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Sydenstricker United Methodist Church will present a Palm Sunday concert, "The St. Matthew Passion," on Sunday, April 13, at 7 p.m. The presentation features music by composer William Averitt, professor of music at the Shenandoah Conservatory. The concert will be presented by Sydenstricker's Chancel Choir under the direction of Dr. David Daniel, music director. The concert is free and open to the public. The church is located at 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. Call 703-451-8223 or visit www.sumcdisciples.org for more information.
Pastor Keith D. Kitchen and the First Baptist Church of Merrifield will be sharing Holy Week Observances. On Maundy Thursday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m., Rev. Leonard Smith, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, will be the guest speaker. On Friday, April 18, at 12 p.m., Merrifield's own ministerial staff will present the "Seven Last Sayings."
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke will host several events to honor Easter and Passover and explore how these traditions relate to the world today. On April 13, the Sunday service will be on "The Promised Land." The Rev. Rebecca Cohen will discuss the story of Passover. On Tuesday, April 15, the discussion group on spirituality will consider the question, "Is Easter More Than the Easter Bunny, Funny Hats and White Shoes?" This session explores the Easter story and how it relates to modern Unitarian Universalists. The discussion is 7:30-9 p.m., at the church. On Saturday, April 19, AUUC hosts a Passover Seder at 6:30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, April 20, Accotink will offer activities for children and an Easter egg hunt after each service. Sunday morning services at Accotink are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church is located at 10125 Lakehaven Court in Burke. Call 703-503-4579 or check the church's Web site, http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
The Jubilee Christian Center Kid's Choir will present Easter music at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 13. The Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
The Easter Bunny is coming to Lord of Life Lutheran Church, and the community is invited to share in this annual family outing designed for children 10-years old and younger. The Hunt takes place Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m., on the church grounds (or inside if weather is wet) at 5114 Twinbrook Road in Fairfax. The event will be organized by ages of the children. Parents need to phone the church office at 703-323-9500 to arrange to drop off a dozen plastic eggs (per child) filled with wrapped treats no later than April 13. Families are encouraged also to donate canned goods for FISH.
Holy Week Schedule at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax.
* Sunday, April 13. Palm Sunday Worship at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Children will process with palms and pastor Henry Brinton's sermon, "Famous Last Words," will introduce Holy Week.
* Thursday, April 17. Maundy Thursday Worship at 7:30 p.m., at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Choirs will be combined and associate pastor Carrie Yearick will preach.
* Friday, April 18. Good Friday Worship at 7:30 p.m., at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. Choirs and congregations will come together again as the pastors of Providence Presbyterian Church, Al Butzer and Mary Rodgers, provide leadership for this service remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
* Sunday, April 20. Easter Worship at 6:30 a.m., led by the Confirmation Class, then traditional services at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
For more information, call 703-273-5300.
St. Andrew's Episcopal will present a Maundy Thursday service on Thursday, April 17, at 8 p.m.; a Good Friday service on Friday, April 18, at 12 p.m.; and an Easter Eve service with baptism on Saturday, April 19, at 6 p.m.
Easter services will take place Sunday, April 20, at 7:30 a.m., with a Holy Eucharist service. Festival Holy Eucharist services will be at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Child care for children age 3 and under will be available at all Holy Week services.
The Jubilee Christian Center Children's Ministry will sponsor an Easter Treasure Hunt on Saturday, April 19, 12-2:30 p.m., on the church property at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Gospel Illusionist Kevin Owens will perform. Children ages 2-12 are invited to this free event, including free hot dogs and drinks, goody bags and prizes. Bible characters will also be making special appearances. Kevin Owens will also present a special Easter program for the children during the 10:30 a.m. Service on Easter Sunday, April 20. 703-383-1170.
Pastor Bill Frasnelli will be presenting a multi-media sermon series, "Dare to Dream Again," during the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services at Jubilee Christian Center, now through Easter Sunday, April 20. The sermon series will include drama and video presentations to illustrate the points of the sermon topics. The Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
An Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for Sunday, April 20 at 6 a.m. at the Springfield Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road. In case of rain, the service will take place at the Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road. For more information, call 703-569-0512.
Burke United Methodist Church is sponsoring a group study called "A Lenten Study: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People." The group will meet Sunday evenings in Lent through April 13. For more information and to register, contact the Burke United Methodist Church office at 703-250-6100.
The community is invited to a Candlelight Vigil and Prayer Service for Peace, taking place on each consecutive Monday, April 14 and 21 at 7 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church. Accotink is located at 10125 Lakehaven Court in Burke. Call 703-503-4579 or visit the church Web page, http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
Central Christian Church is providing a free car wash to the Kingstowne/Franconia community on Sunday, April 13 from 2-5 p.m. In addition, for all ladies, a free interior vacuuming and oil/tire pressure check will be offered. Central is located at 6427 Franconia Road, one half mile east of Springfield Mall. For more information, contact the church office at 703-971-0277 or visit www.centraltruth.org.
St. Stephens United Methodist Church Rummage Sale.
On Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the church youth will be raising funds for their mission trip to rebuild homes in Appalachia. St. Stephens is located at 9203 Braddock Road, Burke. For more information, call 703-978-8724, ext. 112.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church offers three weeks of summer camps in July for elementary school age girls and boys at the church's Fairfax location at 5114 Twinbrook Road. The first is an arts and crafts camp from July 14-18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rising kindergartners to second graders will have crafts and games; rising third to sixth graders will have art classes with a talented artist.
From July 21-25, a music and theater arts camp will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This camp is open to rising first and fourth graders and returning older students who attended last year's camp and want to help this year. From July 28-Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a sports and games camp for rising first to third graders and rising fourth to sixth graders will be offered. The two camps will run during the same time with appropriate activities for each age group.
All camps will be $40 per child for each camp with a maximum of $80 per family for each camp (two children or more.) For more information, contact the Lord of Life Church office at 703-323-9500. Detailed brochures and registration forms will available after April 20. Registration is on a first come basis until all camps are filled.
The labyrinth at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9350 Braddock Road, will be open from 7-9 p.m. for meditation and quiet reflection. Monthly walks are scheduled on the fourth Monday through June. Newcomers and all faiths are invited to participate. Parish office: 703 323-5400.
The Women's Ministry at Jubilee Christian Center is starting a new Bible study, discussing the book "Breaking Free," by Beth Moore. Classes are either Mondays, at 7:30 p.m., or Tuesdays, at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $20, including the book. Child care is available for the Tuesday morning classes. Location is 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170 to register.
United Community Ministries is calling for donations of food, homeless care package items, baby items, personal care items, bags and other various needs. Give through church or community organizations, or drop off donations at 7511 Fordson Road between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call Tracy Davis at 703-768-7106, Ext. 328.
All are welcome to join the Fresh Fire congregation 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. Call 703-815-8950.
“Wisdom for a Lifetime” by Alden Studebaker will be discussed on Wednesday evenings, 8-9:30 p.m., at New World Unity Church, located at 9331 Braymore Circle in Fairfax Station. Call 703-690-7925.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 9350 Braddock Road in Burke, is offering a monthly support group for chronic-pain sufferers. The group will meet the fourth Friday of every month at 11 a.m. Call 703-323-5400.
The following is a list of various events taking place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax: Bible study and Prayer Service every Tuesday night starting at 7 p.m. Sunday School at 9:30–10:45 a.m., except for the fourth Sunday of the month, when Sunday School is offered 9-10 a.m. Sunday morning service at 11 a.m. Commonwealth Care Center ministry every first and third Thursday night. Call 703-273-1455.
The Celebration Singers, a costumed and choreographed, all-volunteer, women's show chorus, invites singers to join them. The group sings a variety of music in three voice ranges — soprano, second soprano and alto. They rehearse on Wednesdays during the day alternating between Heritage Hunt in Gainesville and the Springfield United Methodist Church. Call Virginia Halterman at 703-321-9126 or Nora Steiger at 703-971-2124.
Each Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, Messiah United Methodist Church, located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield, hosts a prayer service. Those in need of God's help to deal with life's stresses and difficulties are welcome to experience the power of prayer. All in the community are welcome. Call 703-569-9862.
New World Unity Church offers a Sunday Celebration Service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Irving Middle School, located at 8100 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield. New World Unity Church is a Christ-centered spiritual community dedicated to building a consciousness of Oneness based on unconditional love and total acceptance. Services include prayer, music, a meaningful message , food and celebration. Come early at 10 a.m. for World Peace Meditation. Call 703-690-7925.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, is now conducting registration for the winter semester at the Calvary Institute of Theology. Classes take place Thursday and Saturdays. 703-242-0747 or 703-273-1455.
Grief Support. Be with others experiencing a similar life experience. Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane (near Old Keene Mill and Lee Chapel Road), Burke, 7:30-9 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month. Call Carol Mack 703-455-2400 ext. 17 for more information.
Burke Community Church offers a weekly group for men called Men’s Fraternity to help discover authentic manhood as directed through the Word of God. Tuesdays, 6 a.m., at 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
New World Unity Church hosts a healing prayer service at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the New World Unity Activity Center, 9331 Braymore Circle in Fairfax Station. Call 703-690-7925.
Divorce Care is a weekly Bible Study care group that helps those who are transitioning through a divorce. The group meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., in the church parlor at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield. Child care and children's activities are provided. 703-451-1500.
The Ekoji Buddhist Temple of the greater Washington, D.C., area supports the practice of Shin Buddhists. Various programs and activities help each participant walk the path of a Buddhist, including adult services Sundays at 11 a.m., children's services and Dharma School for children and adults, and meditation classes. For more information visit www.Ekoji.org.
Fresh Fire International Center hosts a dress-down "Love Feast" on the second Sunday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Come meet new people, play games, enjoy a meal and hear the word. Call 703-815-8950.
Arabic Bible Baptist Church is located at 5424 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Pastor: Tony Ghareeb. Call 703-273-5599 or e-mail to Tghareeb@wmconnect.com.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for people interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the Catholic Church. A group meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax City in the music room of the school. All are welcome. Call Martha Malloy at 703-273-4868.