McHenry Co. religion notes
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McHenry County Jewish Congregation: On Sunday, the McHenry County Jewish Congregation will be hosting its annual meeting and Religious School year-end picnic from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Each Tuesday at noon, Rabbi Maralee Gordon holds a "Lunch and Learn Torah Study."
The religious school offers two-day a week on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Instruction is offered to students in second to eighth grades, and Sunday-only instruction is provided to children in kindergarten, first grade and high school. For information on membership or a registration packet, call (815) 455-1810.
The synagogue operates a gift shop offering a wide array of Jewish-themed gift and holiday supplies and 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. For information, call (815) 455-1810 or visit mcjc-online.org.
Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam's next Shabbat service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock.
This is the annual children's service led entirely by religious school students as a culmination of their year's studies. All are welcome to attend this special service.
Sunday is the last session of religious school for the semester. Enrollment of new students entering second grade through high school will begin this summer.
Congregation Tikkun Olam, a Reform congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, welcomes interfaith families and those who may wish to return to their Jewish roots.
For details on the congregation, its religious school or adult programs, visit the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.
New Life Baptist: On Sunday, Mark and Connie Mandarano, missionaries to Ireland through Baptist World Mission, are welcomed at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills.
The couple have been missionaries to Ireland for 10 years, and New Life helps provide their financial support. They will teach a combined adult Sunday school class and make a special presentation on their ministry work in Ireland during the 10:30 a.m. service. A special love offering to support their ministry will be taken at that time.
New Life begins each Sunday with a fellowship time at 9 a.m., and 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 ages 4 through second grade.
A baptismal service has been scheduled for May 25. Recognition Day for graduates will be June 8. The church picnic at Deicke Park in Huntley will be June 21.
Small Bible study 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 log on to: www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Trinity Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Do We Have Three in One or One in Three?" at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley.
The single service will be held because it is also Recognition Sunday. Sunday school children and teachers will be recognized for their participation during the past school year. The children will also begin a new tradition in which each child creates a panel for a quilt, which will grow through the years.
The Chancel Choir will sing and the Whitechapel Bells will play.
At 11 a.m. Sunday, there will be a Congregational Conversation for the purpose of discussion about the interim process and the search/call process of seeking a more permanent pastor.
From 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, the first of two auditions will be held for the FCC Players' production of "Les Miserables: Student Edition," to be performed Aug. 1-3. Any student between the ages of 8 and 19 may audition. Reservations are recommended but not required. Call (847) 669-4691 or e-mail sherifcc@juno.com.
The second audition time will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Vrenios' home to continue the study of "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat." Newcomers are welcome.
For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit www.firsthuntley.org.
St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Jesus Really Is For All Nations," based on Matthew 28:18-19, 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 follow 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, 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 through eighth grades and 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.
Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at both services at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care are available at both services.
Sunday will be the last day for Sunday school until the fall session starts. That Sunday also will be teacher recognition day. Registration for the 2008-09 Sunday school will be available online in the near future.
On Sunday, Confirmation will be held at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Music rehearsals are at the Citizens Bank in Huntley: Shepherd Voices will meet at 7 p.m. Monday.
Prairie Points Quilting will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Citizens Bank.
The book group will meet at 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss "Unashamed" at Citizens Bank.
Shepherd's Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Citizens Bank.
Sign-up for vacation Bible school, "Rainforest Adventure," has begun. The program will be from June 16-20 at Mackeben Elementary School in Algonquin. You can sign up your child online at www.sotp.org. Also, sign up for help to furnish supplies.
The "W4" ladies will hold a luncheon June 12 at Walleye Grill. Sign up at the Welcome Table.
The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.
Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship at 9 and 10:30 a.m. 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 second grade.
"Worship Volunteer Appreciation" will be held after each service.
If you are interested in learning more about the church and how to become involved, join them for "Faith v.1" at 11:45 a.m. Sunday. You will receive information about their ministries and connection points for every age.
The Silver Saints will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Niko's in Huntley for fellowship, lunch and cards. All seniors are welcome.
The high school group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" 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.
Middle school classes are now on summer break.
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.
Preschool registration is now open. Call Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512 for information or a tour.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, has canceled its regular 10:45 a.m. service due to the Fair Diddley Craft Show being held on the nearby Woodstock Square. Services will resume at 10:45 a.m. May 25. 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. Recent graduates will be recognized at the 10:45 a.m. service.
Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, ages 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their families. 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.
Equal Exchange coffee, tea and chocolate products will be available for sale between services in the fellowship hall.
On Sunday, the Junior Fellowship middle school youth group will meet in the youth room at 4 p.m. for music and games. The Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth will meet at the church at 4:45 p.m. to travel to Whirly Ball in Vernon Hills. They plan to return to FCC at 10 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Prayer Shawl group will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the church library.
On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible study group will meet at 10 a.m. in the library. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
On May 24, Pilgrim Fellowship youth are planning to volunteer at a community soup kitchen. Call Sara Ryerson, (815) 479-1879, for details.
Light of Christ: This weekend, the Rev. Kendall Koenig continues the sermon series, "Our Calling, Our Life: Serving Joyfully" with the sermon, "Shining Like Stars" at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. The Scripture reading for the sermon is taken from Philippians 2:12-18. The Rev. Kendall Koenig is senior pastor and the Rev. Sharon Rogers is associate pastor.
There are 47 junior high students completing their confirmation studies and being confirmed this weekend. Confirmation services will be held at 5 p.m. May 17 and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Team Light of Christ were scheduled to participate in Relay for Life at Jacobs High School, ending May 17 at 5 a.m.
Registration for all summer camps is open. "Camp on the Rock" day camp for first through fifth grades runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 23-27. Basketball camp for ages 10-13 runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 29-Aug, 1. Theatre Camp for ages 10-15 runs July 7-18. Auditions for parts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26-27. Vacation Bible school for preschool to fifth grade will be held Aug. 4-8 with both morning and afternoon sessions available.
Vacation Bible school leaders will meet at 10 a.m. July 24. For details, call Joanne Weber at (847) 658-9250.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: Using the opening of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution will continue exploring the metaphysical meaning of the Beatitudes. The Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic on Sunday is "The Be-Attitudes Part 2." Special guest musician is Tricia Alexander.
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 children's curriculum is "Spiritual Practices for Kids." May lessons relate to the Thanksgiving step of spiritual prayer treatment. Your kids will uncover wholeness and eliminate thoughts of lack and limitation. This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Gratitude."
As a trans-denominational church, all services and activities are open to everyone without obligation. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit its Web site: 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 message is based on Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalms 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and Matthew 28:16-20. The Senior Choir and the Joyful Sound Handbell Choir will provide the music.
Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. there is a Bible study with the pastor.
The Habitat for Humanity house blessing will be at 2 p.m. Sunday. For details, call the church office. On May 25, the rite of confirmation will be celebrated together with the congregation, the confirmands and their families at 10 a.m. This is one of the most joyous events in a young person's life. Come and praise God for this wonderful day.
The church will have a blood drive from 2:45 to 7:15 p.m. June 3. Summer vacation Bible school will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 23-27.
For information, call the church office (847) 658-5308.
Wednesday practice for vocal and handbell choirs includes: Chapel Choir for third through eighth grades from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.; Cherub Choir for kindergarten through second grades from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Chimers for third through sixth grades from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Joyful Sound Handbell Choir for seventh-grade to adult from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and Senior Choir from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
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.