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Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, celebrates Christmas with services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Gather Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. for a Children's Service; at 7 p.m. for a Family Candlelight Service with orchestra; and at 10:45 p.m. for a Festival Carol Candlelight Service.
On Christmas Day, gather at 11 a.m. for a Carol Communion Service.
On Sunday, Dec. 26, there will be the "Service of Lessons and Carols" at 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Bring bells to ring during the service. The Handbell Ensemble will be performing. A special welcome to college students will be included at the 11 a.m. service.
On News Year's Eve, at 8 p.m., everyone is invited to a special, one-hour program titled "Sing In the New Year" as Walt Rossbach, minister of music, offers favorite hymns/songs, each paired with a concert version for organ and virtual orchestra.
The evening will close with Beethoven's "Joyful, Joyful we adore thee" and Guy Lombardo's "Auld Lang Syne."
For more information call 703-759-6068 or check the Web site at www.Christ-the-King-Lutheran.org.
St. John's Episcopal Church offers a variety of Christmas worship opportunities.
On Dec. 24, a Christmas Eve family service of Holy Eucharist, Rite 2, takes place at 4 p.m., following Christmas music at 3:30. This service is especially designed for families with young children. There will be familiar carols led by St. John's Choristers and a Christmas story read by the rector.
At 7 p.m., a traditional service of Holy Eucharist, Rite 1, includes familiar carols led by the Youth Choir at 6:30 p.m.
At 10:30 p.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite 1, follows 10 p.m. Christmas music. The Senior Choir, accompanied on harp and keyboard, will lead with familiar carols, and the rector will preach.
On Christmas Day, Celebrate Christmas morning at 10 a.m. with Holy Eucharist, Rite 1; a sermon by the rector; and the singing of familiar carols led by a soloist.
St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, 703-356-4902.
Immanuel Presbyterian Church celebrates Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, beginning with a family worship at 4 p.m. Traditional services follow at 6 and 8 p.m. and conclude with an 11 p.m. candlelight communion. All members of the community are welcome to join in sharing the music and words of any of these holiday observances at the church, 1125 Savile Lane, McLean. For more information call 703-356-3042.
Christmas Pageant. Friday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m., at Little Falls Church, 6025 Little Falls Road, Arlington. Bring family, friends and neighbors to the annual Little Falls Christmas Eve Pageant and Candlelight Service. The pageant is a traditional Nativity with a multigenerational cast and includes a candlelight service and Christmas carols. Free. Ample free parking adjacent to church. Visit www.littlefallschurch.org/ChristmasPageant2004FS.html. Free.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church hosts a Live Nativity on Friday, Dec. 24, 4-6 p.m. Children can visit with farm animals and the "Holy
Family." The event is free; bring cameras. At 5 p.m., children and adults are welcome to the church's Children's Christmas Worship service, a brief service designed especially for preschool- and school-aged kids. The church's Candlelight and Carols service for the whole family is at 8 p.m. St. Luke's is 1 mile east of Tysons Corner Mall at 7628 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. For more information, call 703-893-9220.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean offers three Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24. The first worship service is at 6:30 p.m. and is prepared for children. The children will retell the Christmas story, featuring the youth and bell choirs. Candlelight services at 9 and 11 p.m. offer Holy Communion. The services consist of traditional candle-lighting, a sermon and carols.
The Christmas Day Service on Saturday, Dec. 25, at 10 a.m., is an opportunity for friends and families to celebrate the birth of Christ.
As the calendar turns to the year 2005, Redeemer will be open for mediation and prayer beginning at 10 a.m. A service of worship with Holy Communion begins at 6:30 p.m. The New Year will be welcomed with the ringing of bells. All are invited.
The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call 703-356-3346.
A support group for survivors of abuse by clergy and other members of the church meets Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m., in the downstairs meeting room of the Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Road, McLean. The group is co-sponsored by Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) and Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). For information or directions, contact 703-538-6128.
McLean Women's Bible Study, a nondenominational study that meets on Thursday mornings in a member's home in McLean, is opening membership for study sessions to begin mid-September. Anyone interested in learning more about the teachings of the Bible through speakers, small group discussion and fellowship may call Lisa Parcells at 703-448-9045 or Lynn Nelson at 703-757-4751.
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, has worship services Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m.
Adults may attend a Bible Study on Job led by Joanne Durig, "Crossways," led by Gale Bobzien, and an adult forum led by Bob Hummel. Positions are open in the Handbell Ringers group, which meet Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., under the direction of Jane Cooper, and in the King’s Choir on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., under the direction of Walt Rossbach. For more information contact 703-759-6068 or Christ-The-King-Lutheran.org.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church, 114 Kingsley Road in Vienna, member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offers traditional worship in accordance with the historic liturgy of the church. The current Sunday schedule includes Bible study and Sunday school for all ages at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. A Lutheran book club is also offered twice a month. A midweek Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., preceded by "Ask the Pastor" time at 7 p.m. Call 703-455-4003 for more information or visit www.saint-athanasius.org.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8 and 11 a.m., in the rich Lutheran tradition of liturgical song mixed with music of the masters, spirituals and contemporary Christian music. Contemporary worship is at 9:30 a.m., with fresh liturgical song and contemporary Christian music led by Revelation. Christian education for all ages is 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. Christian education is available for everyone from preschoolers through adults. Classes are always open to newcomers.
The church is located at 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, on the Oakton side of Vienna near McDonald’s. Call 703-938-2119.
Body & Soul offers a high/low impact aerobic workout, kick boxing, strength training, Pilates all in one exercise session to the latest in contemporary Christian music. There are several church locations to choose from. All are welcome.
McLean Bible Church holds classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:45-11:15 a.m. Call Mary Ward at 703-830-2478 for more information. Child care is offered. Classes are also offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:15 p.m. Contact Tricia Van Ryn at trva@yahoo.com.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a Fit over 50 version on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. Call Lynn Mostellar at 703-698-8624.
The Baha’i community of McLean holds a weekly fireside, a meeting of discussion, devotion and fellowship, at 7500 Box Elder Court in McLean, beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday. The fireside is an opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith and why Baha’is find hope in a seemingly hopeless world. Call 703-556-3400.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, holds Sunday services at 10 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be — Belong, Become, Believe." Visit www.charleswesleyumc.org
Vienna Baptist Church offers numerous Christian worship, education, music and mission opportunities. Each Sunday begins with a high-energy VBPraise service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., providing different programs to people of all ages. The traditional liturgical worship service takes place at 11 a.m. The church is located at 541 Marshall Road, Vienna. For more information, call 703-281-4400 or visit www.vbc-va.org.
Faith Baptist Church, located at 301 Center St. S., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for all ages, 11 a.m. worship, and Bible Study on Sunday at 6 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., The Awana children's club for fourth- through sixth-graders takes place during the school year. Nursery school is provided for all services. The preschool and kindergarten program uses the abeka curriculum and serves ages 3, 4 and 5. Visit the Web site at www.FaithBaptistVienna.org or e-mail Faith@tidalwave.net. Call the church at 703-938-9688.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer celebrates a contemporary service at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, supplementing its traditional worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Modern praise music is sung, accompanied by a band of nine musicians on electric keyboard, bass and acoustic guitars, trumpet and drums.
Concurrently at 9:45, adult Bible study and Sunday School for children age 3 through high school. Nursery is available at all services.
The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. For more information, visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call the office at 703-356-3346.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for contemporary worship the first Sunday of every month at noon. This new service will incorporate uplifting music; a warm, friendly, casual atmosphere; and interesting sermons. In addition to this service, traditional services take place every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.
Chabad at Tysons is holding a Shabbat educational service at the Embassy suites Hotel on Route 7 (next door to the Toys R Us, across from the Container store). Saturday morning service starts at 9:30 a.m., Torah discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Call 703-356-3451, or e-mail ChabadTysons@aol.com.
The Great Falls United Methodist Church offers two services with different worship styles. The 8:30 a.m. service is traditional, and the 11 a.m. service is a blend of contemporary and traditional styles. The church is located at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.