Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 25, 1993 TAG: 9312230240
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: IN RELIGION LENGTH: Long
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them . . . and they were sore afraid. the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2: 7-11)
Matthew recites the tale of the gifts of the Magi - or Wise Men:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . . there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 2: 1; 11.)
Have a joyous Christmas!
\ Churches in the area have scheduled New Year's observances:
Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church will have a Watch Night service New Year's Eve, 8 p.m.-midnight, in the church fellowship hall on Merrimac Road, Blacksburg. The Rev. David Wood, Christian education Director of the Appalachian Conference, will be the guest speaker and singer.
For more information, call Jerry Sloss, 552-5070.
Corners View Pentecostal Holiness Church will hold a Watch Night service New Year's Eve, 8:30-midnight, at the church, five miles on Little River Dam Road (Virginia 605), Radford.
The Rev. Donald Linkous and the Rev. Rupert Quesenberry will preach. There will be music and footwashing, and the Lord's Supper will be celebrated.
Southern gospel duo Bob and Sandy Mullins of Second Chance Ministries will sing at the Watch Night service New Year's Eve at Lords Full Gospel Mission Church, Pilot.
Call 639-6271 for more information.
Saint Jude Roman Catholic Church, in temporary quarters at 7318 Peppers Ferry Road, Fairlawn, holds a New Year's Eve - Mass at 5:30 p.m. Call 639-5341 for more information.
Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 706 Harding Ave., Blacksburg, celebrates Mass at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve at the War Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech campus.
On New Year's Day, there will be one Mass only, 10 a.m., at St. Mary's. To find out more, call 552-1091.
\ Straight Street youth center and New River Valley Mall will sponsor a NEW YEAR'S EVE LOCK-IN at the mall, from 10 p.m. New Year's Eve until 7 p.m. New Year's Day, for youth ages 13-18.
Advance donations are $5, or $10 at the door, but space is limited and reservations are recommended.
There will be food and drinks, games and prizes, and live entertainment all night, including a talent show.
Anyone who wants to attend needs to submit a completed permission/release form.
Straight Street still needs volunteers to help out and also welcomes donations of refreshments.
Call 381-4071 or 381-1006 for details. Pick up registration forms at the center, 300 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg.
\ The Radford-Fairlawn Ministerial Association will mark the start of the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY with a catered dinner Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, Eighth and Wadsworth streets, Radford.
The program, "Our Common Ministries of Love" will focus on the association's shared community ministries.
The dinner will cost $4.50 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Those wishing to attend should make reservations through their own church offices by Jan. 14.
The unity week activities will culminate with a pulpit exchange on Jan. 23.
The Rev. Dr. Gina Rhea can tell you more at 639-3696.
\ PILOT PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH, 4491 Old Pike Road (Virginia 615) opens its free clothes closet to the public Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon.
Find out more by calling 382-4443 or 745-2214.
\ CHRISTIAN SINGLES FELLOWSHIP, an interdenominational group, meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at 501 Progress St., Blacksburg (at Faculty and Progress streets).
\ Church Names in the News:
THE REV. BARBARA AUSTIN-MCCOMBS, associate pastor of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church for nearly a decade, is retiring at the end of the year. She will be honored at a reception at noon on Sunday. Guest speaker that day will be the Rev. George Goodman, an associate on the staff of the Presbytery of the Peaks, based in Lynchburg.
Three new members have been elected to the Vestry of the Saint Peter's Anglican Catholic Church parish. They are GAIL CHAMPION and BETSY HAYES, both of Radford, and CLEMENS VON CLAPARADE-CROLA of Alum Ridge. All will serve three- year terms.
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 Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB