McHenry County religion notes

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First Congregational: On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Slip," based on John 6:24-35, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will enjoy a video. This month's mission is the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. 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. The church will have a craft booth at the Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to noon. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "The Holey Wholly Holy Christian Church," based on Luke 17:20-23, 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. Aug. 2 is Grafton Food Pantry Day. 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 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, Aug. 6, the Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will meet at 9 a.m. at Citizens Bank. 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 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. The church is sponsoring a blood drive for Saturday, Sept. 5, at the new church. More details for donation hours and appointments times will be available soon. No blood pressure screening during August and September; it will resume Oct. 18 and continue on the third Sunday of each month. The church golf outing is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30, at Craig Woods Golf Club. More details are on the Welcome Table. 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, Aug. 2, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead 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." The Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast, fellowship and discussion at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. In honor of the 11th anniversary of the Apollo mission, the discussion will be what the mission of men of faith should be. If you are interested in membership at Faith, the monthly membership class is at 11:45 Sunday, Aug. 9 in the sanctuary. Meet with the pastor and other members of the staff team to learn more about the church's mission, vision, beliefs and values. "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. 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, Aug. 2, 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. The Peace and Justice Committee will lead this service. Everyone is welcome including children. For details call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Rev. Dave Inglis and FCC's youth will lead 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 Monday, Aug. 3, join in yoga at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Friday, Aug. 7, join in softball at 8 p.m. at Lippold Park. On Saturday, Aug. 8, the interfaith "Campfire Conversations" at Beck's Woods in Harvard will include a vegetarian potluck supper at 7:30 p.m., Conversations at 8:30 p.m. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Rev. Anne Muelleman begins her annual Prosperity series at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. This year's series will delve into the prosperity secrets of Moses - one of the wealthiest men of the Bible - using Catherine Ponder's classic book, "The Millionaire Moses" as reference. She will reveal the fascinating metaphysical code of this Biblical story and unveil the mysteries Moses learned during the three 40-year periods of Moses' life. On Aug. 2, the first part of the series will be "The Power That I Am" with music by Tricia Alexander. For those wanting to dig deeper into the richness of this story there will be an accompanying Wednesday evening book study starting Aug. 5 on Catherine Ponder's classic book "The Millionaire Moses." A love offering will be accepted. At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, a guided meditation precedes the service. 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.