McHenry Co. religion notes
The following is a listing of church activities for the week of Sunday-13. 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 this week. MCJC offers two-times a week (Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning) instruction of students in second through seventh grades. 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, consult the MCJC Web site at mcjc-online.org.
Religious School Opening Day is Sunday, 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 more information 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 about MCJC 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. Contact MCJC at (815) 455-1810 for more information 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. New Life begins each Sunday with fellowship time 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. As their Ladies' Night Out event for September, the women of the church will attend the Taste of Home Cooking School on Friday at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. The annual church hayride at Royal Oak Farm and Orchard in Hebron will be held Sept. 27.
For details, call (847) 458-9726 or visit www.newlifebaptist-il.com.
First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "The Water is Safe for Walking, in the Boat is Where It's Scary" based on Matthew 14:22-33, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. Sunday will be Rally Day, an all-church event this year. The Sunday school children will begin their fall program in the sanctuary during the 9 a.m. service, then go outside to prepare for the balloon launch, which will take place at 10:15 a.m. Festivities for all ages will continue outside during the second service and until noon. Near the end of the morning a picnic lunch will be served to everyone attending. In case of rain, activities and the picnic lunch will take place indoors.
This is Communion Sunday. The Chancel Choir will sing during both services. The Mission of the Month for September is PADS for McHenry County.
The church will again have a craft booth at the Farmers Market in downtown Huntley from 8 a.m. until noon today. The Women's Circle will meet at 7 p.m. Monday. The Knit/Crochet Group, now called "Clickin' Sticks, will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church. At 7 p.m., the Chancel Choir will practice. The choir sings on the first and third Sundays of the month and welcomes new members. The Second Saturday Contemporary Service will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 13. The service features praise and worship music for children and adults. 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, "Revert to the Ways of a Child," based upon Matthew 18:1-20, 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.
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. It is Grafton Township Food Pantry Day. Sunday school will resume on Rally Day, Sunday. Collection of school items will be gathered for children in the U.S. and around the world. The list can be found in the church announcements. On Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service, Shlomi Carmel will be the guest. Shlomi was the tour guide for church members who traveled the Holy Land last November. A free will offering luncheon will follow the service.
On Sunday Israeli Shlomi Carmel will be a guest. A freewill offering luncheon will be served after the 10:30 a.m. service. On Tuesdays, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. Signing up for "Supper Time" Club for September through December is available at the Welcome Table. Sign up to meet more church members.
On Wednesday, "Sparkplugs, Christians who like classic cars" will meet at 7 p.m. at the Cosman Center. On Thursday, Prayer Shawl Knitting group will meet at 9 a.m. at Citizens Bank.
Small Group Study will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, Sept. 14 and 21, at the Cosman Center. The topic is "ELCA Sexuality." First service greeters are needed for the 9 a.m. Sunday service. Sign-up sheets are on the Welcome Table. The Fall Kick Off for W4/WELCA will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Community Room at National City Bank.
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. Everyone is welcome to the fall kickoff on Sunday, starting with the 10:30 a.m. service, followed by a picnic, fun and games for all ages at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy live music, a kids jump house and balloons. Awana starts this week with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Kids Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Children from preschool through fifth grade are invited to attend. Everyone is welcome. This week, the "Friends" Bible study will start their fall session at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the church. Study the book of Revelation through "Be Victorious" by Warren Wiersbe. On Wednesday, there will be a parent-student meeting for all middle school youth. Find out about this year's affirmation of faith program, ask questions and register. The high school youth will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at an off-site location. For details, call the church office at (224) 569-6501. The "Men of Faith" fellowship and breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. Sept. 13 at Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. All men of faith and their sons are invited to attend.
Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, resumes its formal worship schedule at the 10:45 a.m. service. On this Ingathering Sunday, the Rev. Dan Larsen will discuss "Getting Back Together." There will also be a Water Communion ceremony where participants will bring water gathered from summer travels to combine to symbolize the coming together of the congregation. There will be special music during the service. Sue McCowin will have the Children's Story. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.
First Congregational: On Rally Sunday, the fall worship schedule begins with services at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach. The Sunday school teachers and assistants will be dedicated to serve.
The first Sunday of each month is Food Pantry Sunday. The congregation is encouraged to bring nonperishable items to be donated to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. A new year of Children's Ministries programming will resume with Sunday school, offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday at 9 and 10:45 a.m., all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their family. Following 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 offered for sale in the fellowship hall after each service. The Junior Fellowship for sixth- to eighth-graders will meet for a potluck dinner at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Youth Room. Parents are invited. At 6:30 p.m., the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet in the Youth Room. On Monday, Monday, the church council meeting at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
A parent orientation night for parents of confirmation students will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. On Wednesdays, Seasons of the Spirit meets at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. Also on Wednesdays, the Cherub Choir for second- and third-graders and Carol Choir for fourth- and fifth-graders begin rehearsals at 3:45 p.m. The Chancel Choir for sixth- to eighth-graders begin the rehearsal year on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, the study series, "Living the Questions: Confirmation Revisited for Adults," begins at 7 p.m. This week's topic is "An Invitation to Journey." The session will be repeated at 9 a.m. Sept. 13. During the coming church year, the Alleluia Sound High School Choir will sing during the 10:45 a.m. service and the Vestry Adult Choir at the 9 a.m. service each Sunday. The four children's choirs are scheduled throughout the year. The seven handbell choirs, directed by Toni Gambini, bellmaster, and Robin Restrepo, assistant, will ring at various services. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
Bethany Lutheran: On Rally Day Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, will share the message at the 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Faith Quest Sunday school is at 9 a.m. The senior and junior high youth annual barbecue is planned for 3 p.m. The confirmation classes resume on Wednesday. Classes are offered at 4:30 and 7 p.m. On this first Wednesday there will be a supper at 6 p.m. for confirmation youth and families. An Eco Fair is planned for Sept. 14 during the coffee hour. Seven ways to be more "Green" will be lifted up, including carpooling with other Bethany neighbors. Updated maps of your Bethany neighbors and directories will be available. The Women's Circles resume meeting on the third Mondays at 7 p.m. and third Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The Bethany's Moms' Group meets weekly on Fridays from 11 to 12:30 p.m. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: The McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution recognizes September as a natural time of reflection, renewal and recommitment to life. The Sunday service, "Our Roots, Our Vision" is a lay led service planned and delivered entirely by the congregation. The Rev. Anne Muelleman will be in the audience. Music this week is provided by Amy Beth. 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." This week's topic for kindergarten through fifth grade is "Castles of Creation." For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.
Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday Homecoming 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 Exodus 12:1-14, Psalms 119:33-40, Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20. 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. Sunday. Adult enrichment opportunities will be at 8:45 a.m. Sundays, starting Sunday. All are welcome to attend. The men's breakfast will be at 8 a.m. Sept. 13. Donna Stoner will talk about the new Sherman Hospital building in Elgin. Yarn Works will hold its first sessions from 10 a.m. to noon and 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18. Beginners also are welcome. For information, call the church office (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 sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.
Bishop Rocco Florenza will officiate at the service Sunday. A brunch will be held in his honor after the service. He will give a PowerPoint presentation on church growth.
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.
St. Mary Episcopal: On Sunday the fall schedule of services resumes at St. Mary Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. The fall service times will be an 8 a.m. Community Eucharist and a 10 a.m. Choral Community Eucharist with Children's worship time. Sunday school is at 11 a.m. For details, call (815) 459-1009 or visit www.stmaryepiscopal.org.