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.
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.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church will host a two-part introduction gathering to provide general information about our church and our ministries. Part one of the introduction will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9:30 a.m.-noon. A continental breakfast will be served. Part two will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, from 4-6:30 p.m. A light dinner will be provided. APC is located at 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Child care will be provided, but parents must register by calling 703-729-2012 or visiting 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.
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 invites families to its annual family Advent wreath making at the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Sunday, Nov. 27, from 2-4 p.m. Cost is $10 per family. Space is limited, so call the church, 703-404-0900 for reservations or visit www.potomacfallschurch.org.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church meets for Sunday services, 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling.
Congregation ShaÕare Shalom will host the first musical program in its new synagogue at 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m.
The woodwind chamber group, Ensemble ˆ la Carte, will perform a work by local composer David Rubenstein along with works by Jacques Ibert, Georges Auric, and George Gershwin. ShaÕare Shalom Rabbi Neil will be joining the Ensemble for a selection of Traditional Hebrew songs as a guest vocalist with the Ensemble. In addition, Rubenstein, who lives in Reston, will be attending to see the performance of his 2005 composition A Summer Song for flute, clarinet, and bassoon. The performance will be followed by a wine and cheese reception with the musicians and Rubenstein.
Congregation ShaÕare Shalom invites all in the community to attend. The suggested donation is $10 each in advance or $15 at the door on the day of the performance.
Tickets can be reserved by mailing checks to Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, P.O. Box 4518, Leesburg VA 20175. Tickets are also available at the synagogue. Hours are posted on the Web site, www.sha-areshalom.org or call 703-669-4588.
Chanukah Extravaganza, Saturday, Dec. 10, 6:30-9 p.m., Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turpike, Fairfax. Free. Featuring arts and crafts; games; entertainment; latke and dessert bar; moon bounce and other gym fun. Call 703-323-0880, Ext. 39 or www.jccnv.org.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg, has a full schedule of community music events over the coming months, including:
* 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.
2nd Annual WF/EL Chanukah Bash fro western Fairfax/eastern Loudoun communities, Sunday, Dec. 18, 12-4 p.m., Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon. Features arts and crafts; games; music and entertainment. Food available for purchase. Co-sponsored by Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple Beth Torah, Congregation Yad Shalom, Congregation Sha'are Shalom, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation and Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation. Call 703-323-0880, Ext. 39 or www.jccnv.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.