McHenry County religion notes

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, May 3, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "I Am's," based on John 10:11-18, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. This is Holy Communion Sunday. The Chancel Choir will sing in both services; the Crusader Bells will play in the first service and the Chimes Choir will play in the second.

The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will continue a two-week learning experience about the Holy Spirit.

The Mission of the Month for May is Heifer, International, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to supply domesticated animals to families in need 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, May 2, the Emergent Worship will be a 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, "One Flock and One Shepherd," based upon John 10:11-18, 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.

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.

May 3 is the Food Collection for the Grafton Food Pantry. 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. Contact the church office for music rehearsal, senior, youth, young adult, quilters, crafters and other groups. 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, May 3, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with "Staging a Comeback, Part 3: Life in the Dark" 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.

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. Childcare will be available.

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.

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, May 6 for dinner, study and worship.

The Men of Faith will meet for breakfast, discussion and fellowship at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. All men of Faith and their sons are welcome.

Do you have any questions, concerns or comments about the direction we're going? If so, join them for "Pizza with the Pastor" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9. This is an informal get together with no agenda, other than to have open conversation.

Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.

Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, May 3, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will host the annual congregational meeting at the 10:45 a.m. service. The Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean Street, This will be our annual congregational meeting this Sunday, May 3rd at 10:45 a.m. services.

The Rev. Dan Larsen will lead the meeting upstairs with a potluck to follow. They will nominate church officers and council members, change bylaws and recognize new members. They will approve a new church budget, UUA Peace Proposal "A Statement of Conscience" and change the name of the church to "Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock." For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 3, the Rev. Bette Zattau will deliver the 9 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. At the 10:45 a.m. service, 22 young people will be confirmed. The Rev. Dave Inglis will lead the service. 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. Toddler Time is provided for infants, and toddlers at both services.

On Sunday, May 3, Food Pantry Sunday, Members are encouraged to bring items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Confirmation will be at the 10:45 a.m. service. St. John's Bible exhibit will be on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the chapel. An opening reception will be at 12:15 p.m. in the chapel. The high school youth will meet for Whirly Ball at 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 6, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library.

On Thursday, May 7, the Women's Fellowship Luncheon will be at noon in the fellowship hall. Faith to Faith will be at 7 p.m. in the Children's Worship Center.

On Friday, May 8, the Women's Connection Mother's Day Ice Cream Social will be at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Visitors are welcome to any church activity. The church is accessible to persons with disabilities. Large print bulletins and assisted listening devices are available at Sunday Services an entrance for people with mobility impairment is on the Lake Street side of the church.

For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, May 3, the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science welcomes guest speaker, Kathy Kuna at 10 a.m. Her topic is "The ABC's of Prosperity," offering everyone clear and concise "rules of the road" for building, maintaining, and expanding their individual consciousness of prosperity. Joyful Noise Band 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."

Join them for free prosperity classes being offered at 7 p.m. the first two Mondays in May.

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.

The Spiritual Entrepreneur Networking Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the church.

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. Beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, they will begin a new Bible study.

"Shepherd University," children's Sunday school for preschool through sixth grades meets at 8:45 a.m. Sundays.

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.