McHenry County religion notes

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First Congregational: On Pentecost Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Imagination and Transformation" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. There will be a short praise-and-worship sing along before the 9 a.m. service led by John and Lynette Kern. This is also Recognition Sunday for the Sunday school. Students and teachers will be honored in the 9 a.m. service, after which they will go to the fellowship hall, where each will design a square for the quilt which was begun a year ago.

There will be a special offering for the Mission of the Month. This month's mission is Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to supply domesticated animals to families in need throughout the world. On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m.

On Saturday, May 30, the Men's Fellowship will meet at 8 a.m. for breakfast. On Saturday, May 30, the Emergent Worship will be a fellowship dinner. Meet at the church at 5 p.m. to go out for pizza. Everyone is welcome. On Saturday, June 6, the Emergent Worship Service will be a Bible study at 5 p.m. 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, "All and Only about Jesus," based upon John 16:13-15, 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 8 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 9 a.m. service; no Sunday school for the summer. There will be no Sunday school for the summer starting May 24.

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.

Sunday is food collection for the Grafton Township Food Pantry. A new member orientation will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7 at the Citizens Bank Building lower level. New member reception is June 14. On Friday, June 26, Senior Shepherds are going to tour the Bahai Temple with lunch to follow at Maggiano's.

June 22-26 is vacation Bible school at Mackeben Elementary School. The theme is "Crocodile Dock." Registration can be made in the office, online or between worship services.

Shepherds Voices and Prairie Ringers rehearsals will resume in August.

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 office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead 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. The food pantry will be having a "Stock the Shelves" open house after each service on May 31. Take a tour and bring a nonperishable donation.

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. 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 "The Children of Abraham."

A First Communion class will be given at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 in the church library. All children ages 10 or older or in the fifth grade are invited to attend. A makeup class will be given at 6 p.m. June 10 and First Communion will be celebrated for these children at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, June 14.

The annual church meeting will be held at noon Sunday, June 7.

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: On Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Dan Larsen's sermon will be "Do You Believe In Evolution?" at the 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock. He will lead a discussion that involves the modern day implications of "Evolution vs., The Biblical Understanding of Creation." For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, May 31, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will deliver 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 kindergarten will be available.

On Sunday, May 31, the First Forum at 8:30 a.m. will be on "FCC Matters! Conversations About the Future." Pilgrim Fellowship fundraiser will be at Chili's in Crystal Lake.

On Wednesday, June 3, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library.

On Thursday, June 4, Faith to Faith will be at 7 p.m. in the Children's Worship Center.

On Friday, June 5, the Mature Singles take a trip to Starlight Theater. On June 6-12, there will be an adult work tour to Oglala, S.D.

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, May 31, the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic will be "Questions and Answers," built from your submissions, at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. Bring your questions about the teaching and philosophy, the development and history of New Thought, the church, health, healing and prosperity. 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. The children will follow the special children's curriculum for "Creating a Complaint Free World" during the month of May and will be also make a 21-day commitment to be "Complaint Free." 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 Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 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 Acts 2:1-21. On Confirmation Sunday, it is an important day as they recognize the commitment of the young people to grow in their faith as they become adults and welcome them as members of the church. A special service will be held at 3 p.m.

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. Starting at 8:45 a.m. June 7 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.

There will be a blood drive from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sunday, June 7. If you are interested in becoming a member there are classes at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, June 7 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.

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.

What do you call a ministry where you can learn to knit or crochet and turn into a blessing to someone else? Yarn Works. Beginners are welcome. If you already know how to do the yarn work of your choice, you also are welcome. For details, call the church. Yarn works will meet every Thursday; one session will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the other session will be 7 to 9 p.m.