McHenry County religion briefs

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.

Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam will have its High Holy Days services starting with an Erev Rosh Hashana service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Services continue with Rosh Hashana at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; and Kol Nidre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Yom Kippur service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, followed by adult discussion group at 3 p.m. and Yizkor and concluding services at 4:30 p.m. Havdalah and a potluck dairy break fast will immediately follow the concluding services. Donations of nonperishable items for a local food pantry will be collected at all Yom Kippur services. David Gilner of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati will lead all services and Jennifer Grubb will serve as cantor for the Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning services. Nonmembers and interfaith families are welcome to join in worship. There is no required ticket to purchase but donations are requested. All services will be held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock. For details and a complete schedule of services, visit www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation is now accepting registrations for its religious school, which meets Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. Twice-a-week instruction is offered to students in second to seventh grade, and Sunday-only instruction is offered for Parent-Tot, pre-K and kindergarten to first-grade classes, and those in eighth grade through high school. Opening Day is Sunday, Sept. 13, beginning with a registration period at 8:30 a.m. The morning will also feature an orientation for parents and students and a membership-wide picnic. Call MCJC at (815) 455-1810 for details on enrollment. Adult education is also offered on Sundays and Wednesdays at noon. An open house for those interested in learning more about the synagogue in advance of the High Holidays will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Call the synagogue for details. MCJC's observance of the High Holidays will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed the next two days by services that begin at 9 a.m. Yom Kippur will be observed with a Kol Nidre service on Sunday, Sept. 27, beginning at 6:15 p.m., with the observance continuing the next day with services at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Children's services will be offered at approximately 10:15 a.m. on both days of Rosh Hashanah and again on Yom Kippur. Baby-sitting is also offered at no charge to those who register in advance. For details on High Holiday tickets for nonmembers, call MCJC at (815) 455-1810. Shabbat services are at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the synagogue, 8617 Ridgefield Road in Crystal Lake. Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Maralee Gordon and are free and open to everyone. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Don Schmidt will be the guest minister at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. His sermon will be "What is it About?," based on Isaiah 6:1-8 and Acts 1:1-11. Annette Leffelman will sing a solo. 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 Neighbors in Need, a fund of the United Church of Christ. The Grafton Food Pantry needs for this month are toilet paper, facial tissue, dish soap, laundry detergent. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. "Rally Day," which celebrates the return of Sunday school classes, will be on Sunday, Sept. 13. There will be a single service at 10 a.m. followed by an all-church lunch, plus live music and games. Everyone is welcome. There will be a new youth group class for teens, led by Lora Ball, beginning Sept. 20, during the 9 a.m. service. The church will have a craft booth at the Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "God's Words of Encouragement," based upon Isaiah 35:4-7a, 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. The regular schedule begins Sept. 13. The pastor will deliver the message at Monday worship at 7 p.m. Sept. 7. If you have missed church on Saturday or Sunday, come and worship on Monday night and bring a friend. All are welcomed. 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 Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Mark Boster will lead worship during a blended service at 9 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Nursery care is available at both services. It is Grafton Food Pantry Day. On Sunday, Sept. 6, Sunday school registration will be available to sign up your children for the fall session. On Tuesdays, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, WELCA will meet at 7 p.m. at the church. This will be the fall kickoff for all women of the congregation. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will meet at 9 a.m. Dedication Sunday will be Sept. 13, with special guests Bishop Gary Wollersheim and the Rev. Ken McKnight, founding pastor. A buffet luncheon will follow at Walleye Grill. Luncheon tickets are available on Sundays. A community open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 20. Sunday, Sept. 20, is Rally Day for the fall session of Sunday school. No blood pressure screening during August and September; it will resume Oct. 18 and continue on the third Sunday of each month.

Call (847) 415-5026 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Bruce Cole will present part two of the series "The Power of Jesus: Over Big Things" at the 9 a.m. blended service and 10:30 a.m. contemporary service 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. Adult Bible studies are offered at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to discuss the scripture of the upcoming sermon. There is also a 7 p.m. Bible study on the book of Romans. "Play 2 Learn" playgroups for children ages 2-4 will be offered each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning here at FCC. For details, call April LoCoco at (847) 309-8445. The annual church picnic will be held at noon Sunday, Sept. 13. 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Arn Schaper 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. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. This is Food Pantry Sunday. Members are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. Nursery care will be provided. Sunday school for children through third grade will be available. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. Choir rehearsals for carol (fourth and fifth grade) and Chancel (second and third grade) will be from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., and Chancel (sixth to eighth grade from 7 to 8 p.m. "Christianity 101" will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Banner Library. an interfaith program and meal will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Anne Muelleman's topic will be "Labor of Love" with special music by Serafina at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. 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. The women's group will meet after the service. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org. The Spiritual Entrepreneur Networking Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the church.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The sermon will be based on Mark 7:24-37. Shepherd University, the children's Sunday school program, will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. This program is based on the Rotation Model that uses a variety of learning techniques which includes; games, crafts, Bible lessons, puppets, cooking and storytelling. 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 Mission Committee of CCA is offering an anger management seminar at its monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 in the fellowship hall. It will be led by the Rev. Arn Schaper. The content for the seminar will include: triggers, styles, and practical ways to manage anger. Bring concrete situations for applying some of the management skills. Registration is not necessary. Did you know that there are over 800 scriptures that deal with money in the Bible? Financial Peace University teaches how to make the right decisions with your money. You will learn practical skills and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals and experience financial peace. Dave Ramsey is a witty, entertaining educator. He will lead the group in tried methods of finding peace with finances in these trying times. Classes will be $93 per family to participate and begin Sept. 15. This fee will give you all the tools you need to makeover your financial life. For details, call the church office. On Sunday, Sept. 13, the church will offer many new classes for the adult Christian LIFE hour this fall. During the 9 a.m. hour, you will have a choice of attending either Bible study classes or responsible living classes. The Bible study classes will feature "Keeping the Sabbath," "Dick Van Dyke Bible Series," "Pausing on the Road to Bethlehem" and more. The responsible living classes will feature discussions like "Should the Ten Commandments be Displayed?" "What is My Child Doing on the Internet?", "The Shack," "Health Care Reform," "Gun Control" and many other parenting and current event topics. For details, call the church office. Shepherd U. will be held this year starting at 10 a.m. But if you are in worship and your kids are in Sunday school, how will they learn about worship? Answer, Junior Worship. Starting at 9 a.m., your children will be able to experience a worship service geared toward their own age. They will learn how to worship, why to worship, and experience music and praise that will lead them toward a lifetime of joy in worshipping God. And when you drop your kids off, join the group in either discussion about current events or a Bible study class during the adult LIFE hour. 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's and women's clothes, magazines and books. For details, call (847) 658-5308.