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.
McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation has planned a "Lunch and Learn" for noon Wednesday, during which the group will discuss the "Mishnah on the Corners of the Fields." A Shabbat dinner will be held July 25 after services which begin at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP for the meal, call MCJC.
The MCJC Book Club will be discussing "Away," an epic novel by Amy Bloom, which recently became available in paperback. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at MCJC, and anyone interested is invited to attend.
MCJC is now accepting registration forms for the upcoming year, including registration for the Religious School which will begin in September. MCJC offers two-times a week (Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning) instruction of students in second through eighth grades. Classes for high schoolers and students in kindergarten and first grade are offered Sunday morning. A preschool program and Parent-Tot program is also offered on Sundays, as is Adult Education. For details, consult the MCJC Web site at mcjc-online.org.
MCJC will offer a two-week day camp program, July 21-Aug. 1, led by Israeli teens. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For details, call MCJC at (815) 455-1810. 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 continue sermon series titled "Building a Strong Foundation" from the book of 1 Corinthians at the 10:30 a.m. service 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. Two new adult classes are now forming. 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.
Small Bible study groups meet at several locations during the week. A coed softball game takes place at 6 p.m. each Tuesday at Sunset Park on Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. The church's quarterly business meeting will be held on July 27 after the morning worship service and a covered-dish lunch. A Family Fun Night is planned on Aug. 1 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 will preach "No Matter Where You Throw It, Seed Will Grow," based on the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. Soprano Helen Suarez will sing in both services. The monthly, second-Saturday contemporary worship at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley will be held at 5 p.m. today. The service will include praise and worship music as well as a drama. The theme will be "The Widow's Mite" based on the New Testament story about the woman whose "small" gift to the early church was highly praised. The Sunday school aged children will enjoy another Fun in the Sun activity. This time it will be kickball.
The Mission of the Month for July is the Home of the Sparrow, a transitional shelter program for women with children who are homeless. A special offering for this mission will be taken during both services. This is also Pack-a-Sack Sunday, which focuses on donating items for the Grafton Township Food Pantry. Special needs for this month are: cereal, tuna, apple and grape juice, salad dressings and spaghetti. The Knit/Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Wetton's. 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, "No Empty Words", based on Isaiah 55:10-13, 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 July 15, the Prairie Point Quilting Group will meet at 9 a.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesday, the Bible study group will meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second team at 6 p.m. at Citizens Bank. Shepherd Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. July 18 at Citizens Bank. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Aug. 24. Details to follow. The church office is in Citizens First National Bank, 12101 Regency Square, Huntley. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.
Unitarian church: The Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock, will begin its summer worship schedule at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. In "The Red Candle (The Worth and Dignity of Every Human Being)," Pam Lopatin and the Rev. Dan Larsen will discuss and demonstrate how to teach diversity to our children and ourselves. 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 following 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. Participants in this year's "Re-Member Work Tour" at the Pine Ridge, S.D., Lakota Reservation will lead the service and share their experiences. The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet in the Banner Library at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Common Ground meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Bethany Lutheran: Pastoral Associate Erik Zingelman 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 continues throughout the month. "Wish List" items will be given to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, Home of the Sparrow, PADS at Bethany and Veteran's Home in Hebron. Vacation Bible school, "Power Lab" is set for 9 a.m. to noon July 14-18. For details, call the church office. Seven Bethany Mission Trippers leave for Panama Monday.
Welcome Back Katie Coffee Hour is planned for July 20 between worship services. Katie Gavle has spent the past year serving as part of the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Seven Bethany Mission Trippers leave for Panama in Monday. The Annual Summer Blood Drive is July 20 from 8:30 until noon. A senior outing to Lutherdale Bible Camp is planned for July 23 at 8:30 a.m. Bookers at Bethany meets at 7 p.m. July 28. This month's book is "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. 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.
McHenry County 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 whole with music by Gloria Taylor.
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 5th is "Turn It Over to God." The annual picnic will follow the service at noon Sunday at Tyler Creek Forest Preserve, Route 31 and Davis Road in Elgin.
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. The Spiritual Entrepreneur Networking Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. July 11 at the church room.
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 will be based on the 7th chapter of the Gospel Matthew. Bible Study will take a summer break and resume in the fall. July 27 is the last day to bring school supplies for the Salvation Army collection. Food Pantry donations will be delivered after July 20. 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.