Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 24, 1994 TAG: 9502160035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The shepherds said to one
another, "The Lord has told us
what has happened. Let's go to
Bethlehem and see it." They
hurried over there and searched
until they found Mary and
Joseph, and the Baby lying in the
manger. When they had seen
Him, they told others what they
had been told about this Child.
And everybody was surprised to
hear the story the shepherds told.
But Mary treasured all these
things in her heart and kept
thinking about them. The
shepherds went back, glorifying
and praising God for everything
they had heard and seen. It was
just as they had been told.
-"The New Testament in the Language of Today," William F. Beck (1964)
SERVICES
A schedule of Christmas Eve service announcements appeared in Friday's New River Current. Because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, most churches are adhering to their normal worship schedules, although a few have called off Sunday school classes for the holiday. Some churches offer something a bit different or have altered their schedules for Christmas Day. A few churches have special services for New Year's Eve and for church holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day. This is not a comprehensive list, so check with your place of worship if it's not among these.
BLACKSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH, 550 N. Main St. (552-3869), has a Jesus' birthday brunch, 10 a.m., in the fellowship hall. Worship follows at 11.
BLACKSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Church and Eakin streets (552-2504) has an intergenerational service of lessons and carols at 11 a.m., but no Sunday school.
BLACKSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Lee and Church streets (552-5424), has just one service at 11 a.m., and no Sunday school.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 120 Church St., Blacksburg (552-2411), has Holy Eucharist, 11 a.m.
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Second and Harvey streets, Radford (639-2571) has a service of lessons and carols, 11 a.m.
CHRISTIANSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 107 W. Main St. (382-2802) has canceled Sunday school. Worship is at 10:55 a.m.
FLOYD UNITED METHODIST: (651-4490) Christmas Day services at Huffville, 9 a.m., and Haven's Chapel, 11 a.m. .
GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH, Virginia 8, Riner (382-4654 or 382-7571), New Year's Eve Watchnight candlelight service Saturday, 9 p.m.-midnight, featuring the film "The Greatest Story Never Told" and music by the Farley Brothers.
GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Tyler Avenue, Radford (639-2807) has a Moravian love feast, 10:30 a.m., with carols, scripture, music and personal testimony of praise and thanksgiving. Worship follows at 11.
LUTHER MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, Prices Fork and Toms Creek roads, Blacksburg (951-1000) has one service, a festival of lessons and carols with Holy Communion, 11 a.m. A birthday party for Jesus follows in the fellowship hall.
NORTHSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Progress and Watson streets, Blacksburg (552-4327) has church school at 10 a.m., with a birthday party for Jesus. Worship follows at 11.
OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1845 Cambria St., Christiansburg (382-2223) has a service of lessons and carols and Holy Baptism, 10 a.m. There is no Sunday school.
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 706 Harding Ave., Blacksburg (552-1091) has one Christmas Day Mass at 10 a.m.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RADFORD, 201 Fourth St. (639-2585) has a come-as-you-are intergenerational celebration, 10:15-10:45 a.m., Christmas Day and New Year's Day, in the fellowship hall. Communion service follows Sunday at 11 a.m. Church school classes resume Jan. 8.
ST. FRANCIS ANGLICAN CHURCH, Wilson and Progress streets, Blacksburg (552-1771) has a short service of Holy Communion, 10 a.m.
ST. JUDE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1740 Tyler Road (Virginia 177), just outside Radford city limits (639-5341) has Christmas Day Mass at 11 a.m.
ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg (552-0879) has a Christmas Day service of lessons and carols at 11 a.m.
ST. PETER'S ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:, 230 W. First St., Christiansburg (382-2876) has Holy Eucharist (without music), 10 a.m. St. Stephen's Day, Dec. 26, Holy Eucharist, 7:30 p.m. St. John's Day, Dec. 27, Holy Eucharist, 7:30 p.m. Feast of the Holy Innocents, Dec. 28, Holy Eucharist, 10:30 a.m. New Year's Day, Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, morning prayer, 10 a.m. (no 8:20 a.m. service). Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, Festal Holy Eucharist, 7:30 p.m.
ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, East Main and Roanoke streets, Christiansburg (382-4365) has festival Eucharist, 10 a.m. New Year's and Holy Name Day, Jan 1, festival of carols and lessons, 10 a.m. .
TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg (382-8121) holds one worship service only, 10:30 a.m.
SHORTS
The Christmas Eve candlelight service at Heritage Church, Virginia 100, Dublin, will be broadcast tonight at 7 by WNRV (990 AM) in Narrows. The Rev. Gordon Shinn is pastor.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans open a new student activity center at 401 Washington St., Blacksburg, adjacent to the Virginia Tech campus. The facility is part of the church's efforts to reach out to young, single adult members of the church as well as interested nonmembers. Call Denise Allen at 961-0755 for more information.
The New River Valley Church Hotline has logged more than 3,500 calls since beginning operation in mid-May. Callers may get information about six local churches: Main Street Baptist, St. Paul United Methodist, Christiansburg Mennonite Fellowship and Trinity Baptist, all in Christiansburg, plus White Memorial United Methodist in Shawsville and the Virginia Tech Baptist Student Union. Call 382-2046 from any TouchTone telephone.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1656. E-mail: Currentbev.net. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB