Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 23, 1993 TAG: 9310230034
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The handsome building looks so good that it won a Civic Beautification Award, despite the fact that landscaping work was delayed by summer's dry weather. Workmen have been applying finishing touches to the lawn in recent weeks.
Sunday, the nearly 600-member congregation will celebrate completion of the three-year, $839,000 building project, which includes a new wing on the north side of the church and extensive renovations to the original structure. After much planning, ground was broken for the project in March 1992. Actual construction wrapped up late last year, and the addition has been in use since.
The new wing houses a large conference room, the main office, workrooms and offices for the church's two pastors, the Rev. Dr. Cameron Murchison and the Rev. Barbara Austin McCombs.
A prayer room was created for private or group meditation. Acoustics and lighting have been upgraded in the large meeting rooms, and there are new floors throughout.
The building is completely accessible by people with disabilities.
As a result of the expansion, Blacksburg Presbyterian, which views itself as a community resource, has been able to take in the Blacksburg Head Start program, which had outgrown its quarters in another church. The church is also home to the Renaissance Music Academy and various scouting groups. It is the rehearsal hall for the Master Chorale.
Sunday's celebration starts with a special 11 a.m. worship, followed by a luncheon and reception in the fellowship hall.
At 3:30 p.m., concert pianist David Brown will perform on the new grand piano in the sanctuary. Brown, the brother of Blacksburg Presbyterian organist and composer Frank Burch-Brown, was a first-prize winner in the national Merriweather-Post competition. He's on the artist faculty of the Wilmington Music School in Delaware. His performance is open to the public. A reception will follow.
For more information, call the church at 552-2504.
The CHRISTIANSBURG MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP will dedicate its new building Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The church is at 40 Cedarwood Drive, which joins U.S. 460 next to New River Nissan. The church choir will perform "The Mission" for the service.
The new red-roofed sanctuary - which seats approximately 150 - is the result of a 1 1/2-year effort involving mostly volunteer labor, said spokeswoman Virginia Day. The congregation formed about 11 years ago and subsequently settled in an old house at the same location and added a smaller sanctuary. "It's totally different from what they began with," Day said, explaining that the former sanctuary will become a social hall.
Mark Akers is pastor of the church, which holds services Sundays at 9:30 a.m., preceded by a fellowship with coffee and muffins at 9 a.m. Sunday school starts at 11 a.m.
For more information, call the church at 382-8787.
Members of NORTHSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1017 Progress St. N.W., Blacksburg, who recently burned their 20-year-old mortgage two years ahead of schedule, will consider a new building-expansion program Sunday.
A couple of Sundays ago, they set fire to a copy of the check that paid off the $175,000 note, taken out in 1975 to construct the present church building.
Parishioners will vote Sunday on plans to finish a basement area beneath the main sanctuary to make space for church school classrooms, Boy Scout meetings and a Montgomery County Christmas Store collection point.
The church also plans to fill an open area between the existing sanctuary and the original chapel, where Northside got its start 49 years ago as a mission of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Northside would like to construct a new entrance and narthex there.
Several area churches are holding REVIVAL services:
A fall revival continues through Sunday at Saint John's Fellowship, 710 Church St., Christiansburg (behind the Cambria Post Office), with Pastor Charles Smith as speaker.
Services and singing tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday will be a family day with a potluck dinner.
To find out more, call 381-2887.
Evangelist Shirley Jones will preach during revival services at the Pilot Pentecostal Holiness Church, 4491 Old Pike Rd., Sunday through Thursday. Sunday services are at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and weeknight services begin at 7.
Call 382-4443 for more information.
The First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 203 Phlegar St., Christiansburg, will hold revival services Sunday through Wednesday with the Rev. Greg Rakes. Services and singing Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and weeknights at 7.
The Rev. Kenneth Kingrea, pastor of Christian Life Fellowship Pentecostal Holiness Church in Salem, will be the guest speaker at revival services Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 each evening, at Oak Grove Church, 2 1/2 miles south of Christiansburg on Virginia 674.
The Rev. Roy McVey of Collinsville will deliver the message at revival services Sunday through Wednesday at the Christiansburg Church of the Brethren. Services are Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and weeknights at 7.
Call 382-2221 for details.
Ellett Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church will be in revival with the Rev. Mark Buckner, Thursday through Sunday. Services and singing are Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and weeknights at 7 p.m.
To find out more, call 552-7113 or 639-5664.
On our homecoming and anniversary schedule:
\ BEAVER CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, Floyd, celebrates homecoming Sunday, with church school at 9:45 a.m. and morning worship at 11. Pastor Richard Thomas will speak, and a potluck dinner follows the worship.
This is also "Old Fashioned Day," and parishioners are invited to dress in the fashions of yesteryear.
\ FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, New River, observes its 121st anniversary Sunday at 4 p.m. The Rev. Nathaniel Perkins of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Radford, will speak, accompanied by the senior choir and his congregation.
Flossie Brown has details at 639-6075.
\ RIVERVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, Ripplemead, celebrates homecoming Oct. 31, 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.).
Lutherans continue their celebration of 150 years of service and ministry in Giles County this month with two heritage services Sunday: 9:45 a.m. at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, Pembroke, and 11 a.m. at REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, Pearisburg.
The Luther Memorial building dates back to 1857.
The Rev. Dennis Gillespie will preach at both services.
The Giles Lutheran Parish traces Lutheran activity in the county to the 18th century. Gillespie can tell you more at 921-1718 or 921-4352.
"Lutheran Heritage in Giles County" and "God's Gift of Hope" will be the themes of the annual gathering of LUTHERAN WOMEN in the New River Area on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pearisburg. Participants will hear reports from delegates to several church conventions held during the summer. A fellowship hour and salad bar supper will conclude the meeting.
For more information, call Emma Gallimore, 980-5044.
"What I Learned on my Summer Vacation" will be the theme of Russell Gregory's presentation Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg.
A discussion will follow. Call 552-5273 or 552-4749 to learn more.
Our GOSPEL MUSIC calendar includes these dates:
A gospel music concert to benefit the Montgomery County Christmas Store will be held tonight at 7 at Auburn High School, Riner. Admission is free, but an offering will be taken.
Young at Heart, Gospel Truth, The Farley Brothers, Gospel Strings and soloists Wanda Gail and Rita Davis are scheduled to perform.
Homemade baked goods will be on sale.
For more information, call Carl Ratcliffe, 382-4654 or 382-7571.
God's Jubilee Singers will perform tonight at 7 at the Congregational Holiness Church, Denby Street in Radford.
The Martin Family will sing tonight at 7 at the Childress Church of God. For more information, call 381-1137 or 382-1954.
The Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church will have gospel singing with The Telestials from Nashville on Sunday at the 11 a.m. worship service. Jerry Sloss has more at 552-5070.
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 by The Sounds of Harmony, 7:30-9 p.m. Then, stick around and enjoy the Monday night football game.
Call 381-1006 or 382-4654 for details on future Monday evening programs.
Among special events at area churches:
1580 Ministries holds its BENEFITFEST today, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., at Memorial Square, Pulaski. There will be a yard sale and flea market, as well as music.
For details, call 980-1580 or 268-2391.
The Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, Floyd, will have its FALL LOVE FEAST and Holy Communion tonight at 7.
A SPAGHETTI SUPPER will be held tonight, 5-8, at Belmont Christian Church, 2149 Dominion Drive, Christiansburg. It's sponsored by the Belmont Christian Bodybuilders youth.
On the menu is spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert and beverage.
Take-out orders at $4 will be accepted that evening at 382-8521. Donations will be welcome from those eating in.
For more information, call Shirley Mullins, 639-0762.
Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Main St., will have a PUMPKIN-CARVING COMPETITION Sunday at 5 p.m. with judging in several categories. This is a BYOP (bring-your-own-pumpkin) affair. Also bring your own carving tools. A pizza party will follow.
Call 382-2802 to find out more.
The ninth annual ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE sponsored by St. Peter's Anglican Catholic Church will be held Friday and Saturday at the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, Christiansburg. Doors open at 9 a.m. both days.
Refreshments will be available.
Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for children under 10.
Talk to Chris Overstreet, 382-8876, to learn more.
\ WORLD COMMUNITY DAY will be observed Nov. 5, 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 this 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.
Church names in the news:
The REV. STEPHEN H. DUNCAN was named to the board of trustees of United Metaphysical Churches at the recent annual convention in Blacksburg. A native and resident of Blacksburg, Duncan is a co-founder of Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel at Lee and Church streets.
A service of installation for the REV. MARCUS TURNER, pastor-elect of First Baptist Church, Wake Forest, will be held Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Wake Forest.
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