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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 19, the Rev. Arn Schaper will be the guest minister at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. There will be a brief sing hymn sing before the 9 a.m. service, led by John and Lynne Kern. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will watch a video. This month's mission is the Home of the Sparrow. 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 18, the Emergent Worship Bible study will be at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. On Saturday, July 25, the annual Fay's Pork Chop Barbecue will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. This community event includes Fay's famous pork chops and/or chicken, beans, applesauce, coleslaw, rolls and butter, beverage, homemade cookies, and entertainment on the grassy lot at the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. Everyone is welcome. Carryouts will be available. Advance tickets are $12 and may be purchased by calling the church office at (847) 669-3691. Walk-in tickets may be purchased at the dinner, as available, for the price of $13, but purchasing sooner is recommended. 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, "Exalted Above All," based on Philippians 2:9-11, 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. Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month

Monday worship will be at 7 p.m. 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. 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.

On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m. Prairie Points Quilting Group will meet at 9 a.m. at Citizens Bank. 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 19, the Rev. Bruce Cole will preach part four of "God is -" 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.

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 Silver Saints will hold their monthly luncheon and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 20 at the church. All seniors are invited.

A new Bible study for high school students will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at Panera Bread on Randall Road. All high school students are welcome. 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.

The church will host its quarterly blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501 to make an appointment.

Unitarian church: One of Woodstock's most venerable churches has changed its name. On July 12, the Congregational Unitarian Church became the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock.

The congregation voted to change the name at its May meeting to become effective when all of the legal documents and details were amended. That process has been completed. According to the Rev. Dan Larsen, minister of the church since 1990, "The new name reflects who we are now while reclaiming a lost part of our identity and honoring our roots."

It is the fourth name for the church, which has occupied the corner of Dean and South Streets since being founded by returning Civil War veterans in 1866 as the First Congregational Church of Woodstock. After seeking dual affiliation with the Universalist Church in America in 1937, it became the Congregational Universalist Church. In 1984, members of the congregation, after the consolidation of the Universalists nationally with the American Unitarian Association in 1961 creating the Unitarian Universalist Association, voted to change the name of the church to the Congregational Unitarian Church. At the time, members felt that the public better recognized and understood the name Unitarian than Universalist. Both originally liberal Christian denominations, the Universalists believed that a loving God saved all souls - universal salvation - and the Unitarians believed in the unity of God - no Trinity - and an approach to faith based on reason. Modern Unitarian Universalism is a creedless religion that honors not only its Judeo-Christian heritage, but draws from world religious and philosophic traditions to assist members in "building their own religion." Those traditions are reflected in striking windows installed in the church as part of the centennial of the current landmark church building in 2006.

Since the congregation ended its official affiliation with the United Church of Christ (the Congregationalists) in 2000 and became an exclusively Unitarian Universalist congregation, there has been talk of changing the name to reflect the new reality.

"We really are happy to reclaim our lost Universalist identity," Rev. Larsen said. "We say that 'love is the doctrine of this church' and Universalism calls us to put love into action." By changing from church to Congregation, "the new name also reflects that we are a religious community, and not just a brick and mortar building while honoring our roots as Congregationalists."

Over the next few weeks and months, the new name will be reflected in signage, on the Web site, and in public awareness. The congregation will celebrate the new name with special dedication worship services and other events and programs this fall.

"As the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, we will continue our tradition of service to the community, which includes hosting PADS and the Woodstock Community Ministry's Direct Assistance Program and outreach to the Latino community, and the advocacy for peace, justice, and a sustainable world which has been our hallmark," Rev. Larsen said. "And we hope to grow spiritually as a religious community living out the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism."

For details, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 19, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones 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. New members will be welcomed at the 10 a.m. service.

On Tuesday, July 21, Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at 1:30 p.m. in the Banner Library. On Wednesday, July 22, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library.

On Thursday, July 23, Moms' Time Out will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Benedict's in Crystal Lake. On Friday, July 24, join softball at Lippold Park at 6:30 p.m.

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, July 19, Bhanta Sujatha, Buddhist monk and founder of the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, will touch all listeners with his profound message centered on "Finding Peace and Contentment" at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. For decades, Bhanta's meditative presence and subtle power has inspired many to live more peacefully and lovingly. He offers a regular Tuesday morning meditation at the church each week. The special music will be by Natalia Zuckerman, a Woodstock Folk Festival performer.

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.

Also on July 19, a Certified Passion Test facilitator Dan Hanneman will offer his "Living Your Passions" experiential workshop from noon to 3 p.m. He helps people tap into deeply held passions and map out how to fulfill those passions. Suggested donation for this workshop is $30.

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.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, July 19, 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 7:1-14a. 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.

It's "Sausage on a Stick" time! 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 and very fun 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.