McHenry County religion notes

• 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. 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. 4, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Enfolding Love" based on Mark 10:13-16, 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. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will learn how God offers refuge and protection through prayer. There is a new youth group class for teens this year, during the 9 a.m. service, led by Lora Ball. After the second service, Rev. McNamara will go to Deicke Park to participate in "Dog-tober Fest" and do a blessing of the animals. This month's mission is PADS. 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 five bell choirs who all play once each month. This year's fall drama by the FCC Players will be the enjoyable "Into the Woods" by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The performances will be held at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday, through Oct. 4 on the empty lot at the corner of Main and Grove streets. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the site. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Folding chairs will be available, but audience members are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets or even a picnic lunch to enjoy before the show. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Everyone is invited. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

• St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Indignant Jesus," based on Mark 10:2-16, 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. Oct. 5. 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. 4, 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. It is Grafton Township Food Pantry Day. The adult Bible study meets at 10:30 a.m. on "Rediscovering the Book of Faith." From 3 to 5:30 p.m., a new member gathering will take place at the church. New members will be welcomed into the church Oct. 11 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. and Little Lambs Learning Program will be from 9 a.m. to noon. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 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. 8, Prairie Crafters will meet at 9 a.m. and 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) 415-5026 or visit www.sotp.org.

• Faith Community: On Sunday, Oct. 4, 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. 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. 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 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. The Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast, fellowship and service by meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. They will help a family with fall yard work. For details and the meeting location, call the church office. "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.

• First Congregational: On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, 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. Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. This is Food Pantry Sunday; members are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. 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. On Sunday, Oct. 4, Appalachian Service Project work tour members will hold an Apple Crisp sale/fundraiser after both services in fellowship hall. Choir rehearsal will be at 10 a.m. in the Banner Library. "Our Whole Lives" class discussion at 12:15 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Pilgrim Fellowship (high school group) will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the youth room. PADS begins its season at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the new members class will be at 7 p.m. in the Banner Library. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible Study is at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library; and confirmation class at 5:30 p.m. in the youth room. On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Christianity 101 at 7 p.m. in the Banner Library with the program repeated at 9 a.m. Oct. 10. Common Ground at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

• McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will discuss perception with "Double Negatives Reversed" at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. 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 used book fair will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 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.

• Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Oct. 4, 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 10:2-16. Music will be offered by the Senior Choir. Shepherd University, the children's Sunday school program, will be at 10 a.m. Sundays. 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 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.

• Sunday school for seventh to 12th grade is at 9 a.m. The Adult Christian LIFE hour is at 9 a.m. Sundays with different classes to choose from. One class will be a Bible-related study called "Keeping the Sabbath," and the other is a Responsible Living Study called "Gun Control: Is there a Christian Response?"

• 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.

• The M and M Club for second- to sixth-graders will go miniature golfing Sunday, Oct. 4. Meet in the fellowship hall at 11:30 a.m. to go out to lunch and then play mini-golf. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

• A new members reception will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18 after the 10 a.m. service. The congregational meeting will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. There will be no 8 a.m. service. 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 in need of Halloween costumes, magazines and books. The church is handicap accessible at the rear entrance. For details, call (847) 658-5308.