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.
McHenry County Jewish Congregation: McHenry County Jewish Congregation 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. 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, April 26, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "In Case You Just Tuned In," based on John 24:36-48, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Instrumental Group will play in both services and the Genesis Bell Choir will play in the second. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will begin a two-week learning experience about the Holy Spirit. The annual spring rummage sale will be from 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. At 5 p.m. Saturday, the Emergent Worship will be a service project outing. Worshippers will create small baskets to take to the homes of some members who might need a little extra love and care. Newcomers are very welcome.
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 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, May 2, the Emergent Worship will be a small group Bible study in the sanctuary. 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, "Don't Miss This Grand Opening!," based on Luke 24:36-49, 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. 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 church softball team will begin play in May. 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 Thursdays, Prairie Ringers Bell Choir will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cosman Center. 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 26, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with "Staging a Comeback, Part II" 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. They will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 26. Walk-ins are accepted. 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 and high school kids will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 for dinner, study and worship. Interested in learning more about membership at Faith Community Church? Join us at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, May 3 to hear more about its mission, vision, values and direction. Meet pastor and other members of the staff. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv. The preschool will hold a fundraiser at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Algonquin from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 4. Call the preschool at (224) 569-6512 for ticket information. Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, April 26, 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 26, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will deliver the 9 and 10:45 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. Sunday school will be held for 2-year-olds through third grade during the concert.
April 26 will be the Adult Work Tour Aluminum Can Collection. The Junior Fellowship auction will be held at 4 p.m. in the Youth Room. On Monday, April 27, the Monday Book Group meets at 11 a.m. in the Banner Library. They will discuss "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. The high school choirs' "Welcome Home" concert will be at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. On Wednesday, April 29, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, April 30, Moms' Time Out group will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Chen's King Wok in Crystal Lake. Faith to Faith will meet at 7 p.m. in the Children's Worship Center. The Great Decisions group meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Banner Library. On Saturday, May 2, Living the Questions" meets at 9 a.m. to discuss "Embracing Mystery." The confirmation dinner will be at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Confirmation Family Service will be at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Congregational Church of Algonquin: On the Third Sunday of Easter, April 26, 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 Luke 24:36b-48. Special music will be offered by the Senior Choir. "Shepherd University," children's Sunday school for preschool through sixth grades meets at 8:45 a.m. Sundays. The M and M Club will be going to Lazer Extreme, 19 East Berkshire Drive in Crystal Lake, from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25. At 7 p.m. Tuesdays, the Bible study is discussing Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The Women's Fellowship Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. They are discussing the Survey of the Old Testament. 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. They are in need of children and women's clothes, as well as magazines and books. On Wednesdays, rehearsals are: Chapel Choir for third to eighth grade from 4:45 to 5:15; Cherub Choir for kindergarten to second grade from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Chimers for third to fifth grade from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.; Joyful Sound Handbell Choir for seventh grade to adult from 6:30 to 7:30; and Senior Choir from 7:30 to 9 p.m.