Notes on Religion: McHenry County

Notes on religion 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 will host a Second Night Seder from 6 to 9 p.m. April 20 in observation of Passover. For details, call (815) 455-1810.

The religious school offers two-day a week on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Instruction is offered to students in second to eighth grade, and Sunday-only instruction is provided to children in kindergarten and first grade and high school. For information on membership or a registration packet, call (815) 455-1810.

Each Tuesday at noon, Rabbi Maralee Gordon holds a "Lunch and Learn Torah Study."

The synagogue operates a gift shop offering a wide array of Jewish themed gift and holiday supplies that is open during religious school hours.

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 is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.

New Life Baptist: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Wood will continues the sermon series at the 10:30 a.m. service at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills. The series, "Building a Strong Foundation," comes from the book of 1 Corinthians.

New Life begins each Sunday with a fellowship time at 9 a.m. Sunday school classes for infants, children, youth, and adults begin at 9:15 a.m. Child care is available during the morning worship service for infants through 3-year-olds; children's church is held for children, age 4 through second grade.

Small groups meet each week in Algonquin, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, and Woodstock. The church men play basketball at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the church.

For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Forward Thinking Sheep do not go Baaaaack," based on John 10:1-18 and Psalm 23, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley.

The monthly contemporary service will be held at 5 p.m. today in the sanctuary. This is a more informal service of praise and worship, which incorporates modern Christian music.

The Sunday AM Bells will play in both services.

The Sunday school children will continue their adventure called "Digging into the Bible," in which they learn about its layout and construction.

The annual spring rummage sale will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday with items half-price; and 8 a.m. to noon April 19 at $3 per bag. This sale is so large it is held throughout most of the church building. The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Stranger? Danger!," based on John 10:1-10, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school is at 10:30 a.m. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee and fellowship follows the Sunday services.

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 John Kirchhoff at (847) 658-9311.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish lead worship with "Diagnosis: Healthy Church" at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. Nursery for children up to age 3 is available at both services as well as Sunday school for children from age 4 through second grade.

The Men of Faith will hold their monthly fellowship and breakfast at 11:30 a.m. today at the Old Country Buffet in Crystal Lake. All men of faith and their sons are welcome.

The church will host a blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Call the church office to make an appointment.

The middle school classes meet Wednesdays with dinner at 5:15 p.m. followed by class and small groups until 7:30 p.m.

The high school group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church,

Ladies Bunco will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. No registration is necessary.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly meeting at noon Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. On Tuesday, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m. The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Century 21 office on Route 31 in Algonquin.

Adult Bible studies are offered Wednesdays. At 9 a.m., study the text for the upcoming Sunday. At 7:30 p.m., they will study the book of Mark.

Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Preschool registration is now open. Call Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512 for information.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, continues its discussion on spiritual goals and practices for Unitarian Universalists at the 10:45 a.m. service.

The topic for this Sunday is "Everyday Spirituality." This is the eighth in a series of talks on Unitarian Universalist spiritualist practices by the Rev. Dan Larsen, with a class to follow at 7 p.m. Monday. The pastor will speak your experience, faith, ethics, and identity in everyday life.

Church school students will remain at worship until after Sue McCowin's Children's Story and then go to religious education class.

For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Dave Inglis, associate minister, will preach at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The Vestry Choir will sing at both services.

Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 through 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, there will be a Christian education open house from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Children's Worship Center on the lower level of the church.

On Monday, the Alleluia Sound and Good Vibrations High School choirs will perform at their "Welcome Home" concert at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free.

On Wednesday, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study group will meet at 10 a.m. in the library.

Confirmation class will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Youth Room. They will be rehearsing for the confirmation worship service April 20.

On Thursday, the Young at Heart group will meet at noon at the Crystal Lake Country Club for their April luncheon and program. Also on Thursday, an informational class for prospective members will meet at 7 p.m. in the library. At 7:30 p.m., Common Ground will meet in the chapel.

On April 19, confirmands and their families will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Confirmation Family Service will be held at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Bethany Lutheran: This Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra will share the message at 7:45, 9, and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all services.

Volunteer Appreciation is affirmed during worship and the coffee hour. The Mixer for new members is at 10:15 a.m.

Faith Quest Sunday school meets at 9 a.m. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.

The 2-year-old Milestone, "My Worship Life" is celebrated the 9 a.m. service.

Part two of "Building Bridges, Tearing Down Walls" begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with "Migration and Hospitality in the Bible" and on April 20 with "Globalization and Immigration."

April 20 is Youth Sunday and Earth Day. The senior high youth will lift up Bethany's choice to work toward becoming a green congregation. There will be an opportunity to sign on to a covenant to be an "Earthkeeper." The Coffee Hour will feature organic/Fair Trade coffee and healthy snacks. The new Creation Caring Corps Banner will be on display in the sanctuary. Eco-friendly bags will be on sale. An all-family activity, geocaching, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. April 20.

An outdoor work day will be from 9 a.m. to noon April 26. Guest Who's Coming to Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. April 26. On April 27, new members will be received at 10:45 a.m. with a luncheon for new members at noon. The sixth-grade Milestone, "The Ten Commandments" will be at 9 a.m. April 27.

For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Preschool registration for fall 2008 begins this month. Programs are available for 2- to 5-year-olds. For details, call Marcia Baker, preschool director, at (815) 477-7463.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: The McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution welcomes everyone to its new permanent location in Cary at 204 Spring St., lower level. "What I Can Do, You Too Can Do" will be the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic on Sunday. Learn to manifest your vision as the church manifested its vision. Special guest musician is Hiko, renowned composer and flutist.

There will be an introduction to the church at 11:20 a.m. to learn more about New Thought Religious Science and how it can benefit you.

Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service, and children's program and toddler care.

The children's curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." April lessons relate to the realization step of treatment. Your kids will uncover wholeness and eliminate thoughts of lack and limitation. This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Keeping Faith."

Those who arrive early will enjoy the meditation at 9:45 a.m. 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, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St.

The Senior Choir will provide music. Special music will be provided by Kimina Jamison playing the marimba.

The meditation will be based on Acts 2:42-47, Palm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25 and John 10:1-10.

Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. there is a Bible study with the pastor.

The men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. today.

On April 20, the Soup and Discussion series will be at 11:15 a.m. This is the third in the series on issues sponsored by the Mission and Social Action Ministry. This session will focus on the history and present situation in Palestine between the Palestinians and the Israelis and their surrounding neighbors. If you wish to read up on this subject ahead of time, check out Jimmy Carter's new book titled "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." Call the church to sign up. The vacation Bible school will be on June 23-27.

For information, call the church office (847) 658-5308.

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. The church is handicap accessible at the rear entrance. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

St. Paul's Anglican Church: At St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael DuCette, deacon in charge, will use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock.

His sermon will be based on the 16th chapter of the Gospel of John. The Bible Study group will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. They are studying the book of John, ninth chapter.

St. Paul's Parish is part of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley Anglican Church of America. For details, visit www.acahome.org or call (815) 338-0205.