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.

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. Call MCJC at (815) 455-1810 for details on enrollment. Adult education is also offered on Sundays and Wednesdays at noon.

An open house and picnic at the first Jewish cemetery in McHenry County is planned from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The recently consecrated McHenry County Jewish Cemetery is located within the Oakland Cemetery, off Kishwaukee Valley Road in Woodstock.

Rabbi Maralee Gordon offers a class for adults called "Feeling at Home in the Synagogue: What does Judaism have to Say About -" from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The first few sessions, beginning Sunday, Oct. 18, will be on "What Does Judaism Have to Say About the Messiah?" The classes are open to all adults. MCJC's Book Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, to discuss "All Other Nights," a historically fictionalized account of Jews during the Civil War by Dara Horn. All are welcome to attend. MCJC's Adult Education series, "Bread and Torah," will kick off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 with a session titled, "Chicken Soup: Visiting the Sick and Comforting the Bereaved." Participants are invited to bring samples of their best chicken soups, and discussion will focus on Jewish obligations and customs surrounding visiting the sick, mourning and paying a condolence call. The sessions are free and open to everyone.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m., MCJC will be hosting its first-ever road rally. Essentially a scavenger hunt on wheels, up to 120 participants will compete to solve several clues in various locations in Crystal Lake and surrounding areas. The cost per car is $100 (with four adults per car recommended), and non-MCJC members are welcome to participate. The road rally will start and end at MCJC at 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake.

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. This is the only Conservative Jewish congregation in McHenry County. Interfaith families are welcome. It also operates a gift shop offering a range of Judaica items. It is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Not Monarchy but Dualarchy," based on Mark 10:35-45, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Chancel Choir will sing in both services and the Whitechapel Handbell Choir will play in the second service. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will learn about a "The Valley of Dry Bones" and how God breathes new life into you. There is a new youth group class for teens this year, during the 9 a.m. service, led by Lora Ball. Vernon Studt, church organist, will play in "Toccatas Galore," a recital of seven organists at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 at St. James Episcopal Church, Sixth and Washington streets in West Dundee. This month's mission is PADS. The special needs this month of the Grafton Township Food Pantry are: toilet paper, canned meats, macaroni and cheese and soups. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. The choirs are looking for new members. The vocal choir practices on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the sanctuary and sings on the first and third Sundays of the month. There are four bell choirs who all play once each month: the Crusaders (mostly fourth- to sixth-graders) practice from 4:15 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; the Sunday AM's (seventh -12th-graders) practice at 9 a.m. Sunday and the Chime choir, all ages, at 10:30 a.m.; Whitechapel (adults) begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Oh, Yes You Can't," based on Mark 10:23-31, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class Sunday at 9:15 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Sunday school children meet at the 10:30 a.m. service, and are excused to go to their classes after the children's message. Coffee and Fellowship follows the Sunday services. Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month. The pastor will deliver the message at Monday worship at 7 p.m. Oct. 19. 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, Oct. 18, the Rev. Mark Boster will lead at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care is available at both services. The adult Bible study meets at 10:30 a.m. On Tuesdays, 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. and Little Lambs Learning Program will be from 9 a.m. to noon. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Shepherd Voices Choir will meet at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes will meet for pizza at 6:30 p.m. at the church. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Prairie Ringers Bell Choir will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 23, a Christian concert will be given by David Crowder Band at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin. Call (847) 669-9448 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Rev. Bruce Cole leads worship at the 9 a.m. blended service and 10:30 a.m. contemporary service at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. His sermon, titled "Four Myths of Christianity, Part 2: Follow Your Heart," is based on scripture from Proverbs. 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. A new member class will be offered at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The pastor and other members of FCC will answer questions about membership, small groups and how you can get plugged in. RSVP to the church office. 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.

The Silver Saints will hold their monthly luncheon and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 at Nikos Grill in Huntley. All seniors are invited to attend. Awana meets Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Kids Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call the church office for a registration form or go to www.fccwired.tv. "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. They are currently studying the book "The Power of a Woman's Words" by Sharon Jaynes. All women are welcome. Adult Bible studies are offered at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to discuss the scripture of the upcoming sermon. There is also a 7:30 p.m. Bible study on the book of Romans. The Faith Community Food Pantry is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. First-time clients should bring a photo ID and proof of residency. The middle school "Wednesday Night Life" praise, worship and classes are held Wednesdays with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and worship, teaching and LIFE groups from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All students in sixth to eighth grades are invited to attend. "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. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will preach with special music by the Joyful Noise Band at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. New members will be the focus as all are welcomed to visit the church. It will be followed by an autumn potluck. 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 9:30 a.m. Join a Healing Sound Circle, facilitated by Patricia Caldwell, from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the center. 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.