McHenry County religion notes
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 will welcome the Israeli Consulate Senior Policy Advisor Bob Schwartz as he discusses "Settlements and the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process," at an adult education session scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at MCJC. His speech will be preceded by a dinner of Israeli food, catered by Expressly Leslie of Woodstock. RSVPs are requested by phone (815) 455-1810 or e-mail hamsa@mc.net by Feb. 5. There is no charge for the event, but donations are welcome to cover dinner costs.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, they will host a fundraiser and dinner designed to allow participants to swap unwanted treasures with others at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit MCJC. For details, call Shelley at (815) 455-1492, or MCJC at (815) 455-1810.
Rabbi Maralee Gordon offers a class for adults called "Feeling at Home in the Synagogue: What does Judaism have to Say About -" from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays. The classes are open to all adults. Adult education is also offered at noon Wednesdays. Religious school meets each Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon. Twice-a-week instruction is offered to second- to seventh-grade students, and Sunday-only instruction is offered for the parent-tot, pre-K and kindergarten to first grade classes, and those in eighth grade through high school. Adult education is also offered at noon Sundays and Wednesdays.
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 also operates a gift shop offering a range of Judaica items. 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.
At its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Book Club will explore the life and times of the famous Jewish scholar Rashi when it discusses the book, "Rashi's Daughters, Book I: Joheved: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France." The book, the first in a series of three, is historical fiction, as the author, Maggie Anton, attempts to create what life may have been like for Rashi's daughter, Joheved. Little is known about Joheved and her two sisters, however legend holds that all three were learned at a time when women were forbidden from reading sacred texts. The book is available in paperback from stores and online book sellers. All are welcome to attend the Book Club.
St. John Lutheran: This weekend, the Rev. William Stroup will deliver the message, "Motivated by Love," based on 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13, 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 Sunday at 9:15 a.m. A supervised nursery is offered at the 10:30 a.m. service. Sunday school children meet at the 10:30 a.m. service, and are excused to go to their classes after the children's message. Coffee and Fellowship follows the Sunday services.
Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the 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. 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: This weekend, worship will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley. Holy Communion will be celebrated at each service. Sunday school and nursery care is available at both Sunday services. On Sunday, Jan. 31, a new member gathering will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the church. Call the church office if you are interested becoming a member. On Tuesday, the first music team will meet at 5 p.m. with the second music team at 6 p.m., and the Little Lambs Learning Program will be from 9 a.m. to noon. On Wednesdays, confirmation class will meet at 6 p.m. for pizza and class at 6:30 p.m. The Shepherd Voices Choir will meet at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, will be the First Trivia Night. On Friday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13, an "All Generation Winter Retreat" will be held at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wis. On Sunday, Feb. 14, "Bring a Friend" to Sunday school. Call (847) 669-9448 or visit www.sotp.org.
Faith Community: On Sunday, Jan. 31, the Rev. Bruce Cole leads worship with part two of the series, "Better Together - Reaching Out Together," at the 9 a.m. blended service and 10:30 a.m. contemporary service 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. New members are welcome. Awana meets Mondays with a family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Kids Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. "Friends" Bible study meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. They are currently studying the book "The Power of a Woman's Words" by Sharon Jaynes. All women are welcome. Adult Bible studies are offered at 9 a.m. Wednesdays to discuss the scripture of the upcoming sermon. There is also a 7:30 p.m. Bible study on the Parables of Jesus. Kids in sixth to eighth grades meet each week for Wednesday Night Live. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by large group, worship and praise at 6 p.m. and small groups at 6:30 p.m. Pickup is at 7:30 p.m.
The Faith Community Food Pantry is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. First-time clients should bring a photo ID and proof of residency. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
Congregational Church of Algonquin: On Sunday, Jan. 31, the Rev. Brian Cope will preach will be at 8 and 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. The message will be based on Luke 4:21-30. Sunday school for seventh to 12th grade is at 9 a.m. Music will be provided by the Senior Choir and the children of the Sunday school. There will be a congregational meeting at 11 a.m. The Adult Christian LIFE hour is at 9 a.m. Sundays with different classes. Shepherd University, the children's Sunday school program, will be at 10 a.m. Sundays. The Senior Center, located in the community room of the east side branch of the Algonquin Library, was created to provide a gathering place for senior adults where fellowship, socialization, educational and enrichment opportunities are available. The center, sponsored by the Congregational Church, is open each Tuesday from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For details, call the church at (847) 658-5308, and leave a message for Wynn Ann Roggeveen. Tuesday with the Pastor Bible study will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays with "The Bible and Prayer," "History of Prayer," "Types of Prayer," "Prayers of Different Faiths" and "How to Pray." The Puppet Ministry will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays On Sunday, Feb. 7, the church will begin its 160th anniversary featuring Gary Miller and the Dixieland Band at the 10 a.m. service. 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.
Unitarian church: On Sunday, Jan. 31, he church will celebrate the installation of the Rev. James Hobart as interim minister and the Rev. Dan Larsen as community minister at "A Celebration of Transition" at the 10:45 a.m. service at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St. Church school and nursery care are available. The Rev. Ian Evison (District Executive) will speak. For details, call the church at (815) 338-0731, e-mail office@uucofwoodstock.org or visit www.uucofwoodstock.org.
First Congregational: On Sunday, Jan. 31, the Rev. Arn Schaper will preach at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. Sunday school is offered at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Each Sunday, all children, age 2 to 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. On Sunday, Jan. 31, it will be will be Adult Work Tour Aluminum Can Collection and Pilgrim Fellowship will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. On Tuesday, Feb. 2, "Advance Health Care Planning" will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Seasons of the Spirit Bible Study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. On Thursday, Feb. 4, the Women's Fellowship Luncheon and Program will be held at noon in the fellowship hall. For details, call (815) 459-6010 or visit fcc-cl.org.
McHenry County Church of Religious Science: On Sunday, Jan. 31, the Rev. Anne Muelleman will use a question and answer format to answer questions about the fundamental principles and prove that they really do "work" to bring about greater joy, peace, happiness and abundance at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, McHenry County Church of Religious Science. Traditionally, the first month of the year is set aside in Religious Science centers to review the basic life-changing, empowering principles taught in the Science of Mind. Everyone is welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Sunday Celebration Service at 204 Spring St., lower level in Cary. Music will be provided by Deb Powless. There is a children's program and toddler care. If you arrive early, there is a meditation at 9:30 a.m. The church is also offering a special four-week introduction class to Science of Mind, the philosophy of Religious Science. Rev. Muelleman will facilitate this class, held at the church, on a love offering basis. Introduction to Science of Mind will be from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 19 to Feb. 9. This basic class will cover the paradigm, philosophy and practical application of Religious Science in daily life. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.