Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Chanukah Happening. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2-5 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Latkes and sufganiyot, Little Latke Lounge for ages 2 and under, olive oil press, arts and crafts, Chanukah story time and song room, moon bounce, face painting, balloon artist and more. Bring a bag of nonperishable items for the local food bank and/or a new toy to be donated to those in need. $10 member families, $18 non-member families. www.jccnv.org.
A Celtic Christmas. Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., at Springfield Christian Church, 5407 Backlick Road, Springfield. With the Springfield Christian and Burke United Methodist combined choirs, assisted by Celtic ensemble Mystic Harmony on Celtic harp, flute, keyboard, percussion and vocals. 703-354-4994.
Burke Presbyterian Church events are open to everyone, at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. All events are free. Contact 703-764-0456 or www.BurkePresChurch.org.
* Breakfast with St. Nick. 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Pictures with St. Nick, craft making and more. Reserve at SaintNick@BurkePresChurch.org.
* Christmas Eve Services on Thursday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m. Children's Pageant with children's and youth choirs; 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service with chancel and bell choirs; 11 p.m. Candlelight and Communion Service with folk group and flute choir.
Come see the Christmas Cantata, "Morning Star,” Dec. 13, 11 a.m., at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria.. Celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Bush Hill Presbyterian Church, 4916 Franconia Road, Alexandria, will have Advent and Christmas services. Contact 703-971-1171 or www.bushhill.org.
* Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. With the Bush Hill Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir, handbells and readings. Prelude Music at 4:30 p.m. to feature harp, strings, and organ.
* Family Christmas Eve Service with Communion on Thursday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.
* Christmas Eve Service with Communion on Thursday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.
Volunteers are needed Dec. 23 and 25 for the Phoenix Rising Meal Program at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. Help serve bagged meals to homeless people living along the Route One corridor between North Kings Highway and the Fairfax County Parkway in Alexandria. All ages can help assemble the bag lunches and assist in delivery. Meals will be prepared Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 6:30 p.m., and delivered Friday, Dec. 25, at 5:30 p.m. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Christmas Eve Services. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. The Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Watch Night Service. 11 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Seniors are invited to the Lunch N’ Life sponsored by the Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke on Thursday, Jan. 21, from 12- 2 p.m., at Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. The program will be presented by Phyllis Verhalen performing as Abigail Adams in period costume. Seating is limited. For reservations, call Faye Quesenberry 703-620-0161 by Jan. 14. $8; checks payable to SCFB. If transportation is needed, call the SCFB office 703-323-4788. See www.fairfax-burkesc.org.
United Methodist Men Breakfast is on Saturday Jan. 23, at 8 a.m., at Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria. The men of Franconia UMM (United Methodist Men) will begin another year in ministry to the men of the congregation with their annual kickoff breakfast to plan out the entire year of 2010. All men are welcome. 703-971-5151 or www.franconiaumc.org.
Messiah United Methodist Church is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. For more information, call 703-569-9862 or visit www.messiahumc.org.
* A Community of Contagious Joy. Sunday Worship: 8:15 a.m., with Holy Communion every Sunday; and 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month.
* Heartline: An interactive praise and worship service, Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
One God Ministry Church, 4280/4282 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, has launched a new Web site with news, events, training, conferences, fellowship programs and more. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., Sunday Worship Service at 11 a.m., and Wednesday Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Women’s, Men’s, and Youth Bible Studies are on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. A Spiritual Gifts Service is the first Friday of every month at 7 p.m. One God Ministry has ministries for youth, men, women, couples, music and singles. 703-591-6161 or www.onegodministry.org.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church presents Financial Peace University, a video-based small group study that teaches families how to beat debt, build wealth and better manage their finances. Contact Arlene K. Darke at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. 703-323-9500 or adarke@lordoflifelutheran.com.
New Women's Bible Study meets at Jubilee Christian Center on Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m. The study will focus on "Spirit, Soul, and Body" by Andrew Wommack. $10 per person. Nursery provided for registered children. 703-383-1170 or www.jccag.org.
The Fresh Fire congregation meets 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. 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.
International Calvary Church Sunday services in English are at 9:45 a.m., Korean services at 11:30 a.m. and youth services at 11:30 a.m. Sunday School classes in English are 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 at 8:30 p.m. 5700 Hanover Ave., Springfield. 703-569-1918.
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. 703-922-4295 or www.MOPS.org.
The Shalem Institute free monthly prayer opportunities. Time together, 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 accepted. Meet on the third Monday of the month from 7:30 p.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. www.shalem.org or 301-897-7334.
The following is a list of events 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 a.m., except for the fourth Sunday of the month, when Sunday School is at 9 a.m.
* Sunday morning service at 11 a.m.
* Commonwealth Care Center ministry every first and third Thursday night. Call 703-273-1455.
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. 703-569-7577 or www.adatreyim.org.
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. 703-370-9400 or www.bethelhebrew.org.
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 or www.fbcspringfield.org.
Clifton Presbyterian Church, located at 12748 Richards Lane, Clifton, offers Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 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. 703-817-1770 or 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. 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 at the church or call 703-451-5320.
JCCNV Mother’s Circle program, for women who are not Jewish but are raising Jewish children. Free education in Jewish rituals, practices and values, while respecting the participant’s choice to retain her own religious identity. Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax. Contact Laurie Albert, 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
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. Call Martha Malloy at 703-273-5369.
The Jewish Social Services Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, offers a variety of family programs. Call 703-204-9100 for details or to register.
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, located on 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. www.mccnova.com or 703-691-0930.
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.
Arabic Bible Baptist Church is located at 5424 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Pastor: Tony Ghareeb. Call 703-273-5599 or e-mail 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. The Fairfax Church of Christ is located at 3901Rubgy Road, Fairfax. 703-631-2100 or www.fxcc.org.
A casual worship service with a praise band is at 9:45 a.m. at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road in Springfield. www.sumcdisciples.org or 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. www.stmatthewsumc.org or 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.