McHenry County religion briefs

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First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Now There's the Rub" based on Mark 10:17-31 and selected passages from Job, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Sunday AMs high-school-aged bell choir will play in both services. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will learn about a "New Covenant" and why you want to follow God. There is a new youth group class for teens this year, during the 9 a.m. service, led by Lora Ball.

This month's mission is PADS. They will collect the mission offering, and Dick Peterson will speak briefly about the mission of PADS. The special needs this month of the Grafton Township Food Pantry are: toilet paper, canned meats, macaroni and cheese and soups. Items to be donated to the annual fall rummage sale may be dropped off from 10 a.m. and noon Sunday, Oct. 11 to Tuesday, Oct. 13. The rummage sale will be noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17 with a $3 a bag day. 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. For details, call (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: At the Lutheran Women's Missionary League services this weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Look to the Hills - God Reigns," based on Psalms 121:1-2 and Isaiah 52:7, 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. The pastor will deliver the message at Monday worship at 7 p.m. Oct. 12. 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. 11, 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. New members will be received into the church at both services. Sunday school and nursery care is available at both services. The adult Bible study meets at 10:30 a.m. on "Rediscovering the Book of Faith." 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. 14, Shepherd Voices Choir will meet at 7 p.m. Confirmation classes will meet for pizza at 6 p.m. at the church. 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. 11, 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. 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. A new member class will be offered at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The pastor and other members of FCC will answer questions about membership, small groups and how you can get plugged in. RSVP to 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 Sunday, Oct. 11, 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. There will be a tornado/safety drill after each service. Sunday school is 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. On Sunday, Oct. 11, an Outreach Fair will be held in the fellowship hall after each service. Junior Fellowship will meet at the church at 1 p.m. to go to the Richardson Corn Maze. Christianity 101 meets at 5 p.m. in the Banner Library. Pilgrim Fellowship will attend a haunted house, leaving the church at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 12, the confirmation class will meet at the church at 8 a.m. to tour religious communities in the Chicago area and the church council meets at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 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 retreat will be from 6 to 10 p.m. in the youth room. On Thursday, Oct. 15, Young at Heart meets at noon at the Crystal Lake Country Club. On Saturday, Oct. 17, an OWL parent orientation will be held in fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will offer "A Recipe for Living" with special music by Lia Nicine McCoo at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. She will share the perfect unfolding of life - even when it doesn't look like it. 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 9:30 a.m. Join a Healing Sound Circle, facilitated by Patricia Caldwell, from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 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.