will you need to invest to help you reach your retirement goals? This free information exchange provides insights and strategies where you'll discover some steps you can take to help build the retirement you want. Space is limited, call Rev. Cope at (847) 658-5308 to reserve your place.

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. 25 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 19. 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.

Woodstock Bible: Woodstock Bible Church, 770 E. Kimball Ave. in Woodstock, worships at 6 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. Nursery is available. KidzLife for age 3 to fifth grade meets at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

On Sundays in January, authors Ray and Nancy Kane will share "Surviving the Storms of Life" at 9:30 a.m. The Kanes are professional marriage counselors; and Nancy is a professor at Moody Bible Institute.

The January Saturday worship series with the Rev. Len DiCicco is "When Opportunity Roars." When the days ahead are seen as God-sized opportunities, courage replaces fear and faith outweighs risks.

CrossRoads, Adult Recovery Groups, meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For details, call (815) 338-3006 or visit www.woodstockbiblechurch.com.