To have an item listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102, e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos encouraged. If you have any questions, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457.
St. Mark Orthodox Church, 7124 River Road, Bethesda will hold a Orthodox Christian lecture series on March 28 at 8 p.m. Free. Ages 16 and up. Call 301-229-6300.
For practicing Christians, the Lenten season is a time of reflection, penance and sacrifice in preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter. It is in this spirit that St. James Episcopal Church on Seven Locks Road in Potomac invites all people of faith to their upcoming Lenten Discussion Series. Gatherings will be fully interactive, and will be held in the Parish Hall every Wednesday evening from through March 28.
Each week, a prominent member of the St. James clergy will give a 30-minute presentation focusing on a specific segment of the Prayer, and all present are invited to contribute with comments and observations. Call 301-762-8040 or visit http://www.stjamespotomac.org.
St. Luke's Bethesda will offer a series of worship services to remember Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday services at 8 and 10 a.m., April 1. The Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m., April 5 will commemorate Jesus' Passover seder and his "last supper" with his disciples. Parishioners will join St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville at noon, April 6 for a Good Friday service. The service will be at St. Mark, 1701 Old Georgetown Road. Easter will be celebrated at 8 and 10 a.m. services April 8 at St. Luke's. A special music program for choir, strings, and organ will span the ages Easter Day. An Easter brunch will follow the 8 a.m. services. Call 301-530-1800 or e-mail admin@stlukesbethesda.org.
Fall classes offered at Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. 20854. For more information about registration and class fees, and about class details, call the Adult Education phone line at 301-299-7087, ext. 2315.
* "Mishnah: Tractate Sukkah" Thursdays, through April 5 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Non-members contact the rabbis' office for information. Study Tractate Sukkah, exploring laws about and theology derived from the symbols and practices of the holiday of Sukkot.
The Women's Association of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls is accepting applications for three Alexander De Filippis Scholarships of $3,000 each. Students must reside in Great Falls, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, McLean, Sterling, and Potomac or whose family are registered parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena. Applications and complete details are available on-line at http://st-catherines.net or from the guidance office of are high schools. Strict adherence to the deadline of May 15 as well as to the completeness of the application is imperative.
Bethesda Jewish Congregation, Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, will hold an open house on Friday, May 18, beginning at 7 p.m. The event will include the celebration of the Sabbath featuring Simchah B’Shabbat, an all musical Friday night service, descriptions of other unique BJC services and complimentary food. This unique, trans-denominational, independent congregation serves Jews from traditional to liberal religious backgrounds, interfaith couples and their families. All are invited. Call 301-469-8636.
First Church of Christ, Scientist holds testimony meetings every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at 100 Nelson St. Rockville. Free child care and parking is provided. Call 301-762-8222.
The Seven Locks Baptist Church, 11845 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, holds weekly prayer meetings in the sanctuary at 6:45 p.m. Call 301-279-9388.
Shalem Institute offers a guided mid-day Prayer Peace Circle, on Wednesdays from noon-12:45 p.m. in the Shalem Meditation Room & Library, 5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 140, Bethesda. For more information, contact 301-897-7334 or visit www.shalem.org.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is hosting a new series of discussion programs that will explore Judaism's relationship to books, letters, words and meaning. Groups are led by Dr. Erica Brown, Scholar-in-Residence at The Jewish Federation; all events are free and open to the public. Contact Michele Duchin at 301-348-7377 or email michele.duchin@shalomdc.org. Visit http://www.shalomdc.org/.
The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH) installed Lawrence S. Herman as its thirteenth Board President at its twenty-fourth Annual Meeting. Along with Herman, four Vice Presidents were also installed to share leadership of the agency's Board of Directors. These Vice Presidents are: David B. Raskin, Vice President for Programs; Dennis Speisman, Vice President for Administration; Abba J. Blum, Vice President for Finance; and Kenneth R. Gilman, Vice President for Development.
Rockville Presbyterian Church, 215 West Montgomery Avenue, is searching for volunteers to be on call to assist in the nursery. Call Charlene Janes at 301-251-6682 or e-mail ckjanes@patriot.net.
Friendly Family Services meet at St. Dunstan's Church, 5450 Massachussetts Ave. at Fort Sumner Drive, Bethesda at 9:15 a.m. Sundays, with fun songs, a children's Bible lesson, and Holy Eucharist in a 40-minute service geared to small children. Young families are invited to try this "easy entry" service. Call 301-229-2960 or e-mail stdunstans@verizon.net.
"Prayer Book Hebrew," Tuesdays from 6:45-7:45 p.m. at Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac. Call 301-299-7087, ext. 2315. This is a continuing course for those who have completed a basic Hebrew siddur series of classes using Level I of "Alef Isn't Enough." This course is designed to open the door to understanding the Hebrew of prayers. The fee is $30 in addition to registration fee.