Know something that should be featured in Faith Notes? Classes? Services? Special events? Send a brief write-up and photos to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991, or write an e-mail to maweber@connectionnewspapers.com.
Two families residing in the McLean First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) each will have three children serving full-time missions simultaneously for the Church. Mark and Melody Dickson have two sons and a daughter currently serving full-time missions. Their daughter Camilla entered the Missionary Training Center on Tuesday en route to her mission in Puerto Rico. Their son Devin is currently working in the California San Francisco Mission, and their other son Spencer is in the Brazil Fortaleza Mission.
When Joe Kohler leaves home in early February for the Idaho Pocatello Mission, he will be the third person from his family simultaneously serving a full-time mission. His sister Anna is in Greece, and his brother Erik is in Bolivia. Joe is the son of Larry and Jane Kohler of McLean.
To serve as a full-time missionary for the LDS Church, young men must be 19 and the women 21 and in good standing with the Church. Men serve for two years and the women 18 months at their own expense.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean invites the general public, along with church members, to its Faith and Life Forums. These one-hour programs feature a speaker followed by discussion relating the topic to living one's Christian faith on a daily basis.
Sunday, Jan. 30, Redeemer member Dr. Thomas W. Imhoof presents "St. Anselm of Aosta (c. 1033-1109) and the Tension between Faith and Science."
Redeemer Church maintains a full calendar of worship, service, fellowship and learning activities for members as well as the community at large. It is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road at the corner of Westmoreland and Chain Bridge in McLean. For more information, visit its Web site at www.redeemer-mclean.org or call the office at 703-356-3346.
On Jan. 30, the Northern Virginia Ethical Society hosts Charlene Gomes, director of the Office of Public Interest at American University's Washington College of Law. Dr. Gomes will speak on "The Declining Rights of Pregnant Women." 11 a.m., at 225 Nutley St. N.W., Vienna. For more information about NoVES, visit the Web site, www.noves.org , or call 703-437-3161. Free.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean and the Luther Institute, headquartered in Washington, D.C., will host the first in their Evening Forum Series on Monday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be Norwegian ambassador to the United States, Knut Vollebaek. Ambassador Vollebaek will discuss "Making Peace in Today's World." The series is an ongoing evening program sponsored by the church and the Institute to serve the people of the Metropolitan area. The Evening Forum Series provides speakers who have made notable contemporary contributions in areas of faith, morality, justice, peace and the advancement of humankind. The relationships between church and state have frequently been engaged by those invited to address the forums.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean is sponsoring a motorcoach trip, with overnight stay, to Lancaster, Pa. to hear the acclaimed St. Olaf Choir of Northfield, Minn. on tour.ÊDates for the trip are Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 7 and 8. Reservations are being accepted until capacity is reached, but reservations will be accepted no later than Jan. 28. In addition to the concert, plans call for touring one of the oldest Lutheran churches in America, dinner and lodging at a full service hotel, and a motorcoach tour of the Amish country with stop at an Amish home and farm for a more personal glimpse of the Amish life and culture.ÊCost is $171 per person/double occupancy; singles $204. Details and reservation form can be printed from the church Web site, www.redeemermclean.org; or contact Jim Kuhagen at 703-534-8070 or jimkuhva@aol.com.
On Wednesday, Feb. 2, Jewish activists throughout Northern Virginia head to Richmond for their annual statewide lobbying day. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington is organizing Northern Virginia participation in conjunction with several local, state and national Jewish entities. Gov. Warner will provide a keynote address, and several other statewide officials will offer remarks. For more information, contact Debra Linick, 703-893-400, dlinick@jcouncil.org.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington is the public affairs and community relations arm of the Jewish community, representing 210 Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The JCRC focuses on government relations, Israel advocacy, intergroup relations, and social justice.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church will hold a Lenten study based on the film "The Passion of the Christ." See the video on Sunday, Feb. 6, 4-6:30 p.m., at the church. Then join in discussions from 4-5:30 on Sundays Feb. 13, 20 and 27 and Mar. 5. Note that this film is rated R for scenes of violence. St. Luke's United Methodist is at 7628 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, 1 mile east of Tysons Corner Mall. For information, call 703-893-9220.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church, 114 Kingsly 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 trvanryn@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 Ñ 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.
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.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for the Third Sunday Service every month at 10:15 a.m. This service allows the children to play active roles during the service, particularly in the music and as greeters and ushers. In addition to the Third Sunday Service, traditional services take place every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.