McHenry Co. religion notes
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Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian: Lenten Study opportunities at Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St., Crystal Lake includes "Chocolate for Lent." Lent isn't just about self-denial, nor is it about short-term changes that don't impact your life after Easter, and it's certainly not about just giving up chocolate. Lent is a season for growth and exploration, about preparation for a major change - to the post-resurrection life. Community members are welcome to join the church during Lent to indulge in a new class that explores the life of faith during Lent. They will use the book "Chocolate for Lent" and the movie "Chocolat" to contemplate together life, faith, community, indulgence and self-denial, spiritual growth and spiritual disciplines. Each week will include viewing some clips of the movie, discussion and some sampling of chocolate. The class will meet from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, March 4 to April 8 (no class March 25) in the fellowship hall. Copies of the book will be available in the church office for $10. (feel free to eat dinner during class if that's the time you arrive - they have food.) If you plan to participate in the class, it is recommended (though not required) to view the entire film.
Sunday morning Lenten study opportunities include a program at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, March 1 through April 5 in the Lounge.
"A Clearing Season" by Sarah Parsons is a personal journey into our own wilderness and what beasts there are in our lives: the obstructions and chaos that interfere with our relationship with God, followed by guidance and reflection on how to welcome God into our busy lives. This class will be based on discussion of our spiritual journey mixed with discussion of the book, and will be facilitated by Kathy Rabe. Books will be available at the first class or in the church office for $10.
On Sundays, March 1-29, Reading the Gospel According to John will be at 11 a.m. in the lounge. John's gospel is full of poetry, teaching, stories, praying - it contains some favorite scripture passages. This class will focus on daily reading - participants commit to read one chapter each day, and then to come together on Sunday morning to discuss what was read. All you need is a Bible and a willing heart to enter this Lenten journey. It will be facilitated by Jim Condill and Laura Gilmore. For information, call (815) 459-1132 or email office@rclpc.org.
Tikkun Olam: Congregation Tikkun Olam's next Shabbat service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Congregation Tikkun Olam is the only Jewish Reform congregation in the greater McHenry County area. Unaffiliated Jews and interfaith families are always welcome. For details on the congregation, its religious school or adult programs, visit the Web site at www.tikkun-olam.org or call (815) 334-7110.
McHenry County Jewish Congregation: The McHenry County Jewish Congregation will celebrate the festive holiday of Purim with a carnival from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 8, and a re-enactment of the Story of Esther put to the melodies of "The Wizard of Oz," at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 9. Purim celebrates Queen Esther's ability to save the Jewish people by thwarting the devious plans of the wicked Haman, adviser to the King. Members and guests are invited to dress in costume for both the carnival and the Book of Esther (Megillah) reading. Both events are free and open to all. As part of its "Bread and Torah" adult education series on Tuesday, March 31, MCJC will host a Passover Workshop. The series pairs the preparation of food with learning, and at this workshop, speakers will offer tips on making tasty Passover desserts along with ideas for livening up Passover seders. The session is free and open to all. The Passover holiday observance begins Wednesday, April 8. MCJC will hold a Festival Service at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 9, and a Community Seder at 6:30 p.m. that night. Reservations are required for the Seder, and details can be obtained by calling MCJC at (815) 455-1810 or visiting mcjc-online.org. In observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day, MCJC will hold a service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. The MCJC Book Club will also be meeting that evening to discuss "The Book Thief," by Marcus Zusak, a novel set in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. MCJC will be welcoming Beatrice Muchman, a Chicago-based author and hidden child of the Holocaust, from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 26. Her talk is free and open to all. MCJC 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.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Michelle McNamara's sermon will be "Joyful Wilderness Journey," based on Mark 1:9-15 and Psalm 25, at 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 Crusaders Bell Choir will play in the first. This is Communion Sunday. The Sunday school children will continue their journey called "Following the Footsteps of Jesus" by "traveling" to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus teaches about salvation. The performers for this year's Hobo Show will practice at 10:30 a.m.
At 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, the former Second Saturday contemporary worship will become a weekly event. This week, there will be a service project outing. Meet at the church at 5 p.m. to travel to Crystal Pines Rehab to hand out flowers and cards.
The Mission of the Month for March will be the Grafton Township Food Pantry, concentrating on Easter basket dinners for needy families. Items needed are canned vegetables, boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed potatoes and monetary donations.
On Wednesday, Clickin Sticks, the knit/crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. and the Chancel Choir will practice at 7 p.m. On Thursday, the Thursday Study Group will meet at 10:15 a.m. There will be a Lenten Organ Recital in the sanctuary at 12:10 p.m. given by Vernon Studt, organist of the church. The Genesis Bells will practice at 6 p.m. and the Whitechapel Bells will practice at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, March 7, the Men's Fellowship will meet at 7 a.m. to cook and at 8 a.m. to eat breakfast. At 5 p.m., the now-weekly contemporary worship will begin a First-Saturday Small Group Bible study. 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, "Vigilant in Prayer," based upon Colossians 4:2, 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 children meet at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, and are excused to go to their classes after the pastor's children's message. Adult Bible class Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and 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.
Evy's Cafe will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month.
The Lenten Season continues with a Lenten supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays followed by the Lenten service at 7 p.m. The theme this year is "Saul: The King Who Fell from Grace," based upon 1 Samuel 15:10-12a, 17-23.
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. Sunday school is at 9 a.m. March 1 is Grafton Good Pantry Collection. 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. Lenten services will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Cosman Center cafeteria. On Thursdays, Prairie Ringers Bell Choir will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cosman Center. On March 7, there will be the Women's Retreat and the beginning of First Communion instruction for fifth-graders from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The instruction will continue March 14 and 21 with First Communion celebrated at April 12 worship services. 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, March 1, the Rev. Bruce Cole will lead worship with the sermon, "Fishing Buddies" 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. The church will start a new contemporary worship at 10:30 a.m. March 1 where everyone is welcome. Also Sunday, March 1 they will hold their monthly Faith v. 1 membership class at 11:45 a.m. If you would like details about FCC or are ready for membership, join them. The church will host a 13-week class called "Financial Peace University" at 7 p.m. Fridays, starting March 20. Advance registration for the class is necessary by March 4. The cost is $99.51 per family. Call the church office to register or with questions. 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. On Feb. 23, the theme is "Fruit Night." The church will host "Family Night" each Wednesday during Lent starting with a family dinner at 6 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Open enrollment for preschool has begun. To schedule an appointment call Director Michelle Sullivan at (224) 569-6512. Call (224) 569-6501 or visit www.fccwired.tv.
First Congregational: On Sunday, March 1, the Rev. Budd Friend-Jones will preach at 9 and 10:45 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St. in Crystal Lake. Each Sunday at 9 and 10:45 a.m., all children, age 2 through seventh grade, will begin worship with their families. They will be excused to their appropriate Sunday school class early in the service. Nursery care and Toddler Time is provided for infants, and toddlers at each service. On Sunday, March 1, the Baby Pantry Drive and MayaWorks Trip planning meeting will be at noon in the Banner Library. On Wednesday, March 4, Seasons of the Spirit Bible study is held at 10:15 a.m. in the Banner Library. The Lenten Soup Supper will be at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall; Lenten Study at 7:15 p.m. in the chapel. On Thursday, March 5, the Women's Fellowship Luncheon and Program 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, March 1, the Rev. Anne S. Muelleman's topic is "In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb" at the Center for Spiritual Evolution, a Religious Science community. Special music will be by Lia Nicine McCoo. 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. For details, call (847) 516-1950 or visit www.newthoughtmchenry.org.