McHenry County 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Our Source of Strength," based on Mark 1:29-39, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Sunday AM Handbell Choir will play and Lynne Kern will sing a solo in both services. The Mission of the Month is the Love Fund. This is the Sunday to take an offering for that fund as well as Pack-a-Sack Sunday for the Grafton Township Food Pantry. This is Scout Sunday, and the Sunday school children will be involved in honoring the tradition of the Boy Scouts and their involvement with the church. The performers for this year's Hobo Show will practice at 10:30 a.m. The Women's Circle will meet at 7 p.m. Mondays. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 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. The Second Saturday Contemporary Service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. The service will include a renewal of vows for any couples wishing to participate. 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, "Soar with the Savior," based upon Isaiah 40:21-31, 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.

Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month.

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.

The new member orientation will be Feb. 8 with reception of new members Feb. 15. Feb. 15 is the PADS support at Bethany Lutheran in Crystal Lake. Also, Sunday school children are encouraged to Bring a Friend to Sunday school. Blood pressure checks will be taken between services.

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.

The Prairie Crafters meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at Citizens Bank. A new member orientation will be Sunday, Feb. 8 with new members being received Feb. 15. Feb. 15 is Bring a Friend to Sunday School Day.

On Fridays, the church's Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. The church will have a booth at the Huntley Home and Business Expo Feb. 21-22. The women's retreat will be March 7. The First Communion classes will begin March 7 with First Holy Communion Easter Sunday April 12.

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, Feb. 8, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with Part 3 of the series "Help Wanted: Surviving Tough Times - I Think It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better" 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 Feb. 9, the theme is "Chocolate Kisses 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.

The middle school kids will meet for dinner, fellowship, worship and small groups from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.

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 the church office for the location.

The Men of Faith will hold their monthly fellowship and breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. All men of Faith and their sons are welcome. The annual Valentines Dinner Dance will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Pinecrest Golf Club in Huntley. The cost is $23 per person or $45 per couple. Call the church office for registration details. Registration deadline is Feb. 15. 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, Feb. 8, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, welcomes guest speaker Rev. Denise Tracy at the 10:45 a.m. service. In a sermon called "Living the Watercourse Way: Taoism and Tai Chi," Tracy will explore the ancient religion of Taoism and its spiritual practice, tai chi. Through sermon, reading, and movement, Tracy will lead the congregation in learning about this faith. Tracy is a hospital chaplain and has had ministries in the parish, on the Unitarian Universalist Association staff, and as a church consultant. She has taught tai chi for over 30 years. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

Each Sunday 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 Sunday, Feb. 8, UCC Coffee Project fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate products will be on sale after each service in the fellowship hall. The Wellness Ministry is hosting a book discussion on "How to Re-imagine the World," by Anthony Weston, at noon in the Banner Library. The Pilgrim Fellowship will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

On Monday, Feb. 9, the church council meets at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library.

The Living the Questions group meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 and 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 in the Youth Room. The topic is "Social Justice: Realizing God's Vision."

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: Love in the air - is it in your heart? This month at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science community, you will learn how to create a consciousness of love each day as the Rev. Anne Muelleman leads you on a path of opening your hearts to receive and accept love. The Rev. Anne Muelleman's topic for Sunday, Feb. 8 is "Relationships are a Dance," showing how communication is key, 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.

The Spiritual Entrepreneur Networking Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at the church.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Boy Scout Sunday, Feb. 8, worship will be at 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. On Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor. The Men's Fellowship will have a Chili Cook-off at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. The monthly men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. There will be a Dixieland Service at 10 a.m. Feb. 22. The Ash Wednesday service will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25.

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

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, Feb. 8 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 20. Bible study will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. with the continuation of the study of John, chapter 9.

St. Paul's is having its annual meeting after the service. A brunch will be served.

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.