Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993 TAG: 9306240379
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ ZION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH between Fincastle and Eagle Rock in Botetourt County will celebrate its 160th anniversary Sunday with worship and fellowship. The Rev. David Giffin, a Hiddenite, N.C., pastor who served the church from 1968 to 1976, will preach at 11 a.m. as will Doug Echols, a member preparing for the ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
A potluck lunch will be held on the grounds. At 2 p.m., the Iron Gate group, The Expressions, will sing in a concert. "Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future" is the anniversary's theme.
The Rev. Mitchell Lucki', pastor since 1991, said the congregation is one of the oldest in the Roanoke area, dating from 1843 and predating the Southern Baptist Convention by two years. Two years ago Zion Hill was the site of a 150th anniversary program for the Roanoke Valley Association of Southern Baptists.
Luckie also said the congregation has worshipped in three different buildings. The present one, off U.S. 220 at Virginia 681 and 655, was constructed in three stages between 1968 and 1985. About 75 now attend worship.
\ CHURCH OF THE HARVEST, a full gospel congregation without denominational connection, has observed its first anniversary. Under the leadership of Melvin L. West, Paul R. Owens and J. Carey Harrell, about 40 people worship each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the old Baptist Book Store building at 5330 Williamson Road. Programs for children and youth are included in the Sunday morning worship. There also is a service on Wednesday nights at 7:30.
\ THE REV. MICHAEL CHANDLER has resigned after a three-year pastorate at First Church of the Brethren. Chandler, 43, will become pastor of Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in Denver on Aug. 1. The native Californian came to the Roanoke church after an interim pastorate in Botetourt County.
\ HOLLINS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, 3502 Old Hollins Road N.E., has planned a community patriotic celebration July 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. on its lawn by Tinker Creek. The Rev. Mark Washington, pastor, will speak, colors will be presented and recognition will be given veterans.
Participants are invited to bring supper. The church will supply soft drinks and dessert. Call 362-5969 for more information.
\ RABBI JEROME FOX of Beth Israel Synagogue has returned from a national conference for Conservative Judaism held in Montreal. There he was on the program and shared in presenting, "The Role of the Rabbi in the Greater Community."
Fox spoke on his teaching Hebrew classes in West Virginia and in the Roanoke Valley for the past 18 years to both Jews and non-Jews interested in enriching their knowledge of the Judeo-Christian heritage.
\ THE SENIOR CHOIR of Jerusalem Baptist Church will observe its 94th anniversary with a concert Sunday at 4 p.m. Performing at the church at 1014 Norfolk Ave. S.W. will be the Jerusalem Men's Chorus and choral groups from Bibleway Pentecostal Apostolic Church of Christ and Sweet Union Baptist, along with the Stuart Jones Ensemble.
\ RIDGEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH, 703 Hemlock Road N.W., has begun Manna Morning, an activity time for small children and those who keep them at home.
Held each third Friday at 10 at the church, the program includes field trips and enrichment activities designed for both the children and their caretakers. The ministry is free. Call 342-6492 for more information.
Also, Ridgewood's pastor, the Rev. Nelson Harris, recently completed a three-year program in pastoral care through Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg. Harris also had a 1991 sermon, "Our Call and Our Critics," published in Proclaim, a national Southern Baptist journal on preaching.
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.
by CNB