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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Long-Awaited Gifts," based on Luke 2:22-51, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St. in Huntley. The Instrumental Group will play in both services and the Genesis Bells will play in the second service. Joel Ahrendt will be the accompanist for both services. In the 10:30 a.m. service, Avery Claire Crabill and Adelyn Abigal Crabill will be baptized. They are the daughters of Shauna Marie Fitzgerald and Derek David Crabill and the granddaughters of Jim and Jann Crabill. The Sunday school children, after attending the first part of the 9 a.m. service, will enjoy a video. The church Office will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 for the celebration of New Year's Day. 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, "Head Over Heels for Jesus", based upon Luke 2:22-40, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday 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.

At the 5:30 p.m. New Year's Eve service, Dec. 31, the pastor's message will be, "Self-Will or Self-Surrender", based upon Isaiah 30:15-17.

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 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. There will be no Sunday school. On Mondays, Shepherd's Voices Choir meets at 7 p.m. at Citizens Bank. On Tuesdays at Citizens Bank, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m. There will be no confirmation class or adult Bible study on Dec. 31. On Sunday, Jan. 11, a new Bible Study Group will begin from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is a seven-week course. A new book study group, "Tuesdays at Noon" will be starting in January. This book study will be "The Unveiling of Mary Magdalene." Watch for further details in the announcements.

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, Dec. 28, 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.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds a weekly "closed" meeting at noon Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. On Tuesdays, TOPS meets at 11:30 a.m. All youth ministries and Bible studies are on Christmas break and will resume the week of Jan. 4. For details, call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.

Open enrollment for preschool will begin on Jan. 2. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St. in Woodstock, will hold an informal service to look back at 2008 and ahead to 2009 at 10:45 a.m. Billed as a "Coffee Cake House," members are encouraged to bring their leftover Christmas cookies and treats to share with the congregation. There will also be coffee and games during this time to get together and get over the holidays. For information, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org, or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On the First Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 28, the Rev. Dave Inglis and the young adult members of the congregation will lead the 10 a.m. only service at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. There will be no Sunday school classes, but nursery care will be available.

Members of the Adult Work Tour will be collecting aluminum cans for recycling this Sunday, Dec. 28.

The church office will be closed through Sunday, Jan. 4. 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.

McHenry County Church of Religious Science: This month, they will gather each week to learn how to experience the "LIGHT" of the holidays - "Living Inside God's Highest Truth" at the 10 a.m. service at the McHenry County Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Evolution. Special guest speaker, the Rev. Kathy Mertes' topic on Dec. 28 will be "You Are the Light of the World." 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 Science of Mind curriculum is "Castles of Creation."

There is a Tuesday morning mediation with Bhanta Sujatha at 10 a.m. for a $10 donation. There is a Healing Service held the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. 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 of Algonquin: On Sunday, Dec. 28, 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 Luke 2:22-40. There will be a men's breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 10. On Jan. 18 at 11:15 a.m., there will be acolyte training for past and future acolytes. Anyone in third grade and older are welcome to join for pizza after the worship service.

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 Tuesdays at 7 p.m., there is a Bible Study with the pastor.

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 5:45 to 6:15 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, Dec. 28 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 2. Bible study will meet from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. 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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, interim intentional pastor, will present the sermon, "Regime Change," based on Christmas selections, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 9 a.m. service will be by Roy Hansen who will trumpet in the new year with Linda Gilmore, accompanist. The 10:30 a.m. service will feature songs and music by the Praise Singers and Band: Cheri Blazek; Robert Blazek; Sonja Boekenhauer, Penny Mensik, Sue Schmidt and Sara Tustin with Robert Blazek, saxophones; Mark Frystak, guitar; Linda Gilmore, keyboard; Noah Katsma, bass and Rich Robotham, drums.

Children, age 3 through fifth grade, will begin their worship in the sanctuary with their families and move to Sunday school classes at 9 a.m. and to God's Big Backyard for KidsOwn Worship at 10:30 a.m. A new snack time for kids will be held in God's Big Backyard from 10 to 10:10 a.m. Nursery care is available for infants through first grade from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Children should be signed in and out.

Winter Break Science Camps will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29-30. Are you worried about how to entertain your kids and grandkids over winter break? Join them for an amazing science camp as FCC and Mad Science of McHenry County team up to spark imaginative learning in our kids. First- through fifth-grade youth will be dazzled by a "Christmas Chemistry" camp run by Mad Science. Preschool and kindergarten kids will be lead by FCC staff as they use their natural curiosity to learn about God's amazing creations by experiencing and experimenting with the world around them. Visit the Web site for registration details.

The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Jan. 1 and 2 for New Year's.

For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.fccdundee.com.

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren: On Sunday, Dec. 28, worship at 9:30 a.m. will feature a sermon by guest speaker Bob Blake titled "Seeking Consolation" at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Mary Heggen will serve as worship leader. Because so many members are traveling, church school classes will not meet. The offering from the Christmas Eve service has been shared between the Global Food Crisis Fund and the Community Crisis Center.

For information, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.org.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel has been serving the Fox River Valley for over 116 years. As a member of United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, it offers a full range of services: Torah school for prekindergarten to high school, adult education classes, an award-winning youth program for age 6 to 12, Sisterhood and Men's Club, and age-based interest groups. This week's Torah portion is "Miketz." The service is led by Rabbi Jonathan Kohn in prayer and study. Shabbat services are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 330 Division St. in Elgin. Guests are welcome. CKI believes that each person can participate in the observance of Shabbat through the use of English, Hebrew, and age-appropriate activities. For details, call (847) 741-5656 or visit www.ckielgin.org.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin, offers friendly, participatory Shabbat services, led by Cantor Sarah Alexander, at 9:45 a.m. Saturdays and followed by a community kiddush luncheon. Services include a spirited Torah discussion, focusing on the "parsha of the week." This week's Torah portion is "Miketz." It is also Shabbat Rosh Chodesh and Shabbat Hanukkah, so it is a three Torah scroll Shabbat! For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail.com, or visit www.CongregationShiratShalom.org

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the theme is "The Good News for Geezers" at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. The scripture lessons are Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7 and Luke 2:22-40. The nursery is open for children age 3 and younger.

Look for the announcement of the hoagie sale in January. You'll want to order some for Super Bowl Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

St. John: On Sunday, Dec. 28, the First Sunday after Christmas, the Rev. Howard Gleason will preach the sermon, "The Year in Review," based on Hebrews 13:8 and 12:1-2, at 9 a.m. only service at St. John Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Road in Burlington. Community Outreach has started a float committee started for the 2009 parades. For details, call (847) 683-2338 or visit www.stjohnburlington.com.