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.
Congregation Adat Reyim Havdallah, Pasta Dinner and Bingo Night, on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 6500 Westbury Oaks Court, Springfield. 6 p.m. Havdallah service followed by pasta dinner at 6:30 p.m. and games at 7:30 p.m. Bring non-perishable food donations and gently-used clothing to be donated to ECHO. $4 for individuals, $10 for families. Mail checks and registration to CAR or register online at www.adatreyim.org/news-a-events/269-pasta-bingo or 703-569-7577.
Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, will have a free Big Game Football Party, showing the football game on a large screen Sunday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m.. Free refreshments and a silent auction to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project to help wounded military service personnel recover. 703-383-1170 or see www.jccag.org.
Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, will have a sermon series through Feb. 21 at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, based on Bishop Robert Schnase's book “The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.” Each of the five practices has a biblical underpinning and is structured to provide practical ideas. 703 971-5151 or admin@franconiaumc.org.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road Springfield, has scheduled several community events for February. Contact www.sumcdisciples.org or 703-451-8223.
* Haitian Relief Sock Hop. on Saturday. Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m., with games, snacks and more, sponsored by the Family and Children’s Committee at the church. Donations accepted to support Haitian Relief.
* Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m., served by the church youth to mark the beginning of Lent.
* Sweetheart Dinner. Saturday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., including dinner and entertainment. Reservations requested.
* Blood Drive. on Sunday, Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., will be in the church’s Hottle Hall. Call to reserve, walk-ins also welcome.
Burke Presbyterian Church is participating in the Church World Service (CWS) humanitarian relief efforts to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The public can help CWS in its urgent disaster response by assembling and donating a hygiene kit or a baby kit. BPC is a collection point for the kits. To create a kit, visit either www.BurkePresChurch.org and click on "Haiti Relief" or visit www.ChurchWorldService.org and click on "Hygiene Kit" or "Baby Kit." Both of these sites provide specific instructions on how to assemble a kit. Drop off kits at Burke Presbyterian Church, located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke. Phone the church office with any questions at 703-764-0456.
Renew Your Wedding Vows on Valentines Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m., at Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. The sanctuary will be decorated for a wedding and this opportunity to reconnect with God and your spouse in a meaningful way. The church will sell flowers for “brides” to carry in the service. A nursery is available for age 2 and under, and Sunday School classes for age 3 through sixth grade. Immediately following the service, couples are invited to a wedding style reception in the Fellowship Hall. Bring wedding albums to share with others, enjoy a light snack and wedding cake.
Messiah’s Marriage Matters Ministry will also offer the six-week class “Dream Team: Building Unity in Marriage,” on Sundays, Feb. 21-March 28, 9:30 a.m., and on Wednesdays Feb. 24-March 31, 7:15 p.m. Free child care will be available. Register at 703-569-9862.
Praise Service at Springfield United Methodist Church, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome. Come sing, enjoy coffee and donuts and praise God. 703-451-2375 or www.springfieldvaumc.org.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10215 Lakehaven Court Burke, will show “The Gay Marriage Thing” on Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., with a discussion to follow. The film strives to show a different side of the issue than documentaries or newscasts have. With an array of opinions from church, state and everyone in between, this is a film that family members can watch together. This is a free non-religious service open to the public. 703-503-4579 or www.accotinkuuc.org.
Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, needs volunteers for Phoenix Rising to help prepare and deliver meals for the homeless along the Route 1 corridor. Meals will be prepared on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. and delivered on Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Contact 703 971-5151 or admin@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. Sunday Worship is at 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.
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.