McHenry Co. religion notes

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Tikkun Olam: Jewish Reform Congregation Tikkun Olam's Yom Kippur schedule is as follows: Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Yom Kippur morning service at 10 a.m., adult discussion group at 3 p.m., Yizkor and concluding services at 4:30 p.m., immediately followed by Havdalah and a potluck "break fast." All services and activities take place at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Tickets are not required, however donations are welcome. For information on the congregation or its religious school, visit tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will observe Yom Kippur with a Kol Nidre service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. The Yom Kippur observance will continue the next day with services at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The holiday will conclude with a Break-the-Fast at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. Contact MCJC at (815) 455-1810 for details on High Holiday tickets.

The harvest festival of Sukkot will be observed through a series of events, including the construction of the sukkah from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Oct. 12; a Sukkot Festival Service at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14; a Lunch and Learn in the sukkah at noon Wednesday, Oct. 15; and dinner in the sukkah at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The 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. 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.

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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "From 613 to 10 and Still Struggling," based on Exodus 20:1-20, in the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Chancel choir will sing in both services and the Crusader Bells will play at the beginning of the first. It is World Wide Communion Sunday. Communion will be served and later in the day, the pastor and the deacons will be taking communion to shut-ins.

The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will begin learning about Elijah and Elisha and the role that prophets played in the Old Testament.

The Knit/Crochet Group, now called "Clickin' Sticks, will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesdays 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 Mission of the Month for October is the Neighbors in Need ministry of the United Church of Christ. A special offering will be taken Sunday, Oct. 12, for this ministry. It will also be Pack-a-Sack Sunday for the Grafton Township Food Pantry. The food pantry's particular needs are: small juice boxes, cake mixes, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and peanut butter.

On Thursdays, the Genesis Bell Choir (beginning adults) will practice at 6 p.m. and the Whitechapel Bells (advanced adults) will practice at 7 p.m. The Sunday AM's handbell choir (grades 7-12) practices at 9 a.m. Sundays. Each choir plays once a month. New members are welcome. Previous music experience is not necessary for beginning groups, and all equipment and music is provided. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691 or visit firsthuntley.org.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Keepers-Weepers," based upon Matthew 21:33-46, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee and Fellowship follows 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 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 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 Sundays, 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.

Oct. 5 is Grafton Food Pantry Day. Shepherd's Voices Choir will meet at 7 p.m. Mondays at Citizens Bank. On Tuesdays, the pastor will lead the Bible study from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Citizens Bank and the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. and the second music team at 6 p.m. On Wednesdays, the confirmation class meets at 6:30 p.m. at Citizens Bank. Pizza will be at 6 p.m. On Fridays, the church's Prayer Hour will meet at 1 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Senior Shepherds will be going to the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake with lunch at John Evans before the tour. 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 sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, Oct. 5, 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 middle school.

Awana meets every Monday with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Kids Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Children from preschool through fifth grade are invited to attend. Everyone is welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the church. Study the book of Revelation through "Be Victorious" by Warren Wiersbe. 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 middle school kids for sixth- to eighth grades meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays for a program and dinner. The high school youth will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at an off-site location. Call the church office at (224) 569-6501 for details.

The Men of Faith men's breakfast will be held at the Walleye Grill in the Prairie Lodge in Sun City to hear Mark Elfstrand speak on the topic "10 Passions of a Man's Soul." The breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Cost is $15 per person payable by Monday, Oct. 6. Call Joe Santercier (630) 896-8860, ext. 105 for payment arrangements and to make your reservation.

Call (224) 569-6501 or visit fccwired.tv.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, celebrates the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot at 10:45 a.m.

The church will worship together as a multi-age community and learn a little about the history and practice of Sukkot in the Jewish tradition, then join in preparing "stone soup," creating harvest art, decorating the sukkah (a small hut) in the parsonage yard, conducting a short ceremony in and around the sukkah, and then sharing a harvest feast. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit cucw.org.

First Congregational: On World Communion Sunday on Oct. 5, longtime member Marie Husmann will join the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones for a" Dialogue Sermon" at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. This is Food Pantry Sunday. Members are asked to bring nonperishable food items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

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.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Outreach Ministry invites everyone to a potluck at Kathryn Goodings home at 6 p.m. For details, call Kathryn at (815) 356-1017. At 6:30 p.m., the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet in the Youth Room.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, FCCs justfootprints group will facilitate a discussion on "Buying and Purchasing" at 7 p.m. in the library. It is the third of four seminar sessions on "A Call to Sustainability." On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study meets at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursdays at 7 p.m., everyone interested in learning more about the church is invited to attend "Faith Conversations" in the Banner Library. On Thursday, Oct. 9, Living the Questions will be presented at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room. This month's topic is "Thinking Theologically." All are invited. Also on Thursday at 7 p.m., everyone interested in learning more about the church is invited to attend an information and orientation evening in the Banner Library. On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Living the Questions presentation of Oct. 9 will be repeated at 9 a.m. in the multipurpose room. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, Oct. 5, worship will be at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all services. CROP Walk kicks off from Bethany Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. More than eight churches will be participating in this annual walk to help feed the hungry.

Child care is offered during the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services. Faith Quest Sunday school is at 9 a.m.

The Bethany Arts Series will present soprano Rise Jones in concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at the church. Rise is a classically trained performer who has presented local, national and international recitals. She will be accompanied by Murna Hansemann, a gifted pianist and professional artist, who will also be featured as a soloist on the recital. There is no admission, but a freewill offering will be taken. The fall new member classes begin Oct. 19 at 10:15 a.m. New members will be received on Nov. 16 at 10:45 a.m. The fall outdoor work day is scheduled for Oct. 25 from 8:30 until noon. Twenty-five ninth-grade youth have completed the two-year confirmation program and will affirm their faith on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 26 at 10:45 a.m.

Bethany is a Book of Faith Congregation. This Bible study will be presented at 10:15 a.m. Sundays, Oct. 26, Nov. 23 and Jan. 25. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit bethanylc.com.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Oct. 5, 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 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Philippians 3:4-14.

Who did Jesus say he was? Join the adult enrichment opportunities at 8:45 a.m. Sundays. The discussions are often spirited and interesting and all points of view are welcome. Bring a Bible or borrow one from the church and join them every Sunday or as often as possible. All are welcome to attend.

On Wednesdays, rehearsals are: Chapel Choir for third to eighth grade from 4:45 to 5:15; Cherub Choir for kindergarten to second grade from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Chimers for third to fifth grade from 5:20 to 5:50 p.m.; Joyful Sound Handbell Choir for seventh grade to adult from 6:30 to 7:30; and Senior Choir from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

What do you call a ministry where you can learn to knit or crochet and turn into a blessing to someone else? Yarn Works. Beginners are welcome. If you already know how to do the yarn work of your choice, you also are welcome. For details, call the church. Yarn works will meet every Thursday; one session will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the other session will be 7 to 9 p.m.

The Entertainment books are available for $20 from the church's men's fellowship. This book makes a great Christmas gift. For details, call the church office at (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, Oct. 5 at the former First Presbyterian Church, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. The Rev. Michael DuCette's sermon will be based on the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 12.

Bible study will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m., continuing the study of the Gospel of John.

St. Paul's Parish is part of the Diocese of the Missouri Valley Anglican Church of America. For details, visit acahome.org or call (815) 338-0205.