Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504180018
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Palm Sunday, April 9 this year, marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week. Music, Bible readings and prayers reflect the transition from a kingly entrance on a donkey to the horror of betrayal by a friend and death on a cross.
Reflecting the somberness of Holy Week, the preparatory period of Lent comes to an end and merges on Thursday, Friday and Saturday into a triad of especially important days for worship.
In some churches, the Saturday night before Easter becomes the time of a vigil service. Members enter their church by candlelight about dusk in the darkened atmosphere of Good Friday. Readings of the Judeo-Christian deliverance by God are then presented followed by a lifting of gloom with the lighting of many candles and the proclamation of Jesus' resurrection. A Communion service follows.
Other Christians like to gather early on Easter morning to see the sun rise from a scenic hill. Even more are involved in musical programs and pageants which attempt to recapture the spirit of what life must have been like when Christ walked the Earth.
Here are some programs to heighten awareness of that time:
LITURGICAL DANCERS, under the leadership of Kara Smith, will be featured on Palm Sunday at Hollins College's DuPont Chapel at 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday night at 7, a Third Century Communion service will take place in the Gordh Room. Good Friday service will begin at 12:30 p.m. in DuPont Chapel. A Hollins tradition, sunrise service in the college cemetery, will start at 6:30 followed by an 11 a.m. service, led by the Rev. Jan Fuller Carruthers, chaplain, in the chapel.
Hollins also plans a Passover Seder Monday night. Reservations are requested for the Jewish ritual meal that begins at 5:30 in the Moody Center. Call 362-6665.
AT THE PEAKS OF OTTER, an Easter sunrise service will begin April 16 at 7. It will be non-denominational with the Rev. Jeffrey Clements as the speaker and music by the Blue Grass Revival. The service will be at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
GUIDING STAR CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, 804 Madison Ave. N.W., is sponsoring a concert Saturday at 6:30 p.m. featuring Christ Temple Choir of Waynesboro. On Good Friday at 7:30 p.m. the congregation will hold a Communion service. Easter Sunday events will begin at 6 with a sunrise service. Spirit Led gospel group of Eden, N.C. will sing on April 22 at 7 p.m.
THE SANCTUARY CHOIR of High Street Baptist Church will presents its annual spring concert Sunday at 4 p.m. at 2302 Florida Ave. N.W. Reception follows.
NORTH ROANOKE BAPTIST CHURCH plans two performances of its Easter musical, "God With Us" with more than 90 singers in the chorus. The performances will be Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. at the church at 6402 Peters Creek Road, Hollins. Child care will be provided.
ON GOOD FRIDAY at 7:30 p.m., a tableau of Jesus' Last Supper, accompanied by special music and narration, will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church in America, 2216 Peters Creek Road N.W. Nursery will be staffed.
AT ROANOKE UNITED METHODIST HOME,1009 Old Country Club Road N.W., a special Maundy Thursday program will begin at 2 p.m. with a reception featuring Barbara Lashley, a Roanoke artist, and her religious paintings. These will be on display through Easter Sunday at the home.
At 3:30 p.m., Bishop Thomas Stockton of Richmond will officiate at a Communion service. Special music, "Ride On, King Jesus," will be presented by a group from Greene Memorial United Methodist Church. The service is open to the public.
PALM SUNDAY MASSES will begin Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and will continue on Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. and at noon at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 631 N. Jefferson St. Maundy Thursday Mass with vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday liturgies are scheduled at 3, 3:45 and 7:30 p.m. with the Easter Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection starting Saturday night at 8.
After the Easter morning Masses at 8, 10 and noon, a 2 p.m. Mass for Vietnamese worshipers is scheduled.
VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER, 1806 Loudon Ave. N.W.,will sponsor a Palm Sunday service at 6:30 p.m. with the Rev. William Lee, pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as the speaker.
On April 23, the Stewart Jones Ensemble will perform at 3:30 p.m., and on April 30 several congregations will unite for worship at 6:30 p.m. featuring Anthony Hull of KBP Ministries.
AT ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4515 Delray St. N.W., Palm Sunday Eucharist services in traditional and contemporary language will be held at 8 and 10 a.m., respectively. Maundy Thursday worship begins at 7:30 p.m. with Good Friday liturgy starting at 12:15 and 7:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil Saturday night service will start at 7:30, and on Easter Sunday, morning worship with traditional style starts at 8 and contemporary at 10.
A PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION, supported by Fincastle churches will begin at 10:45 a.m. and will proceed to individual town congregations for their own liturgies.
UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY, 3300 Green Ridge Road, plans a Spiritual Communion service Wednesday at 7 p.m. On Good Friday at 7 p.m., a re-enactment of the Last Supper will be performed in the Prayer Room. To reserve a place for this service with foot washing, call 562-2200 by 4 p.m. Thursday. Child care will be provided.
Unity's sunrise service will begin on Easter at 6:45 and will be followed by a light breakfast and the traditional flower services at 9 and 11 a.m.
MAUNDY THURSDAY LOVE FEAST, a Church of the Brethren tradition, will be observed at Daleville Church on U.S. 220 beginning at 7 p.m. A fellowship meal, Holy Communion and foot-washing ceremony will be included.
"HE WAS THERE," an Easter pageant based on an earlier work called "Resurrection," will be presented April 15 at 3 and 8 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center auditorium. Though free, an offering will be taken to benefit the Roanoke Extension of Richmond Virginia Seminary. The play was written by Roanoker Dana Pannell. For more information, call 366-6730 or 362-2228.
WESTHAMPTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH, a Disciples of Christ congregation at 2515 Grandin Road S.W., will celebrate Palm Sunday with a procession of children at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services. The Chancel Choir will present special music. A benefit luncheon for the youth and education departments will follow the late service.
AT COLONIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 3550 Poplar Drive S.W., monologist Sally Shearer will present "Three Women in Christ's Life" at the Maundy Thursday service that begins at 7:30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, the choir will present, "Exalted," a cantata, at the 11 a.m. service.
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,1831 Deyerle Road S.W., plans special music by the children's choirs and an instrumental group for its Palm Sunday worship. Maundy Thursday Communion will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Easter, at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services, the Adult Choirs and the Brass Five instrumental group will lead special music. A nursery is staffed for all services.
A JOINT GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE is planned at 7 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, 1513 Rorer Ave. S.W. with Jerusalem Baptist Church participating. The Rev. J. Eugene Young and a choir from Jerusalem will lead the worship.
On Easter morning, Jerusalem Baptist at 1014 Norfolk Ave. S.W. will have a sunrise service beginning at 6. Special music will be presented at the 10:45 a.m. Easter worship.
A CANTATA, "Alone on the Altar...Calvary's Lamb," will be presented by two congregations, New Hope Christian and Red Hill Church of the Brethren, Sunday at 7 p.m. at New Hope, 4229 Welcome Valley Road S.W.
MICHAEL BROWN, music director at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit and a recording artist, will present a concert Saturday at 7 p.m. at the North Cross School auditorium. An offering will be taken.
SERVICES FOR TRIDUUM, the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Easter, are scheduled at Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Ave. S.W. Worship on Thursday will begin at 11:40 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and includes Communion. Good Friday liturgy begins at 7:30 p.m. A Great Vigil of Easter service starts at 10:3O p.m. on Saturday and represents the first service of Easter Sunday. Later services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday.
A GOOD FRIDAY NOON SERVICE is planned as a cooperative effort of several Raleigh Court neighborhood congregations. The service will be at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 2339 Grandin Road S.W., and will be followed by lunch for which an offering will be taken.
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES at Christ Episcopal Church, 1101 Franklin Road S.W., will include a Palm Sunday procession from Highland Park, beginning at 10:15 a.m., and a congregational reading of the Passion story.
At noon on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a contemporary language Eucharist is scheduled in the chapel. Maundy Thursday contemporary Eucharist will start at 7:30 p.m. and includes stripping the altar for Good Friday, when worship is at noon.
The Easter Eve Great Vigil service with baptism will begin at 8 p.m. and includes contemporary Eucharist. Easter morning services are traditional language. Communion will be at 7 a.m., followed by contemporary Eucharists at 9 and 11 a.m. Services are signed for the deaf, and a nursery will be available.
HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST, 624 Ferdinand Ave. S.W., has scheduled a Holy Week revival meeting. The Rev. George King, a United Methodist evangelist from Goldsboro, N.C., will preach Monday through Thursday nights at 7:30.
Tim Martin, director of Roanoke Valley Child Evangelism Fellowship, and his wife, Lelia, will emphasize youth commitment Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30.
IN DOWNTOWN ROANOKE, the final Lenten noon service will take place at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, 402 Second St. S.W. on Good Friday. The Rev. Dr. Jerry O. Campbell, pastor, will preach. The usual lunch will not be held, but the church will be open until 3 p.m. for meditation.
ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH,1008 Franklin Road S.W., plans a Palm Sunday procession beginning at 10:55 a.m.
Wednesday night worship will be at 7 p.m. after a dinner. On Maundy Thursday, Communion will be administered at 12:15 and 7 p.m., and on Good Friday, liturgy will start at 7 p.m. Easter morning services will begin at 7:30 and 10:55 a.m. Both include Communion.
THE REV. QUIGG LAWRENCE, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, will speak for the midday Wednesday service during Holy Week at Colonial Avenue Baptist Church, 4165 Colonial Ave. S.W. The program, sponsored by several Southwest congregations, will include an optional $2.50 meal served at 12:10 before the 20-minute service.
OAK GROVE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 2138 McVitty Road S.W., plans traditional Love Feast Communion Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the church. On Maundy Thursday, a drama, "In the Shadow of the Rock," will be presented. It is an original work by Joe Blaha, an adjunct professor of music at Roanoke College.
On Easter morning a sunrise service will begin at 6:30 at the nearby Allstate Building on Virginia 419. Breakfast will be served before the 11 a.m. worship.
RALEIGH COURT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,1837 Grandin Road S.W., will be open at 6:30 p.m. for a meditative time Monday through Wednesday nights. Maundy Thursday Communion will begin at 7:30. On Good Friday, the Service of Darkness liturgy will start at 7:30. Easter Sunday services begin at 8:15 and 11 a.m.
HOLY WEEK REVIVAL SERVICES are planned Sunday through Wednesday nights at 7:30 at Vinton Church of the Brethren, 711 Dale Ave. The Rev. Jodie Hendricks, pastor, will be the evangelist. Love feast Communion will begin on Thursday at 7 p.m.
BELMONT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1005 Ninth St. S.E., will have a Palm Sunday procession and reading of the Passion story at 11 a.m.
On Maundy Thursday, the congregation will join Belmont United Methodist for a 6:30 supper and celebration of the Lord's Supper at 7:30. A Good Friday time of meditation will begin at noon at the church, followed by an Easter morning Communion at 11 a.m.
BELMONT UNITED METHODIST, 806 Jamison Ave. S.E., has scheduled a Palm Sunday handbell program at 4 p.m. The new bell choir will join those of Belmont Presbyterian and Grace United Methodist to play seasonal music.
CAMPBELL MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,1130 Hardy Road, Vinton, plans a Maundy Thursday service of music and slides of the Holy Land beginning at 7:30 p.m.
PARKWAY WESLEYAN CHURCH, 3230 King St. N.E. has scheduled two performances of an Easter musical drama, "Who Will Call Him King of Kings?" The performances are Saturday at 7 p.m. and Palm Sunday at 11 a.m.
AT WAVERLY PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH, 1407 Kenwood Blvd. S.E., the Sanctuary Choir and a cast of actors will present "One Voice," a pageant for Holy Week, on Saturday and Sunday nights at 7. Child care is provided for those under 6.
A GOSPEL SINGSPIRATION is planned Saturday at 7 p.m. at First Church of God, 2021 Hardy Road in Vinton. Featured will be gospel musicians The Victors,Altar of Prayer,New Grace and Evelyn Conner. An offering will be taken.
ST. TIMOTHY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1201 Hardy Road, Vinton, will have a Palm Sunday liturgy at 11 a.m. and Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. The Good Friday Tenebrae service will start at 7 p.m. Easter morning programs include a breakfast at 9:30 followed by the celebration of the Resurrection at 11 a.m.
AT NINTH STREET CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN,1103 Ninth St. S.E., baptism will be part of the 11 a.m. Palm Sunday service. Brethren Love Feast Communion is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Maundy Thursday. On Easter Eve, at 6:30, a musical drama related to Passover and Easter, "The Chosen Ones," will be presented by youth. Easter morning worship is at 11 a.m.
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST, 845 Hemlock Road, Salem, will have revival services Monday through Thursday nights of Holy Week, starting at 7. The speakers will be: the Rev. Paul Harris on Monday; the Rev. Emory Tarpley, on Tuesday; Willis White on Wednesday; and the Rev. Rob Colwell, pastor, on Maundy Thursday.
DAVID O'NEILL, a former cocaine addict who now promotes Christianity through music, will perform Saturday and Sunday at Lakeside Baptist Church, 447 Dalewood Ave., Salem. A youth concert on Saturday will begin at 7 p.m., and a second performance for all ages will be Sunday at 6 p.m.
On Easter Sunday at 10 a.m., the church will sponsor a two-hour service with special music by several church groups.
WEST SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 500 Turner Road, Salem, will present a Holy Week drama, "I Am the Vine, " on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7. The programs are free, but tickets are needed and may be obtained by calling 389-2129 by Monday. A nursery will be staffed.
COLLEGE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 210 College Ave., Salem, has scheduled a Good Friday Tenebrae service at 7:30 p.m. with Easter Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, in downtown Salem will have Palm Sunday liturgy at the 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. services. On Monday night, Stations of the Cross service begins at 5:30 p.m as does Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Compline on Wednesday.
On Maundy Thursday, Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday liturgy with stripping the altar begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Great Vigil service with guitar music will be at 7:30 Saturday night.
RICHFIELD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY of Salem, in addition to Sunday morning services at 11 on Palm Sunday and Easter, has scheduled Communion at 7 on Maundy Thursday night and a Good Friday service at 2 p.m. All services are in the Jane Morgan Harris Chapel and are open to the community.
Transportation will be provided for residents of Knollwood, Ridgecrest and The Oaks.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***