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Members of Ekoji Buddhist Temple remember their ancestors and celebrate life at the annual Buddhist Obon Festival on Saturday, July 13, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The festival features traditional Japanese Odori dancing, a performance by Nen Daiko Drum Ensemble and games for children. Free admission and the public is invited. The Bon Service will take place on Sunday, July 14 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Shojo Honda officiating. For more information about Ekoji Buddhist Temple, visit www.Ekoji.org.
Women at the Well, an interdenominational Christian woman1s group invites you to their meeting on Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. entitled The Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit. Well-known speaker Christine Gramenopoulos, director of the Fairfax County chapter of Women at the Well will be speaking. Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax. For more information call 703-503-8519. Free.
Brave Believers Vacation Bible School will be held at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Fairfax from July 15-19 from 9 a.m.-noon for ages 3 through rising fourth-graders. Call the church office at 703-378-7272 or stop by for a registration form.
United Community Ministries is calling for donations of food, homeless care package items, baby items, personal care items, bags and other various needs. Give through your church or community organization or drop off your donations at 7511 Fordson Road between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, Ext. 328, for more information.
St. Andrew1s Episcopal Church of Burke will sponsor a vacation bible school for ages 31/2 through rising sixth grade. The theme 3Brave Believers-Extreme Faith Stories2 invites participants to explore five stories that Jesus knew about brave believers who were part of God1s salvation story. VBS is from 9:30am-12:30pm, July 15-19 and is located at 6509 Sydenstricker Rd., Burke, across from Pohick Regional Library. For more information or to register a child, call 703 455-2500 or visit www.standrews.com.
All are welcome to join the Fresh Fire congregation every Sunday for a service at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sackey and his congregation invite all to participate in preaching and teaching, praise and worship, in a Christ-centered ministry. Fresh Fire International Center meets at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. For more information, call 703-815-8950.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 9350 Braddock Road in Burke, is offering a monthly support group for chronic-pain sufferers. The group will meet the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-323-5400 for more information.
The following is a list of various events taking place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax:
Bible study every Tuesday night starting at 7 p.m.;
Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.;
Sunday morning service at 11 a.m. except fifth Sunday, when service begins at 9 a.m.
For more information, call the administration office at 703-273-1455.
Truro Used Book Sale presented by Truro Episcopal Church, 10520 Main St., Fairfax, on Aug. 9, noon-5 p.m.; Aug. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and on Aug. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The church will gladly accept any books, videos and cassettes that you would be willing to donate. Children1s books needed. Books may be dropped off at Truro Parish Office anytime after July 26. Tax donation forms available. If you have any questions, call 703-644-6512.
T.O.T. Preschool, a ministry of Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield, will begin its 15th year of operation in September. This is a developmental, Christian preschool with degreed teachers and small classes. Registration for fall 2002 classes is now being accepted. Call the preschool at 703-644-6384.
The Celebration Singers, a costumed and choreographed, all-volunteer, women1s show chorus, invites singers to join them. The group sings a variety of music in three voice ranges - soprano, second soprano and alto. They rehearse on Wednesdays during the day alternating between Heritage Hunt in Gainesville and the Springfield United Methodist Church. For more information, call Virginia Halterman at 703-321-9126 or Nora Steiger at 703-971-2124.
Each Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, Messiah United Methodist Church, located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield, holds a prayer service. This is a service that Messiah started in January. Those in need of God1s help to deal with life1s stresses and difficulties are welcome to experience the power of corporate prayer. All in the community are welcome. For more information, call 703-569-9862.