St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling has arranged a pre-screening of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" at Regal Theaters Countryside on Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Contact the church office at 703-430-2121 to find out how to get tickets. St. Matthew's will have several activities in the week's following that will build on the movie. On Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m., there will be a Pancake Supper at the church with an opportunity for questions and answers regarding "The Passion". On Wednesday, Feb. 25, there will be three Ash Wednesday services at 6 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit
www.stmatthewssterling.org. St. Matthew's is located at 201 E. Frederick Drive, Sterling.
Life Christian Church is purchasing a number of ticket vouchers to encourage members to view Mel Gibson's new movie, "The Passion of the Christ." New Life is providing free tickets for people in the community who aren't church-goers, but are seeking to understand who Jesus is. Brett Andrews, senior minister of New Life, noted that "we hope the Passion movie will help people with their questions about Jesus. Jesus is so misunderstood today. Hopefully many people who might never enter a church building will check out the movie and discover Jesus in a fresh way."
New Life will also be holding a free screening of the movie on Sunday, Feb. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the Regal Cinemas in Sterling (across from the Dulles Towne Center).
If you would like more information on the screenings of "The Passion of The Christ," call New Life Christian Church at 703-266-0118 or email info@newlife4me.com or visit www.newlife4me.com. New Life Christian Church meets at Westfield High School in Chantilly and Regal Cinemas on Route 7 every Sunday morning.
Visitors are invited to join the Rev. John Morehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun on Sunday, Feb. 29 for his sermon titled, "Thin Places." Morehouse will explore times and places when the veil between the sacred and profane is very thin. After the 11:15 a.m. services, Morehouse will provide an orientation for those who would like to know more about Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun. Sunday services are held at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at the UUCL chapel, 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. For more information about UUCL, visit their Web site, www.uuloudoun.org. or call the church at 703-737-7644.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and its Shalom Baby Project, the Jewish in Northern Virginia Affinity (JNV) and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia’s Early Childhood Department are hosting a program about “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, Feb. 22, from 9:30 -11:30 a.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. RSVP to Sharon Doner at 301-230-7288 or sharon.doner@shalomdc.org. Babysitting is available at a cost of $5 per family; indicate number of children to participate when responding.
An introductory meeting for a study circle of Voluntary Simplicity will be held on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sterling, 22135 Davis Dr. in Sterling off Church Road near the bike path. Sponsored by the EcoStewards Alliance and using material compiled by North West Earth Institute, the study circle group will meet for eight sessions, with time and day of subsequent sessions determined at the first meeting. Some of the topics are: “Living More With Less”, “How Much is Enough” and “Swimming Against the Tide”. A $20 fee will include the cost of the textbook. To sign up call the church at 703-406-3068.
Enjoy the sounds of “Mosaic Harmony” in concert on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sterling, 22135 Davis Dr. in Sterling. Tickets are $15 per adult, $10 for seniors and students, and free for age 11 and under and may be purchased at the door. Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sterling, this concert will benefit the music program there. UUS meets on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am. For more information visit: www.uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Songs from the Secret Garden will be performed on Saturday, March 6 at 5 p.m. at Saint David's Episcopal Church, 19917 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Kate Brickley, violinist, Andy Rush, flutist, and an ensemble will perform a concert featuring selections with an Irish theme to benefit REACH Youth Mission Camps.
Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church will offer a five-week teaching and discussion series on Wednesday evenings during Lent from March 3-31. The series this year will be built around John R.W. Stott's excellent small book, Basic Christianity. Participants will have an opportunity to explore and discuss such issues as: Who is Jesus? What about sin? Why did Jesus die and what does that have to do with us? What does it mean to be a Christian?
Each session will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a simple "souper supper" in the Parish Hall. The program starts at 7:15 with a short overview session followed by small group discussion, and concludes with Compline (prayer service) by 8:30. There are a limited number of the books to fit the expected size of the group so sign up soon to get a copy of the book in advance. Sign up by emailing the church office at officemanager@saintmatthewssterling.org
or by phoning 703-430-2121. There will be a nominal charge for the book and voluntary contributions for the suppers. There will be a similar series for teens on Wednesday evenings. 201 East Frederick Drive, Sterling.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling (UUS) meet at 10:30 on Sunday mornings at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center located on 21355 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road. For more info visit www.uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
On Feb. 22 special guest speaker the Rev. Betty Jo Middleton, a part-time consulting minister at the UU Church of Loudoun in Leesburg, will reflect on the importance of faith development programs in congregational life. Her sermon is called "Conversations, Questions, and a Sense of Wonder". "It is All Here" is the title of the UUS service on Feb. 29. On Saturday night, Feb. 28, there will be a free movie night with discussion to follow at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sterling. Come and see "Bowling for Columbine" at 7 p.m. and be a part of the discussion about fear in our society. Popcorn and soda will be served. Adults and mature teenagers are welcome.
Consignors and volunteers needed for consignment sale. Items such as children's clothing, games, toys, baby equipment and furniture, etc. and maternity clothes can be consigned. The sale is Saturday, March 13 at the Knights of Columbus Barn, 401 West Holly Avenue in Sterling. Consignors receive 50 percent of the sale price for their consigned items. Volunteers receive 70 percent of their sale price for their consigned items and shop a special pre-sale. For information, call Laura Dumouchelle at 703-724-3997 or visit www.CatholicConsignments.org. Proceeds benefit Catholic vocations.