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 is now accepting registration for the religious school, which meets Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning Sept. 7. Students in second through seventh grades meet two times a week (Wednesday and Sunday). Classes for eighth-graders and 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. Adult education is offered Sundays and throughout the week. For details, visit mcjc-online.org. Religious School Opening Day is Sept. 7, beginning with a registration period at 8:30 a.m. The morning will also feature an orientation for parents and students and a membership-wide picnic. Call (815) 455-1810 for details on enrollment. An open house for prospective members is planned for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 as part of the Shabbat services. All interested in learning more are welcome to attend.
MCJC's observance of the High Holidays will begin Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m., with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed the next two days by services that begin at 9 a.m. Yom Kippur will be observed with a Kol Nidre service on Oct. 8, with the observance continuing the next day with services at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The holiday will conclude with a Break-the-Fast on Oct. 9. Call (815) 455-1810 for details on High Holiday tickets.
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.
Fellowship time is at 9:15 a. m. Bible study classes are offered at 9:30 a.m. for all ages. Child care is available during the morning service for infants through 3-year-olds with children's church for children age 4 through second grade.
A coed softball game is held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills and Bible study takes place at the church Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Sunday school promotion takes place Aug. 31. Also that day the church will hold a business meeting and a fifth Sunday fellowship time following the morning worship service. The ladies' retreat takes place Sept. 5-6 at Camp Manitoumi, located in Lowpoint, Ill. The annual church hayride at Royal Oak Farm and Orchard will be held Sept. 27. For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the congregation will continue to hear about its living story at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. Three church members, Lora Ball, Bernice Bakley-Roberson and Tim Roberson, will each speak about the story of their own personal relationship with First Congregational Church. The Rev. Michelle McNamara's meditation will be relate to the same theme. The special music will be an instrumental duet by Betty Kamps and Harry Choin.
The Sunday school-aged children will enjoy another Fun in the Sun activity.
The Knit/Crochet Group, now called "Clickin' Sticks," will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
Also on Sunday, auditions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church for the FCC Players' fall dinner theater production, "You Can't Take it With You" by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Everyone is welcome to audition; no appointments or monologue necessary. The performances will be Nov. 8-9 and 16.
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, "True Confessions" based upon Matthew 16:13-20, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 8 a.m. Sunday with no Sunday school. 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 Ralph Peterson 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.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Main Street and Manhattan Drive.
On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. Tuesday will end the Bible study session of "3-16-Numbers of Hope" from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Citizens Bank. A new Bible study will be starting soon.
Shepherd Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Citizens Bank.
Sunday school will resume on Rally Day, Sept. 7. Register your children at the Welcome Table or online.
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.
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.
Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
The preschool will hold an ice cream social for all registered families at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Call (224) 569-6512 for information about registration.
Sept. 7 will be the Fall Family Kick-Off with games, live music, food and fun for all ages. It is open to the public starting with worship at 9 a.m. and the picnic starting at 11:30 a.m.
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.
Nursery care will be available, and children 3 years through kindergarten will be dismissed during the service for Story Time.
On Sunday, the annual church picnic will be held after the 10 a.m. service. Also on Sunday, the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet at a members home at 4 p.m. for their kickoff picnic.
Visitors are welcome to any church activity. The church is accessible to persons with disabilities. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, will share the message at the summer worship times at 8:30 and 10 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Start of School Year Blessing is planned for all students at the 10 a.m. service. Affirmation of Educators Service of Recognition is at 8:30 and 10 a.m. worship.
Summer Sunday school program and child care meets at 10 a.m. Sunday through Sunday.
On Sunday, the "Start of School Year Blessing" is planned for all students at the 10 a.m. service. The "Affirmation of Educators Service of Recognition" will be at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services.
On Sept. 7, the schedule will be worship at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. Child care is offered during the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services. Faith Quest Sunday school is at 9 a.m.
Service of the Word for Healing is Aug. 31 at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. worship.
The confirmation program begins Sept. 3 with an orientation meeting for parents and youth. The program is designed for seventh- and eighth-graders. Students are confirmed in the fall of ninth grade.
Faith Quest Sunday school registration for preschool age 3 through senior high youth is now under way. Classes resume on Rally Day at 9 a.m. Sept. 7.
An Eco Fair is planned for Sept. 14 during the coffee hour. Eight ways to be more "Green" will be lifted up, including carpooling with other Bethany neighbors.
The annual Ministry Fair will be Sept. 28. Everyone will have an opportunity to "gift" Bethany's ministry with their special time and talents. 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 "Prosperity" during the month of August.To quote Ernest Holmes, "success and prosperity are spiritual attributes belonging to all people but not necessarily used by all people." This month, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will lead the congregation through the process of revealing the Laws of Prosperity in their lives that they may experience more prosperity and abundance in daily life. Her title for Sunday is "Releasing the Past and Letting Go." Music this week is provided by Lia Nicine McCoo.
Information will be provided after this week's service introducing the children's fall curriculum along with an ice cream social, to which all are invited.
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." August lessons relate to "Letting Go and Letting God." This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Unlimited Good."
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. 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 of Algonquin: On July 27, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message, "Not Conformation, But Transformation," is based on Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16:13-20. An Intergenerational Summer Sunday school will be at 8:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
The M&M Club will meet after church service. The M&M Club is for fifth- and sixth-graders who will go to McDonald's and a movie. They will meet at 11:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall.
On Sept. 7, it will be the church's Homecoming Sunday. There will be a steak fry after worship. There also will be a blood drive from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sept. 7.
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: 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 Rev. Michael DuCette is vicar.
The sermon will be based on the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
Bishop Rocco Florenza's visit to St. Paul's will be Sept. 7. A brunch will be held in his honor after the service. 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.