Huntley Congregational church will give contemporary service a try

Are you a dedicated hymn lover, or is it strictly "praise and worship" music you're into?

Or maybe a little of both?

A contemporary worship style built on modern music may be a given at today's newer churches, but traditional congregations are jumping on the bandwagon, too.

Many offer a contemporary service among otherwise hymn-centered worship each weekend.

In Huntley, First Congregational Church, 11628 E. Main St., will step into contemporary worship for the first time with a 5 p.m. service on Saturday.

"We're really looking at this as an experiment," said Sheri Storer, director of parish life.

"It is mostly just to gauge what the interest is, not only for the congregation, but also for the community.

"It's so much all over the place now, a contemporary service," Storer said. "And in wishing to meet the needs of possibly some of the younger families, we'd like to offer them something, too."

The church is also hoping to attract new members, as well as people who prefer traditional worship but are open to a change of pace.

If you like the music you hear on the "K-Love" radio station, you'll like the songs the band plays Saturday, Storer said.

Besides praise music, a 10-minute drama will complement Pastor Walter Thyng's sermon, and worshippers will be invited to share prayer needs themselves instead of the pastor announcing them.

The congregation will be asked to complete a brief survey after the service, and Storer is eager to see the results.

"I think that it's just a style of worship that some people can really be affected by," Storer said.

"It might not be everybody's thing, but we're trying to emphasize that that's OK. We're hoping it will provide a new way of worship for somebody who's interested in a less formal approach."

The public, as always, is welcome to attend, and nursery care will be provided. For more information, call the church at (847) 669-3691.

Insights into Israel: A Jewish coalition in McHenry County is inviting the public to share in what should be a very interesting event on Tuesday.

The Honorable Barukh Binah, Israeli Consul General for the Midwest, will be the guest of Congregation Tikkun Olam and McHenry County Jewish Congregation, both of Crystal Lake, and the Shalom Group of Sun City Huntley.

Binah will give the audience a snapshot of what's going on in Israeli politics, said Ellen Morton, MCJC spokeswoman.

"It's always helpful for us to understand more of the particulars," she said.

The 7:30 p.m. talk may be wide-ranging, but "there's some discussion (in Israel) recently in terms of who has oversight over Jerusalem," Morton said.

"Israel might, just in a very preliminary way, be open to discussing whether parts of Jerusalem might come under international or Arab rule.

"It's that kind of thing, where it would be fascinating to have a member of the Israeli foreign service provide some insight."

Binah has been a member of Israel's foreign service since 1979 and has worked in diplomacy, research, policy planning and media relations. He has served in Washington, D.C., as Minister-Counselor for public affairs at the Israeli embassy.

In Jerusalem, he served as head of the International Affairs Bureau in the Center for Political Research of the foreign ministry.

The three McHenry County groups have been working together on adult programming for a year or so, and hope to focus on politics and environmental issues in the coming months, said Morton.

Tuesday's program at the Huntley Park District building cafeteria, 12015 Mill St., is free, but an RSVP would be appreciated.

Call Tikkun Olam at (815) 334-7110, MCJC at (815) 455-1810, or the Shalom Group at (847) 669-7144.

Help a child: It's not too soon to start thinking about Christmas (I can't believe I'm saying that!), and if you'd like to help with Operation Christmas Child this year, the time is exactly right.

This annual project sponsored by Samaritan's Purse encourages everyday Santas to collect shoe boxes full of small gifts for children suffering as a result of natural disasters, war, terrorism, disease, poverty and famine. Since 1993, more than 54 million boxes have been hand-delivered to hurting kids in 120 countries.

Fox Valley Church, at 37W073 Huntley Road, West Dundee, is now a designated drop-off center for Operation Christmas Child. The congregation hopes to fill more than 500 boxes with school supplies, toys and other necessities -- and your shoe box can be one of them.

To find out more about packing a shoe box or volunteering during National Collection Week, which is Monday through Nov. 18, call (847) 844-1010.

• What's going on at your church or synagogue? Do you have a special program, new staff, big plans? Someone who deserves recognition or something a little out of the ordinary? Contact "In the Spirit" at cmchojnacki@yahoo.com.