Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993 TAG: 9310290206
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Rick Lindquist
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
\ PEMBROKE LUTHERAN MEMORIAL CHURCH, - which used to be known as Stony Creek Lutheran Church - already is the oldest church in town. Sunday's sesquicentennial observance marks the end of a monthlong celebration of 150 years of Lutheran ministry in Giles County.
Pastor Solomon Schaeffer of Montgomery County organized Stony Creek in 1843. The present building was constructed in 1857 and has been in use ever since.
The Giles Lutheran Parish traces Lutheran activity in the county to the 18th century.
A Heritage Festival Service will be held at Pembroke Lutheran on Sunday at 4 p.m. Guest preacher will be the Rev. Richard F. Bansemer, bishop of the Virginia Synod. The Giles High Choral Ensemble will provide the music.
A reception will follow in the Pembroke Fire Department Activity Building, where historical exhibits from past and present Lutheran communities in Giles County will be on display.
To be unveiled is a new painting of Martin Luther, the German cleric and theologian who spearheaded the Reformation and founded the Lutheran church.
The painting, by local artist Robert Gerstacker, is in honor of the Pembroke church's anniversary.
The Rev. Dennis Gillespie is the presiding pastor of the Giles Lutheran Parish. He can tell you more at 921-1718 or 921-4352.
Speaking of Martin Luther, Sunday is REFORMATION SUNDAY, observed by many Protestant churches. Luther first translated the Latin Bible into German. He lived from 1483 to 1546.
Sunday also marks the return to Eastern Standard Time. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour tonight, because if you forget, you'll have no excuse for not making it to church on time.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church will sponsor a PANEL DISCUSSION ON PARENTING Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Alleghany Baptist Church, 416 Alleghany St., Blacksburg. Four evangelical Christian panelists from different church backgrounds will take part.
Parents are encouraged to share parenting resources they have found to be helpful.
Child care will be provided. If you'd like to submit questions to the panel, get in touch with Pam Reed, 552-5020, as soon as possible. Also, if you need child care, let her know how many youngsters you'll have in tow.
Refreshments will be served after the program.
\ WORLD COMMUNITY DAY will be observed Friday, 7:30 p.m., with a special worship service at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, sponsored by the Blacksburg unit of Church Women United. The service will extend the theme of healing that was explored during the World Day of Prayer and May Fellowship Day observances earlier in the year.
Donations taken up on World Community Day will be distributed throughout the world by Church Women United for programs that benefit women.
Emily Bender has more information at 951-1520.
A rally to provide information about a new CHRISTIAN SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM that emphasizes abstinence until marriage will be held Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at Main Street Baptist Church in Christiansburg.
The program, "True Love Waits," is being promoted among Southern Baptist congregations in the Highlands and East River associations and by the Virginia Baptist General Board.
The Rev. David Plott of Dublin, associational coordinator of ministries, has strongly endorsed the program, produced by the Southern Baptist Convention education staff in Nashville, Tenn.
Plott noted that Baptist congregational policy allows each church to decide if its youth groups will use the materials. He said he does not know how many churches are planning to use "True Love Waits," but said he's heard a lot of positive comments about it and that several churches are seriously considering it.
Plott said materials are aimed at teens, but parental knowledge about the program is encouraged. The program includes additional books suitable for pre-adolescents as well as for adults.
Next weekend's rally is not restricted to Baptists, by the way.
On the REVIVAL circuit this week:
The Rev. Mark Stone of Virginia Beach will be the evangelist at revival meetings Sunday through Wednesday at The Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 155 Dunlap Drive, one-half mile east of Interstate 81 Exit 118, Christiansburg. Services Sunday at 11 a.m. and each evening at 7:30 p.m.
A nursery will be provided.
Ellett Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church will be in revival with the Rev. Mark Buckner through Sunday. Services and singing tonight at 7 and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
To find out more, call 552-7113 or 639-5664.
Cornersview Pentecostal Holiness Church, Virginia 605 on the west end of Radford, will be in revival with evangelist Maude Cherry on Sunday through Wednesday, 7:30 each night.
Salem Nazarene Church, 3631 Evelyn Drive, will hold revival services Tuesday through Sunday, at 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday and at 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. A nursery will be provided.
Call Bob Christian, 268-5384.
\ RIVERVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, Ripplemead, celebrates homecoming Sunday with worship at 10:30 a.m. The group Riversedge and others will sing. A dinner on the grounds follows the service. Get further information from Penny Harless at 552-7575 (noon-6 p.m.).
"Understanding Grace," a presentation by Amy Brooks, will be offered Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg.
A discussion will follow. Call 552-8050 or 552-4749 to learn more.
The strains of GOSPEL MUSIC will ring out at several area locations:
The Farley Brothers, Carl Ratcliffe and Barry Collins will sing at the Riner Grace Brethren Church on Sunday at 7 p.m. The church is on Virginia 8, three miles past Auburn High School.
Carl Ratcliffe has more information at 382-4654.
The Scotts from Hiwassee will sing at Providence Methodist Church, Wilburn Valley Road, Pearisburg, Sunday at 11 a.m. and again following the potluck dinner at noon.
Call Edna O'Brien at (800) 541-6703 for more information.
Straight Street Coffee House and Teen Center, 300 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg, above Dow's Car Wash, has Adults' Night on Monday with gospel music 7:30-9 p.m. Then, stick around and enjoy the Monday night football game.
Call 381-1006 or 382-4654 for details.
Among special events at area churches:
The ninth annual ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE sponsored by St. Peter's Anglican Catholic Church continues today at the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, Christiansburg. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Refreshments will be available.
Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for children under 10.
Talk to Chris Overstreet, 382-8876, to learn more.
Cambria Baptist Church, Ellett Road and Cambria Street Northeast, Christiansburg, will hold a CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL Sunday, 6-8 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Kids are encouraged to come dress in costumes of Biblical character or in other non-scary, non-violent regalia.
Fun, games, contests, prizes and - of course - snacks will be the order of the evening.
Call the church office at 382-2490 to learn more.
The fall RUMMAGE SALE at First United Methodist Church, Main Street and Memorial Boulevard, Narrows, will be held Thursday, 6-8 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The sale is conducted by the United Methodist Women.
For more information, call Cornelia Smith, 726-7428.
A benefit all-you-can-eat SPAGHETTI DINNER AND BAKE SALE will be held next Saturday, 5-7 p.m., at Morgans Chapel United Methodist Church, New River Road (Virginia 624), in Pulaski County.
The supper is $3.50 for adults, and $2 for kids 10 and under. Carryouts are available. All proceeds go toward helping the Agee family with their medical expenses.
Give Linda Hanshew at call at 639-0324 for details.
St. Paul Methodist Church will hold its annual\ FALL BAZAAR next Saturday. Doors open at 9 a.m. for crafts. They start serving the turkey lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Donna Chafin has further information at 382-4981 or 381-0576 (after 6 p.m.).
The United Methodist Women of the Pearisburg First United Methodist Church will hold a BAZAAR Saturday at 9 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served, there will be a country store, and crafts and baked goods will be on sale.
The Newport-Mount Olivet United Methodist Church will hold its\ COUNTRY BAZAAR Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the fellowship hall off Virginia 42 in Newport.
Featured will be a country kitchen, crafts and gift show, Christmas corner, country store, cookie decorating and face painting for youngsters, and free refreshments.
Donna Martin can tell you more at 544-7183 or 626-3572.
The 51st HOLIDAY BAZAAR sponsored by Blacksburg United Methodist Church will be Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the church, Church and Lee streets.
Featured will be an array of homemade crafts, candies, baked goods, canned jams and jellies, holiday items, plants and "attic treasures."
Child care will be provided for shoppers. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit many charitable causes, including the Midwest Flood Relief Fund, Camp Alta Mons, the Blacksburg Clothing Bank and the Women's Resource Center, among others.
Call Pat Marlow, 552-4354, for details.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization in care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon on Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB