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 5, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Limited Good, Unlimited Love" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. This is Communion Sunday. Maddie Kern and Samantha Baran will sing a duet in both services. 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. A mission offering will be taken on July 12. 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 4, the Emergent Worship Bible study will be at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. The church will have a craft booth at the farmer's market from 8 a.m. to noon. 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, "Sweet Freedom's Song," based on Colossians 1:12-20, 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 begin at 7 p.m. July 6. 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. The shop will be closed July 4. 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. Jim Carr 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, July 5, is Grafton Food Pantry Day. The Tuesday Book Club will meet at noon Tuesday, July 7. "The Shack," a story of redemption and hope, will be discussed. 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. On Thursday, July 9, the Prayer Shawl Knitting 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. 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 5, the Rev. Bruce Cole's sermon will be part two of "God is: Love" 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. 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." The Men of faith will meet for their monthly fellowship, breakfast and discussion at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 11 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. All men of faith and their sons are welcome. The middle school youth will meet at 9 a.m. at the church for a day at Magic Waters Water Park in Rockford. Call the church to RSVP. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv. "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. Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, July 5, 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 Mark 6:1-13. 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.

Unitarian church: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock will not have services on the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The summer schedule starts July 12. Kemberly Dailey-Johnson will lead the congregation in song and circle discussion. Everyone is welcome including children. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, July 5, 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 church will have a float in the Independence Day Parade in Crystal Lake. On Wednesday, July 8, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Friday, July 10, join in the softball at 8:45 p.m. at Lippold Park. On Saturday, July 11, the Mature Singles will go to Rockford's Starlight Theater to see "David the King." 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 5, licensed Religious Science practitioner Dan Hanneman speaks on "The Power of Decision" at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. He will share his personal revelations while referring to this well-known book by Raymond Charles Barker. The special music will be by Patricia Caldwell. 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.