McHenry Co. 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.
New Life Baptist: On Sunday, worship will be at the 10:30 a.m. at New Life Baptist Church, 9228 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills. New Life begins each Sunday with 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.
Vacation Bible school will be held the week of Aug. 4-8 at the church.
The church's quarterly business meeting will be held on Sunday after the morning worship service and a covered-dish lunch. A Family Fun Night is planned on Friday at Sunset Park. Activities for the entire family will include children's games as well as coed softball, basketball, and games for the nonathletic.
Vacation Bible school takes place Aug. 4-8 at the church. "Dino Detectives: Digging for God's Truth" is this year's theme. All children, ages 4-11, are invited to come from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and enjoy the Bible stories, music, skits, puppets, crafts, games, recreation, and snacks. For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Pictures of God's Realm" based on Matthew 13:31-52, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The 9 a.m. service will be held under a tent at the open field on the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. The 10:30 service will be in the sanctuary. The cast of "Les Miserables Student Edition" (FCC Players) will present a short sneak preview of their production during the services.
The Sunday School aged children will enjoy another Fun in the Sun activity. This time the theme is Marshmallow Sports.
The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
The church's annual Faye's Barbecue Dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today on the field at the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a full dinner and dessert with entertainment. Advance tickets are $12 and can be reserved by calling the church office at (847) 669-3691. Tickets may be purchased at the door as long as they last for $13.
The Sunday School aged children will enjoy another Fun in the Sun activity. This time the theme is Marshmallow Sports.
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, "The Answer to All Life-Changing Questions," based on Romans 8:28-39,, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
St. John Lutheran Church is at 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. A supervised nursery is offered at the 9 a.m. service.
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.
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. Nursery care is available at both services.
Music rehearsals are at the Citizens Bank in Huntley. On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. at Citizens Bank.
On Tuesday, the Bible study group will meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Citizens Bank.
Shepherd Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Citizens Bank.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Gently used Christian books are needed for the library in the new church.
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. The message is titled "Multiply" from the book of Acts. 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.
There will be a vacation Bible school decorating party at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. Gentle Hata Yoga classes for adults are given each Tuesday at 9 a.m. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a floor mat. Advance registration is not needed. On Tuesdays, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m.
Adult Bible studies are offered Wednesdays. At 9 a.m., study the text for the upcoming Sunday. At 7 p.m., they will study the book of Mark.
The high school and college kids are invited to a pool party/bonfire from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Call the church office for the location and details.
"Discover the Power of God's Love" at vacation Bible School this year. Registration is now open for the program on Monday to Friday. Cost is $35 per child for kids in preschool through fifth grade. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501 for registration information.
Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Preschool registration is now open. Call Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512 for information or a tour.
Unitarian church: The Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock, discusses one of the key stories of the Old Testament at the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday. In "Abraham and Isaac" Garrett Rapp, one of the church's young members and a student majoring in religions at Illinois Wesleyan University, will present a paper that he wrote on these two major Biblical figures. A discussion will follow. Services will be held downstairs in the Helen Wright Room. Nursery care will be available. Children are welcome during the service. Coffee and treats will be served after the service. For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the summer worship schedule continues at 10 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Those who wish are welcome to come at 9:45 a.m. to join in a Hymn Sing. The Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated.
Nursery care will be available, and children 3 years through kindergarten will be dismissed during the service for Story Time. The Adult Work Tour groups will be collecting aluminum cans on this, the last Sunday of the month.
The men's fellowship breakfast at 8 a.m. today in the fellowship hall. This month, all are invited to hear Gary Christ talk about his quest to clear Cambodia of land mines. During his many trips to Cambodia installing septic systems for orphanages, he saw what a problem unexploded land mines were. Utilizing farm equipment and mechanical know-how based on his local farming experience, he developed a machine to safely detonate the mines and has been doing so since 2006.
On Sunday, First Forum will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the church library. Mark Vogel of Personal Growth Associates will touch on gender differences in communication; mistakes people make that hinder communication; the concept of separate realities, and things that people can do to avoid the common pitfalls of communication. Vogel has a degree in clinical psychology and 28 years experience in the mental health field working with adolescents and adults with a number of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems and parenting.
On Tuesday, the Mature Singles Group will meet at Crystal Lake Main Beach Park at 5 p.m. for a picnic and the Vito Buffalo Concert. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Call Ron Woodruff, (815) 206-0498, for details.
Visitors are welcome to any church activity. The church is accessible to persons with disabilities. Large print bulletins and assisted listening devices are available at Sunday Services an entrance for people with mobility impairment is on the Lake Street side of the church.
For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Light of Christ: This weekend, worship is at the blended 5 p.m. Saturday, the 7:45 a.m. traditional, 9 a.m. blended and 10:30 a.m. contemporary Sunday services at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. The Rev. Kendall Koenig is senior pastor and the Rev. Sharon Rogers is associate pastor.
During the summer months, an additional worship service has been added on Monday at 7 p.m. (blended).
A "Photography Camp" will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11-15 at Light of Christ Church. This camp will be led by a professional photographer. Sign up is available in the Welcome Center of the church. Cost is $40 per student.
On Aug. 22-23, the Good News Praise Band of Light of Christ, directed by Melody Kuphal will participate in the Turning Point Radiothon, broadcast by STAR 105.5.
For details, call Joanne Weber at (847) 658-9250.
Bethany Lutheran: The Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, will share the message at the new summer worship times at 8:30 and 10 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Childcare is provided during the 10 a.m. service during the summer months.
Summer Sunday school program meets at 10 a.m. Sunday through Aug. 24.
The 12th annual Christmas in July focus concludes this week. All items will be on display in the sanctuary Aug. 3 as part of that celebration of sharing, and a Christmas hymn will be sung. This year, donations will be given to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Home of the Sparrow, PADS at Bethany and Veteran's Home in Hebron.
An all-congregational picnic is planned for 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Main Beach in Crystal Lake.
The Crystal Lake Food Pantry will be staffed by Bethany workers Aug. 18.
For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com. Preschool registration for fall 2008 continues. Programs are available for 2- to 5-year-olds. For details, call Marcia Baker, preschool director, at (815) 477-7463.
Church of Religious Science: The McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution is exploring "The Art of Being" during the month of July. Inspired by the book study, "The Art of Being - 101 Ways to Practice Purpose In Your Life," the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman will explore with the congregation various states of being this month. On Sunday, the pastor will discuss what it means to be peacefu with music by 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." July lessons relate to "Letting Go and Letting God." This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Nothing That God Can't Handle."
There is a Tuesday morning mediation with Bhanta Sujatha at 10 a.m. for a $10 donation. The weekly healing service is at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Healing services at The Center for Spiritual Evolution are popular and known for their uplifting effect with concentrated high vibrational energies revealing spiritual perfection in all areas of our life. The pastor will deliver a short message leaving ample time for prayer, meditation, and spiritual mind treatment by she and the church's professional practitioners in response to your healing requests.
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: 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, "Answering Your Questions," is based on Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-52. Beginning Aug. 3, there will be a Holy Communion Service at 4 p.m. in addition to the 10 a.m. service. All are welcome.
An Intergenerational Summer Sunday school will be at 8:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
There is a Bible study at 7 p.m. every Tuesday. The Bible study will be reading "What is So Amazing About Grace," which is based on the best-selling book by author Phillip Yancey. This study will be looking at how God's grace actually works in your day-to-day life. It is an uplifting study of God's power in your life.
During Founder's Day weekend, July 25-26, there will be a bake sale and yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heavenly Attic Resale Shop, 307 S. Main, Algonquin (parking in rear)
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.
Living Waters Lutheran: A traditional service is held every Sunday at 8 a.m. followed by contemporary services at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1808 Miller Road in Crystal Lake. The Rev. Michael Thomas is pastor.
The adult education/fellowship opportunities include adult forum at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays; Women's Bible Study is at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday; Men's Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. the third Saturday in Room 5; and Retired Men's Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. the second Tuesday in Room 5. Various small groups meet on selected topics are also available for those interested.
For details, call the church at (815) 455-2424 or visit www.livingwaterschurch.com.
St. Paul's Anglican Church: St. Paul's Anglican Church, a traditional Episcopal Church, will worship using 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.
The sermon by the Rev. Michael DuCette, vicar, will be based on the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Bible Study is on summer break and resumes in the fall.
Sunday is the last day to bring school supplies for the Salvation Army collection.
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.