Notes on Religion

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: At 5 p.m. today, a special contemporary worship service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 11628 Main St., Huntley. This service will include praise and worship music, drama, prayer and a message from the pastor. Sunday school children and teens are invited to attend the service. Nursery services will be provided for those too young to participate. This Sunday, the Rev. Walter Thyng's sermon will be "The Dodecahedron Solution," based on Luke 20:27-40, at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services. The theme is, "Heaven is God's gift to the faithful and we never truly comprehend God's gifts until we live them."

The Sunday AM's, the high school handbell choir, will play in both services. The Sunday school children continue the study of John the Baptist.

At 10 a.m., between the services, there will be a special congregational meeting to discuss the pulpit search procedure.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, there will be a junior high versus senior high video scavenger hunt. All junior or senior high youth are invited to participate. Meet at the church. At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Knit/Crochet Group meets. The Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the Dolans.

On Nov. 18, the annual Bell's Brunch will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for age 12 and younger. They may be purchased from bell choir members, the church office or at the door. For details, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Children of the Resurrection," 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. 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 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. All those who have served in the U.S. military will be recognized during the worship on Veterans Day.

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 meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family program tags will be available at the church from Nov. 11-25, with gifts due Dec. 2. They are looking to adopt seven to eight families in need, and they also will be trying to help a family in Tennessee. Further details are available at the church.

Parents and children, infant to fifth grade, are welcome to Niagara Smalls at the church for activities from 5 to 6 p.m. and pizza dinner from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The theme will be "God's Blessings" on Wednesday.

On Nov. 18, the volunteers from Living Waters will be helping the Red Cross by having a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Even if you are not a possible candidate, come in anyway and let the Red Cross make an evaluation. Walk-ins are welcome.

On Nov. 21, Thanksgiving Eve's "Breads, Pies and Spreads" will follow the 7 p.m. service. For details, call (815) 455-2424 or visit www. livingwaterschurch.com.

Shepherd of the Prairie: On Sunday, Nancy Ramirez 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. The Rev. Mark Boster will return to the pulpit Nov. 18 for Harvest Sunday services. There will be no confirmation class on Nov. 21. The Thanksgiving Eve service will be at 7 p.m. in the Cosman Center cafeteria. After the service, the Women's Ministry will host a coffee hour featuring many homemade pies. Call (847) 515-3711 or visit www.sotp.org.

Faith Community: On Sunday, the Rev. Michael Fish will talk about "Surviving the Holidays, Part Two -- It's All Relative (Family)" 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.

The Men of Faith will hold their monthly breakfast meeting at 8 a.m. today at the Old Country Buffet on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. The discussion this month will be about building a spiritual infrastructure with God as a base. All men of faith are welcome. The church will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. until noon Sunday. If you would like to be a donor, call the church office at (224) 569-6501 to schedule an appointment. Red blood cell donors also are needed.

The middle school "Affirmation of Faith" classes will be Wednesdays with dinner at 5:15 p.m. and classes and small groups at 6 p.m. All youth in middle school are invited to attend. The "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Century 21 office on Route 31 in Algonquin. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.faithcommunity churchhuntley.com.

Unitarian church: On Sunday, the congregational will learn of "The Four Agreements" at 10:45 a.m. service at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock.

The Rev. Dan Larsen and church member Scott Brix will both speak about this book on personal freedom taken from Toltec wisdom. The church also will be accepting new members into the congregation during a special ceremony. Church school students will remain at worship until after Sue McCowin's children's story and then go to religious education class. For details, call (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@cucw.org or visit www.cucw.org.

First Congregational: On Youth Sunday, the middle school and high school youth will lead the services at the First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Worship is at 9 and 10:45 a.m. The Chancel, middle school, Alleluia Sound, high school, choirs will sing at both services.

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.

After each service, coffee is served in the fellowship hall. The First Forum study group will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the library.

On Sunday, the Junior Fellowship middle school group will serve a chili dinner after the second service, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an annual fundraiser; free-will donations will be collected at the door. On Sunday, the Pilgrim Fellowship high school youth group will meet in the Youth Room at 6:30 p.m. for Game Night.

On Wednesday, the Seasons of the Spirit Study Group continues its fall study at 10 a.m. in the library.

On Thursday, Young at Heart group will meet at noon at the Crystal Lake Country Club for their November luncheon and program. The program this month features Sandy Ehlert, the leader of FCC's justfootprints, an environmental ChristCare group. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or FCCCrystalLake.org.

Bethany Lutheran: On Sunday, Mark Vansarrel from the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, will share the message 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. The fall Stewardship focus "God's Paths of Stewardship" culminates with Commitment Sunday. During worship, members will have an opportunity to make a commitment to share their time, talent and treasure in 2008. The kindergarten milestone, Friendship, is celebrated during the 9 a.m. service. Child care is available at the 9 and 10:45 a.m.

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 1 p.m. Dec. 5. The World View Mission Market opens on Nov. 18. Featured will be items from Greece, Turkey, Africa and the U.S. as well as handcrafted items from Bethany members. The Senior Breakfast Club meets at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Colonial Restaurant in Crystal Lake.

With the Community Harvest, Bethany joins other Crystal Lake churches bringing items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry from now until Thanksgiving Eve. This harvest of items will be placed in the sanctuary through Thanksgiving Eve. Or folks can help by purchasing a Thanksgiving dinner basket for a family of 4; it costs $12.50.

Thanksgiving Eve worship will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, followed by the annual Pie Fest. Thanksgiving Outreach is World Hunger. For details, call (815) 459-2690 or visit www.bethanylc.com.

Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, guest speaker Tessa Barnes with Church World Service will speak at the 10 a.m. service at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message is based on Haggai 1:5b-2:9, Psalms 145:1-5, 17-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, and Luke 20:27-38. Sunday school will be 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Music will be offered by the Senior Choir. November is Mission Month and the sermons for the month will be focused on mission.

They are having "A Greater Gift Sale," a program of SERRV International. This is an opportunity to purchase at a reasonable price these handcrafted pieces, made by individuals in Third World countries. This sale helps these artisans get a fair price for their goods and provides credit, business training opportunities and offers a way to keep their families out of poverty's reach.

The Harvest Festival All-Church Luncheon will be from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Thanksgiving Service will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Congregational Church of Algonquin. Church Underground Teen Lock-in will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 22.

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.

First Congregational: On Sunday, Rev. Jim Benzing will focus on scripture from Luke 20:27-38 at the 10 a.m. service at First Congregational Church, 30 N. Washington St. in Carpentersville. The resurrection is a mystery. It defies explanation. Yet God is a God of the living not the dead. The resurrection is the linchpin of your faith in a God who will not abandon the creation of God's hands. On Sunday, church members will be dedicating their newly installed lift, and handicapped accessible renovated bathrooms. At last January's congregational meeting, this extension was chosen as an important goal. After exploring the project, the decision was made to make accessibility happen as soon as possible. Funds for the project were available from a trust fund. For details, call (847) 428-1712.

Kneseth Israel: Congregation Kneseth Israel provides a full range of religious and community programs. A youth program is available for sixth grade to high school. In addition, interest groups meet regularly for men, women, seniors, and others.

This week's Torah portion is "Toldot." 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. For details, call (847) 741-5656.

Shirat Shalom: Congregation Shirat Shalom, 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, 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 "Toldot," where God speaks to the matriarch Rebecca. For details, call (847) 695-6246, e-mail hazzansarah@gmail. com, or visit www. CongregationShiratShalom. org

Bethlehem Lutheran: This weekend, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in West Dundee remembers veterans. The theme for the weekend's worship will be "The Dash," based on 2 Timothy 2:1-7. The church will welcome representatives of the local Veterans of Foreign War post for a flag presentation at the 10:30 a.m. service.

The 5:30 p.m. worship Saturday, and 8 a.m. worship Sunday are traditional liturgical services with music led by the organ. The 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday is a modern worship style with music led by the praise band, The Messengers. Sunday school, junior confirmation class, and adult Bible study meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Sunday. For details, call (847) 426-7311.

Immanuel Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. Phillip Baerwolf shares the message based on the story of the burning bush found in Exodus 3:1-15 at 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St. in East Dundee. The sermon is "Broken Down, Busted and Barefoot at the Burning Bush." Faith Factory for children and Acts 2 Bible Fellowship for adults are offered at 9:20 a.m. This Sunday in Acts 2, visiting missionary the Rev. Carl Hansen will be sharing his passion and experiences in missions and ministry serving as coordinator for Missions in Asia. Come hear his story and see what amazing things God is doing in the Asia region.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Immanuel has a midweek service called "Piano, Prayer and Preaching." This week, the Rev. William Yonker will share the second in a sermon series, "Two Questions that Demand an Answer." This week's message is called "Do You Love Me?" For details, call (847) 428-4477, or visit immanuel-ed.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. Sunday school is held for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at 10 a.m. A nursery is also provided.

A Thanksgiving Potluck will be held Nov. 18 after worship. Donations of 12 pounds of frozen turkeys are needed as well as, helpers to cook, serve and clean up. Be sure to sign up. For details, call (847) 426-2113 or visit www.firstumcdundee.net.

First Congregational: On Veterans Day Sunday, the Rev. Donald Longbottom, senior intentional interim pastor, presents the theme "God, Gravity and Grit," based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8, at First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee. Sunday services are at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Holy Communion will be offered.

The Local Mission Ministry is sponsoring collections for the needy. Donations of food and monetary support to supply needy families in the community Thanksgiving dinners are being collected through Nov. 18. Christmas gifts are being gathered for the Elgin Mental Health Center patients through Dec. 11. Contact the church office for a complete list of items to be collected. For details, call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.