The Church of the Holy Comforter, an Episcopal church, invites members of the community to its Holy Week services and observances. Events are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, March 23: Holy Wednesday at 12:10 p.m.;
Thursday, March 24: Maundy Thursday Agape Meal in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. (bring food to share;
beverages provided), Mandatum and Holy Eucharist at 7:30 p.m. (incense, nursery care, optional footwashing), Garden of Gethsemane Vigil at 8:30 p.m.;
Friday, March 25: Good Friday "Way of the Cross" spoken and musical devotions at 12:10 p.m. (nursery care), Liturgy of Good Friday at 7:30 p.m. (nursery care);
Saturday, March 26: Holy Saturday Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. and Blessing of the Easter Baskets at 4 p.m.;
Sunday, March 27: Holy Eucharist at 7:30 a.m. (no incense), Festival Choral Eucharist at 9 a.m. (incense, nursery care), Festival Choral Eucharist at 11:15 a.m. (incense, nursery care).
A more detailed schedule is available at www.holycomforter.com. The Church of the Holy Comforter is located at 543 Beulah Road, Vienna. Call 703-938-6521.
St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, offers several Holy Week services March 20-27. The schedule runs as follows:
Maundy Thursday, March 24: Holy Eucharist and commencement of the Last Supper at 7:30 p.m., concluding with the Stripping of the Altar.
Good Friday, March 25: Meditations and Music from noon-3 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy and "The Crucifixion" by John Stainer at 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday, March 26: Easter Vigil with Holy Baptism at 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, March 27: Services of Holy Eucharist at 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
"Last Supper" Re-enactment. St. Luke's United Methodist Church 7628 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, holds a re-enactment of the Last Supper on Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to join in this intimate worship event, which relives the last night Jesus spent with his disciples. Symbolic foods will be shared and explained. Free. RSVP 703-893-9220.
Easter services at Trinity United Methodist Church, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday. Sermon by the Rev. James C. Sprouse, 8:30 music by the Handbell Choirs, 10:30 music by the Riverside Brass Ensemble and a Hallelujah Chorus sing-along. Easter egg hunt at 9:15 a.m. Bring a basket. 1205 Dolley Madison Boulevard, Mclean. Call 703-356-3312.
Easter Morning Worship at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The morning begins at 7 a.m. on the lawn with Easter Sunrise Service. Three more services follow, at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. There is an Easter egg roll for children on the lawn at 9:45. The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Visit www.Redeemer-mclean.org or call 703-356-3346.
Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia will host its annual Purim Celebration, creating Jewish excitement and fun for the whole family. The entire Jewish community is invited regardless of affiliation or background. It will be an Italian-themed Purim party with Italian food, a Purim masquerade competition, live music, children's entertainment, arts and crafts, games, prizes and more! Rabbi Pavarotti will read the Megillah (the Biblical Book of Esther).
The event is Thursday, March 24, starting at 6:45 p.m. at The Ernst Cultural Center at Nova Community College Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Tickets are $13 adult, $8 children (3-12), with a $50 maximum per family. R.S.V.P. by March 20 at 703-426-1980 or www.chabadva.org
The Great Falls Ecumenical Council will have a Good Friday Tre Ore Service on March 25, from noon-3 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. Service will consist of the Liturgy of the Day and Ecumenical preaching of the Last Seven Words of Jesus from the cross. Clergy in Great Falls will be participating in this service.
There will be an Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the Great Falls Ecumenical Council at Great Falls National Park at 6:30 am on March 27. Come and worship in nature’s cathedral. Special music will be provided, with the offering going to Childhelp. Speaker will be the Rev. Paul Gysan from Christ the King Lutheran Church. For further information contact the Rev. Paul Gysan at 703-759-6068, or paul.gysan@verizon.net.
Lutheran Institute of Washington hosts Dr. John Hamre, president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and its Jewish Information and Referral Service (JIRS) will match individuals who want to attend a home seder with local hosts who have room at their table and will welcome visitors to their traditional Passover meal. This opportunity is available for Jewish individuals and families throughout the greater Washington, D.C. community. Call the JIRS offce at 703-978-3910 or e-mail jirs@shalomdc.org.
Illumine Coaching & Dominican Retreat present the retreat "Life Questions: Listening for Your Call." During this dynamic retreat participants will be inspired to ask, reflect on, and struggle with their most important life questions in order to achieve their highest calling and potential. 9:30 a.m. April 20-noon April 22. Call Dominican Retreat at 703-356-4243. Cost is $350 per person ($100 deposit with registration), which includes room, board and full program fees. For more information visit www.illuminecoaching.com
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church, 114 Kingsley Road in Vienna, member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offers traditional worship in accordance with the historic liturgy of the church. The current Sunday schedule includes Bible study and Sunday school for all ages at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. A Lutheran book club is also offered twice a month. A midweek Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., preceded by "Ask the Pastor" time at 7 p.m. Call 703-455-4003 for more information or visit www.saint-athanasius.org.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8 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 9:30 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 School for all ages at 9 a.m., Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be and Believe, to Belong and Become." Call the office at 703-356-6336. 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.
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.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer celebrates 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, 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.
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 offers two services with different worship styles. The 8:30 a.m. service is traditional, and the 11 a.m. service is a blend of contemporary and traditional styles. The church is located at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for the Third Sunday Service every month at 10:15 a.m. This service allows the children to play active roles during the service, particularly in the music and as greeters and ushers. In addition to the Third Sunday Service, traditional services take place every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.