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, July 12, the sermon by guest pastor, Rev. Don Schmidt, will be "Turning Aside" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will have a "Fun in the Sun" activity. The theme is Tye Dye. This month's mission is the Home of the Sparrow. A mission offering will be taken on July 12. The Grafton Pantry needs for July are shampoo, hand soap, crackers and canned fruit. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. On Saturday, July 11, at 5 p.m., there will be a contemporary worship service in the sanctuary. The church will have a craft booth at the farmer's market from 8 a.m. to noon. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.
St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Humble in the Extreme," based on Philippians 2:5-8, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class Sunday at 8 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 9 a.m. service; no Sunday school for the summer. Monday worship at 7 p.m. began July 6. The service is the same as that of the weekend; so, if you missed church Saturday or Sunday, come and worship Monday night and bring a friend. This is in addition to the weekend services. All are welcome. 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. Ken Pohlmann 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. 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 picnic will be Sunday, Aug. 9. Watch for details at the Welcome Table and the Sunday bulletin. Aug. 16 will be the last service at the Cosman Center, with the first service at the new church on Aug. 13. Dedication Sunday will be Sept. 13 with a community open house on Sept. 20. 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, July 12, the Rev. Bruce Cole will preach at the 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. 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 "What it Means to be a Christian." "Play 2 Learn" playgroups for children ages 2-4 will be offered each Tuesday and Thursday morning here at FCC. For details, call April LoCoco at (847) 309-8445. 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. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv. Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.
Unitarian church: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will begin its summer schedule Sunday, July 12. Kemberly Dailey-Johnson will lead the congregation in song and circle discussion. Everyone is welcome including children. Through Labor Day Sunday, summer services are held at 10:45 a.m., either upstairs or downstairs depending on the particular service. Most of the services are led by church members. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731 or visit www.cucw.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, July 12, the Rev. Gail Greener will preach at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake, with a Hymn Sing at 9:45 a.m. Nursery care will be provided. Sunday school for children through third grade will be available. The First Forum will be at 8:30 a.m. Vacation Bible school meets each day at 9 a.m. Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16. Also, the church council will meet at 7 p.m. July 13 in the multipurpose room. On Wednesday, July 15, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, July 16, the VBS Closing Program will be at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. On Friday, July 17, at 9:30 p.m., there will be softball at Lippold Park. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, July 12, the Rev. Joette Waters, founder of the Empowerment Center Chicago, will present the workshop, "The Power of Choice" on how to achieve and maintain a happy healthy lifestyle, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. Suggested donation for the workshop is $25. Her topic at the 10 a.m. service that day is "Choosing to be Happy." The special music will be by Joyful Noise Band. Attendees will create a more healthy life through thinking and beliefs which serve their highest good by connecting with an infinite power for good. 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.
Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, July 12, 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 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19. At 8:45 a.m. 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 popular "Sausage on a Stick" by the Congregational Church of Algonquin is back on Saturday, July 25 at the Founders' Day Parade. This is a big production and everyone's help is needed. Set up begins at 8 a.m. Call the church if you have any questions or if you would like to help.
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.
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. 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. They are in need of children and women's clothes. The church is handicap accessible at the rear entrance. For details, call (847) 658-5308.