Unity Life Center is holding its Holiday Craft Fair on Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. The fair features local artists and crafters, handmade craft items, pottery, and jewelry. Holiday specials in the book store; Christmas Fairy face painting; seated therapeutic massage, polarity, Reiki and on-site gift wrapping by the youth. Unity Life Center is at 14088-C Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly. Call 703-263-7645. Go to www.unitylife.org.
Thanksgiving Eve Service at Jubilee Christian Center. Jubilee Christian Center will have a Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., with refreshments. 4650 Shirley Gate Rd., Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170, or www.jccag.org
Christmas Benefit Concert: "Christmas Through the Eyes of Mary and Joseph." Kick off the Christmas Season with your family at the Mark Forest Benefit Concert on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Timothy Church. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door and children under 12 are free. Mark Forrest is an International Irish Tenor. Proceeds will support the St. Timothy School and parish service projects.
Congregation Yad Shalom of Centreville provides a variety of programs in a traditional format with a modern flair. It openly invites inquiries about participation in these activities by the community. There are a number of activities for the family for the new year:
* Join in a Saturday morning service with Cantor Zucker on Nov. 29, at Little Rocky Run Community Center at 10 a.m.
* Join in a Friday night Shabbat dinner on Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Little Rocky Run Community Center # 3. The dinner will be followed by a service with Cantor Zucker.
* Ask about the K–2 Hebrew school for the children for the fall semester. Check out an extensive variety of educational opportunities with the congregation.
* Check out the Web site — keep up with the activities scheduled throughout the year.
For further information and/or directions, contact the Congregation at 703-579-6079, or visit the Web site at www.yadshalom.com.
Wellspring Church celebrates "Friends and Family" Sunday, with special guests from City of Refuge, Washington, D.C., and a big buffet lunch for all following worship. Pastor Al Fuertes will preach, and there will be spirit-filled music by the praise team from City of Refuge and the Wellspring choir. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m., at the chapel on Route 29, 13510 Lee Highway, Centreville. The chapel is on the north side of Route 29, just west of the Lee Highway-Union Mill Rd. intersection.
Sunday School for children meets during the worship hour, and the children are beginning preparations for Christmas. During the week, there is Bible study in Centreville and Manassas. Check the Web site, wellspringucc.org, or call Sara Little at 703-257-4111 for information on these and other special events.
Wellspring United Church of Christ is thoughtful, prayerful, justice-seeking, and Open and Affirming to seekers of all backgrounds. Worship is informal.
A "Mission Fair and Gospel Concert will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at Oakton Baptist Church of Chantilly. The Promised Land Quartet will perform. Cost with dinner is $25 with proceeds going to missions. The church is located at Sullyfield Circle and Route 50 in Chantilly. Call 703-631-1799.
The Children's and Music Departments at Jubilee Christian Center will be presenting a Children's Christmas musical, "Angels Aware!" on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. The musical drama depicts the story of why Jesus came to earth as a baby. Free admission. Jubilee Christian Center is at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170, www.jccag.org
Chantilly Bible Church is hosting a free holiday Model Train Display on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is especially for families with children, and will feature train displays including a large Lionel display, Lego display and an HO Modular display. Chantilly Bible Church is at 4390 Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly.
Choralis, the acclaimed mixed voice chorus under the direction of Gretchen Kuhrmann, will present a joyous holiday concert, "A Classic Brass Christmas" in two venues. On Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., the group will sing at Centreville United Methodist Church, 6400 Old Centreville Road, Centreville, and on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., they will present the concert at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 East Broad St. (Rt. 7), Falls Church. Joining the chorus will be guest performers: The Classical Brass Quintet, the Choralis Youth Choirs (on Dec. 13), and the McLean High School Madrigas (on Dec. 14). Tickets are $25/general admission; $35/premium seating; $5/students 22 and under with ID; and children 2 and under free. Call 703-237-2499 or visit www.choralis.org.
Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish congregation and member of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) that meets at St. John's Episcopal Church in Centreville. Religious school is held at the Goddard School in Chantilly. The congregation offers the Northern Virginia Jewish community services that provide numerous spiritual, educational, support and social opportunities including religious school for member children age 3 through Bar/Bat Mitzvah and confirmation. Call 703- 263-2252 or visit www.BethTorah.net.
Upcoming TBT Events:
* Hebrew Class – Learn Prayers for Beginners. Six class dates: Sundays, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, 14 from 9-10:15 a.m. at Goddard. Cost: $54 for the class plus $16 materials fee
Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish congregation and member of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) that meets at St. John's Episcopal Church in the heart of Centreville. Religious school is held at the Goddard School in Chantilly. The congregation offers the Northern Virginia Jewish community services that provide numerous spiritual, educational, support and social opportunities including religious school for member children age 3 through Bar/Bat Mitzvah and confirmation. The congregation welcomes all members of the community to attend services or events. Call 703-263-2252 or visit www.BethTorah.net.
The Hazak Active Retirees Chapter of Congregation Beth Emeth, Herndon, announces its 2008-09 Schedule of Events.
Dec. 16 — Laura Shulman, Religious Diversity in the US
Jan. 27 — Rabbi Leonard Cahan, Jewish Marriage Customs
Feb. 17 — Rabbi David Kalendar, The Jews of Uganda
March 17 — Dr. Louis Blumen, Jewish Medieval Medicine
April 21 — Steven Gross, The Holocaust in Hungary
May 19 — Speaker from Embassy of Israel
June 16 — Year-end Luncheon
The CBE Hazak Chapter presents a uniquely Jewish program on the third Tuesday of each month – September through June – at 1 p.m. Meetings feature prominent speakers and entertainers, providing area Jewish seniors with a time to socialize and learn. There is no cost and light refreshments are served. Call 703-860-4515, ext. 127.
Congregation Beth Emeth is located at 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church’s second location, 13421 Twin Lakes Dr., Clifton, is now open. Everyone is invited to worship services at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Call the church office at 703-323-9500 or go to www.lordoflifelutheran.com.
Shalom Jewish Children is a fun, hands-on Jewish educational program for young children based on experiential learning. Each session is about Jewish holidays, values and celebrations. Meets in Centreville at the Rocky Run Recreation Center. Contact Gloria Pioso at yadshalom@yadshalom.com or call 703-579-6079.
* These are the days when Shalom Jewish Children will be followed by Shabbat services at 10 a.m. Visit www.yadshalom.com for updates, directions, details, and membership information. Shalom Jewish Children is free for members of Congregation Yad Shalom.
Recovery and Support Care Groups at New Life: Passion for Community in cooperation with New Life Christian Church has an ongoing recovery and support groups for people suffering with various addictions, destructive and dysfunctional behaviors, or who just need some support. These groups are a safe place to receive support and healing. Contact Lucy Martinez at 703-222-8836.
* Recovery Connection (12-step group), Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at Westfield High in Chantilly;
* Food Freedom (a women's group; 12-step group), Sunday's at 9:30 a.m. at Westfield High in Chantilly;
* Single Mom's support Group, Saturday's at 9:30 a.m. in Centreville (call for location);
* Authentic Masculinity Men's Group, Thursday's at 7:30 p.m. in Chantilly (call for location).
Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish congregation and member of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) that meets at St. John's Episcopal Church in Centreville. Religious school is held at the Goddard School in Chantilly. The congregation offers the Northern Virginia Jewish community services that provide numerous spiritual, educational, support and social opportunities including religious school for member children age 2 through Bar/Bat Mitzvah and confirmation. The congregation welcomes all members of the community to attend any of these services or events. Call 703-263-2252 or visit www.BethTorah.net.
Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church has regular services on Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. All are welcome. Located at 43987 John Mosby Highway, Chantilly. Call 703-327-4461 and Web site is www.pleasantvalleyumc.net. Call 703-266-2424.
Centreville United Methodist Church offers four worship services in the morning — 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:02 a.m. The new Connections Contemporary Worship Service is held in the ROC (Recreation and Outreach Center) each Sunday. Sunday School is offered at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and a nursery is available for all services. Centreville United Methodist church is located at the intersection of New Braddock Road and Old Centreville Road. Call 703-830-2684.
The Fairfax Chinese Christian Church is a developing community church that meets at St. John's Episcopal Church, 5649 Mount Gilead Road, Centreville. The church is located in the heart of Centreville's historic district and is accessible from Braddock Road at the junction of Route 28 (Lee Hwy.), Route 29 and I-66. Members speak Mandarin, Taiwanese, Cantonese, and some other Chinese dialects in the church. Sunday worship service is held at 10 a.m., both in Mandarin and English, and a lunch fellowship will follow after Sunday school. Call 703-395-0017 or email at fairfaxccc@cox.net.
Christ the Redeemer Episcopal Church holds a contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m. at Centreville Elementary School in Centreville. Sunday school and a nursery are provided on Sundays. Visit www.ctrchurch.org or call 703-502-1732.
Centreville Presbyterian Church:
* The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached: Join the church for the sermon series on the greatest sermon ever preached — The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5. Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. contemporary worship and 11 a.m. traditional worship. Childcare provided for services.
* Women's Bible Study meets every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Studies include: Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and the Alpha Course taught by Pastor Neil Craigan. Childcare is provided.
* Planet Adventure meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings for 4th and 5th graders from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The evening is full of adventure playing games, having snacks and learning about God. Contact Clare Maynard, director of Children's Ministries.
* Chancel Choir — Consider being a part of the Centreville Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir. It practices weekly on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Also performs at the 11 a.m. Sunday service. Contact Chancel Choir Director, Denise Freeland.
News from Centreville Presbyterian Church, 15450 Lee Highway, Centreville. Call 703-830-0098.
* Daniel, A Beth Moore Bible Study for Women, Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
* Planet Adventure, Evening youth group for 4th and 5th graders. Second and fourth Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m.
* CrossRoads, Middle School youth group (6th-8th grade) Friday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. Delicious food, games and active worship fill the evening of fun.
* Visit the CPC Web site, www.centrevillepres.com or call the church office at 703-830-0098.
St. Raphael Orthodox Church, formally the Antiochian Orthodox Mission of Northern Virginia, meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Divine Liturgy at the Compton Village Community Center, 14401 Compton Village Drive, Centreville. Visit www.straphaelva.org contact Father Tom Palke via email frtom@straphaelva.org or telephone 703-303-3047.
New Life Christian Church is once again launching a Divorce Care Group, which will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at Westfield High School (child care provided). Divorce Care is a video-based seminar group for people who are experiencing difficulty with their separation or divorce. The group provides information about ways to heal from the hurt, and cope with the life pressures, which accompany separation and divorce. Contact Ron Furgerson at 703-860-3324 or 703-963-1314.
Centreville United Methodist is hosting DivorceCare, which meets Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at Centreville UMC. DivorceCare is a 13-week Christ-centered divorce recovery program, which walks participants through the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of someone going through separation and divorce. Cost is $15. Open to the community.
Jubilee Christian Center is offering free English as a second language classes during its Sunday School time, 10:10-10:50 a.m., on Sundays, at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
Cedar Run Community Church is a non-denominational Christian church. It meets for Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. at Waples Mill Elementary off Waples Mill Road in the Fair Oaks area. There's a Promiseland Children's Ministry for newborns through sixth-graders, as well as a dynamic, safe place for teens at the student ministry meeting during the Sunday service. Call 703-968-7312 or visit www.cedarrun.net.
New Hope Fellowship currently meets at 10:50 a.m. at the Greenbriar Community Center each Sunday. The center is located at 4615 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call 703-591-2948.
Community Care Groups at New Life Christian Church.
The following are support groups that meet at Westfield High School on Sunday mornings or as indicated. Contact Community Care Minister Ron Furgerson at 703-266-0118 or ron@newlife4me.com.
* Food Freedom — A Celebrate Recovery Support Group. This group uses a proven Biblical approach to promote healing from compulsive eating problems. The group meets at Westfield High School at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. Child Care is provided.
* Help for Hurts, Habits, and Hang-Ups — A Celebrate Recovery Group. This group uses the 12-step approach coupled with the teachings of Jesus to help overcome or cope with all types of addictions, compulsions and life problems. The group meets at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday at Westfield High School. Child care is provided.
* Healthy Boundaries — Getting Control of Your Life. The group helps the over-stressed, over-worked and over-committed to gain control of their lives through developing healthy, balanced relationships. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. each Thursday at 13777 Laurel Rock Drive, Clifton.
Beth Moore Bible study series "Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit" will be offered for women Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. Workbooks are $15. Call 703-323-9500 or visit www.lordoflifelutheran.com.
New Life Christian Church is forming a new Grief Share Group for persons who are experiencing the hurt associated with loss of a loved one. The group meets for 12 sessions using a video-based discussion format and is effective in helping survivors deal with the issues faced by persons going through a period of grief. Contact Leslie Delp at 703-815-6274.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets at Centreville Baptist Church on alternate Friday mornings. Do you think spaghetti is a finger food? Write your grocery list in crayon? Come join other moms for encouragement and support. Contact Centreville Baptist Church at 703-830-3333 or visit www.cbcva.org
Northern Virginia Orthodox Mission meets each Sunday for Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. at Compton Village, 14401 Compton Village Drive, Centreville. All services are in English. All are welcome. Go to www.nvorthodox.org or call Tammy at 703-426-8719.
New Life Christian Church is once again offering two Divorce Care Groups, one meeting on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Westfield High School (child care provided) and one home group which meets on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Both are video-based seminar groups for people who are experiencing difficulty with their separation or divorce. The groups provide sound information about ways to heal from the hurt and cope with the life pressures, which accompany separation and divorce. Groups are free. Contact Jon Williams at 703-505-4525 or Deeanne Rampey at 703-266-8357.
YAWEH (You Are Welcome Here) will be held on the first Sunday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for a Christian discussion group reinforcing God's love for the GLBTQ community (and the people who love them.) The discussion is led by Pastor Sandi John and Minister of Music Dean Jenkins. The gathering is an informal time of worship, instruction and fellowship. Call the church office at 703-471-5225, e-mail Pastor@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com and/or see the Web site at www.WashingtonPlazaChurch.com for directions. The church is located at 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston.
Shepherd Gate Church is now offering two services: 9 and 10:45 a.m. The church is located at 4310 Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly. Visit www.shepherdgate.org or call 703-961-1040.
Unity Life Center of Chantilly holds Sunday services and youth education at 10 a.m. with the Revs. Cynthia Vermillion-Foster and Don Foster. The church is located at 14088-C Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly. Call 703-263-7645 or visit www.unitylife.org.
St. John's Episcopal Church offers the following: Sunday Eucharist services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A nursery for children up to age 3 is available. Opportunities for adult, youth and child enrichment are offered. On Wednesdays, a Eucharist and Healing Service is held at 9:15 a.m. Call 703-803-7500 or visit www.stjohnscentreville.org, or e-mail officemanager@stjohnscentreville.org. The church is located at 5649 Mount Gilead Road, Centreville.
Centreville Assembly of God holds services on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. Morin service at 14281 Lee Highway in Centreville. The church also provides transportation for its services. Call 703-307-6179.
Centreville UMC offers a growing ministry to single adults aged 40 and better. Koinonia Singles sponsors monthly activities such as hikes, concerts, picnics, and other opportunities for fun, building friendships, and growing closer to God. If you are looking for ways to connect with other Christian single adults in this area, contact the church office at 703-830-2684.