McHenry County religion notes

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McHenry County Jewish Congregation: In observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day, the 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. Muchman is the author of "Never to be Forgotten: A Young Girl's Holocaust Memoir," which offers a first-person account of her life as a Jewish child in Nazi-occupied Belgium Her talk is free and open to all. On Sunday, May 3, MCJC will be participating in the "Walk with Israel." Buses will be provided, free of charge, from MCJC to the Northwest Suburban Walk in Buffalo Grove. To reserve a space on the bus, call MCJC at (815) 455-1810. MCJC will hold its Religious School Closing Day Picnic and annual meeting at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17. New officers will be elected at that time. "Kugel and Kabbalah" will be the theme of MCJC's next Bread and Torah session (an adult education series that combines food with learning). Scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, the session will be tied to Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the receipt of the Ten Commandments. Ten MCJC members will present on one of the 10 kabbalistic (mystical) aspects of God, while other members will compete in a kugel bake-off. The event is free. For the third consecutive year, MCJC will be offering a two-week summer camp program, Camp Chaverim, staffed by Israeli teens. The camp, which will focus on conversational Hebrew, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Monday through Friday, July 6-17. Cost for the camp is $150 for the two week session. For details, call MCJC at (815) 455-1810. 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. 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, April 19, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Doubt as a Core Belief," based on John 20:19-31, 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. At the 10:30 a.m. service, Dean Francis Kolbe, the son of Darin and Jennifer Kolbe, will be baptized. The godparents are Henry Joseph Kolbe and Margaret Kolbe. 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 "traveling" to their final destination, the Mount of Olives, where they will witness the Ascension and learn about the Great Commission. On Saturday, April 18, the Emergent Worship will be a a small group Bible study from I Corinthians in the sanctuary. Also on Sunday, drop-off for the annual spring rummage sale will begin from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The sale will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25 with a $3 a bag day. 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. This Sunday there will be a special collection made for this mission. On Monday, the Women's Circle will take a break from rummage sale preparation for a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. at the church. On Saturday, April 25, the Emergent Worship will be a service project outing. 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 Midas Touch", based upon 1 John 1:1-2:2, 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. Sunday, April 19 is PADS help from 6 to 8 p.m. 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 Sunday, April 19, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with "Staging a Comeback, Part I" 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. At 11:45 a.m., meet with the pastor and the FCC team to hear more about the mission, vision and values. Ask questions and decide if membership is right for you. Childcare will be provided. RSVP to the church office. The Silver Saints will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 20 at Famous Dave's on Randall Road in Algonquin for lunch and fellowship. All seniors are welcome. The middle school kids will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 for dinner, study and worship. The high school kids will also meet at 7 p.m. that night here at church. Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that's filling the air waves? Join Dave Ramsey at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23 for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what's happening with the economy, how we got here and where we're going Go to www.townhallforhope.com for details. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, April 19, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will discuss a "Statement of Conscience" at the 10:45 a.m. service. The Rev. Dan Larsen will be discussing a "Statement of Conscience" being considered by the Unitarian Universalist Association the Congregational Unitarian Church as becoming a "Peacemaking Church." Sue Rekenthaler also will speak. There will be time allotted for comments from the congregation. They also will recognize religious education teachers from this past year. 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, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, April 19, the Rev. Arn Schaper will deliver the 9 a.m. sermon at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. 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. At the 10:45 a.m. service, the Alleluia Sound and Good Vibrations Bell Choirs will present their pre-tour concert. Sunday school will be held for 2-year-olds through third grade during the concert. On Sunday, April 19, Community Service Day-after a light lunch at the church, participants will go to their assigned areas of service. Rummage sale drop-off and setup begins at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, April 22, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library and a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, April 24, Moms' Time Out Retreat (through April 26) and high school choirs tour begins. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, April 19, the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science will be celebrating the first year in their new space with an anniversary dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. Patricia Caldwell 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, April 19, 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 John 20:19-31. Special music will be offered by the Children's Choirs and the Chimers. "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. Beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, they will begin a new Bible study. 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. 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.