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.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Divine Grace and Our Response," based on Colossians 3:12-17, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. There will be a Christmas Day service at 9 a.m. There will be no Sunday school on Dec. 27. There will be a New Year's Eve service at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Adult Bible class Sunday at 9:15 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. The Mission Resale Shop, located on Washington Street, will be closed Jan. 1-2. 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: This weekend, the Rev. Mark Boster will lead at the 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. There will be on Sunday school. On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m.and the Little Lambs Learning Program will be from 9 a.m. to noon. No confirmation classes will be held Wednesday, Dec. 30. Call (847) 669-9448 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Dec. 27, 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 will be on break until Monday, Jan. 4. The high school group will resume Sunday, Jan. 10. "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 on break until Wednesday, Jan. 6. 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 "Feed My Lambs" ministry will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 in the church kitchen to prepare breakfast casseroles for the homeless clients of Vineyard Ministries in Elgin. Anyone wishing to help is invited. Donations are also accepted of eggs, liquid eggs, ham, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, onions and green peppers as well as 9- by 13-inch disposable foil pans. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Dec. 27, the "Christmas Coffee Cake House" services will begin at 10:45 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St. There will be an after-Christmas gathering downstairs at the regular time for coffee, juice, leftover Christmas cookies and stories. For details, call the church at (815) 338-0731 or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 27, the Rev. Dave Inglis and FCC's young adults will lead the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. There will be no Sunday school classes on this day, but nursery care will be available for children up to 36 months of age. After the service, college-age young adults are invited to have lunch with the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones. The Adult Work Tour will be collecting aluminum cans. On Tuesday, Dec. 29, the Mature Singles will have a Christmas party at a member's home. On Wednesday, Dec. 30, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible Study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Dec. 27, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will present "Pausing Into the Present" at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. On this, the last Sunday of 2009, they will take time to pause into the present and receive the gifts of clarity, focus and intention to set the tone for 2010. Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service at 204 Spring St., lower level in Cary. Music will be provided by Lia Nicine McCoo. There is a children's program and toddler care. If you arrive early, there is a meditation at 9:30 a.m. There is a Tuesday morning mediation with Bhanta Sujatha at 10 a.m. for a $10 donation. After the service, they are offering a workshop on "Jump Starting the New Year." Find out how to use effective spiritual tools to move into the new decade. Join them for a World Healing Meditation Service at 6 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Dec. 27, the Rev. Nancy Schatzeder will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. Sunday school for seventh to 12th grade is at 9 a.m. Mark your calendars for the 2nd Epiphany Event at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 10. There will be pizza and games for everyone to enjoy. Bring a wrapped white camel (elephant) gift to exchange. This is fun for singles, couples and the entire family. For details, call (847) 658-5308. The Senior Center, located in the community room of the east side branch of the Algonquin Library, was created to provide a gathering place for senior adults where fellowship, socialization, educational and enrichment opportunities are available. The center, sponsored by the Congregational Church, is open each Tuesday from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For details, call the church at (847) 658-5308, and leave a message for Wynn Ann Roggeveen. On Dec. 29, there will be a movie.