Religious events

Live nativity

Refuge United Methodist Church, 717 Refuge Church Road, Stephens City, will have a live nativity from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Call 540-868-6723.

Advent Lutheran Church

A special visitor will come to Advent Lutheran Church, 1508 Valley Ave., Winchester, at 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

The visitor is the innkeeper of Bethlehem where Mary and Joseph were looking for a room to prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Noel Vold, pastor, will portray the innkeeper. He does first person presentations of various Bible characters in costume as part of his ministry.

A reception will follow the presentation.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran

The Rev. Dwayne Westermann, president of Godparents for Tanzania, will be the special guest this weekend as Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 26 W. Boscawen St., begins the Advent season.

The Global Missions Team will host an international dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday followed by Holden Evening Prayer at 6 p.m.

The Global Missions Market will be open offering alternative Christmas gifts with donations to support the mission work in Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka.

All are invited.

Another Chance Church

Another Chance Church, 214 E. Piccadilly St., Winchester, will have a coffee house and open mic event from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Gravel Springs Lutheran

Gravel Springs Lutheran Church will have “Mocha and a Message” at 6 p.m. Saturday. This is contemporary gospel music along with coffee (and other beverages) and light refreshments. There is no charge, but a freewill offering will be taken.

Mountain View UMC

Mountain View United Methodist Church at Mount Falls will have a Hanging of the Greens program at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Soup, sandwiches and cookies will be served after the service at the Back Creek Ruritan Building.

A Christmas cantata and program will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 23 at the church. A covered-dish dinner will follow at the Back Creek Ruritan Building,

Child Evangelism Fellowship  and Valley Bible Church

A Good News Club, sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship and Valley Bible Church, meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. the third Tuesday in the cafeteria of Middletown Elementary School.

Participants must bring a permission slip from a parent. For more information, call 540-667-5814 or visit valleybibleconnections.org and click on Good News Club.

Relief UMC

Relief United Methodist Church, 5275 Middle Road, Winchester, will host the Sherando choirs at 7 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary.

Cedar Creek Presbyterian

Parish of the Valleys Christmas Cantata will be held at Cedar Creek Presbyterian Church, 7152 Middle Road, Marlboro, at 7 p.m. today. Call 540-869-2456.

Stephens City UMC

Stephens City United Methodist Church, 5291 Main St., Stephens City, will have a Christmas benefit program, “How Great Our Joy,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 with the Robert E. Aylor Middle School Select Chorus, Apple Valley Ringers, SCUMC Ensemble, Symphony of the Valley, Brass (including James Wood High School members) and Percussion.

Proceeds will benefit the music programs of the participants.

On Dec. 9, worship service Preludes begin at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. with the Congregation, SCUMC Chancel Choir/Ensemble, Bells, SOV, Brass and Percussion singing carols sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and G.F. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Donations accepted. Call 540-869-2348 or visit stephenscityumc.org.

Weekday Religious Education

Virginia Weekday Religious Education conducts weekly 30-minute Bible classes for fourth- and fifth-grade students of Frederick County.

Classes are held off school campus on the WRE bus. Parents can enroll students by calling 540-869-4270 or visit leftlane.us/WRE.

Bible Study Fellowship

Bible Study Fellowship will host the 2012-13 study of Genesis.

Welcome classes will be held the first Tuesday of every month. Classes are also offered for students in grades 1-12. For more information, call Allison Smith at 540-247-1287.

Round Hill UMC

Round Hill United Methodist Church, U.S. 50 west of Winchester, is presenting Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Call 540-877-2317 or visit roundhillum.org.

Greenwood UMC

Greenwood United Methodist Church offers “Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study” for 34 sessions at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the church, 726 Greenwood Road, Winchester.

A study will also be held at 9 a.m. Saturdays.

The cost of the book is $35. Call 540-662-3050 for more information.

Holy Family Orthodox

The Rev. Richard O’Connell Reed and Matushka Carol are establishing the Holy Family Orthodox Church in the Northern Shenandoah Valley around Woodstock.

The parish is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. Sunday liturgy is at 10 a.m., and the rite is St. Gregory (Western Rite).

For more information, visit HolyFamilyOrthodoxChurch.com.

Winchester Seventh-day Adventist

“His Helping Hands,” sponsored by the Winchester Seventh-day Adventist Church, meets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays at 156 Lambden Ave.

The mission is to give back to the community by knitting, crocheting or sewing items to be donated to patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

A light lunch will be served. It is open to the public. Call 540-722-4272.

Subud

Subud, an international spiritual movement, meets twice a week for 30 minutes.

Call Emmanuel Kennedy of Berryville at 540-550-1767 for the location and details. Visit subud.com.

Religious events

Religious events are published Fridays. The information is due a week before the event. Email flowe@winchesterstar.com or community@winchesterstar.com or mail to Frances C. Lowe, life editor, The Winchester Star, 2 N. Kent St., Winchester, Va. 22601.