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Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist Service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Service. At 7:30 p.m., Adat Reyim, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Burke Presbyterian Church and the ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center will meet at Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, for fellowship and Thanksgiving celebration. For more information, call 703-764-0456 or visit www.burkepreschurch.org.
Alternative Gift Fair. Grace Presbyterian Church in Springfield will host an alternative gift fair at on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 12 p.m. The fair offers an opportunity to make charitable Christmas gifts to an array of causes in honor of friends and family. Donors will receive gift certificates for presentation to those they honor with gifts. Causes range from local groups to global charities. The church is at the corner of Grace and Bath streets in Springfield. For more information, call 703-451-2900.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, its Jewish in Northern Virginia Affinity Network, and the Shalom Baby Project are hosting a discussion on "Building a Jewish Identity for You and Your Child: Jewish Education, Camping and the Israel Experience," with Avi West, executive director, Board of Jewish Education of Greater Washington, and Dr. Richard Wagner, head of school, Gesher Jewish Day School of Northern Virginia, on Sunday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV), 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax,. R.S.V.P. by Dec. 5, to Sharon Doner at 301-230-7288 or Sharon.doner@shalomdc.org. This program is free and open to the public. Babysitting is available for $5 per family. Refreshments will be served; dietary laws observed.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a series of Advent Nights, which will include wreath making, caroling, dessert social and more. The events will take place on Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at 6 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
"Christians in Wartime." Gary Bauer, former Reagan administration chief domestic policy advisor and current head of the social policy advocacy organization American Values, will be the speaker for the first quarterly "Breakfast with Champions" on Dec. 6, sponsored by the Men's Ministry of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield. The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., with praise music and breakfast, and ends at 9 a.m. After Bauer's presentation, he will accept questions. Cost is $6. Reservations may be made on Sunday morning between church services in the church's Glass Breezeway, by calling 703-813-1955 or by e-mailing reid@immanuelbible.net. The church is located at 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield.
Holiday Dance for Singles. Saturday, Dec. 6, 8:30 p.m.-midnight, at Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Dance lessons will begin at 7:45 p.m., for those interested. Black tie optional. Guests are encouraged to bring a hat or gloves as a donation for the homeless. Cost is $5 with a dish of finger food to share and $10 otherwise. For more information, call Shari at 703-569-9862 ext. 213.
Messiah United Methodist Church presents its 13th annual concert of Handel's "Messiah," Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. A community chorus from all over Northern Virginia will be joined for the occasion by professional orchestra and soloists under the direction of Roger G. Miller, director of music ministries at Messiah. A free-will offering will be taken. The concert will take place at Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. For more information about the concert, call Roger Miller at 703-569-9862.
"A Passion for Justice: the Clarence Darrow Story," with actor Paul Morella. On Sunday, Dec. 7, meet in the chapel of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, for an evening of intellectual stimulation and fun. The number of tickets is limited due to the capacity of the chapel and fire regulations. To reserve tickets for this performance, call Barbara Al-Turki, 703-799-4642. Tickets are $20.
"WAIT - It's a Musical!" written by local songwriter Chris Anderson, is performed at two area churches on Sunday, Dec. 7. The Christ United Methodist Church band, located at 8285 Glen Eagles Lane, Fairfax Station, presents the performance during the 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. The Full Circle band at Floris United Methodist Church, located at 2730 Centreville Road, Herndon, will perform the musical during their 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. services. "WAIT - It's a Musical!" is based on Biblical accounts of Jesus's birth as told by Luke. Writer Chris Anderson won the Baltimore 2003 Grammy Demo Contest for "Their Leader," one of the songs featured in the production. All performances are free. For information about the Floris performance, call 703-793-0026; for information about the Christ United performance, call 703-690-3401. For information about the musical or to purchase a CD, call AM Tune Shop at 703-758-4875 or visit www.amtuneshop.com.
The Worship Company presents "The Twelve Plays of Christmas" on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at Church of the Apostles, 3500 Pickett Road, Fairfax. Tickets may be purchased at the door for 5$/person or 20$/family. For further information, visit www.ChurchoftheApostles.org.
The Knights of Colombus and CYO sponsors the Nativity Parish Night of Music on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church of the Nativity, 2400 Nativity Lane, Burke. Nativity's choirs and Nemeh perform in concert. Doors open at 7 p.m., and seating is on a first-come basis. There will be no tickets; however, donations for the Summer Appalachian Home Building and CYO Workcamp would be greatly appreciated.
Jubilee Christian Center hosts its annual Christmas Holiday Dinner on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 12 p.m., following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. There is no charge for the dinner. Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
"Another Glory," a Christmas cantata, is presented at Jubilee Christian Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. The Christmas Choir, directed by Steve Price, includes adults and children singing songs of Christmas. Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. No charge. 703-383-1170. Free refreshments will follow.
New World Unity Church hosts a Christmas Candlelight Service on Sunday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m., at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 6304 Lee Chapel Road, Burke. Participate in the commemoration of the birth of Christ and the Christ essence in each person, and make a personal commitment to unfold one of the 12 spiritual gifts in the coming year. Hear five original compositions, including "Celebrate the Birth!" Reception to follow. Children are welcome to participate. Infant and toddler care provided. For more information, call 703-690-7925 or visit www.NewWorldUnity.org.
A Christmas Eve service takes place at Jubilee Christian Center on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. Free refreshments will follow. Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
Harvest Church will host a Candlelight Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m., at Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St., in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. For more information, contact the church office at 703-971-7070. Come celebrate the Christmas season each Sunday in December at 10:30 a.m.
Burke Community Church celebrates three Christmas Eve candlelight services on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 5, 7 or 9 p.m. BCC is located at the corner of Old Keene Mill Road and the Fairfax County Parkway.
Wellspring Church invites anyone who has no home or family nearby to join in a hearty Christmas soup supper on Christmas afternoon, 2-6 p.m., at Centreville Fire Station No. 17 on Old Centreville Road. Volunteers are needed, including servers and musicians, to reach out to the Western Fairfax – Prince William community. Financial donations are also welcome. Call Wellspring Church Pastor Jeremy McLeod, 703-830-0695, or e-mail WellspringUCC@aol.com to help. Wellspring is a new congregation of the United Church of Christ, and welcomes all to join its “circle of love for all people.” Worship on Sundays is at 10 a.m. at Centreville Fire Station No. 17, and includes Sunday School for children. For additional information, call Pastor McLeod, or check the Web site, www.wellspringucc.com.
World Healing Meditation. On Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m., meet at 8044 Galla Knoll Circle, Springfield. Since its initiation in 1986 by John Randolph Price, millions of people have gathered each year at noon Greenwich Mean Time to pray for the recognition of the healing of the planet. Meditation is followed by a breakfast together. For more information, call 703-690-7925 or visit www.NewWorldUnity.org.
Burke Presbyterian Church offers a Coffeehouse Worship Service on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., for those people who may be unavailable Sunday mornings or are seeking a break from a more traditional style of worship. The service offers the same lesson and sermon as the Sunday service, but in a less formal environment. A nursery is provided for young children. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive in Burke.
Harvest Church is sponsoring the study series "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren every Wednesday at 7 p.m., at Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St., Alexandria. Pastor Tim Cerce is currently leading this study, which focuses on the question, "What on Earth am I here for?" For more information, call the church office at 703-971-7070.
New World Unity Church offers a Sunday Celebration Service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Irving Middle School , 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. New World Unity is a Christ-centered spiritual community dedicated to building a consciousness of oneness based on unconditional love and total acceptance. Services include prayer, music, meaningful message, food and celebration. Call 703-690-7925.
With the voice of their own generation, the youth group of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road in Fairfax, brings a new worship service to senior and junior high-age students on the following Sundays: Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 29, Mar. 21 and Apr. 18. The services will take place at 7 p.m., in the church's sanctuary. One Sunday a month, the youth band “Nothing but Faith” will sing and perform for the service while other students deliver the message, scripture readings and prayers. Communion will be celebrated. Parents and youth of all ages are encouraged to participate.
New World Unity Church offers a Sunday Celebration Service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Irving Middle School, located at 8100 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield. New World Unity Church is a spiritual community consciously co-creating a peaceful, harmonious world that recognizes Oneness. Children's programs begin at 9:30 a.m. World Peace Meditation takes place at 10 a.m., and Sunday Celebration Service begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 703-690-7925 or visit www.NewWorldUnity.org.