Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged.
Our Savior's Way Lutheran Church will be celebrating Advent and Christmas with several worship services. Advent services will be held, Wednesdays, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services include a 5 p.m. family Christmas service, a 7 p.m. carols and candlelight service, a 9 p.m. carols, candlelight and praise service and an 11 p.m. candlelight and communion service. There will also be a service on Christmas Day at 11 a.m. OSWLC is located at the intersection of Waxpool Road and Claiborne Parkway. Visit www.oswlc.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, 21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100, Ashburn, is having a candle lighting and Chanukah party, Sunday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m. Each family is asked to bring a menorah to light as part of a communal lighting ceremony led by Rabbi Jesse Gallop. The evening will also include music, dreidel playing, craft activities and donuts. Call 703-729-1659, visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail worshipvp@bcrcva.org.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling, will hold a service Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:30 a.m., which will be based on Patricia Polacco's "The Trees of the Dancing Goats," a tale of compassion and community that honors both Hanukkah and Christmas. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
The Women's Earth-Based Spirituality group at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling, will present a winter solstice service, at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22. Through ancient stories, song and ritual, the less commercialized side of the holiday season will be celebrated. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, Sterling, is holding four Christmas Eve services: the family Nativity pageant, 5 p.m.; traditional candlelight communion services, 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling, will have two Christmas Eve services Wednesday, Dec. 24 with a reception in between. An intergenerational service called "Lessons and Carols" will be held 5-5:30 p.m. "Candlelight Reflection," a meditative celebration of the season will be held 6-6:45 p.m. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, will hold a discussion titled "Relearning Heschel, Rebirthing King, Re-Inaugurating America: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day," Friday, Jan. 16, 6:30-7:15 p.m. The erev Shabbat service will follow at 7:30 p.m. Child care provided. Free. Visit www.sha-areshalom.org.
Stephen Ministry at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road in Ashburn, is a one-to-one listening ministry for those who need support for reasons such as divorce, loss of a loved one, recent hospitalization or terminal illness. Although Stephen Ministers are not counselors, they do empathize with those they are called to support and help them to find comfort through God's loving presence. Call Mark Armstrong, associate pastor at 703-729-2012 or visit the church Web site at ww.ashburnpresbyterian.org.