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.
Joy Community: Joy Community Presbyterian Church, 108 S. Lakewood Road, Lake in the Hills, offers worship services at 8:30 or 10:30 a.m. Good Friday, April 10, serivce at 7 p.m. and 8:30 or 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 12 with a brunch from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The church, now in its 13th year, welcomes all those looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus. For details visit www.joycommunity.org or call the office at (847) 515-8800.
McHenry County Jewish Congregation: In observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day, McHenry County Jewish Congregation 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. 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 Easter Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be a meditation on Easter 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 and the Sunday AM's Bell Choir will play in the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services. This will be followed by an Easter breakfast with a freewill offering, served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will continue their journey called "Following in the Footsteps of Jesus" by remaining in Jerusalem to learn about the resurrection. There will be a traditional Easter egg hunt. The Good Friday Service will be a Tenebrae Service, which will include a portrayal of the disciples and those closest to the Lord, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Chancel Choir will sing. This is a powerful service that begins in light and ends in relative darkness. Everyone is welcome. On Saturday, April 11, the Emergent Worship will be a Praise and Worship Service in the sanctuary. The Mission of the Month for April is "One Great Hour of Sharing," a United Church of Christ offering that goes toward alleviating suffering in disasters throughout the world. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m., the Crusader Bells will practice 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. On Saturday, April 18, the Emergent Worship will be a small group Bible study from I Corinthians. The study will be held in the family room on the lower level. Newcomers are welcome. On Sunday, April 19, drop off donations for the annual spring rummage sale from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The sale will be held from noon until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23; from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, April 24; and from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 25 with a $3 a bag day. 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, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," based on 1 Timothy 6:12-16, at the 7 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. At the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services, the message will be "First Things First," based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. At the 9 a.m. Good Friday service, April 10, the message, "The Dust of Death" will be based on Psalm 22; and at the 7 p.m. service, the message will be "Kings of Kings: Life through Death," based on John 19:17-22 (23-30).
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 Week services continue with a Good Friday Children's Service at 10 a.m. at Citizens Bank and Tenebrae Service at 7 p.m. at the Cosman Center. Easter Sunday on April 12 begins with Sunrise Service at Deicke Park 6:30 a.m. (weather permitting), Easter breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Cosman Cafeteria. Services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 19 is PADS help at Bethany Lutheran in Crystal Lake and there will be blood pressure checks between services. It also is a new member orientation from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the Citizens Bank's lower level. Nursery care will be provided. New members will be received April 26. The church softball team will begin play in May. 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 Easter Sunday, April 12, 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 Good Friday service will be at 7 p.m.
The Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast, discussion and fellowship at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The topic will be "Beyond the Storm" where they will discuss facing and handling the world's economic and ethical challenges from a personal point of view with an understanding of faith in God. The preschool will hold a free parenting seminar with renowned speaker Kirk Martin from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18. Advance registration is not required.
To learn more about membership at Faith, join "Faith v.1" at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, April 19. Meet with the pastor and hear more about the mission and vision of the church. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501 to RSVP. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, April 12, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, discusses Unitarian Universalist Resurrection at the 10:45 a.m. service. In "Up The Ladder," the Rev. Dan Larsen will celebrate the Unitarian Universalist version of Easter based on "West Side Story." The adult choir, under the direction of 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 Easter Sunday, April 12, First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake, celebrates with three services. A sunrise service at 7 a.m. will be held in the chapel. The Rev. David Inglis, associate minister, and the church youth will lead the service. Holy Communion will be celebrated. There will be no nursery care or Sunday school at this service. At 9 and 10:45 a.m., the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones, senior minister, will preach in the sanctuary. Nursery care will be available. There will be no Sunday school classes this morning. Lilies and spring blossoms placed in honor of or memory of loved ones will decorate the sanctuary. After the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services, coffee is served in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday, April 15, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. Confirmation class meets at 5:30 p.m. in the youth room.
On Thursday, April 16, the Young at Heart luncheon and program will be at noon at the Crystal Lake Country Club. Faith to Faith will be at 7 p.m. in the Children's Worship Center and Common Ground meets at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. On Saturday, April 18, the highway cleanup will be at 9 a.m.
On Good Friday, April 10, the service will be at 7 p.m. in the chapel. On Saturday, April 11, the Easter Vigil begins at 6 p.m. in the chapel. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Bethany Lutheran: Holy Week worship continues at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. Good Friday, April 10, the "Song of Shadow" service will be at 7:30 p.m. Child care is available. On Easter Vigil, April 11, the Service of Light, Vigil Readings and Holy Baptism will be 7:30 p.m. with Holy Communion. Easter Sunday, April 12 will begin with the 7 a.m. worship with Holy Communion, followed at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. with Festival Worship with Holy Communion. From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., enjoy a continental breakfast. The Festival Worship services will include choral and instrumental music (brass, bells, and organ) and Liturgical Dance. Child care is available at both the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services. All are welcome. For details, call the church office at (815) 459-2690 or visit bethanylc.com.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Easter Sunday, April 12, "Removing The Stone," a metaphysical Easter message, will be presented by the Rev. Anne Muelleman at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. A spiritual Easter experience celebrates the rebirth and reawakening of the indwelling Christ which is revealed when the stones and blocks are removed from consciousness.
Join them for a deeper, mystical understanding of the Easter holiday and how you personally experience the Resurrection in your daily life. Easter is the awakening of the Christ Principle or Christ Consciousness which dwells in everyone. The resurrection occurs when you have moved up in consciousness. The mystical or deeper meaning of this occasion is revealed in the fact that the date of this cosmic event known as Easter, a celebration of the resurrection, is celebrated each year not as a fixed date as are other anniversaries markings births and deaths. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon which follows the vernal equinox, when the easter(n) sun crosses the equator and rises in Aries. Easter marks spring's beginning, when the earth awakens - or resurrects - from winter's sleep. Tricia Alexander will perform special music. 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 Easter Sunday, April 12, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message is based on Mark 16:1-8. The Word and Sacrament will be celebrated with both handbells and vocal choirs along with a brass ensemble. "Shepherd University," children's Sunday school for preschool through sixth grades meets at 8:45 a.m. Sundays. Did you know that the creator of "Gilligan's Island" said he based the seven castaways on the Seven Deadly Sins? 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 for an interesting study and great discussion. Everyone is welcome. Come for any or all of the sessions. The M and M Club will be going to Lazer Extreme, 19 E. Berkshire Drive in Crystal Lake, from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The Holy Week schedule continues with the Tenebrae worship at 7:30 p.m. April 9; Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. April 10; and Easter Sunday worship at 8:30 and 10 a.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.