2 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Table of Contents 2 3 4 5 6
The Winchester Star
Where We Worship
Make worship part of the season Ever wonder? Brucetown United Methodist Church
Index of Advertisers Advent Lutheran Church ...............................6
Haines, Greene, and Yowell Tax Service .......16
Berryville Baptist Church ..............................8
Home Instead Senior Care .........................10
Bethel Lutheran Church ...............................3
Kernstown United Methodist Church ...........10
Bluemont United Methodist Church ...............6
Macedonia Church .......................................7
Braddock Street United Methodist ................7
Meade Memorial Church ..............................8
Brucetown United Methodist Church ...............3
Mount Hebron Cemetery ............................12 New Hope Baptist Church ...........................12
Gabriel’s surprise Burnt Factory United Methodist Church
A church unlike others; it’s in a bar Grace Downtown of Winchester
Burnt Factory United Methodist Church ..........4 Calvary Church of the Brethren .....................11
New Life Christian Church ..........................11
A message from Advent Lutheran Church Advent Lutheran Church
Christ Reigns Presbyterian Church ................6
Open Door Baptist Church ..........................11
Crums United Methodist Church ...................9
Opequon Presbyterian Church ....................13
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church ..16
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church .......13
Emmanuel United Methodist Church .............9
Shepherd of the Hills Church ......................14
Fellowship Bible Church ..............................16
Sherando Presbyterian Church ......................8
First Presbyterian Church .............................6
St. John’s Lutheran Church ..........................13
Genesis Primitive Church ..............................3
Willows at Meadow Branch ...........................4
Grace Downtown of Winchester ....................5
Winchester Baptist Church ...........................8
7 - 12 Area church directory listings 13
Reclaiming the miracle Opequon Presbyterian Church
14
Photos from 2017 Follow the Star Nativity
Make worship an integral part of the holiday season The hustle and bustle of the often hectic holiday season can make it easy to overlook religion during this special time of year. Come the holidays, adherents of Judaism celebrate Chanukah while many Christians celebrate Christmas. Though different, the two holidays share some similarities. In celebration of Chanukah, families gather for an eight-day commemoration to honor the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and a miracle in which a small amount of oil illuminated a menorah for eight days. Perhaps because it falls during the holiday season, Chanukah has become one of the most well-known Jewish celebrations, even for those who do not adhere to the Jewish faith. For devout Christians, Christmas isn’t about eggnog and Santa Claus. Christmas (Christ’s Mass) is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. Christmas is a day of great joy in the Christian faith because it marks the beginning of Jesus’ time on earth. Both Chanukah and Christmas, while joyous celebrations, are laced with solemnity. The Second Jewish Temple was desecrated by Greek-Syrians, who had erected an altar to Zeus and sacrificed pigs within its sacred walls. At this point in time, Jews had to practice their faith in secret, reading the Torah underground and using dreidels to simulate games and confuse Greek soldiers. However, the Jews, led by a small group of rebels known as the Maccabees, persevered, marking the joy of Chanukah for years to come. The period leading up to Christmas known as Advent is a time for repentance and preparation for the grace and miracle of Jesus’ birth. According to Christianity.com, the word “advent” is derived from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming.” Advent is a time to both reflect on the past and look forward to the future. Much like Lent, Advent is intended to be a season of fasting, prayer and reaching out to God. During the holiday season, houses of worship customarily host prayer sessions and special holiday-related events. The faithful are encouraged to participate in these events in celebration of their faith. Prayer can help remove distractions during the holiday season, helping individuals reconnect with the true meaning of the holiday season.
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Ever wonder? Ever sit and think I wonder who those cars belong to parked in the shopping lot? Are they working? Or shopping? I wonder who lives in that big house? Or the small one? Wonder if they have children, lived here a long time or recently transferred in due to new businesses opening in the area? And that plane going over — ever wonder who is on it? Are they headed to a nice sunny warm place for vacation or are they headed off to work on a business deal? Are there children who will miss them tonight? Wonder where they are traveling…. Have you ever wondered? Does God look down at us and wonder? Wonder why we rush and strive, push and struggle so much? Wonder why we are not more willing to open our hearts and resources —our time and energies to help another? Wonder why of all times of the year, God sees us — those created by the hands of God — engaging in a season of stress and impatience at this time versus one of waiting, one of peace and one reflecting hope in the celebration of the birth of Christ. The knowledge is ours, we continue to wait for the return of Christ, comfortable and content that no matter our circumstances we know Hope because we know how it ends, we know God, God’s gift of salvation, a life of eternity. And yet does God wonder why we are then rushing, pushing, pouting, demanding more this time of the year? Why there are more horns honking and beeping, more voices raised and
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 3
Where We Worship
Content contributed by Brucetown United Methodist Church
folks simply drained. Probably not, God knows. Amazed at our behavior, though certainly not surprised, yet still God loves (and pursues). Do we Wonder? Have we lost our sense of Wonder? Of Awe? Of Amazement that this season brings teaching us to engage in the “wait”, in the peace and the calm and in the celebration of Christmas, Christ coming. To pause, to wonder. A time of reflecting, re-directing our own life choices, to nurture contentment and patience more, to allow kindness and compassion to flow from our beings…ever wonder? “Wonder, according to the dictionary, is a deep emotion caused by something extraordinary, astonishing, amazing, or so beautiful it is difficult to comprehend.” Ever wonder about the miracle of Christmas? The Wonder of Christmas. Have we lost the wonder of a child (our own child within)? The wonder of “what’s that?,” “what does it do,” “oh wow.” Are we “wowed” any more or do we find the burden of the drill we have created so heavy to carry we cease to care about the “wonder.” The wonder that God would love us still, that God cares when hearts both break in sorrow and rejoice in joy, that God is God; still on the throne, God who was, God who is and God who will come. The wonder that God would remain patient and seeking us still during our own greed, unkindness and “selfie-focused” world. Though we are not all this nature (or not all
the time), should we not stop to wonder — be in awe and reverence for God who created, God who pursues, and God who shows us amazing grace — lest we remain in this undesired state. To wonder, to pause to take time to be amazed by the gift of Christmas — the Christ Child, the Holy One, Emmanuel-God with us. The wonder of the manger — beautiful, unexpected, a humble birth of a king who wore no crown though angels proclaimed in song and worshiped, the savior of the world entered as a babe, the wonder of all. To wonder in amazement of What God has done… “God entered our world to save us from ourselves, to save us from sin, to offer us life everlasting, and to bring us peace. Joy, love, and hope.” The wonder of it all is amazing…is wonderful. This Christmas may you encounter the wonder of hope, the wonder of love, the wonder of joy, the wonder of peace, may you personally come to know the wonder of the name of Jesus and forever know the wonder of the promise of God. Blessings to each for time to Wonder this season. Merry Christmas, In the Peace and Grace of our Lord and Savior, Pastor Susan Brucetown United Methodist Church
4 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Gabriel’s surprise Max Lucado, in his book, “When God Whispers Your Name” with his great imagination, conjectures about what the angel Gabriel must have been thinking when tasked with delivering the Good News to Mary. Gabriel must have been scratching his head on this one! He wasn’t one to question God’s missions, after all, he could deliver wrath, send down fire and brimstone or do anything God empowered him to do. He had been around for a long time and was God’s “right hand” angel and his loyal servant. When word got out that God was going to earth to live with humans; he got very excited. He could picture it now; the Messiah in a flaming chariot; descending on Jerusalem or maybe even vanquishing the Romans; the King of all kings descending on a fiery cloud with power and might. Maybe, he would come as an explosion of light from which the Messiah would emerge; with trumpets blazing, people cheering, and earthly kings bowing down. That’s what Gabriel expected. What he never expected, however, was what he got: A slip of paper with a Nazareth address. The paper said: God will become a baby! Tell the mother, whose name is Mary, to name the baby Jesus and to not be afraid. Gabriel knew what babies were and even though he was having difficulty with this concept, he reasoned, oh well, God knows what he is doing. I bet it will be a grand baby, born to royalty; in opulent and lush conditions. I bet this baby will be born of the most prestigious family. I
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Where We Worship
Content contributed by Burnt Factory United Methodist Church
bet this Mary will be a queen! Okay, Gabriel has his orders; can you imagine his surprise when he gets to Mary? “Wait a minute, this is just a girl! She is not a queen. There’s no royal family, no legions of fans. In fact, she’s a peasant, poor and plain. This is to be the mother of our Lord? Why she’s barely outgrown her acne; if they had braces back then, she would have just got out of them and on top of that, she has a crush on some guy named Joseph. He’s going to be God’s father on earth? Give me a break; for goodness sake, he’s just a carpenter! Look at him over there with a nail pouch around his waist and sawdust in his beard; blisters on his hands. How can this couple remotely bring up and raise the Son of God? They are so common. Lucado goes on to conjecture, “It must have taken everything Gabriel had to not turn back!” God, who created everything out of nothing and who scooped out mountains with his mighty hand; who created man out of the dust of the earth and woman out of the side of man. God, who with one breath, blew life into being! God, who placed the universe into existence, who positioned the stars in the sky; God, who the heavens can’t contain ---- no one can fathom Almighty God coming to earth as a helpless infant? Are we so different from what Gabriel could have been thinking? Don’t we, at times want to make Jesus more God than human; more divine than earthly? Isn’t it somehow easier for us to think of the baby Jesus as above all this hu-
man stuff? But we must not fall into that trap. For Jesus was truly 100 percent God and 100 percent human. Jesus had to have his diapers changed and his nose wiped like every other young child. He had to be disciplined and taught and loved and encouraged like every child needs. When he fell down and scraped his knee---he cried; and when he got in trouble at school; he needed a time out. When he hit his finger with a hammer, he bled just like us. It is easy to keep the humanity out of the manger, but we know better, don’t we? I am so thankful that God loved us so much that he sent his one and only Son into the world that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. This Christmas, I pray that we will all take time to embrace the magnitude of God’s love. I pray that we will all come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and that our God is a God who will do anything to tell us and show us how much we are loved! If you are looking for a Church, I want to invite you to come out to the country, breathe the fresh air, and worship with us at Burnt Factory United Methodist Church where we share the love of Christ with all people! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God bless you! The Rev. C. Steven Melester
The Winchester Star
Where We Worship
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 5
A church unlike others: it’s in a bar
Content contributed by Grace Downtown of Winchester Grace Downtown of Winchester is probably unlike any church you may have attended in the past. We are affectionately called “The Church in a Bar” and invite you to come as you are. Many of our family belonged before they believed. We are an independent church dedicated to positively influencing the communities of downtown Winchester. Our continuing and ongoing vision is that of sharing Christ’s love and hope with all people, including but not exclusive to the lost, addicted, and unchurched. Since August of 2015 we have been reaching and impacting people with the love of Jesus and because of Him, changing lives. Here are few things you should know about us: The Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what you’ll hear. We believe in the power of prayer as it creates intimacy with God and accomplishes great things. We are going into the world. We exist to impact and benefit our community and the world around us. We’ll do whatever it takes to reach and impact others with the love of Christ. Life-change happens as we experience Jesus, when you spend time with Him. You will never be the same. Growth is a vital life process. When we consistently follow Jesus, we become like Him.
God has a plan for each of us. We equip people to discover their purpose and maximize their ability to serve others. We serve the entire family. We help each person to experience and know God, at their level. Life is about relationships. We love, laugh, cry and celebrate as we experience life together. We always bring our best. Excellence honors God and inspires people. We are real people, pursuing a real relationship with a real God. Come and experience the One True God with us as we worship Him with music, fellowship, service to others, and our hearts. Come and see that “church” is not a building but the body of Christ alive in Winchester living, laughing, loving and serving the risen Savior. Join us this Christmas Eve for our candlelight service at 6:30 as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We will also have a 9:30 a.m. morning service. Our service times are 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sundays at Brewbaker’s Restaurant on the walking mall in downtown Winchester. You can check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GraceDowntownWinchester. So come on down where, as Pastor Brad says, the coffee is hot, the hugs are free, and the fellowship is oh so sweet!
GINGER PERRY/The Winchester Star
Brad Hill, pastor of Grace Downtown of Winchester, greets worshippers to the church’s 2017 New Year’s Day service. Services are held at Brewbaker’s restaurant. (File photo)
6 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Where We Worship
A message from Advent Lutheran Church Content contributed by Advent Lutheran Church Pastor Porter and the members of Advent Lutheran Church greet you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Our congregation is a member of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and we stress Scriptural fidelity, the classical moral tradition of the Christian Church, and congregational involvement in proclaiming the Gospel of God’s grace to sinners. We welcome all who come in their need, seeking to learn about and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with body, mind, and soul. There is so much in our world today that is cheap, faint, loud, and ephemeral. So many options and so little substance. Endless distraction and ever-expanding workloads make hearing one’s own thoughts a challenge. There is more. There are yet weighty places and oases where things of ultimate importance are given the chief place. There are places where a Word from God may be heard. Our congregation is an imperfect place where the perfectly sustaining and refreshing Word of God may sound forth with all its power. Come away from the din of the world and listen with us. At Advent, you will find reverent Services of Word and Sacrament, engaging Christian education, and regular works of service to our local communities and beyond. If you are not a church person and unaware of the beauties and depth of the Christian faith, Christ calls to you! He has prepared people to learn with you, and He has a place for you in our congregation. If you are seeking a Christian community that challenges and comforts with the authentic faith of the Scriptures, Christ calls to you, and has prepared a place for you.
If you are seeking a substantial faith and a new way of life rooted in transcendent truth, Christ calls to you, and you have a place in our congregation. The Lord Jesus Christ has given Himself for the Life of the world, and for you, whoever you are! Come and join us as we offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to our Living Lord, Jesus Christ, even as we receive His very own Life – given for us as Word and Sacrament. Advent Lutheran will observe the four weeks of the Season of Advent beginning Dec. 3. This is a Season of expectation, preparation, as well as one of penitence. It ends with the Eucharist for Christmas Eve, where we celebrate the longed for Messiah, Jesus, as the Son of God come in the flesh. December 16: Advent Celebration 6:30 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer December 24: Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:30 a.m. Service of Holy Communion 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of Holy Communion December 25: Christmas Day Service of Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion – 10 a.m. Advent Lutheran Church 1508 Valley Avenue Winchester www.AdventLutheranWinchester.org
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Where We Worship
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 7
Chuch directory
Directory additions or corrections can be sent to jbaker@winchesterstar.com
Abundant Life Church 700 Aylor Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-7442
Beth El Congregation 520 Fairmont Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-1043
Boyce United Methodist Church 8 Old Chapel Ave. Boyce, VA 22620 (540) 331-1222
Calvar y Church of Brethren 578 Front Royal Pike Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-2350
Advent Lutheran Church 1508 Valley Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 313-4912
Bethel Lutheran Church 2077 N. Frederick Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-3245
Braddock Street Methodist Church 115 Wolfe St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-3366
Centenar y United Church of Christ 202 S. Cameron St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-9067
Berr yville Baptist Church 114 Academy St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1423
Bethel United Methodist Church 125 Muse Road Gore, VA 22637 (540) 550-6663
Brucetown United Methodist Church 2161 Brucetown Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 667-5275
Christ Church, Millwood 809 Bishop Meade Road Millwood, VA 22646 (540) 837-1112
Berr yville Nazarene Church 22 E. Main St. Berryville, VA 22611 (703) 297-0685
Blue Ridge Grace Brethren Church 1025 Cedar Creek Grade Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 667-9399
Burnt Factor y United Methodist Church 1943 Jordan Springs Road Stephenson, VA 22656 (540) 667-4993
Christ Episcopal Church 140 W. Boscawen St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-5843
Berr yville Presbyterian Church 123 W. Main St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1096
Bluemont United Methodist Church 33843 Snickersville Turnpike Bluemont, VA 20135 (540) 338-5084
Burnt Presbyterian Church 168 Burnt Church Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-7033
Christ Reigns Presbyterian Church 5754 Cedar Creek Grade Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 667-5978
Bethany Hill Baptist 117 Bethany Hill Drive Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-9249
Boyce Baptist Church 1 W. Main St. Boyce, VA 22620 (540) 837-1032
Calvar y Baptist Church 844 Amherst St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-2323
The Church at Winchester 1437 Front Royal Pike Winchester, VA 22602 (304) 676-9001
8 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Church of Christ at Mountain View 153 Narrow Lane Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 869-2244
Church of the Good Shepherd 645 Berryville Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 542-1776 College Park Church of Christ 106 Purdue Drive Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-9200 Congregational Christian Fellowship Church 2908 Middle Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 722-4949 Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church 189 Parson Court Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-2562 Crossroads Community Church 1147 Berryville Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 722-4035 Crums United Methodist Church 2832 Crums Church Rd Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1852
Dormition of the Virgin Mar y Greek Orthodox Church 1700 Amherst St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-1416
Where We Worship Faith Fellowship Church 371 Kimble Road Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-9020
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church 210 E. Main St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1264 Eagle Heights Presbyterian Church 403 S. Loudoun St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 722-5650 Emmanuel Baptist Church 2774 Northwestern Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 667-8924 Emmanuel United Methodist Church 2732 Martinsburg Pike Stephenson, VA 22656 (540) 662-1269 Fair view Lutheran Church 464 Fairview Road Gore, VA 22637 (540) 858-2643 Fair view United Methodist Church 1136 Double Church Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-5156
The Winchester Star Fishnet Ministries P.O. Box 1919 Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 636-2961
Fellowship Bible Church 3217 Middle Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-7743
Gainesboro United Methodist Church 351 Gainesboro Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 888-1492
First Baptist Church 205 W. Piccadilly St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-5367
Galilee Christian Church 1831 Welltown Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 665-0816
First Baptist Church of Middletown 2425 First St. Middletown, VA 22645 540) 664-1541
God’s Place 200 Reliance Road Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 868-0055
First Christian Church 75 Merrimans Lane Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-1334 First Presbyterian Church 116 S. Loudoun St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-3824 First United Methodist Church 308 N. Braddock St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-3151
Grace and Mercy Ministries 5488 Main St. Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 664-1010 Grace Bible Fellowship 643 Grace Church Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 662-1040 Grace Community Church 2333 Roosevelt Blvd. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-3300
The Winchester Star Grace Episcopal Church 110 N. Church St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1610
Hayfield Assembly of God 5118 Northwestern Pike Gore, VA 22637 (540) 877-1443
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 26 W. Boscawen St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-6678
Hebron Baptist Church 211 Gore Road Gore, VA 22637 (540) 858-3112
Kernstown United Methodist Church 3239 Valley Pike Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 667-7298
Grace United Methodist Church 7882 Main St. Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 869-1008
Heritage Baptist Church 2040 Martinsburg Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 450-7358
Keystone Baptist Church 15 Keystone Lane Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-3410
Gravel Springs Lutheran Church 1870 S. Pifer Road Star Tannery, VA 22654 (540) 465-4836
Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church 446 Highland Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-0809
Lebanon Lutheran Church 10120 Middle Road Lebanon Church, VA 22641 (540) 465-5456
Greenway Spirit & Word Fellowship 1275 Tasker Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 868-9110 Greenwood Baptist Church 779 Greenwood Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 665-0368 Greenwood United Methodist Church 726 Greenwood Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-3050
Where We Worship John Mann United Methodist Church 527 Van Fossen St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-7774
Hites Chapel United Methodist Church 150 Chapel Road Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 869-5775 Hopewell - Centre Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends 604 Hopewell Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 or 203 N. Washington St., Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-6919
Liberty Baptist Church 1400 Fairfax Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-6595 Lifegate Baptist Church 250 First Woods Drive Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 686-2783 Lighthouse Baptist Church 2581 Northwestern Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-8873
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 9 Living Faith Church and Outreach Ministries 210 Kern St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 665-2335
Living Hope Baptist Church 1838 Chapel Road Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 868-0268 Living Waters Christian Fellowship 4137 Cedar Creek Grade Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 542-1880 Macedonia United Methodist Church 1941 Macedonia Church Road White Post, VA 22663 (540) 869-4874 Market Street United Methodist Church 131 S. Cameron St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-6709 Mar vin Chapel United Methodist Church 1955 Shepherds Mill Road Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-0765 Meade Memorial Episcopal Church 192 White Post Road White Post, VA 22663 (540) 837-2334
10 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Middletown Presbyterian Church 7960 Senseney Ave. Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 869-3814
Millwood United Methodist Church 700 Bishop Meade Road Millwood, VA 22646 (540) 722-5633 Montague Avenue United Methodist Church 102 Montague Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-5149 Mountain Baptist Church 780 Frogtown Road Bluemont, VA 20135 (540) 955-4569 Mountain View Church of Christ 153 Narrow Lane Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 869-2244 Mountain View United Methodist Church 148 Richard Lane Star Tannery, VA 22654 (540) 877-2392 Mt. Air y Baptist Church P.O. Box 898 Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1880
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church 1317 S. Pleasant Valley Road Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-6532
Where We Worship New Hope Baptist Church 200 Dogwood Drive Cross Junction, VA 22625 (540) 888-3800
Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church 130 Mt. Carmel Road Paris, VA 20130 Mt. Olive Baptist Church 7893 Senseny Ave. Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 931-5242 Mt. Olive United Methodist Church 327 Mount Olive Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 877-3424 Mt. Pleasant-Lamps United Methodist Church 1800 Wardensville Grade Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 877-1744
The Winchester Star Pentecostal Holiness Church 2560 Martinsburg Pike Stephenson, VA 22656 (540) 667-1469
New Life Christian Church 2930 Middle Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 723-0030
Pine Grove United Methodist Church 2833 Green Spring Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 667-5020
Nineveh Presbyterian Church 5872 Winchester Road Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 692-4102
Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church 1619 Cedar Grove Rd. Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 431-1368
Old Bethel United Methodist Church 560 Old Bethel Church Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-6061 Open Door Baptist Church 333 Jeremiah Lane Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 450-8464
New Beginnings Community Church 5029 N. Main St. Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 327-0450
Opequon Presbyterian Church 217 Opequon Church Lane Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-1843
New Hope Alliance Church 2311 Papermill Road Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 722-4057
Our Savior Lutheran Church 2800 Millwood Pike Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 667-1459
Providence Chapel United Methodist Church 27 Providence Lane Bluemont, VA 20135 (877) 545-3946 Redland United Methodist Church 6540 N. Frederick Pike Cross Junction, VA 22625 (540) 888-4418 Refuge United Methodist Church 717 Refuge Church Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-3889 Reliance United Methodist Church 1574 Reliance Road Reliance, VA 22649 (540) 869-4549
The Winchester Star
Where We Worship
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 11
Relief United Methodist Church 5275 Middle Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 869-5775
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 130 Keating Drive Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-5858
St. John’s Lutheran Church 3623 Back Mountain Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 877-9407
Stephens City Mennonite Church 5540 Valley Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-5037
Rest United Methodist 4713 Martinsburg Pike Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 665-2926
Salem Church of the Brethren 425 Salem Church Road Stephens City, VA 22655
St. Luke Baptist Church 17 Church St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1883
Stephens City United Methodist Church 5291 Main St. Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-2348
St. Mar y’s Memorial Episcopal Church 106 N. Buckmarsh St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1610
Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 1270 N. Frederick Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 662-4676
St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church 1489 Old Bethel Church Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 678-3930
The Camp of Faith Church 635 Double Church Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-0497
Ridings Chapel United Methodist 1635 Salem Church Rd. Stephens City, VA 22656 (540) 869-2585 River Church 35. E. Jubal Early Drive Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 869-8966
Salem Regular Baptist Church 1362 Salem Church Road Boyce, VA 22620 (540) 837-1785 Shenandoah Valley Baptist Church 4699 Valley Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-4600
Riverton United Methodist Church 55 E. Strasburg Road Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 635-3878
Shenandoah Valley Metropolitan Community Church 203 N. Washington St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 315-3574
Rockland Community Church 2921 Rockland Road Front Royal, VA 22630 (540) 635-8312
Sherando Presbyterian Church 751 Fairfax Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-9088
Round Hill United Methodist Church 2993 Northwestern Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 877-2317
Shiloh Baptist Church/Old Stone Church 522 N. Kent St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-7854
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church 428 N. Loudoun St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 665-2955 St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Episcopal Church 1527 Senseny Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 667-8110 St. Stephens AME Church 424 Chase St. Winchester, VA 22601
The Church at Winchester 1437 Front Royal Pike Winchester, VA 22602 (304) 676-9001 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 399 Apple Pie Ridge Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 532-0039 The Life Church 199 Agape Way Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-6070
12 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Tree of Life Ministries 1601 Yaxley Drive Purcellville, VA 22132 (703) 554-3595 Trinity Lutheran Church 810 Fairfax Street Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-4019 Unitarian Universalist Church 6380 Valley Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-6965 Unity of the Shenandoah Inc. 6460 Valley Pike Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 868-1903 Valley Bible Church 578 Double Church Road Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-7112 Victor y Church 2870 Middle Road Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-9400 Welltown United Methodist Church 1444 Welltown Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 665-0433
Where We Worship
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church 620 Chapel Hill Road Cross Junction, VA 22625 (540) 888-8491 Wesley United Methodist Church 527 Van Fossen St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 667-7577 White Hall United Methodist 3265 Apple Pie Ridge Road Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 256-8974
Winchester Church of God 2080 N. Frederick Pike Winchester, VA 22603 (540) 667-8017 Winchester Grace Brethren Church 143 Greenwood Road Winchester, VA 22602 (540) 662-6360 Winchester Mennonite Church 610 Adams Road Winchester, VA 22603 (717) 414-0199
White Post United Methodist Church 158 White Post Road White Post, VA 22663 (540) 722-5633
Winchester Seventh-day Adventist Church 1508 Valley Ave. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 665-0527
Winchester 1st Church-Nazarene 181 Nazarene Drive Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 662-5165
Winchester Wesleyan Church 3101 Papermill Road Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 722-5640
Winchester Anglican Church 275 Double Tollgate Road White Post, VA 22663 (540) 450-8545
Woodbine Assembly of God 626 Rest Church Road Clear Brook, VA 22624 (540) 662-2471
Winchester Baptist Church 200 Flanagan Drive Winchester, VA 22602 (703) 507-2257
Worshipping Without Walls Ministries 119 E. Cork St. Winchester, VA 22601 (540) 664-0368
The Winchester Star
Zion Baptist Church 10 Josephine St. Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-1353
The Winchester Star
Reclaiming the Miracle When I was a child, December was my favorite month of the year. I looked forward to all that would be happening within our family, community, and church. Christmas was coming, and December 25th was circled in red on our calendar. Somehow, December seemed like a holy month to me, and in some ways, it still does! “Holy?” you may ask. “How can it be ‘holy’ when there is so much to do, so many places to go, so many gifts to purchase, so many cards to get out, so much ado about everything?” Well, the word “holy”, at its root, means “something or someone set apart”; and, I believe that is what the month of December can be as we anticipate and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ and reclaim the miracle. Preparing during Advent, the four-week season preceding Christmas, helps us set apart time to consider and focus on the meaning of God with us, Emmanuel; but, it does take some effort to reclaim this miracle during the trappings and trimmings of a busy season. Several years ago, my Sunday school class joined together for a special Advent study, which observed, “Once December arrives, people are eager to start singing
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 13
Where We Worship
the Christmas songs. We can’t wait until December 25 because, once December 26 arrives, Christmas is over! It’s time to take down the tree, get to the stores, and buy next year’s ornaments and decorations while everything is on sale. Sorting out sentimentality from biblical truth is one of the many challenges of the Christmas season. Strictly read, the biblical story itself offers none of our favorite Christmas card images — Mary riding a donkey with Joseph by her side, three kings gathering around the manger with the shepherds, and cute, cuddly animals snuggling up with the baby Jesus. While sentimentality is not a bad thing in and of itself, it is no replacement for the stunning miracle of the incarnation. Within the worshiping community, Christmas reclaims the miracle of Emmanuel, God-withus.” I pray each year that during December, people will seek to reclaim the miracle by focusing on the promise foretold and the promise fulfilled. As we hear familiar stories, and God shapes new ones, I pray that we will open our hearts to God’s work in our midst. Most of all, let us rejoice in the truth
Content contributed by Opequon Presbyterian Church
of the miracle, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) I invite your presence and your participation as we remember, reclaim, and rejoice, celebrating the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings. May this be a blessed and holy December for you and yours! Pastor David Witt
14 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Where We Worship
Follow the
Above, left: shepherd girl, Noelle Perry, 9, poses with a 3-week old donkey at the Follow the Star’s photo booth. The annual guided, outdoor walking live Nativity was held at the Kernstown Battlefield and hosted by Fellowship Bible Church on Dec. 2 and 3. Right: Susan Avery starts the story of the Nativity at the first stop on the outdoor, guided walking tour of Follow the Star.
The Winchester Star
Photos by Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star
The Winchester Star
Where We Worship
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 — 15
Clockwise from top left: Bethany Shaner, from left, shows McKinley Orth, 6, and Conner Orth, 9, how to weave on a loom at the interactive market square. The market area was a new addition this year, and had demonstrations such as baking, weaving and blacksmithing. Pierce Francis pulls a piece of metal out from the fire during a blacksmithing demonstration. A Roman soldier stands guard during Follow the Star. The outdoor walking tour uses hundreds of volunteers to tell the story of the night Jesus was born. The baby Jesus is born in a stable scene at Follow the Star. The angel Gabriel visits the virgin Mary in a scene from the live Nativity.
16 — Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Where We Worship
The Winchester Star