McHenry County religion notes

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Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam's next Shabbat service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 22 at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Congregation Tikkun Olam is the only Jewish Reform congregation in the greater McHenry County area. Unaffiliated Jews and interfaith families are always welcome. For details on the congregation, its religious school or adult programs, visit the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "A Fire Where We Don't Expect It," based on John 17:6-19, 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. The Children's Choir will sing in the first service and the Genesis Handbell Choir will play in the second. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, continue to learn about Jesus forgiving Peter for denying Him. There will be a special offering for the Mission of the Month. This month's mission 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., 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 23, the Emergent Worship will be a service project, traveling to the Huntley cemetery to place flowers on specified grave sites, at 5 p.m. Newcomers are welcome. On Saturday, May 30, the Men's Fellowship will meet at 8 a.m. for breakfast. At 5 p.m., the Emergent Worship will be a fellowship dinner. Meet at the church to go out for pizza. Newcomers are 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, "What Have You?", based upon 1 John 5:9-15, 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. There will be no Sunday school for the summer starting May 24. 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 will resume Sept. 20 in the new church building. A new member reception will be held at both services May 24. Confirmation Sunday is May 31. June 22-26 is vacation Bible school. Registration can be made in the office, online or between worship services. Shepherds Voices and Prairie Ringers rehearsals will resume in August. On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m. 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 24, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead blended service at 9 a.m. and contemporary service at 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. 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. Adult Bible studies are offered at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to discuss the scripture of the upcoming sermon; and again at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The topic of the evening study is "The Children of Abraham." A training meeting for the "Pastoral Care" Team will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30. They will be "Stocking the Shelves" on Sunday, May 31. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate and tour the new Faith Community Food Pantry. Enrollment is now open for vacation Bible school's "Crocodile Dock," scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon July 27-31. To register, visit www.fccwired.org or stop into the church office for a form. 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 24, the Rev. Dan Larsen will lead a traditional Memorial Day service at the 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock. Join them as they take the annual walk to the Woodstock Square to honor those from McHenry County who have died in the war. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Memorial Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will deliver the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. During the service, the annual Sunday school picnic will be held for all children in attendance. 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 both services. On Sunday, May 24, the Pilgrim Fellowship will have an end-of-year picnic at 3 p.m. at the Linning's home. On Monday, May 25, the Mature Singles' Group Memorial Day Picnic will be at 4 p.m. at Rev. Ron Woodruff's home. On Tuesday, May 26, "The Illuminated Word: A Presentation about the St. John's Bible" will be offered by Brian Woods at 7 p.m. in the chapel. On Wednesday, May 27, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, May 28, the Moms' Time Out will be at 6:30 at The Barley House Restaurant in Algonquin Commons. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, May 24, the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman is challenging the congregation to go "Compliant Free" for 21 days at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. The special music will be by Gloria Taylor. Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life, you enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. This simple program helps to set a trap for your own negativity and redirect your mind toward a more positive and rewarding life. 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 will follow the special children's curriculum for "Creating a Complaint Free World" during the month of May and will be also make a 21-day commitment to be "Complaint Free." For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message will be based on John 17:6-19 and 1 John 5:9-13. On Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor, comparing Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Women's Fellowship will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesdays to study the Old Testament. "Shepherd University," children's Sunday school for preschool through sixth grade meets at 10 a.m. Sundays. Starting at 8:45 a.m. June 7 in the fellowship hall, "Power from the Parables!" will study the parables of Christ, using the Rotation Model, similar to how lessons are taught at Shepherd U. Music, games, art, cooking, stories, drama, science, discussion and video are methods that will be used to help learn what Jesus was trying to say with his parables. The Yarn Works group meets every Thursday at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Beginner are welcome. They have needles, hooks, patterns and yarn to get you started. There is no beginning class, nor ending. Attend only the number of classes you need to learn what you wish to learn. You are welcome to visit for knitting and crocheting anytime. Knitting will be taught by Barb Hess. Crochet will be taught by Sally Cope. If you already know how to do the yarn work of your choice, just come, work and chat. For information, call Sally Cope at (224) 678-9332. May 31 is Confirmand Sunday. It is an important day as they recognize the commitment of young people to grow in their faith as they become adults and welcome them as members of the church. A special service will be held at 3 p.m. There will be a blood drive from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Mark your calendars for July 27-31 for this year's vacation Bible school, "Camp E.D.G.E." 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.