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. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "The Kingdom of God is a Party" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. This is Rally Day, the start of Sunday school classes for the fall. The children will be participating in a special "Welcome to Sunday school" class during the service. Afterward, the children will join the adults in an all-church lunch, plus live music, games, balloon launch, Lollipop the Clown, etc. Everyone is welcome to participate in this celebration. 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. There will be a new youth group class for teens, led by Lora Ball, beginning Sept. 20, during the 9 a.m. service. A number of the women of the church will be attending the Annual Women's Retreat on Sept. 19-20 at Pilgrim Park. The choirs are all beginning to rehearse and 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 five bell choirs who all play once each month: the Crusaders (mostly fourth- to sixth-graders) will begin practicing on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 4:15 to 5 p.m.; the Sunday AM's (seventh -12th-graders) begin practicing at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13; Genesis (beginning adults) starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10; Whitechapel (more advanced adults) begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10; and the Chime choir, all ages, begins at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 20. 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, "Tonic for Trash Talk", based on James 3:1-12, 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 Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message at Monday worship at 7 p.m. Sept. 14. 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 Dedication Day Sunday, Sept. 13, 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. There will be special guests Bishop Gary Wollersheim and the Rev. Ken McKnight with a luncheon to follow at Walleye Grill. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Nursery care is available at both services. 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. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Shepherd Voices Choir will meet at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes will begin with a parent/student gathering at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the church. On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Prairie Ringers Bell Choir will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 will be the start of monthly Bible Study Circles. Check the announcements for times and places. 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. On Sept. 20, the adult Bible study starts at 10:30 a.m. The group will study "Rediscovering the Book of Faith." On Wednesday, Sept. 23, seniors will be going to Royal Oak Farm Fruit Orchard for apple picking. Lunch will be in their cafeteria and you will have a chance to visit the gift shop and bakery. Meet at church to leave promptly at 11 a.m. Call (847) 415-5026 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead 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. The annual church picnic will be held at noon Sunday, Sept. 13 with live music, food, games for the children and adults. 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. "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 p.m. Bible study on the book of Romans. The middle school "Wednesday Night Life" programming will begin on Sept. 16 with a parent-student orientation from 6 to 7 p.m. All students in sixth- to eighth grade are invited to attend. Awana will start on Monday, Sept. 21 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. Call (224) 569-6501. "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.

First Congregational: On Rally Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. The Sunday school teachers and assistants will be dedicated to serve. A new year of children's ministries programming will resume with Sunday school, offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 to seventh grade, will begin worship with their family. After the children's message, they will be excused to their appropriate Sunday school class. Nursery care and Toddler Time is provided for infants, and toddlers at each service. Junior Fellowship Family Potluck will be at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the youth room. The Parent Meeting will be at 8 p.m. in the Banner Library. An all-ministries meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. The confirmation parent orientation will be at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will begin a new series, based on the book, "Your Aladdin's Lamp" by William Hornaday and Harlan Ware, at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. Using stories and insightful anecdotes recounted in this book, you will get a greater glimpse of Religious Science in the making and of Ernest Holmes, the man behind the movement, bringing new, personal relevance to a powerful belief system. 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.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 13, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 8 and 10 a.m. services at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The sermon will be based on Mark 8:27-38. The annual luncheon starts at 11:15 a.m. On Homecoming Sunday, find out who is the best pie baker in the church. Bake two pies of any kind, one will be to judge and the other will be to auction off. All proceeds will benefit the youth mission trip fund. In addition, there will be another sort of pie contest. Purchase tickets and put them in the bucket of your choice. When your name is pulled you will get the chance to throw a pie in the face of the pastor, Bob Blair or Bill Hellyer. Proceeds to benefit the youth mission trip fund. 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. 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. The church is handicap accessible at the rear entrance. For details, call (847) 658-5308.