E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Westminster Presbyterian Alexandria, 2701 Cameron Mills Road. www.wpc-alex.org, has a variety of events:
Maundy Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Worship with Communion
Good Friday, April 10, noon – 3 p.m. Chapel open for silent meditation; 7:30 p.m. Worship service
Easter Sunday, April 12, Worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., with Commonwealth Brass
Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, has programs scheduled for Holy Week and Easter including 6:30 a.m. liturgy on Good Friday; 6 p.m. children’s liturgy at 6 p.m. on Good Friday; 10 p.m. Agape Feast on Holy Saturday; 9 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. Festival Eucharist on Easter and 10:15 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt on Easter. Visit www.gracealex.org or 703-549-9180 for a full list.
Easter Egg Hunt at Calvary Presbyterian Church, on Sunday, April 12, will immediately follow the 10 a.m. Easter Service. All preschool and elementary-aged children are invited to participate — and are asked to bring a basket. Maundy Thursday service on April 9 is at 7:30 p.m. Calvary Presbyterian Church is located at 6120 North Kings Highway, Alexandria. Call 703-768-8510.
Summer Camp coming to Messiah. Camp will run from June 22 to Aug. 28, 7:30-6 p.m. Full and part time available. Messiah Lutheran Church, 6510 Ft. Hunt Road. Contact Anndra, 703-765-5003.
Holy Week services. Palm Sunday at Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church, 3512 Old Dominion Blvd., will feature a new cantata entitled "Calvary's Mountain: A Cantata for Passiontide" by John Leavitt, composed in 2008. Holy Thursday service will begin at 7:30 pm and feature the Lord’s supper. Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. will focus on the crucifixion. Visit www.bhcumc.org for more.
Easter for Kids and Grown-ups. Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church will hold two services on Easter morning, April 12. The 9:30 a.m. service is child friendly, with lots of music and opportunity for children to interact. The service is followed by an Easter egg hunt on the playground. The 11 a.m. service is a more traditional service of worship, featuring the chancel choir. Guests, newcomers, all are welcome. 3512 Old Dominion Blvd. Visit www.bhcumc.org.
Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 E. Windsor Ave., holds “The Prayground: A Worship Service for Kids and their Grown-Ups” at 9 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Enjoy music, balloons, surprises and more. Free. Visit www.delrayumc.org or 703-549-2088.
On the first Monday of each month, the 6:30 p.m. service is a Requiem Eucharist. Names of loved ones who died during that month in any year and of our service men and women who died in the previous month are read aloud during the service. To have a loved one added to the list, call the parish office at 703-549-1980 and providing the full name and date of death. The December Requiem Eucharist will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1. Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Visit www.gracealex.org.
Monthly Music and Spirit Service takes place on the second Sunday of each month at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St. This contemplative worship service is a time apart from the busyness of life, bringing together music from the Taizé and Iona communities, scripture, intercessory and healing prayer, and silence. For more information, contact Mary Kay Brown at Marykay@stpaulsepis.com. To volunteer to assist with the music leadership, contact Douglas A. Beck at Douglas@stpaulsepis.com.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Mt. Vernon, located at 1509 Collingwood Road, invites all to attend Sunday services at 10 a.m. Wednesday testimony meetings are held at 7 p.m. There is child care at all services. The Christian Science Reading Room is open to the public
Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All are welcome.
St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road has a group of moms and pre-school kids that meets every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for coffee, muffins, and fellowship and moves into the church at 9:30 a.m. to take part in the Day School’s chapel service. 703-360-4220.
Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, gathers each Sunday at 5 p.m. for a worship gathering. All are welcome. Visit www.convergenceccf.net, or call 703-998-6260.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1509 Collingwood Road, Mount Vernon, is now holding Wednesday evening meetings at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 703-768-2494.
The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist Meditation at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 North Alfred St. in Alexandria. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. Buddhist Nun Kelsang Varahi will be teaching. $10/class. For more information visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation holds services at 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Religious school is on Wednesdays evening and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat on first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Beth El is located at 3830 Seminary Road in Alexandria. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church has worship at informal service on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, or, come to a traditional worship service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Sunday school classes for all ages, start at 9:45 a.m. On Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Church Library, located in the Fellowship Hall, a group gathers together for a time of fellowship and prayer and a light meal is provided. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church is located at 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. 703-765-6118 or visit www.mvpconline.org for more.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, located at 8710 Mount Vernon Highway in Alexandria is offering a "Coming Home" process at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month to ask questions, get an update on the church, and to help decide if it's time to reconnect with parish life. Contact Rob Doerschner at 703-822-0523.
The Urban Passage Inc., a faith-based non-profit organization, seeks adult volunteers, 50 years and older, to mentor high-risk youth at the Northern Virginia Juvenile detention Home in Alexandria. Volunteers are also needed to serve as youth advisory council leaders and community service project leaders for a program that serves terminally and seriously ill children at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The Christian Women In The Marketplace meets to study God's word at the Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The CBWC meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Additional information contact Pamela Nilsen at 703-660-6759.
AWANA is an international, non-denominational, Bible centered youth organization providing weekly clubs and programs for ages three-year-old through high school. Engleside Baptist Church's, 8428 Highland Lane, AWANA club consists of three parts, Handbook Time, Council Time, and Game Time. Club meetings are held every Wednesday night during the school year from 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-780-5410.
Up Where We Belong Family Ministry will hold its Northern Virginia's Super Church event, the third Sunday of every month starting at 10:40 a.m., at Mount Vernon High School's main auditorium. Bring the family and participate in their worship celebration and eligible families will receive free groceries. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Bishop Robert Lewis Taylor at 703-878-2247.
Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria, holds a weekly Sunday celebration service starting at 11 a.m. For more information on Rising Hope's programs call, 703-360-1976. All programs are free.
*“Kingdom of Living” Bible Study held each Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The study is led by three members of Rising Hope and focused on understanding specific Bible chapters. Child care is available during each session.
*“Building a People of Power” Empowerment Series held each Tuesday from 6:45-8:30 p.m. A study led by Rev. Keary on Robert Linthicum's book on the Biblical foundation for advocacy and empowerment of people who may feel unable to affect change in systems.
* Celebrate Recovery-- a Christ-centered recovery program with groups for men and women follows the model developed by Saddleback Church, California. This is held each Friday with worship at 6:45 p.m., recovery groups at 7:30 p.m. and fellowship from 8:30-9 p.m. Child care is available, if requested in advance.
* Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. each Sunday. Led by members of Rising Hope with various study guides used. Held at the same time as Rising Hope's Children's Sunday School.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, holds services at 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Religious school is on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat on first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Adult choir accompanist (pianist) is needed for a small Presbyterian church in Alexandria. One weekly rehearsal: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; one Sunday service at 10 a.m. (rehearsal at 9 a.m.). Contact church office at 703-768-8510 for more information.
Calvary Presbyterian Church, 620 N. Kings Highway, is looking for additional people with a desire to sing. All sections, soprano, alto, tenor and bass are desired. Contact Sue at 703-451-1919 evenings or 703-487-3948 daytime with any questions.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, has special summer hours: services are at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Calvary Presbyterian Church, 6120 N. Kings Highway, is a welcoming congregation building a positive ongoing relationship with the community, providing opportunities for spiritual nurture, growth and service in Christ’s ministry. Sunday Church Service: 10 a.m.; Sunday School 11:30 a.m.; Ladies Bible Study; Sunday Afternoon Young Adult Women's Bible Study. Pastor is Erin Sharp. Visit www.calvarypres.org or 703-768-8510.