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Trinity United Methodist Church, McLean, opened its tree lot with 400 trees to choose from, fresh cut Nov. 25. Tree sales are conducted by the Trinity Youth Group and Boy Scout Troop 869 as a fundraiser for the Annual Youth Mission Trip and Boy Scout events.
Tree sale lot hours are Tuesday-Friday evenings, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 8:30 p.m. Trinity is located at 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd. (Route 123), two miles north of 495 (Tysons Corner Shopping Mall) or two miles south of the GW Parkway, McLean exit. Contact Andrea Rasmussen at the church office 703-356-3312.
Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna continues its association with Ketcham Elementary School in Washington, D.C. In November, warm coats, sweaters, etc., were collected for the children. Some church members served as tutors. A Christmas party will take place on Dec. 19, at the school, with gifts, candy canes and a Santa. Anyone interested in participating may call the church at 703-938-8700.
The American Scandinavian Association's (ASA) Christmas Bazaar and St. Lucia Festival will be Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1-6 p.m., at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Church, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, in the new auditorium. The main event of the program is the Swedish St. Lucia Pageant with many Swedish au pairs participating. Other features of the program are the wonderful Nordic Folk Dancers and a Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar. Enjoy gifts and foods from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The program from 3-6 p.m. includes Scandinavian carols, Santa's visit, folk dancing, goodies and a St. Lucia Fest. Admission: $6 adults, $3 ages 6-12, $1 ages 2-5, under 2 free. $17 maximum per family. 703-734-0319.
Vienna Presbyterian Church has Sunday morning services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Dec. 14 will be "Life Has Hope," and Dec. 21 will be "Life Has Promise."
Sunday night worship at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 will feature "How Can There Be Three of You?" The Dec. 21 service will feature the Glorious Sounds and Combined Choirs and Orchestra. Glorious Sounds will also perform on Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.
Christmas Eve worship will feature the theme "It's About Life." Family services will be at 4:30 and 5:45 p.m., and candlelight services at 7:15, 9 and 10:30 p.m. Vienna Presbyterian Church is located at 124 Park St. N.E., Vienna. For more information, visit www.viennapres.org.
Pastor Rev. Dr. Kenny Smith will mark 17 years of service to First Vienna Baptist Church on Dec. 14. The church will host guest speakers at the 7:45 and 11 a.m. services to celebrate. A family-style dinner in the multipurpose room will follow. Afterward, the church history will be dramatized in a piece titled "The Humble Beginnings."
Fairfax Music Concert. Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m., at The Sanctuary of Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax. The Sanctuary Choir of Fairfax Presbyterian Church will perform Part I of Handel's "Messiah." Free. For more information, call 703-273-5300. Child care provided.
The Little Falls Chancel Choir, soloists and string ensemble will present the "Magnificat" by Francesco Durante at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Dec. 14. This piece is a setting of Mary's song from Luke 1:46-55. From the fifth century, the Magnificat was used daily in the evening service of Vespers. The Anglican Church adapted its use for evening prayer, and various settings of the Magnificat have become an important part the English tradition of Choral Evensong. Child care provided. Little Falls Church is located at 6025 Little Falls Road in Arlington. For more information, contact 703-538-5230. The event is free.
Never Grow Old will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m., to celebrate Christmas, with special music provided by the children of Wesley Preschool. Meet in the Fellowship Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Spring and Moore streets in Vienna. In place of the usual gift exchange, bring an unwrapped children's gift ($1 value). The gifts will be added to others and given to the students at Ketcham Elementary School in Washington, D.C. All Vienna-area residents are invited to come. Bring a side dish or dessert for the shared luncheon if able. No registration necessary. 703-938-8700.
Living Nativity. On Saturday, Dec. 20, from 6-8 p.m., Great Falls United Methodist Church will stage a living nativity on the front lawn of the church, 10100 Georgetown Pike. This is an interactive nativity where visitors can pet the animals and speak with the participants, all while enjoying live Christmas hymns. Call the church at 703-759-3705 with questions.
Fairfax Presbyterian Church offers three Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax. At 5 p.m., the informal Family Service features the children's choirs, drama and Christmas carol sing-a-along. At 8 p.m., the Service of Lessons and Carols features the Teen Choir, instrumental ensemble and Christmas carols. At 10 p.m., the Communion Service with lessons and carols features the Adult Choir, Christmas carols and a sermon by the Rev. Henry G. Brinton, "The Other Side of the Tray." For further information, call the church at 703-273-5300.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. On Wednesday, Dec. 24, this special worship service provides an interlude of quiet joy with carols, scripture and candlelight. A time of Christmas carols begins at 10:30 p.m., followed at 11 p.m. by the Candlelight Watch Hour Service. Little Falls Church, 6025 Little Falls Road, Arlington. For more information, visit www.littlefallschurch.org/ChristmasEveWatch2003FS.html. For directions, visit www.littlefallschurch.org/directionsFS.html or call 703-538-5230. This event is free. No reservations are required.
Body & Soul offers a high/low impact aerobic workout, kick boxing, strength training, Pilates all in one exercise session to the latest in contemporary Christian music. There are several church locations to choose from. All are welcome.
McLean Bible Church holds classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:45-11:15 a.m. Call Mary Ward at 703-830-2478 for more information. Child care is offered. Classes are also offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:15 p.m. Call Tricia Van Ryn at 703-876-0558.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a Fit over 50 version on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. Call Lynn Mostellar at 703-698-8624.
Emmaus United Church of Christ offers an hour of quiet spiritual renewal as the focus for a weekly ecumenical group that meets at Emmaus United Church of Christ every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Led by JoAn Post, participants are gently guided through a time of centering, meditation and prayer. It is open to people of all faiths and requires no previous experience, only sincere desire. Emmaus is located at 900 Maple Ave. E. in Vienna. Call 703-281-9309 for more information
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8:15 and 11 a.m., in the rich Lutheran tradition of liturgical song mixed with music of the masters, spirituals and contemporary Christian music. Contemporary worship is at 9:45 a.m., with fresh liturgical song and contemporary Christian music led by Revelation. Christian education for all ages is 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. Christian education is available for everyone from preschoolers through adults. Classes are always open to newcomers. The church is located at 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, on the Oakton side of Vienna near McDonald’s. Call 703-938-2119.
The Baha’i community of McLean holds a weekly fireside, a meeting of discussion, devotion and fellowship, at 7500 Box Elder Court in McLean, beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday. The fireside is an opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith and why Baha’is find hope in a seemingly hopeless world. Call 703-556-3400.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, holds Sunday Services at 10 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be — Belong, Become, Believe." Visit www.charleswesleyumc.org
Vienna Baptist Church offers numerous Christian worship, education, music and mission opportunities. Each Sunday begins with a high-energy VBPraise service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., providing different programs to people of all ages. The traditional liturgical worship service takes place at 11 a.m. The church is located at 541 Marshall Road, Vienna. For more information, call 703-281-4400 or visit www.vbc-va.org.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church at 114 Kingsley Road in Vienna, a new mission congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offering traditional, conservative worship in accordance with the historic liturgy of the church. The current Sunday schedule includes Bible study and Sunday school for all ages at 4 p.m. and worship at 5 p.m. A Lutheran book club is also offered twice a month. A midweek Bible study meets twice a month. Call 703-455-4003 for more information.
Faith Baptist Church, located at 301 Center St. S., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for all ages, 11 a.m. worship, and Bible Study on Sunday at 6 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., The Awana children's club for fourth- through sixth-graders takes place during the school year. Nursery school is provided for all services. The preschool and kindergarten program uses the abeka curriculum and serves ages 3, 4 and 5. Visit the Web site at www.FaithBaptistVienna.org or e-mail Faith@tidalwave.net. Call the church at 703-938-9688.
From the beginning of time music, drumming, movement, song and prayer have brought communities together at times of celebration, and as part of everyday life. The dances are a profound, cross-cultural way to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. They use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from the many faith traditions of Earth to promote peace and integration within individuals and groups. There are no performers or audience. No experience necessary. Donations accepted. Second Saturday evening each month, September-June. 7:30-10 p.m., Unity of Fairfax (original sanctuary), 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.
For more information, contact Kathryn at 703-573-1236/ SpiralRose@aol.com. For further information on the worldwide Dance Network, visit www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org .
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has added a contemporary service at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, supplementing its traditional worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Modern praise music is sung, accompanied by a band of nine musicians on electric keyboard, bass and acoustic guitars, trumpet and drums.
Concurrently at 9:45, the church holds a Faith and Life forum on subjects to strengthen one’s Christian faith, adult Bible study and Sunday School for children age 3 through high school. Nursery is available at all services.
The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. For more information, visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call the office at 703-356-3346.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for contemporary worship the first Sunday of every month at noon. This new service will incorporate uplifting music; a warm, friendly, casual atmosphere; and interesting sermons. In addition to this service, traditional services will be held every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.
Chabad at Tysons is holding a Shabbat educational service at the Embassy suites Hotel on Route 7 (next door to the Toys R Us, across from the Container store). Saturday morning service starts at 9:30 a.m., Torah discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Call 703-356-3451, or e-mail ChabadTysons@aol.com.
The Great Falls United Methodist Church will be offering two services with different worship styles. The 8:30 a.m. service will be traditional, and the 11 a.m. service will be a blend of contemporary and traditional styles. The church is located at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.