<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday.</i>
EDITOR'S NOTE: Many events listed have been cancelled due to the snow storm on Saturday, Dec. 19. Check the status of the event you want to attend by calling the contact numbers or web sites where available.
Old Fashioned Christmas Carol Sing, on Saturday, Dec. 19, 1-3 p.m. at Antioch Christian Church, 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna. Singing Christmas Carols with musicians from the Antioch Christian Church, sharing of the Christmas story and gifts for all children in attendance. 703-938-6753 or www.antiochdoc.org.
Vienna Baptist Living Nativity. 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, at Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road, S.W., Vienna. Angels, kings, shepherds, the Holy Family, live farm animals and more. Stay for hot drinks and cookies in the Fellowship Hall. 703-281-4400 or www.vbc-va.org.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna, will hold three Christmas Eve services on Thursday, Dec. 24. Contact 703-281-3987 or www.GoodShepherdVA.com.
*5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Liturgy, for children and families.
*7:30 p.m. Service of Music and the Word. Sharing the story of Christ’s birth, hymns and carols.
*11 p.m. Candlelight Communion service.
Oakton Church of the Brethren's Christmas Eve Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will feature candle lighting and communion. “Joy to the World, The Lord Has Come” is the title of the service. The church is located at 10025 Courthouse Rd., Vienna. For more information call 703 281-4411 or go to www.oaktonbrethren.org.
St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, will have several holiday season services. From Dec. 20-March 28, Sunday services will be at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. The adult forum and Sunday School will be at 9 a.m. Contact 703-759-2082 or www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org.
*Sunday/Dec. 20. 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Pageant during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service. Following the pageant, crafts from the Holy Land will be available for sale.
*Sunday/Dec. 20. 5 p.m. Zion Rise! Words and Music for a Winter’s Night. Celebrating Advent, Christmas, and the Winter Solstice. Free and open to the public.
*Thursday/Dec. 24. 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Abbreviated Eucharists with carols and a brief homily, suitable for children.
*Thursday/Dec. 24. 8 p.m. Christmas Eve service with the St. Francis adult choir.
*Thursday/Dec. 24. 11 p.m. Midnight Mass of the Nativity with the St. Francis adult choir and a professional string quartet.
*Friday/Dec. 25. 11 a.m. Worship service with Eucharist and carols.
*Sunday/Dec. 27. 10 a.m. Christmastide baptism with carols.
*Wednesday/Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m. Lessons and Carols service.
St. John's Episcopal Church at 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, will hold Christmas worship services. Contact 703-356-4902 or www.stjohnsmclean.org.
*Sunday, Dec. 20. 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Lessons will be read by parishioners and seasonal anthems sung by the choirs.
*Thursday, Dec. 24. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist at 4 p.m., following Christmas music at 3:30, for families with young children. At 7 p.m. a traditional service of Holy Eucharist includes carols led by the St. John's Quartet. At 10 p.m., Holy Eucharist follows Christmas music at 9:30 p.m. The Senior Choir with organ and woodwind accompaniment will lead the congregation in singing carols.
*Friday, Dec. 25. 10 a.m. Christmas morning Holy Eucharist.
Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, is hosting a Live Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. There are three acts that will begin every 20 minutes. 703-759-5949.
The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) offers a variety of support groups for those with emotional, social, and physical challenges. Contact Gary Axelrod, 301-610-8309 or gaxelrod@jssa.org, or www.jssa.org.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia offers a variety of free bereavement support groups, meeting on a weekly basis. Contact 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org for schedules and registration information.
McLean Bible Church Fitness Class at Body & Soul fitness. Balance is key, energy is renewed, strength is gained, and friendships are formed. Mondays 9:15 a.m. and Fridays 9:45 a.m. Childcare is free for registered students. E-mail bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org for more information.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoing classes on meditation and Buddhist philosophy, Mondays at 7 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 or www.meditation-dc.org.
Great Falls United Methodist Church at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-759-3705 offers “All Things New,” an ecumenical worship service, every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Based on the Beatitudes of Jesus, for people affected by anger, fear, stress, dealing with rejection, credit abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, physical/sexual addiction or eating disorders.
A Centering Prayer Group meets Fridays, 9:30 a.m. at Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna. The hour includes a brief reading related to Centering Prayer, followed by a 20-minute prayer period. E-mail Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Outreach Institute offer the Mothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella of free educational events and resources. Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation of a Jewish home, regular meetings and group Shabbats and holidays. Participants include Sha'are Shalom, Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple Rodef Shalom and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. ShalomDC.org.
Vienna Assembly of God has a ministry to children on Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. at the corner of Center N and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E. Children's Church on Sundays also available. 703-938-7736 or www.ViennaAG.com.
Vienna Christian Healing Rooms, every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane. A team of Christians is available to anyone requesting prayer. Free and open to the public. 703-698-9779 or www.viennachristianhealingrooms.com.
The Baha’i community of McLean holds a weekly fireside, a meeting of discussion, devotion and fellowship, at 7500 Box Elder Court in McLean, at 8 p.m. every Friday. An opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith. 703-556-3400.
English classes at McLean Baptist Church on Mondays, including beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced electives are Literature, U.S. Government, World Religions, and current events. Free class and registration, but students must buy their own books. 9:30 a.m. at 1367 Chain Bridge Road. 703-356-8080 or www.mcleanbaptist.org.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 1830 Kirby Road in McLean. The third Sunday service every month at 10:15 a.m. allows children to play active roles in the music and as greeters and ushers. Traditional services are every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. 703-356-7533.