Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992 TAG: 9202270414
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
RELIGION BRIEFS
LENT, the period of 40 days, excluding Sundays, before Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday next week. On that day, many Christians will go to church for special services, some of which include the imposition of ashes placed on the forehead to remind worshipers that everyone returns to the Earth at death.This act of humility on Ash Wednesday is followed by weekly devotions in churches and often special classes to enhance spiritual growth. The color purple, used in the pulpit and altar hangings for the Lenten period, reminds churchgoers that Lent is a time for self-denial and reflection so that the coming joy of Easter, April 19, is better appreciated.
\ THE ROANOKE VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY has set a goal of 10 homes for the working poor in 1992. Under the leadership of William S. Hubard, the group is raising $195,000 to erect houses on 13 lots. Monthly education programs to help Habitat homeowners with seasonal needs also are under way.
\ JEREMIAH PEOPLE, a Christian musical comedy group, will perform March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road in the Hollins area. "Stop the Presses" will be the theme for the seven young adults, who are part of Continental Ministries of Denver. A $4 donation is requested.
\ BONSACK BAPTIST CHURCH at 4845 Cloverdale Road will be dedicated Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service. Reginald McDonough, executive director for Virginia Southern Baptist ministries, will speak.
The 750-seat worship center has been under construction for more than a year and cost more than $2 million. The Rev. Dr. Robert Moore, pastor, said membership at the 112-year-old congregation has grown from 43 to 1,000, and attendance has increased in the several weeks the new building has been in use.
\ FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 310 N. Jefferson St., is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Dating from 1867, it is the oldest Baptist church in Roanoke. The Bible Band service group of the church will present a pageant, "Mr. and Mrs. First Baptist," March 21 at 6 p.m. as one of the anniversary observances.
\ SHENANDOAH BAPTIST CHURCH, 6520 Williamson Road in the Hollins area, will sponsor a lecture, "Israel: Where She Stands Today," March 8 at 6 p.m. The lecture will be given by the Rev. Larry Jaffrey, a staff member of Chosen People Ministries, which seeks to convert Jews to Christianity. Now southern regional director of the agency, Jaffrey has worked in Christian evangelism in 15 states.
\ FAIRVIEW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1310 Van Buren St. N.W., will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Starting March 14 and continuing at 8:30 each Saturday morning through April 11, the church will sponsor prayer breakfasts open free to the community.
Speakers will include: March 14, the Rev. Tammy Estep of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church; March 21, Mary Lynn Barrett of Central Church in Salem; March 28, the Rev. Arthur Wolz of Mechanicsville; April 4, the Rev. Jon Bennett of First United Methodist in Salem; April 11, Elaine Cronk of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church.
The Rev. Robert Chapman, pastor, also will lead a study group, "The Easter Moment," Thursdays, March 12-April 9, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church.
\ THE REV. E.T. BURTON will mark his 33rd anniversary March 8 as pastor of Sweet Union Baptist Church. The Rev. Enos H. Glaspie of Shiloh Baptist Church in Salem will speak for a recognition service at 3 p.m. at the church at 521 Madison Ave. N.W.
\ AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAIR, featuring arts and crafts displays, music, drama, a fashion show and foods, will be held Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, corner of Fifth Street and Gilmer Avenue Northwest. A play, "Remembering the Dream," also will be presented.
\ THE GOSPEL CHORUS at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2128 Melrose Ave. N.W., will celebrate its 26th anniversary Sunday with a program at 4:30 p.m. Speaker will be the Rev. Kenneth B. Wright of First Baptist Church on North Jefferson Street.
\ FIRST CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, Buchanan, has scheduled a special service Sunday at 3 p.m. It will be led by the Rev. James A. Saunders and the choir of Sharon Baptist Church in Stewartsville.
\ THE REV. ROBERT JONES, an administrator of Church of the Brethren work for more than 20 years and most recently director of Camp Bethel, will be honored Saturday with a reception and program at Lord Botetourt High School. Jones and his wife, Doris, who also has been on the conference center staff, are retiring but will continue to live in the Roanoke area.
The reception will start at 3 p.m. with testimonial program at 6.
\ UNITY ENSEMBLE of Lynchburg will be in concert Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Garden of Prayer No. 6, 501 19th St. N.W.
\ THE REV. ROBERT M. HAMNER, pastor of Grandin Court Baptist Church for more than 30 years, will conclude his ministry there July 31, just after his 65th birthday. The native of San Antonio, Texas, came from a pastorate in that city to the Southwest Roanoke church.
\ LAKESIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, 447 Dalewood Ave. in Salem, has scheduled David Ring as an evangelistic speaker Sunday at 6 p.m.
Ring, son of a Baptist pastor, overcame cerebral palsy and a broken family to become a staff member of First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla. He now visits more than 200 churches each to witness to his faith.
\ Deadline for religion briefs for Neighbors is Thursday. Material must be delivered to Neighbors Religion Briefs, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, by noon in order to run in the following Thursday edition.