Send announcements to the Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1509 Collingwood Road, Mount Vernon, is now holding Wednesday evening meetings at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 703-768-2494.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church 1608 Russell Road, Alexandria, is having a free Advent lecture series entitled What Episcopalians Believe about the Last Things for three Wednesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6. Dr Jeffrey Hensley, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary will be the speaker for the series. The evening begins with dessert and coffee followed by Dr. Hensley’s presentation and concluding with a service of evening prayer in the Church chapel. The series will include the following topics: Dec. 13: Must Christians Believe in Hell? and Dec. 20: Is there Life after Death?
Nativity Lutheran Church, 1300 Collingwood Road in Alexandria, will celebrate Christmas Eve with a candlelight service with Holy Communion at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24. All are welcome.
A Live Nativity will be performed at Harvest Church on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16. Performances will be held each night at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pastor Tim Cerce invites the public to this reenactment of the night Jesus was born. Hot chocolate and refreshments will be available. Harvest Church is located at 7401 Beulah St., in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. For further information call 703-971-7070 or visit www.harvestchurchag.org.
Harvest Church will present "O Come Emmanuel" on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. This cantata will also feature the children of Harvest Church. The church is located at 7401 Beulah St., in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. For more information call 703-971-7070 or visit www.harvestchurchag.org.
Harvest Church will hold a special Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m. This one-hour service will feature traditional Christmas carols and candle lighting. Harvest Church is located at 7401 Beulah St., in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. For more information call 703-971-7070 or www.harvestchurchag.org.
Church of Saint Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, is having a variety of events this holiday season.
* Christmas Tree sales beginning Nov. 25. On Saturdays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sundays from 1-7 p.m., and weeknights from 6-8 p.m.
* Advent Sunday Eucharist Services on Dec. 17 and 24 at 8 a.m. and 10a.m.
* Christmas Eucharist are Dec. 24 with a Christmas Pageant at 5 p.m.;
* Christmas Carols at 10 p.m. and Festive Eucharist at 10:30 p.m. A reception follows the 10:30 p.m. Eucharist.
* Simple Christmas Eucharist at 10 a.m. Dec. 25.
Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 E. Windsor Ave., offers Advent Studies. There are two opportunities for study this Advent season. The Pastor will lead a series titled "The Miracle of Christmas" on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. in his office beginning Nov. 27. Doug Smith will lead a series titled "Christmas from the Back Side" on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the parlor also beginning on Nov. 27. If nterested in joining one of these studies, contact the church office at 703-549-2088.
The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist Meditation at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 North Alfred St. in Alexandria. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. Buddhist Nun Kelsang Varahi will be teaching. $10/class. For more information visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, holds services at 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Religious school is on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat is at 11 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 pm. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Mount Vernon Highway in Alexandria is offering a "Coming Home" process at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month to ask questions, get an update on the church, and to help decide if it's time to reconnect with parish life. Contact Rob Doerschner at 703-822-0523.
The Urban Passage Inc., a faith-based non-profit organization, seeks adult volunteers, 50 years and older, to mentor high-risk youth at the Northern Virginia Juvenile detention Home in Alexandria. Volunteers are also needed to serve as youth advisory council leaders and community service project leaders for a program that serves terminally and seriously ill children at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Call 703-924-9840.
The Christian Women In The Marketplace meets to study God's word at the Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The CBWC meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Additional information contact Pamela Nilsen at 703-660-6759.
Meditation. Every weekday noon-1 p.m., Roberts Memorial Methodist Church, 606 South Washington St., is open to the public for meditation. Organ music is played during this time.
AWANA is an international, non-denominational, Bible centered youth organization providing weekly clubs and programs for ages three-year-old through high school. Engleside Baptist Church's, 8428 Highland Lane, AWANA club consists of three parts, Handbook Time, Council Time, and Game Time. Club meetings are held every Wednesday night from 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-780-5410.
Up Where We Belong Family Ministry will hold its Northern Virginia's Super Church event, the third Sunday of every month starting at 10:40 a.m., at Mount Vernon High School's main auditorium. Bring the family and participate in their worship celebration and eligible families will receive free groceries. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Bishop Robert Lewis Taylor at 703-878-2247.