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 Saturday, July 25, the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley, will have a craft booth at the farmer's market from 8 a.m. until noon. From 4 to 7 p.m., the annual Fay's Pork Chop Barbecue will be held on the empty lot at the corner of Main and Myrtle Streets. This community event includes Fay's famous pork chops and/or chicken, beans, applesauce, coleslaw, rolls and butter, beverage, homemade cookies, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome. Carry outs will be available. Walk-in tickets may be purchased at the dinner, as available, for the price of $13. On Sunday, July 26, the 9 a.m. service will be held on the same lot. The 10:30 a.m. service will be held in the sanctuary. The Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Answering the Wrong Questions but Still Getting it Right," based on John 6:1-21. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will enjoy another "Fun in the Sun" activity with "Classis Game Day." 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, Aug. 1, the Emergent Worship Bible study will be at 5 p.m. 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, "Born Again," based on John 3:1-8, 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 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 Sunday, July 26, the Merry Widows will meet at 3 p.m. and at 2 p.m., the Prairie Connection Group will be attending the Kane County Cougars game. 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 Thursday, July 30, the Worship Planning Team will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the new church building. Sign up at the welcome table for the church's annual picnic to be held Sunday, Aug. 9. The picnic will start after the late service in Cole Pavilion at Deicke Park. 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 26, the Rev. Bruce Cole will preach part five of "God is - Great" 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. New members are welcome. 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. 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.

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: On Sunday, July 26, worship will be at 10:45 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St. During the summer through Labor Day Sunday, they have summer services at the regular time, either upstairs or downstairs depending on the particular service. Carol Alfus will lead "So Many Books, So Little Time." Bring a favorite book and select a short passage to talk about. Everyone is welcome including children. For details call the church at (815) 338-0731.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 26, 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.

On Sunday, July 26, members are encouraged to ride their bikes to church. First Forum at 8:30 a.m. in the Banner Library. The "Bike and Breakfast Blast" continental breakfast, sponsored by the Accessibility Team, will be held after the service. It is also the Adult Work Tour Aluminum Can Collection. On Monday, July 27, join in yoga at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday, July 29, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. The Pilgrim Fellowship (high school youth) trip to Great America will be from 11 a.m. to 7 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 26, a healing service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. Licensed Religious Science Practitioners from the church will lead this service which includes prayerful meditation as well as spiritual mind treatment for specific requests. Healing services are very uplifting with their concentrated energies on revealing perfect health, perfect prosperity, perfect relationships, perfect love. You will be sure to benefit from this blend of centered high vibrations, prayer, treatment and the powerful healing energy that morning. The special music will be by Amy Beth. 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. 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.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, July 26, 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 6:1-21. 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. Look for them near 307 S. Main St. in downtown Algonquin. During the parade, look for the Dixieland Band playing on the float for the Congregational Church. 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.

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.