Religion briefs for Dec. 5

'Hanging of the Greens' at St. Paul UMC

Join St. Paul United Methodist Church today at 6:30 p.m. as they decorate our sanctuary and prepare our hearts for the Advent season. They are using a new service this year that will be meaningful to people of all ages. First, they will gather in the fellowship hall to share refreshments and receive final instructions. The service will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and everyone can participate -- both old and young. Please invite your family, grandchildren, friends and neighbors to come for what promises to be a new and exciting way to experience God in worship. St. Paul United Methodist Church is located at 1400 G St., Woodbridge (just off Occoquan Road). Please contact Cyndy at 703-494-2445 for more information.

Nokesville Church of the Brethren events

Nokesville Church of the Brethren announce holiday events for Sunday, with the hosting of a children's Christmas program at 11 a.m.

On Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., enjoy the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony at the corner of Nokesville Road and Fitzwater Drive.

Santa will visit with children in the fellowship hall from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and will be collecting canned food for the needy. At 5:15 p.m., chili and other food will be served.

Also free carriage rides will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and a live nativity will be held from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

A worship service will be held Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. and don't miss the Christmas Eve Candle Lighting and Communion Service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.

Nokesville Church of the Brethren is at 13002 Fitzwater Drive. For more information, visit nokesville cob.org.

Manassas Baptist Church hosts events

Manassas Baptist Church announces two opportunities for the community this weekend. The first, "Sing We Noel," will be presented by the Manassas Chorale today at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The 83-voice Chorale will be joined by 11 instrumentalists and guest soloist Michael Forest from Shenandoah University.

A voice faculty member at the Winchester, Virginia Conservatory of Music, Michael also performs regularly with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Tickets for the concerts are available at the door or at Music and Arts Center in Westgate Plaza and at Whimsical Galerie in Old Town Manassas.

The second opportunity for the community, "Unwrap the Joy," the children's Christmas program, will be presented Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary. Led by the Carol, Cherub, Creation and

Celebration Choirs, they will be joined by Genesis and Covenant Handchimes and Jubilation Ringers. Children (age 3 to grade 5) will sing, narrate, ring and tell the Christmas story through carols, anthems and drama.

Manassas Baptist Church is at the intersection of Stonewall and Sudley Roads in Manassas.

For more information, visit their website at www.manassasbaptist.org or the Manassas Chorale website at www.manassaschorale.org.

Hilda Barg hosts conversation Monday

Join Hilda Barg at St. Margaret's Anglican Church, 13900 Church Hill Drive, Woodbridge, for a special evening of "Coffee, Christmas Cookies and Conversation" on Monday at 7 p.m. Her newly published cookbook of special family recipes, "Hilda Barg's Recipes from the Flock," fulfills her lifelong dream of producing a cookbook to raise funds to prevent homelessness in this community. Local churches and other organizations that support the Homeless Shelter are mentioned in the front of her cookbook. Her autographed cookbook makes an excellent, one of a kind Christmas gift for that special someone on your list, and all profits go to support the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter.

Barg has a long family history in our county. She grew up on the Cherry Hill Peninsula in the Dent family, well known local watermen who fished the Potomac River and operated a seafood restaurant that was famous throughout the metro area. She represented the Woodbridge District on the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) for 20 years. Recently retired from the BOCS, she continues to serve our county's residents on the Community Services Board and through her volunteer activities.

You'll enjoy hearing her tell about life in Prince William County and her family's holiday traditions and special recipes. Please bring a friend and join us for this special evening. For more information, contact St. Margaret's Church, 703-494-7621.

Advent services

at New Covenant

Advent is a season of waiting with anticipation -- anticipating celebrating Jesus' birth on Christmas day and waiting for his second coming. This Advent season, New Covenant Fellowship asks: What have you been waiting for? What hopes, dreams, and plans have you been waiting and longing for? Are you willing to wait for God? Join New Covenant Fellowship at 10 a.m. on Sundays as they celebrate Advent.

For more information, go to www.ncfweb.org.

Manassas St. Thomas UMC hosts nativity

Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church to host "How Far to Bethlehem?" a drive-thru Living Nativity on Dec. 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is free to the community.

Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church is at 8899 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20110.

Buckhall UMC to host Christmas Pageant

Please join the youth of Buckhall United Methodist Church for their Christmas Pageant, "The Christmas Story," at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20. They will have angels and a "donkey" and a huge cast of real characters. A dessert reception will follow.

Buckhall United Methodist Church is at 10251 Moore Drive, Manassas, VA 20111.

School of Music teaches local students

Six music instructors teach a variety of musical instruments on weekday afternoons and evenings at Manassas Baptist Church.

Children, youth and adults receive private instruction from Alan Webb, Edward St. John, Bill Zsembery, Gerald Foukes, Mary Garrahan and Becky Rumbaugh. Instruments they teach include: guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, beginning trumpet, violin, cello and piano.

For more information about the School of Music or lessons with individual teachers, contact Becky Verner, director of music, at bverner@manassasbap tist.org or 703-361-2146, Ext. 291.

Lord's Pantry at St. Paul UMC needs items

The Lord's Pantry, a non-profit outreach mission of St. Paul United Methodist Church

providing food and other necessary items to low-income individuals and families in the Woodbridge, Lake Ridge and Dale City areas, is in need of:

n Non-perishable boxed and canned goods

n Paper products (plates, sups, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

n Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc.)

n Laundry and cleaning supplies

n Disposable diapers

Items can be dropped off Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lord's Pantry (aka The Bubb House) 1334 G St., Woodbridge.

For more information, contact Frances at 703-494-2445.

Academic Enrichment (tutoring) all year long

The ministry offers inspirational prayer, homework assistance, help with assignments and one-on-one tutoring. Tutoring is available to Ebenezer Baptist Church members and the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. third floor, room 311.

Although there is no charge for tutoring, EBC asks that parent(s) be willing to volunteer two hours in support of the ministry or any one of EBC's other ministries.

For more information, contact the Rev. Tony/Myrna Jenkins at 703-490-4118.

Send religion briefs to cscites@insidenova.com.