Know something that should be featured in Faith Notes? Send a brief write-up and photos to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6459.
Fairfax Christian Church is an emergent church focused on living out God's kingdom in the world. Open to people of all nations, races, cultures, and sexual orientations. Worship services are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Pastor is Rev. Laura Swett. Located at 10185 Main St., Fairfax. Call 703-385-3520 or see fairfaxchristian.org. Upcoming events include:
* Sermon series: "So You Want To See Change in the World?" Topics are: Dec. 9, "How stubborn are you?;" Dec. 16, "How good is your eyesight?" and Dec. 23, "How do you deal with interruptions?"
* Festival Service of Carols, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Music, drama, multi-media presentations.
* Candlelight Christmas Eve service, Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Immanuel Bible Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of Christmas by Candlelight Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. Call 703-229-6716 or see www.immanuelbible.net/christmas.
The Greater Little Zion Baptist Church presents its Christmas Cantata, "Christmas around the World," Saturday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the church, 10185 Zion Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-764-9111.
The children of Burke Community Church present the musical "The Twelve New Days of Christmas" on several occasions before Christmas. For information call Michele Brantley at 703-943-7003. Performance dates are:
* Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Burke Community Church, 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
* Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at The National Christmas Tree, at the White House Ellipse in Washington, D.C.
* Friday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at Tysons Corners’ Fashion Court, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean.
The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke offers an evening of prayer and contemplation to celebrate Advent Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 9350 Braddock Road, Burke. Come and walk their Chartres-style canvas labyrinth. 703-323-5400.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church offers Grief Share, a weekly support group for people who are grieving the death of someone close to them. Meets each Thursday until Dec. 13 from 7-9 p.m. in the Agape House at the corner of Hooes Road and Sydenstricker Road. Childcare provided if requested. For more information, call Kathy at 703 451-9021.
The Messiah United Methodist Church offers the following events and services. The church is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. For more, call 703-569-9862.
* The Singles at Messiah hosts the annual "Winter Wonderland Ball" Saturday, Dec. 15, from 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Age group is 40 and up. Black tie optional. $5 with a dish of finger foods to share, $10 without a dish.
* Handbell Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. Dessert reception follows. Free, donations accepted.
* Christmas Comfort Service. Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. For those who are hurting and in need of God’s comfort.
* GriefShare Support Group Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m. through Jan. 23. Focus on Christ-centered healing through small group interaction. To register for the sessions, call Irene Rich at 703-569-9862, ext. 212.
* Christmas Eve Services are 5 p.m. A worship service for families with children is 7 p.m. A service led by youth is 9 and 11 p.m.
A Christmas Cantata is offered Sunday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Contact Nancy Cappel, 703-978-3500 ext. 32.
Gan Israel offers a winter camp Dec. 24-28 for grades K-8 at Chabad Community Campus, 3939 Prince William Drive, Fairfax. Trips, crafts, daily Kosher lunch. 703-426-1980 or visit www.cginova.com.
Church of the Nativity offers a free general bereavement support group open to all adults on the first and third Thursday of each month 7:30-9 p.m. The church is located at 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke. Call 703-455-2400, ext. 17.
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington offers the USDA Special Milk Program to eligible children at St. Leo the Great School in Fairfax and St. Bernadette School in Springfield.
Burke Presbyterian Church, located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, offers a coffeehouse worship service on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., for people who may be unavailable Sunday mornings or are seeking a break from a more traditional style of worship. The service offers the same lesson and sermon as the Sunday service, but in a less formal environment. A nursery is provided for young children. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke.
Arabic Bible Baptist Church is located at 5424 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Pastor: Tony Ghareeb. Call 703-273-5599 or e-mail to Tghareeb@wmconnect.com.
The Fairfax Church of Christ sponsors a 16-week Divorce Recovery support group every Monday at 7 p.m. at the church. Call 703-631-2100 or visit www.fxcc.org. The Fairfax Church of Christ is located at 3901 Rugby Road, Fairfax.
Bible study at 7 p.m. at Silverbrook United Methodist Church, 8616 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. E-mail silverbrookumc@verizon.net.
A new casual worship service with a praise band is at 9:45 a.m. at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road in Springfield. Visit www.sumcdisciples.org or call 703-451-8223.
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church offers Crossroads, a new 'come as you are' worship service each Saturday evening at 5 p.m. at 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Visit www.stmatthewsumc.org or call 703-978-3500.
Truro Church MOPS would like to invite all mothers of preschool-aged children to join MOPS for relevant speakers, small group time with other moms and food. The group meets the second Thursday of every month, at Truro Church, located at 10520 Main St., Fairfax, in the church fellowship hall on the lower level. Call Amanda Qreitem at 703-222-2332 or e-mail amandazubi@hotmail.com.
All are welcome to join the Fresh Fire congregation every Sunday for a service at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sackey and his congregation invite all to participate in preaching and teaching, praise and worship, in a Christ-centered ministry. Fresh Fire International Center meets at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Call 703-815-8950.
Faith Communities in Action meets the first Wednesday of every other month from 2-4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2 and 3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
The Baha'i of Fairfax County Southwest offers "Interfaith Devotions: World Peace and Unity" for the general public on Saturdays. These free devotional gatherings meet at the Pohick Regional Library, Room #1, located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, 22015.
Fresh Fire International Center hosts a dress-down "Love Feast" on the second Sunday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Come meet new people, play games, enjoy a meal and hear the word. Call 703-815-8950.
International Calvary Church is a Christ, Bible and Spirit- centered church. Sunday services are as follows: English services at 9:45 a.m., Korean services at 11:30 a.m. and youth services at 11:30 a.m. Sunday School is as follows: English classes at 11:30 a.m. and children's classes at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible study and Youth Meeting are at 8 p.m. and Friday Prayer and Youth Meeting take place at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-569-1918. The International Calvary Church is located at 5700 Hanover Ave., Springfield.
Grace Weekday Preschool, a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church, accepts registration for the 2007-08 school year. Located at 7434 Bath St., Springfield. Classes offered for children ages 2-5 (pre-K). For more call 703-451-3314.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for people who are interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the Catholic Church. A group will be meeting on Wednesdays, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Leo the Great Church, 3704 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax in the Old Parish Hall and will continue to meet throughout the school year. Call Martha Malloy at 703-273-5369.
Jubilee Christian Center is offering free English classes as a second language during its Sunday School time, 10:10-10:50 a.m. on Sundays at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
St. Leo the Great in Fairfax hosts "Night of Praise" the first Saturday of each month, featuring praise music and Eucharist adoration at 7 p.m. Located at 3704 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
The Immanuel Bible Church MOPS group meets every Monday 7-9 p.m., at Immanuel Bible Church, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. MOPS is a group for pregnant or parenting mothers of children from infancy to kindergarten. For more, call Michelle Wright at 703-922-4295 or visit www.MOPS.org.
The Messiah United Methodist Church offers the following events and services. The church is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. For more, call 703-569-9862.
* Heartline is a contemporary praise and worship service Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* Sunday worship times are 8:15 a.m. with Holy Communion every Sunday, and 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. with Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month.
* Young Adult Bible Study is Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center. Join young adults in their 20s and 30s for a Bible study based on the "Lost" television series.
* The Child Enrichment Program has openings in 2-year-old classes for the 2007-08 school year. Call Betsy Findley at 703-569-3033 for more.
* Daytime M.O.M.S. Every Wednesday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. Features Cynthia Heald's "Becoming a Woman of Grace." Free child care.
The Church of the Nativity in Burke offers a Grief Support Group for all who have suffered the death of a loved one and are in need of the comfort that sharing can bring. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month, in the school building, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, and are open to all adults at no charge. For more, call Carol Mack at 703 533-2951.
New World Unity Church, at The Cary Building, 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, A-209 in Springfield, offers the following services. Call 703-913-8560 or visit www.NewWorldUnity.org for more.
* Inspirational Health facilitated by Karyn Collier is 1 p.m. the last Sunday of each month following the Pot Luck luncheon.
* Second Sundays at 6 p.m. is the Writer’s Circle.
* Third Sundays at 12:30 p.m. is Rational/Radical Application of New Thought (R/RANT), a spiritual support group for living beliefs.
* Sunday celebration service with music, meditation and a message every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. World Peace Meditation begins at 10:15 a.m. while youth and family ministry, serving infants to teens, provides age-appropriate lessons and activities during the children’s Sunday celebration at 10:30 a.m. The Metaphysical Bookstore is also available on Sundays.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
The following is a list of various events taking place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax:
* Bible study and Prayer Service every Tuesday starting at 7 p.m.
* Sunday School at 9:30-10:45 a.m., except for the fourth Sunday of the month, when Sunday School is offered 9-10 a.m.
* Sunday morning service at 11 a.m.
* Commonwealth Care Center ministry every first and third Thursday night. Call 703-273-1455.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for people interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the Catholic Church. A group meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3704 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Sessions are in the Old Parish Hall. All are welcome. For more information call Martha Malloy at 703-273-5369.
Church of the Nativity offers a free general bereavement support group, 7:30-9 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the church, 6400 Nativity Lane, near Old Keene Mill Road and Lee Chapel Road in Burke. Open to all adults. For more information call Carol Mack at 703-455-2400 ext. 17.
International Calvary Church is a Christ, Bible and Spirit- centered church. Sunday services are as follows: English services at 9:45 a.m., Korean services at 11:30 a.m. and youth services at 11:30 a.m. Sunday School is as follows: English classes at 11:30 a.m. and children's classes at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible study and Youth Meeting are at 8 p.m. and Friday Prayer and Youth Meeting take place at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-569-1918. The International Calvary Church is located at 5700 Hanover Ave., Springfield.
Jubilee Christian Center is offering free English classes as a second language during its Sunday School time, 10:10-10:50 a.m. on Sundays at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church’s TOT Preschool is registering for the 2007-08 school year. Half-day classes for 3- and 4-year-olds are offered two, three and five days a week. Music, German language and "In house" field trips supplement a developmental learning program. Children/teacher ratios are 12:2 in the 3-year-old class and 15:2 in the 4-year-old class. Located at 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. call 703-644-6384 or e-mail tot@sumcdisciples.org for information and a school tour.
St. Leo the Great in Fairfax hosts "Night of Praise" the first Saturday of each month, featuring praise music and Eucharist adoration at 7 p.m. Located at 3704 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
Congregation Adat Reyim offers services Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. Hebrew school is available on Sunday at 9 a.m. and Sunday and Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Preschool is Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. Located at 6500 Westerbury Oaks Court in Springfield. Call 703-569-7577 or visit www.adatreyim.org.
* Mom's Group. Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Ages 0-18 months.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation has services on Fridays, 8:15 p.m. and on Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. The temple is located at 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Religious school is on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat is on the first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat, a musical service, is the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Church of the Nativity offers a free general bereavement support group, 7:30-9 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the church, 6400 Nativity Lane, near Old Keene Mill Road and Lee Chapel Road in Burke. Open to all adults. For more information call Carol Mack at 703-455-2400 ext. 17.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
First Baptist Church of Springfield has Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday school at 9:15 a.m., Hispanic worship service at 9 a.m., Korean worship service at 2 p.m., and an Ethiopian service at 12:15 p.m. The pastor is Jim Weaver. Church is located at 7300 Gary St., Springfield. 703-451-1500. For more, visit www.fbcspringfield.org.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church offers GriefShare, a seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close, each Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Agape House at the church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. Each of the 14 sessions includes a video and small group discussion. Participants can join at any time. Call Kathy at 703-451-9021.
Fairfax Christian Church, located at 10185 Main St., Fairfax, presents a class that explores traditional Christian spiritual practices of meditation and healing on Sundays from 5:30-7 p.m. To register, call 703-385-3520 or e-mail fairfaxchristian1@verizon.net.
Clifton Presbyterian Church, located at 12748 Richards Lane, Clifton, offers Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Call 703-830-3175.
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton, conducts Sunday masses at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It also offers a Saturday vigil at 5:30 p.m. and a Wednesday Latin mass at 7 p.m. Call 703-817-1770 or visit www.st-andrew.org.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, offers casual worship services on Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m. featuring contemporary music.
More traditional services take place on Sunday mornings at 8:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:45-10:45 a.m. for children. The church also offers discussion groups for adults. Call 703-451-5855.
Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, located at 8336 Carrleigh Parkway in Springfield, supports a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are 9:30-11 a.m. at the church. All mothers and children are welcome. The program provides mothers an opportunity to get to know other mothers through discussions and craft activities. Adults in the MOPPET program will care for the children. Cost is $3 per session. Register by stopping by the church or calling 703-451-5320.
New Jerusalem Temple, 8850 Cross Chase Circle, Fairfax Station, conducts Sunday services at 10 a.m. at Halley Elementary and Bible studies on Tuesdays. Contact Pastor Florine Murphy at 703-922-3791.
The Spiritual Parenting support group meets the first Sunday of every month, 12-1 p.m., at Washington Irving Middle School in Springfield. For more information, visit www.NewWorldUnity.org or call 703-690-7925. Childcare is available on request.
Burke Community Church offers a weekly group for men called Men's Fraternity to help discover authentic manhood as directed through the Word of God. Tuesdays, 6 a.m., at 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
Divorce Care is a weekly Bible Study care group that helps those who are transitioning through a divorce. The group meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the church parlor at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield. Childcare and children's activities are provided. Call 703-451-1500.
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, located at 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, presents worship services on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and choir practice (open to all) on Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. Visit www.mccnova.com or call 703-691-0930.