McHenry Co. religion notes
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McHenry County Jewish Congregation: As part of its "Bread and Torah" adult education series on Tuesday, March 31, the McHenry County Jewish Congregation will host a Passover Workshop. The series pairs the preparation of food with learning, and at this workshop, speakers will offer tips on making tasty Passover desserts along with ideas for livening up Passover seders. The session is free and open to all. The Passover holiday observance begins Wednesday, April 8. MCJC will hold a Festival Service at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 9, and a Community Seder at 6:30 p.m. that night. Reservations are required for the Seder, and details can be obtained by calling MCJC at (815) 455-1810 or visiting mcjc-online.org.
In observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day, MCJC will hold a service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. The MCJC Book Club will also be meeting that evening to discuss "The Book Thief," by Marcus Zusak, a novel set in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. MCJC will be welcoming Beatrice Muchman, a Chicago-based author and hidden child of the Holocaust, from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 26. Her talk is free and open to all.
MCJC Religious School meets each Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon. Twice-a-week instruction is offered to second- to seventh-grade students, and Sunday-only instruction is offered for the parent-tot, pre-K and kindergarten to first grade classes, and those in eighth grade through high school.
Adult education is also offered at noon Sundays and Wednesdays.
Shabbat services are at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 8617 Ridgefield Road in Crystal Lake. Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Maralee Gordon and are free and open to everyone. This is the only Conservative Jewish congregation in McHenry County. Interfaith families are welcome. It also operates a gift shop offering a range of Judaica items. It is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 15, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "It's Not Just a Good Idea" 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. Evan Reed Thomas Anderson, son of Bengt and Tricia Anderson, will be baptized in the 10:30 a.m. service.
The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will watch a video. At noon, the second presentation of the Hobo Show and dinner will begin.
On Saturday, March 14, the weekly contemporary worship will continue at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome to attend. At 6 p.m., the first presentation of this year's Hobo Show and dinner will begin. This year, the show, presented by approximately 20 players from the church and community, goes back to the type of Hobo Show in years past, which features songs and jokes. Tickets are $8 and include the show, a beef stew dinner and many door prizes. Reservations are needed. Call the church office at (847) 669-3691.
The Mission of the Month for March will be the Grafton Township Food Pantry, concentrating on Easter basket dinners for needy families. Items needed are canned vegetables, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes and monetary donations.
At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, a St. Patrick's Day dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, dessert and refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Reservations are needed and may be made by calling the church office. A freewill offering will be taken.
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 Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. There will be a Lenten Organ Recital in the sanctuary at 12:10 p.m. given by Vernon Studt, organist of the church. The Genesis Bells will practice at 6 p.m. and the Whitechapel Bells will practice at 7 p.m.
At 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, the weekly contemporary worship service will be a small-group Bible Study. Everyone is welcome. 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, "The Pause That Refreshes," based upon Exodus 20:1-17, 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 Lenten Season continues with a Lenten supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays followed by the Lenten service at 7 p.m. The theme this year is "King of Kings" and the message this evening will be "Ahab: The King Whose Repentance Was Too Little, Too Late", based upon 1 Kings 16:29-33; 21:(1-19), 20-29.
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.
Lenten services continue each Wednesday with a soup supper at 6 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. in the Cosman Center Cafeteria. The theme will be relationships with God, Christ and each other.
First Communion instruction for fifth-graders continues from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The instruction will continue March 14 and 21 with First Communion celebrated at April 12 worship services.
PADS support will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at Bethany Lutheran in Crystal Lake. A blood pressure check is available between services March 15. The Easter and Spring Craft and Bake Sales will be March 22 and 29, before and after worship services at the Cosman Center. On March 22, the Rev. Nancy Amacher, ELCA Stewardship Key Leader, will be the guest preacher. 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, March 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. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. The Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast, fellowship and study at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 14 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. All men of faith and their sons are welcome.
The Silver Saints seniors group will meet for lunch and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 16 at Nikos Grill in Huntley. All seniors are invited to attend. The church will host "Family Night" each Wednesday during Lent starting with a family dinner at 6 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Church members will be meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19 to prepare meals for the homeless. If you have an hour to spare, join them as they "Feed My Lambs". 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, March 15, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, discusses "How to Feel Good" at the 10:45 a.m. service. The Rev. Dan Larsen will speak about the Bible for cognitive therapy called "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by Dr. David D. Burns. The church will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with special music from Tom Steffens and Mike Knauf. The Adult Choir, under the direction of 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, March 15, First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake, continues its Sunday Lenten schedule with a half-hour Holy Communion service at 7:45 a.m. in the chapel. Services will follow at 9 and 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. 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. A concert, "Americana At Its Best," with special guests Tom Waselchuk and the Dang-Its, will be held at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary. After the concert, the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will serve a Creole Dinner in the fellowship hall. Tickets will be available at the door.
On Wednesday, March 18, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. The Lenten Soup Supper will be at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall; Lenten Study at 7:15 p.m. in the chapel. On Tuesday, March 17, the Heartland Blood Drive will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Bethany Lutheran: Midweek Lenten Wednesday worship has begun at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake and continues weekly through April 1. This year there are two opportunities for worship and reflection - 11:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Child care is available. The theme of the 11:15 a.m. worship will focus on "The Lord's Prayer: A Way of Life." On March 18, it will be "Give us this day our daily bread." On March 25, it will be "Forgive us our sins as we forgive." On April 1, it will be "Save us from the time of trail and deliver us." The Liturgy for Worship at the 7 p.m. services is the Holden Evening Prayer service. There will a drama "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" The Drama Team will re-enact the sacred events of the Passion in a way that deepens the understanding and awe of the death and resurrection. On March 18, it will be "The Politician - Pilate"; March 25, "The Mother - Mary"; and April 1, "The Friend - Magdalene." All are welcome. For details, call the church office at (815) 459-2690 or visit bethanylc.com.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, March 15, the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic, "Oh, to be Irish," will show how to find your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science community. Special music will be by Amy Beth. 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, March 13 at the church.
Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, March 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 Psalms 19. New members will be received during the service. Music will be provided by the Children's Choir and the Senior Choir. The Men's Fellowship will host another St. Patrick's Day corned beef dinner at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, March 15. The monthly men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 21. On Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor. On Thursdays, the Yarn Works group gets together to crochet shawls for the Shawl Ministry at 10 a.m. "Shepherd University," children's Sunday school for preschool through sixth grades meets at 8:45 a.m. Sundays. During March, the children will spend three weeks learning about refugees and will end March with a study in Palm Sunday and building up to Easter. The Mission Ministry is supporting a series of seminars on immigration, religious faith and society at 11:15 a.m. Sundays, 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.
Did you know that the creator of "Gilligan's Island" said he based the seven castaways on the Seven Deadly Sins? To find out the answers join them from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Sundays for an interesting study and great discussion. Everyone is welcome. Come for any or all of the sessions.
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.