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: This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "Ain't Nobody Else," based on Luke 18:9-14, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services at the First Congregational Church, 11628 Main St., Huntley. The theme is, "Jesus came to save sinners. What does that say about us?" The Genesis Handbell Choir will play. The Sunday school children will explore the theme of occupations in biblical times.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Knit/Crochet Group meets. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Bernstein's home. For details, call (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message from Revelation 14:6-7, "Proclaim the Eternal Gospel," at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.

Adult Bible class is at 9:15 a.m. Sunday. Coffee and fellowship follows the Sunday services on the second Sunday of each month.

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. 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.

Living Waters: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael E. Thomas will preach at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1808 Miller Road, Crystal Lake. Traditional service is held at 8 a.m. Sunday, followed by contemporary services at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. The Affirmation of Faith Service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school, Kids Klub, is at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.

Adult forum meets at 9:15 a.m. Sundays and they are exploring "Giving To God," an inspirational look at becoming more thankful and generous. Another adult forum, meeting at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, is studying the book of Isaiah. The high school youth group meets for Bible study at 7 p.m. Wednesday at church. The church supports the local food pantry and accept donations of nonperishable food on the fourth Sunday of the month. Call (815) 455-2424 or visit www. livingwaterschurch.com.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, the Rev. Mark Boster will preach at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church. The 9 and 10:30 a.m. services are held at the Cosman Cultural Center, 12051 Mill St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care are available at both services.

Confirmands will provide lunch at the PADS center on Sunday. The church's Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Cosman Cultural Center cafeteria. Grafton Food Collection Sunday will be Nov 4. Youth Fest will be Nov. 9 at Luther College. For details, call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Bruce Cole will deliver the message, "Bible Stories that Make You Go Hmmm" at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way in Huntley. Worship services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services. 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.

The children's choir will rehearse at 10 a.m. Sundays.

Awana will be Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Kids Club from 6 to 7 p.m.

They will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 11. To be a donor, call the church office at (224) 569-6501 to schedule an appointment. Red blood cell donors also are needed. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.faithcommunity churchhuntley.com.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos), a Latin American tradition to honor those loved ones who have died, will be celebrated at the 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. The Rev. Dan Larsen will offer "A Spiritual Approach to Death" in his sermon. Carol Gardner will prepare an "ofrenda," a table decorated in the Latin American style. The congregation will bring non-perishable snacks that were loved by the departed to share and to talk about.

The church school will hold its annual Halloween parade. Later, they will enjoy special activities and games downstairs. Adults and children are encouraged to come in costume. For details, call (815) 338-0731 or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Bette Zattau will deliver the message at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Worship is at 9 and 10:45 a.m. This is Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday. All members are encouraged to wear pink to church and to contribute to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure fund. This last Sunday in October, the Adult Work Tour groups will be collecting aluminum cans to raise funds for their 2008 work tours.

At the 9 a.m. service, the Gloria Dei Bell Choir will ring "Processional Celebration." At the 10:45 a.m. service, the Vestry Choir will sing "Humble Heart Is Mine."

Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their family. After 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.

The high school choirs, Alleluia Sound and Gloria Dei Bell Choir, will begin their annual Christmas Greens sale to raise funds for their 2008 spring tour. Order forms will be available in the fellowship hall after each service.

The First Forum group will meet from 10:45 a.m. Sunday in the library. On Sunday, the church is co-sponsoring a performance by the Whirling Dervishes. This performance begins at 3 p.m. at Crystal Lake's Raue Center. Everyone is invited. Ticket information can be obtained at the Raue Center.

On Tuesday, the Parenting Teens Today group meets at 7 p.m. in the library. On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Study Group continues its fall study at 10 a.m. in the FCC library.

On Thursday, the Women's Fellowship monthly luncheon and program will be held at noon in the fellowship hall. This month's program is titled "Learning About Our American Muslim Culture." The speaker is Jenan Mohajir, outreach, education and training associate for the Interfaith Youth Core, Chicago. All women are invited to attend. On Thursday, a Taize worship service will be held at 7:15 p.m. in the chapel.

On Friday, the Junior Fellowship youth group will hold an overnight "Lock-In," starting at 5:30 p.m. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or FCCCrystalLake.org.

Light of Christ: This weekend, the Rev. Kendall Koenig continues the sermon series "Focused on Christ" at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road, Algonquin. This week, the pastor's sermon is titled, "His Meal for His Body," looks at how you recognize your need, and know you are forgiven. The reading for his sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. Worship services are held at 5 p.m. Saturday and 7:45, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Family Oktoberfest at O'Connor's farm will be held at 2 p.m. today. This weekend, a Bible presentation to third-graders will be held during worship. The Bible workshop for third-graders and their parents will be from 3 to 5 p.m. There is a blood drive scheduled for Nov. 11 from 8 to 1 p.m. Sign up at the church to schedule an appointment. However, walk-ins are welcome. For details, call (847) 658-9250.

Bethany Lutheran: On Reformation Sunday, the Rev. Harold J. Hoekstra, senior pastor, will share the message worship will be at 7:45, 9 and 10:45 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake. Faith Quest Sunday school meets at 9 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all services. Child care is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m.

The ninth-grade milestone, "Affirmation of Baptism" will be celebrated at 10:45 a.m. This milestone marks the completion of their confirmation studies. Nineteen confirmands will affirm their faith. Each youth will be wearing their own specially designed stole of faith and life. The Men's Ministry will host a chili supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds will be used to purchase new pads for the PADS program. Tickets will be on sale Sunday.

The Senior High Youth Impact Night meets from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. At 6 p.m. today, Bethany Arts Series hosts the Chicago Community Chorus in concert. At 7 p.m. Monday, Bookers at Borders meets at the Crystal Lake Borders. The book is "The Winter of our Discontent" by John Steinbeck. The Fall Senior Luncheon will be at noon Thursday. Karla Chandler will present the story of Corrie ten Boom. The ten Boom family hid and protected Jews in their homes during the World War II German occupation of Holland.

Guest Who's Coming to Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3. It's a time to share a meal and get acquainted.

The Giving Tree is up in the gathering area. Folks are invited to pick a card and shop for a Christmas gift for one of residents at Sheltered Village in Woodstock. The annual Sheltered Village Christmas party is planned for Dec. 5.

All Saints Sunday is Nov. 4. Members who have died during this past year will be remembered. The memorial gifts will be dedicated. Special music will feature the choirs, brass ensemble, organ and liturgical dance. New members will be received at 10:45 a.m. followed by a luncheon in their honor. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, the Rev. Arn Schaper will lead the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message is based on Jeremiah 14:7-10, Psalms 84:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 and Luke 18:9-14. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Music will be offered by the Senior Choir. There will be a congregational meeting after the service.

A Greater Gift sale, featuring items made by artisans from all over the world, will be held Sunday and Nov. 4 and 11. This sale was formerly referred to as the SERRV Sale, a part of the mission of this international organization in support of artisan and farming communities across the globe. The goal of the organization is to promote social and economic progress for the people of developing nations by marketing their products. Heritage Sunday will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 4.

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. For details, call (847) 658-5308.

First Congregational: On Sunday, the Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on Scripture from Luke 18:9-14 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St., Carpentersville. History teaches you that minor mistakes can get out of control and destroy you, unless you see your secret faults and seek forgiveness. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

First Congregational: This Sunday, the Rev. Richard Nye, transitional pastor, presents the theme, "A Celebration of Faithfulness," based on Psalm 8 and Matthew 28:16-28, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Sunday's Ministry of Music at the 10:15 a.m. service will be "People Need The Lord" by the Chancel Choir. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.

Bethlehem Lutheran: This weekend, the festival of the Reformation is celebrated in traditional services at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday and blended worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., West Dundee. The theme for this weekend's worship will be "The Crossroads of Faith," based on Romans 3:19-28. Join the "Trunk-or-Treat" celebration at 1 p.m. Sunday. Members of the congregation sponsor spots in the parking lot to share treats with the children of the congregation and community. Costumes are not required; costumes must not include pretend weapons. For details, call (847) 426-7311 or visit www.bethlehemdundee.org.

First UMC-West Dundee: On Sunday, the Rev. Steven Mindrup presents the sermon at the 10 a.m. service at First United Methodist Church, 318 W. Main St., West Dundee. Apple pies are available for sale for holiday parties. Art & Soul Ministry will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday in the dining room. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.