Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102080069
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of daubing ashes on the forehead of worshipers at services on the first day of the penitential period. The ashes are often obtained from burning the palms of the previous pre-Easter period and remind of the continuity of life as well as the return of humanity to dust.
Observant Christians often deny themselves rich foods or other luxuries during the 40-day time and give the money saved to the needy.
\ AN ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE is planned next week at 7:30 p.m. at the new St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4909 North Lake Drive N.W.
\ CAPTIVE FREE, eight young adults who sing and present the Gospel through puppetry, will be at Trinity Lutheran Church Friday night at 7:30. The touring group, based in Minneapolis, is part of Lutheran Youth Encounter, a national organization. The church is at 2931 Epperley Ave. N.W.
\ BAG LUNCHES FOR THE HUNGRY who frequent the Williamson Road area is a new ministry of St. James Episcopal Church. Since beginning the project several weeks ago, volunteers have provided 65 lunches with more than $700 they have received from a Jubilee Ministries grant and personal donations to the Wayfarers Fund.
\ THE REV. NELSON HARRIS, pastor of Ridgewood Baptist Church, is the author of the current Sunday School lesson commentary that appears weekly in the Virginia Southern Baptist news magazine, The Religious Herald. His commentary will continue through May.
\ MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH, north of Troutville, soon will begin a Special Needs Ministry. The Rev. Tony Neal, pastor, said the ministry is for people whose physical or mental handicaps require them to receive special attention in order to benefit from education or worship. A planning and training conference is planned for March 23.
\ BLACK HISTORY AND BROTHERHOOD MONTH will be marked Sunday at 9 a.m. at Williams Memorial Baptist Church. Guest musicians will be the Edwards Family, Charlene Fisher and Danny Desper.
\ BONSACK BAPTIST CHURCH has begun construction of its new worship center. The center, expected to cost about $2 million, will accommodate the 800 who regularly worship on Sundays.
\ DOWNTOWN ROANOKE LENTEN SERVICES are planned each Wednesday from 12:05 to 12:30 p.m. at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, 402 Second St. S.W. A lunch for $2.50 is available following the service until 1 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Steven Teague of Calvary Baptist will offer the Ash Wednesday meditation. Speakers on succeeding Wednesdays include: the Rev. Jim Rivers, First Christian (Disciples of Christ); the Rev. David Yingling, Central Church of the Brethren; the Rev. Brad Phillips, Huntington Court United Methodist; the Rev. Byron Wilkinson, Thrasher Memorial United Methodist; the Rev. Frederick Clemens, Rockingham Court United Methodist; and the Rev. James Hain, South Roanoke United Methodist.
\ BEGINNER'S HEBREW, a class for those of any faith who want to learn elementary reading of the language of the Old Testament, will be offered at Beth Israel Synagogue. The class meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 through May 28. There is a charge for books and materials. Call 343-0289 for more information.
\ WASHINGTON BIBLE COLLEGE EXTENSION classes for the spring semester will cover the Bible books of Ezekiel and 2 Corinthians. The 12-week series begins Feb. 19 with the Rev. Kenneth Amsler teaching Ezekiel and the Rev. Larry Eenigenburg teaching Corinthians. The Tuesday night classes are from 7 to 8:10 and from 8:20 to 9:30.
The classes meet at Calvary Memorial Church, 2226 Colonial Ave. S.W. One class costs $25 with the second for $15. Call 563-2420 for more information.
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