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Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, located at 8508 Hooes Road in Springfield, presents the following events in preparation for Christmas. Visit www.sumcdisciples.org or call 703-451-8223.
* Decorate the church, Saturday, Nov. 26, from 3-5:30 p.m. A brief worship service will be followed by a chili supper. Free, no reservations required.
* Children’s Birthday Party for Jesus, Saturday, Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Crafts, music, stories, fun and refreshments all designed to help children learn the meaning of Christmas. Free, no reservations required.
* The Twelve Days of Christmas, performed by the Children's Choir, Sunday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m.
* The Nativity According to St. Luke, performed by the Chancel Choir, Sunday, Dec. 18, at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Features the Chancel Choir, members of the drama ministries, and soloists from the choir and George Mason University.
* Living Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 18, from 7-9 p.m.
* Christmas Eve services, Saturday, December 24: a children’s service, 5 p.m.; a Love Feast, 8 p.m.; and a candlelight service, 11 p.m.
* Christmas Morning service, Sunday, Dec. 25, at 10 a.m.
The Gospel of St. Mark is performed by Joseph Morris, Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 6744 South Kings Highway. Tickets are $7, $12 per family and may be purchased by calling 703-765-3949 or at the door. Call 703-354-7966.
John Rutter's "Christmas Celebration," a choral and orchestral program featuring his popular carols, is performed Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m., at Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave., Fairfax. Call 703-591-3120.
The Promised Land Southern Gospel Quartet performs for free on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., at Parkwood Baptist Church, 8726 Braddock Road, Annandale. Visit www.parkwood.org.
The Messiah United Methodist Church sponsors the following events/services. The church is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. For more, call 703-569-9862.
* Christmas Concert. The 15th annual Springfield Area Community Concert of the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah" is Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. The event is free, but donations are accepted.
* Singles Dance. The Messiah Singles Holiday Dance is Saturday, Dec. 3. Dance lessons begin at 8 p.m., and the dance is from 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Cost is $5 with a dish of finger foods, $10 without a dish. Optional dress is formal (black tie and party dresses). Childcare available. Make reservations by Dec. 1 to 703-569-9862, ext. 213.
* Sunday Services. Traditional Sunday morning worship services: 8:15 a.m., with Holy Communion every Sunday; 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Holy Communion on the first Sunday; and Heartline, a contemporary praise and worship service, Sunday evenings at 7:15 p.m.
* Prayer at Messiah. Messiah offers the following prayer ministries: Sunday Morning Prayers, 7:15 a.m. in the Chapel; Tuesday Evening Prayer, 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel and Wednesday Prayer Group, 6 a.m. in the Chapel.
* Singles Sunday School, each Sunday, at 10:45 a.m., in Room 266.
* GriefShare, on through Feb. 16, from 7-9 p.m. This group focuses on Christ-centered healing through small group interaction. For information or to register for the sessions please call Irene Rich at 703-569-9862, Ext. 212.
The Nativity Catholic Church presents a fund raiser for CYO teens to travel to Pennsylvania to assist needy families, Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 6-9 p.m., at Silver Diner, 6592 Springfield Mall, Springfield. A portion of all sales will be donated to the CYO. Call 703-924-1701.
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, and the next meeting will be Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., at Truro Church, located at 10520 Main St., Fairfax, in the church fellowship hall on the lower level. For more, call Amanda Qreitem at 703-222-2332 or e-mail amandazubi@hotmail.com.
"Born A Savior, Born A King: Fulfilling the Prophesy," a free gospel Christmas cantata, is Saturday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, 10185 Zion Drive, Fairfax. Call 703-764-9111.
Springfield Super Saturday presents "God Gives Good Gifts" on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Springfield Church of Christ, 7512 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. The event is for ages 4-12. Call 703-451-4011 or e-mail springfieldchurch@yahoo.com.
Jubilee Christian Center, located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road in Fairfax, presents two Christmas musicals on Dec. 11, at the 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. Both "The Tale of Three Trees," the children's musical, and "The Christmas Story," the adult musical, will be performed at both services. There will be a free brunch between the services. Call 703-383-1170.
Parkwood Baptist Church, located at 8726 Braddock Road in Annandale, presents its Bethlehem Walk, a free interactive program replicating a Bethlehem street on the night Jesus was born, Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, from 5-8 p.m. Visit www.parkwood.org.
A live nativity will be performed at Harvest Church, 7401 Beulah St. in Alexandria, on Friday, Dec. 16 and Saturday, Dec. 17, each night at 7, 7:30, and 8 p.m. Free hot chocolate and refreshments will be served. Call 703-971-7070 or visit www.harvestchurchag.org.
Harvest Church, located at 7401 Beulah St. in Alexandria, presents a one-hour Christmas service, Sunday, Dec. 25, at 10:30 a.m. Call 703-971-7070 or visit www.harvestchurchag.org.
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.
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.
Burke Presbyterian Church, located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, offers the following programs and services.
* Coffeehouse Worship Service on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., for those people who may be unavailable Sunday mornings or are seeking a break from a more traditional style of worship. The service offers the same lesson and sermon as the Sunday service, but in a less formal environment. A nursery is provided for young children. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive in Burke.
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.
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.