Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 25, 1993 TAG: 9311250392
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Once characteristic of three old liturgical churches - Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal - Advent now is a part of programming among United Methodist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Church of the Brethren and some Baptist congregations.
In a time when many church people deplore an over-emphasis on commercialism, Advent provides a different dimension in which the simplicity of the Christian message is emphasized.
Chrismon trees decorated with gold and white Christian symbols and Advent wreaths with lighted candles are often part of family observances. Some churches will hang Christmas greens Sunday, while others will not place this decoration until just before Christmas.
\ BELMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 1101 Jamison Ave. S.E., has scheduled its 14th annual Hanging of the Greens program for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. The Advent event includes unusual carols from many sources with narration about their origin and significance to the nativity of Jesus. The Disciples of Christ congregation will host a reception for the community after the program, and a nursery is provided free. For more information, call 343-7502.
\ THE SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE, a traditional Advent program at Calvary Baptist Church of Roanoke, will include three performances at the church at 608 Campbell Ave. S.W.
The first is at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. Two performances will be held Dec. 12, one at 5 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. During the program, the adult and youth choirs of the church, directed by Helen Robertson, present an hour of seasonal music from a 30-foot structure resembling a lighted Christmas tree.
\ THE CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY has scheduled a special Mass for the living and deceased Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, 2505 Electric Road S.W. For more information, call 343-4842.
\ ROANOKE AREA MINISTRIES has expanded its services to the needy with The Second Mile, a fund available to those in danger of losing their homes because of a temporary lack of money to meet rent or mortgage payments. The program, which started this year, augments a service available for more than a decade of making $50 or less available for utilities or prescriptions.
RAM also seeks caps, mittens, scarves and socks for adults and children who use its day shelter during cold weather. Call 345-9786 for more information.
\ THE REV. CHARLES W. EASLEY will be installed as the first full-time chaplain of Brandon Oaks retirement community at a service Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the home on Lee Highway. Easley formerly was pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Roanoke. Bishop Richard Bansemer of Salem will preach for the service, and the Rev. Robert J. Meier of Blue Ridge will perform the installation. A reception will be held after the service.
\ CAVE SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH, 4873 Brambleton Ave. S.W., has changed the format of its pre-Christmas music this year. Instead of a major production at the beginning of Advent, separate concerts for the four December Sundays are planned. The youth and childrens' choirs will perform Dec. 5; a musical drama will be presented on Dec. 12; the orchestra with handbells and choirs will be heard on Dec. 19; and on another musical by the handbells and choral choirs will be held Dec. 26.
\ NEW COMMUNION PRACTICES, an effort to make the coming together of Christians in worship more meaningful, are going into effect at St. John Lutheran Church at Cave Spring. Communing members have begun using real bread instead of wafers, receiving the bread in their hands instead of having it placed on their tongues by the pastor and having a choice of dipping bread in the wine of the chalice or drinking from the common cup. The bread and wine also are now received around a large cross with worshipers coming and going continuously.
\ The Rev. Mark Graham, pastor, said the changes are permitted by the 1978 Book of Worship and symbolize the oneness of the members of the church in Christ.
\ OAK GROVE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN , 2138 McVitty Road S.W., has scheduled an Advent preparation program Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m. The Chrismon tree will be decorated and wreaths and other nativity symbols placed in worship areas.
\ A THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER, free to the community, is scheduled today at Salem Presbyterian Church, 41 E. Main St. in downtown Salem. It will begin at noon in the fellowship hall and is especially for those who have no family with whom to eat the meal.
\ A WEEKLY COMMUNION CELEBRATION, especially for Lutherans and Episcopalians but open to any baptized Christians in Salem, has been started in Antrim Chapel of Roanoke College. It will be each Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. The first such observance attracted 29 students.
\ ORDINATION SERVICES FOR HEATHER BUMSTEAD to the gospel ministry is scheduled Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at her home congregation, College Lutheran, in Salem.
Bumstead, a graduate of Roanoke College and Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, has accepted a call to Rockbridge Parish, two congregations in the Buena Vista area.
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