Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Ashburn presents a musical drama for Easter called Savior of the World, April 13-15. Evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Visit www.ashburnVA.blogspot.com for free tickets.
Celebrate Holy Week this Easter season at Ox Hill Baptist Church. A time to reflect on Christ's sacrifice made for all people will be observed with communion Monday, Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, April 16, the Resurrection of Christ will be celebrated at a 7 a.m. Sunrise Service and at the regular morning worship services, 9:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church is located at 4101 Elmwood Road., Chantilly. Call 703-378-5555 or visit www.oxhillbaptist.org.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, invites the community to its special Holy Week services: Good Friday/Tenebrae service Friday, April 14, 7 p.m., in the sanctuary; a sunrise service Easter Sunday, April 16, held outside weather permitting; and worship services 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., in the sanctuary. Breakfast will be served after the sunrise service, a donation will be accepted for breakfast. Lenten Bible studies will be held Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. Call 703-430-6455.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation invites the community to join it for the Second Night Passover Seder Thursday, April 13, at 5 p.m., for a reading of the Haggadah and traditional-style dinner. The evening will be held in the banquet room at the Ida Lee Recreation Center, Leesburg. The fee for members is $18/adult and $8/child 4 and over. Nonmembers are $25/adult and $10/child 4 and over. All children under 3 are free. RSVP by April 7. Call 703-391-8669, visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
On Sunday, April 16, "Easter, Aostre and the Goddess of Spring" will be celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling. The Rev. Matthew McNaught will explore the many elements of what is called Easter: the immemorial rites of spring; the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility; ideas of physical and/or spiritual resurrection; simple appreciation of the beauty of the season; the renewal of life and hope outside and within. UUS meets every Sunday at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road, Sterling. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church invites the community to Easter worship services, April 16, 8 a.m., early Easter worship service, includes a soloist and Chamber Vocal Ensemble with organ and piano accompaniment; 9:45 a.m., contemporary worship service, includes congregational singing, lots of upbeat contemporary hymns and praise songs and special music by the APC Contemporary Easter Choir and Praise Band; 11:15 a.m., traditional worship service, includes classic Easter hymns, congregational singing and special music by the Sanctuary Choir, chamber orchestra and hand bells in the Easter cantata, ÒCrown Him Lord,Ó by Susan Naylor Callaway.
APC is located at 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn. Call the offices at 703-729-2012 or visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
Riverside Presbyterian Church's Easter worship services, Sunday, April 16, 10:35 a.m., at Potomac Falls High School, 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling. Worship with inspiring music and message followed by giant Easter egg hunt. Visit www.riversidechurch.com or call 703-444-3528.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is sponsoring a program for active retirees at Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Monday, April 17, 11 a.m. Join Eric Rozenman, Washington, D.C., director, Commission for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America for "News Media Malpractice: Coverage of the Arab Conflict with Israel." Bring a dairy lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Cost: $2 members/$3 nonmembers.
On Sunday, April 23, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, a service titled "Islam and the Afterlife" will be conducted by Farhanahz, chairman of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society's Interfaith Committee and assistant to Imam Magid. UUS meets every Sunday at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road, Sterling. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
On Sunday, April 30, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, the Rev. Matthew McNaught will present a sermon titled "Science, Religion and the Meaning of Life." UUS meets every Sunday at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road, Sterling. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation invites the community to join it for Shabbat services, religious school, BÕnai Mitzvah program, youth activities, interfaith discussions, adult education and social activities. Student Rabbi Jesse Gallop presides over biweekly Shabbat services. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday and midweek Hebrew classes on Wednesday evening. The congregation eagerly anticipates moving into its own building in the fall. Call 703-391-8669 or visit the Web site www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church meets for Sunday services at 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling. Sunday school for children and nursery care for infants is provided each week.
The Loudoun Church Alliance is a formal association of churches of many denominations, founded two years ago. It works in the areas of youth development, international missions, evangelism outreach, and is now working to develop relationships with government and business. Contact founder and missionary Jack Stagman at jackstagman@adelphia.net.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet on Sunday mornings, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
St. GabrielÕs Episcopal Church of Lansdowne is extending an invitation to families that have children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. St. Gabriel's has developed several programs to reach out to the community.
* The ÒChrysalisÓ Room is a safe space for children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. Includes a trained professional staff that provides appropriate activities and lessons. It is available every Sunday during the regular 10 a.m. worship and for special events.
* Spiritual Support Group for families with special needs, on the first and third Thursdays of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m. This group is completely Òdrop-in.Ó
All programs held Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration follows regular services Sundays, at 10 a.m., at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Call the church office 571-434-0888 or contact Father Mike Evans by e-mail dean@ccott.com.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling, will be holding a weekly Saturday night services n the Taize style of worship at 7:30 p.m. The services will include scriptural readings, song and reflective silent moments. Free. Call 703-430-6455.
Riverside Presbyterian ChurchÕs new Kenya CafŽ will be open, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., Sundays, at Potomac Falls High School. It offers a friendly, comfortable spot to grab a cup of coffee, chat with others or just relax and read the paper while the children are in small group. The cafŽ is also designed to raise awareness of RiversideÕs partnerships in Kenya and other parts of the world.
Feel free to join the church for worship at 10:35 a.m. Contact 703-444-3528 or www.riversidechurch.com.