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.
The Cranford United Methodist Women's 110th Annual Ham & Oyster Dinner will be on Saturday, March 20, 4-7 p.m., at Cranford United Methodist Church, 9912 Old Colchester Road in Lorton. The menu includes fried oysters, baked ham, potato salad, cole slaw, deviled eggs, green beans, applesauce, rolls, beverages and desserts. All proceeds from this dinner go to mission work with women, children, and youth. Contact 703-339- 5382.
The Institute of Catholic Culture presents a program that focuses on the disintegration of both the Christian secular cultures in the modern world. The featured speaker is Father Paul Scalia, pastor of St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean. The program takes place on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. For more, visit www.InstituteofCatholicCulture.org or call 703-504-8733.
Help pack meals. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, needs volunteers to help prepare meals for the homeless along the Route 1 corridor in Alexandria on Thursday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m., and deliver the bags on Friday, March 26, at 6 p.m. If interested, call 703-971-5151 or e-mail admin@franconiaumc.org.
Bring the children to meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs on Saturday, March 27, from l0 a.m.-12 p.m., at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road in Springfield. Crafts, cakewalks, games, cookie decorating, and face painting. Open to the public. www.sumcdisciples.org or 703-451-8223.
Palm Sunday Service. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, invites the public to worship on Palm Sunday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services to celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his Passion and Crucifixion. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available. Childcare is available for infants to 3. Contact 793 971-5151, admin@franconiaumc.org, http://www.franconiaumc.org.
Maundy Thursday. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, invites the public to Maundy Thursday, April 1, 7 p.m. A short presentation by persons in costume represents those who knew Jesus. The pastor will bless the elements, and those taking communion will serve one another around a large table. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available. Childcare is available for infants to 3. Contact 793 971-5151, admin@franconiaumc.org, http://www.franconiaumc.org.
Springfield United Methodist, 7047 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield, presents a Community Spring Festival and Egg Hunt on April 3, at 1-3 p.m., with crafts, games, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, a moonbounce and an Easter Egg Hunt.
The church will have Maundy Thursday Services at 7:30 p.m. on April 1, at 7:30 p.m., and a Good Friday Service and free luncheon on April 2, at 12 p.m.
The Sanctuary and Youth Choirs are preparing special Easter music for the 10:30 a.m. April 4 worship service, with brass instrumentalists, timpani, organ, and congregational hymns. Free childcare is available for the Maundy Thursday and Easter Morning services. Contact 703-451-2375 or www.sumc-cares.org.
Good Friday. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road Alexandria, celebrates Good Friday, April 2, 7 p.m. Service will include contemplation on the meaning of the last seven words Jesus uttered on the cross at his crucifixion immediately before He died. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available. Childcare is available for infants to 3. Contact 793 971-5151, admin@franconiaumc.org, http://www.franconiaumc.org.
Easter Services. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, has Easter services, on Sunday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available. Childcare is available for infants to 3. Contact 793 971-5151, admin@franconiaumc.org, http://www.franconiaumc.org.
St. George United Methodist Church, 4910 Ox Road in Fairfax, will present a Good Friday Passion program at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 2. The choir and orchestra will use music, lighting effects and narrations to depict the betrayal, trial and death of Christ. Free, nursery care will be provided.
Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive in Fairfax, will be have an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m. Event includes puppet show crafts, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Free. Easter Services on Sunday, April 4. Traditional services are at 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. and a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m. Call 703-278-8023.
Community Easter Egg Hunt. Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St. in Alexandria, will host a community egg hunt for children on Saturday, April 3, 11 a.m. Children through sixth grade are invited to bring their Easter baskets and hunt for eggs. Face painting, games and refreshments will also be available. Free. Harvest Church’s Good Friday service is April 2, at 7 p.m. and Easter Sunday services will be April 4, at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Kids Church will be available during the 10:30 a.m. service. Contact 703-971-7070 or www.harvestchurchag.org.
Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield, will hold a Divorce Recovery Workshop on Wednesdays from April 7-May 26 at 7:30 pm. This workshop is conducted by trained facilitators and is free. Childcare is free but must be requested at the time of registration. Resource books are available for $12. Register at 703-569-9862, ext. 210 or rringler@messiahumc.org.
Phoenix Rising Meal Program. Franconia United Methodist Church, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, needs volunteers to help prepare meals for the homeless along the Route 1 corridor in Alexandria on Thursday, Apr 22, at 6:30 p.m., and deliver the bags on Friday, April 23, at 6 p.m. If interested, call 703-971-5151 or e-mail admin@franconiaumc.org.
New Hope Church, 8905 Ox Road in Lorton, will offer a Beth Moore Simulcast on Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Moore offers women freedom, deliverance and depth through her teaching of God’s word. $25 per person, including lunch. Purchase tickets at www.newhope.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.
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.