Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Sterling United Methodist Church will hold its 9th Annual Craft Sale, Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the church, 304 E. Church Road. Includes homemade crafts for Thanksgiving, Christmas and home decoration year round. Call Jan, 703-430-6555 or the church, 703-450-6113.
Christian Music and Ministry Network presents "A Night of Praise and Thanksgiving" Saturday, Nov. 5, at First Baptist Church of Sterling, 21449 Potomac View Road, Sterling. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. Free admission. Featuring Reddletter, Minister Howard Sapp, J-Mac, Deanna Ransom, Yadah. CM&MN is partnering with a local service organization to collect food for those in need. Please bring nonperishable food donations. Call 703-430-3322, 571-259-5424 or 703-499-6441.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church welcomes guest speaker the Rev. Jim Welsh, Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling. Welsh is the founder and chairman of Summer's best Two Weeks, a residential Christian Sports, recreation and wilderness camp in western Pennsylvania. Call 703-404-0990 or visit www.potomacfallschurch.org.
On Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will feature a sermon titled "The Prodigal Son," a clarification and re-interpretation of Jesus' parables. UUS meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W & OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg, has a full schedule of community music events over the coming months, including:
* Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. "Portrait of America," benefit concert for Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers
* Dec. 4, 4 p.m. Advent and Christmas Concert, by the Choirs of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
* Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. Christmas Concert Ñ Vivaldi's "Gloria," by the Loudoun Chorale
* Dec. 11, Christmas Concert, by the 60-voice youth choirs of the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy: The Blue Ridge Choristers, and TOPS Ñ Top of Virginia girls choir
* Feb. 26, 8:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity and 11 a.m., at St. James Episcopal, combined choirs, in worship setting: "Deutsche Messe" by Franz Schubert.
Galilee United Methodist Church invites the community to a service of Prayer for Healing and Wholeness, Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Galilee United Methodist Church is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Visit the Web site www.Galileeumc.org or call the Rev. Bob Bavender, 703-430-2203 or e-mail the church at Galileeumc@Galileeumc.net.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church invites women to join in the annual, nationally acclaimed THRiVE simulcast. This year's theme is "Leading a Life of Significance."
A lineup of nationally known speakers and authors will connect with tens of thousands of women across North America. Speakers include Ruth Graham, Elizabeth George, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Shaunti Feldhahn, Valorie Burton, Florence Littauer, Carol Kent, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Les and Leslie Parrott.
The simulcast will be held at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Old Ashburn, Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lunch will be included. Tickets will be available in early September. Call 703-729-2012.
On Sunday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will welcome guest minister, the Rev. Don Robinson, in the pulpit. UUS meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W & OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia and Congregation ShaÕare Shalom in Leesburg announce plans for a new program for active adults at the congregation in Leesburg. Join the JCCNV staff, Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m., for a focus meeting. RSVP required by Nov. 7. A complimentary lunch will be served. Admission is free, including lunch. Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. 703-737-6500 or www.sha-areshalom.org.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church (APC) invites the community to a four-week sermon series focused on questions many people have about the Bible, heaven, Jesus and gratitude. The series will be presented from the perspective of a skeptic who brings questions to God.
Sundays through Nov. 20, John Peterson and Rev. Mark Armstrong will explore questions such as Is the Bible reliable - how does the truth in Scripture change the lives of people? Is heaven real - is it wishful thinking or is it real, what does the Bible say? Is Jesus trustworthy - why should we rely on His teachings? How do we give thanks to God for our blessings - even when things are going wrong?
The series will be highlighted at the contemporary worship service, which is held at 9:45 a.m., and the traditional worship service held at 11:15 a.m. APC is located at 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Call the offices at 703-729-2012 or visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
On Sunday, Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Matthew McNaught of the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will deliver a sermon titled "American Thanksgiving." UUS meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W & OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, has planned a new program for the children and youth of the congregation. For all age levels the Sunday topics will be based on the six sources from which UU faith is drawn: a shared sense of awe, the prophets from all faiths who guide the way, the world's wisdom, Christian and Jewish truths, reason and science, and nature's cycles.
The Explorers group goes from babies to children age 4. Every Sunday they will play and do an activity relating to the day's theme.
The kindergarten to seventh-grade group is called "Caring Community," which each week will explore a topic from one of the six sources. They will explore the day's theme by choosing from four or five activities.
The YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) are youth from grades eighth to 12. They will integrate five components including worship, leadership, learning, social action and fun. Some of the activities include donut discussions after the worship service, participating in covenant groups, service to the church and community, the fellowship of fun and games and attendance at Family Fun Nights, which take place the third Friday evening of each month, from 7-9 p.m., and will include board games, movies, music and snacks.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling is located at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Sunday, Nov. 27, at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Melora Crooker will be the guest minister in the pulpit at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling. Her sermon title is: "Let's Put the Fun Back in Dysfunctional: Family and the Holidays." UUS meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W & OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church meets for Sunday services at 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling. Sunday school for children and nursery care for infants is provided each week.
The Loudoun Church Alliance is a formal association of churches of many denominations, founded two years ago. It works in the areas of youth development, international missions, evangelism outreach, and is now working to develop relationships with government and business. Contact founder and missionary Jack Stagman at jackstagman@adelphia.net.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet on Sunday mornings, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will hold Sunday School every Sunday, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Boyd Montessori School in Ashburn. In addition to Sunday School, a second day of Hebrew School will be offered Tuesday evenings, from 7-8 p.m., at Sanders Corner Elementary School. Attendance is limited to fourth- through seventh-graders and adults interested in learning Hebrew. Contact Lisa Kimball at bradamk@aol.com or call 703-858-1999.