McHenry County 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, Feb. 15, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Compassion in Community," based on Mark 1:40-45, 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 Bell Choir will play in the second. The Sunday school children will continue their journey called "Following the Footsteps of Jesus" by "traveling" to the town of Galilee, and on the way see Jesus calm the storm. The performers for this year's Hobo Show will practice at 10:30 a.m. The annual Valentine's Cabaret will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13. On Feb. 14, the Second Saturday Contemporary Service will be held at 5 p.m. The service will include a renewal of vows for any couples wishing to participate and be followed at 6 p.m. by a potluck dinner.
The church office will be closed Monday for President's Day. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. and the Chancel Choir will practice at 7 p.m. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.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 Feb. 15, there will be a reception of new members and 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 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. 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. 15, 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 church will host a 13-week class called "Financial Pace University" at 7 p.m. Fridays, starting March 20. To find out what the class is about, join them at one of their two previews being held at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 and again at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. Advance registration for the class is necessary. Call the church office to register or with questions. 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. 16, the theme is "Bring a Friend Night - Faithfulness." The Silver Saints will meet for lunch and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 at The Village Squire in Crystal Lake. All seniors 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. 15, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, welcomes the Rev. Dan Larsen back from vacation at the 10:45 a.m. service. In "Your Family," Larsen will speak about what members of the congregation need from and can offer their church family. 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, Feb. 15, the Rev. Bette Zattau will preach at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Jubilate Ringers bell choir and the Vestry Choir will perform at the service at 9 a.m., and Good Vibrations bell choir and Alleluia Sound will perform at the service at 10:45 a.m. 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. On Sunday, Feb. 15, an orientation for those interested in volunteering to help host PADS guests will be held at noon in the Banner Library. Lunch will be provided. At 12:30 p.m., the movie, "Amazing Grace," will be shown in the multipurpose room. A soup lunch will be served. The Pilgrim Fellowship group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at 1:30 p.m. in the Banner Library. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, Feb. 19, Young at Heart meets at the Crystal Lake Country Club for lunch and a program at noon. Common Ground meets at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. On Friday, Feb. 20, the Junior Fellowship winter retreat begins. On Saturday, Feb. 21, Women's Winter Potluck Breakfast and Lenten Reflection will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. 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. 15 is "Roses are Red. Violets are Blue," recognizing the variety of needs they have to be met, with special music by Dominic Dragoo and Serafina Maria Sharpe.
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 Sunday, Feb. 15, 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 1:40-45. On Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor. 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 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. The Mission Ministry is supporting a series of seminars on immigration, religious faith and society at 11:15 a.m. Sundays, Feb. 22 through April 5. The seminars will include the biblical imperatives of welcoming strangers and the present social, economical and faith values, and include how you can participate in healing and renewing your societal brokenness. They will engage in their own backgrounds and how they have shaped their lives. They will study scriptures, watch DVDs, study the effects of federal laws and NAFTA. They will hear from Olgha Sandman who has participated as a representative of Illinois Conference and the National Church in immigration work. Soup and bread will be served for a light lunch following worship, in the fellowship hall. On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Copes invite youth from sixth grade and older to join them at the parsonage to play games and share in fellowship from 5 to 9 p.m. Snacks are provided; bring your favorite beverage. On Friday, Feb. 27, the Copes invite the congregation to join them at the parsonage for a singalong of "Mama Mia" at 6:30 p.m. Popcorn are provided, bring your favorite beverage. For details, call Sally at (224) 678-9332. Did you know that the creator of "Gilligan's Island" said he based the seven castaways on the Seven Deadly Sins? To quote the Professor in "Rescue From Gilligan's Island": "Judging by our various experiences, we've had lessons in Lust, Greed, Envy, Sloth, Anger, Gluttony and Pride, the same Seven Deadly Sins that have always plagued mankind." Do you know which castaway symbolizes which sin? Did you know there are also Seven Holy Virtues? To find out the answers join them from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Sundays beginning Feb. 22 for an interesting study and great discussion. Everyone is welcome. Come for any or all of the sessions.
Join the M and M Club, second through sixth grade, and go ice skating from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee.
The new membership orientation classes are now being formed. There will be an orientation class at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. If you are interested in joining and cannot make this meeting, call the church office at (847) 658-5308 and they can schedule another class. Members will be received in the service at 10 a.m. March 15.
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. Feb. 15 at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. On Sexagesima Sunday, the Rev. Michael DuCettewill base his sermon on the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8. 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.