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, "Get Ready! And Hurry!", based on Luke 1:39-56, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. The Chancel Choir will present the cantata, "Noel, Night of Everlasting Love" at the 10:30 a.m. service. There will be no Sunday school Dec. 20. Adult Bible class Sunday at 9:15 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month. All are welcomed at the Advent Supper at 5:30 p.m. before the midweek Advent service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. The message will be "Moved to Action," based on Matthew 1:18-25. The Christmas Eve family service will be at 5:30 and the candlelight service will be at 11 p.m. There will be a Christmas Day service at 9 a.m. The Mission Resale Shop, located on Washington Street, will be closed Friday, Dec. 25 and Saturday, Dec. 26. 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. The Sunday school Christmas program will be presented at the 9 a.m. service. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care is available at both Sunday services.
On Sunday, Dec. 20, SOTP Homeless Helpers will serve dinner at the PADS at Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake. 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. 23. On Thursday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve services will be at 5 p.m. with Holy Communion and at 11 p.m. Call (847) 669-9448 or visit www.sotp.org.
Faith Community: On Sunday, Dec. 20, 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. He will continue the series "The Christmas Conspiracy." 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. "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. There will be candlelight worship celebrations at 4 and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the birth of Jesus. 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. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, Dec. 20, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St. will enjoy an "Adult Choir Christmas Concert" at 10:45 a.m. Choir director Tom Steffens has a special program planned for the congregation during the regular service. On Sunday Dec. 24, a Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 7 p.m. with music, stories and a Christmas message, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," from the Rev. Dan Larsen. On Sunday Dec. 27, the "Christmas Coffee Cake House" services will begin at 10:45 a.m. 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, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 20, 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. 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. After each service, coffee is served in the fellowship hall. Fair Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate products will be available for sale. Pilgrim Fellowship youth will meet for their Christmas party at 6:30 p.m. in the youth room.
On Wednesday, Dec. 23, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible Study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, a children's worship will be at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Christmas Eve service with Holy Communion will be at 7 p.m. in the chapel with the traditional candlelight services at 9 and 11 p.m. in the sanctuary. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Dec. 20, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will present "The Rebirth of the Light" at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. As they come together on Christmas Eve morning, they will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. As Religious Scientists, the birth it celebrates is not the birth of the Christ in Bethlehem, but the rebirth of the Christ Light in each one of us. As Hanukkah also represents the power of the Light, they will illuminate our lives from these two faith traditions. 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 the Joyful Noise Choir. 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. Join them for the candlelight service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.
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, Dec. 20, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 8 and 10 a.m. services at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. At the 10 a.m. service, the Senior Choir will present the Christmas cantata, "All is Calm, All is Bright," featuring the Senior Choir with conductor Greg Tipps and accompanist Bev Tipps. Sunday school for seventh to 12th grade is at 9 a.m. Christmas Eve services will be at 7 and 11 p.m. The 7 p.m. service is structured with the family in mind. The worship will be intentionally geared for all ages, with special celebrations that even the young children will enjoy - culminating in sharing a piece of birthday cake with the baby Jesus. At 11 p.m., the worship will be more traditional, with the senior choir leading the candlelight communion service. Both services will be very different and very meaningful ways of celebrating the birth of Christ. 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. 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. 22, it will be cards and games. On Dec. 29, there will be a movie. For details, call (847) 658-5308.
Woodstock Bible: The Rev. Bob Barnett will speak at Woodstock Bible Church, 770 E. Kimball Ave. in Woodstock. The church offers two teaching times to choose from with a combined worship from 10 to 10:25 a.m. The First Teaching Time is from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and the Second Teaching time and Kidzlife for kids ages 3 years to fifth grade will be from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. There is a free lunch served every week at 11:45 a.m. and the free food pantry is also open at this time. For details, call (815) 338-3006 or visit www.woodstockbiblechurch.com.