ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996           TAG: 9609240001
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

RELIGION

SERVICES

*Schaffer Memorial Baptist Church, 580 High St., Christiansburg, will celebrate the 129th anniversary of its founding Oct. 6 at the 11 a.m. worship service and again at 3:30 p.m. Guest speaker for both services will be the Rev. Vincent Palmer II of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation. 382-3863.

*St. Mary's Catholic Church on Harding Avenue in Blacksburg will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m. today, and at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday. The readings will be Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; and Matthew 20:1-16. 552-1091.

*Sunday at 7 p.m. Estill Putney will speak on "Surrender" (part four of 12 spiritual laws) at the Blacksburg Community for Spiritual Living (formerly the Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel), 105 Lee St. 951-4848.

*"Of Mystery and Meditation" will be the Rev. Rudi Gelsey's topic at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg. 951-1720.

*The 10 a.m. worship service Sunday at Grace Assembly of God, 2030 Redwood Drive, Christiansburg will feature ministry by "Happy Hearts," a vocal group. A covered-dish dinner will follow the service. 381-0055.

*Missionary Kit Teasdale of South Africa will be the speaker at revival services Sunday through Wednesday at Sunnyside Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2275 Lick Run Road, Blacksburg. Services are at 7 p.m. each evening. 951-2838 or 951-9373.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

*The Grove United Methodist Church congregation of Radford, at 1020 Tyler Ave., has approved a revised building program that will renovate church offices, relocate the education center and air-condition the classroom wing of the church. This is the first stage of a plan that eventually will result in an addition to the northwest end of the present building with library, office wing, a driveway around the church and more parking spaces.

*Disciple, an intensive program of contemporary Scripture interpretation and background, is open for enrollment at Crockett Springs United Methodist Church, 2780 Crockett Springs Road, Shawsville. It is led by Bob Giesy, director of the nearby Camp Alta Mons conference center, and meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 268-2700. A $25 tuition and book fee is due at registration.

* The Montgomery County Lord's Acre Sale is scheduled Oct. 5 at the Radford Auto Auction Building on Virginia 177. Several gospel music groups will begin performing at 9:30 a.m. A sale of food and crafts follows.

*Bible Study Fellowship International, a nondenominational Bible study group, will study Israel and the minor prophets this year. The group meets from 9:10 to 11:10 a.m. Wednesdays at First Wesleyan Church on Giles Road in Blacksburg . Call 552-7378 or 552-3437. Evening classes meet Mondays from 6:55 to 8:45 p.m. at Blacksburg United Methodist Church on Church Street in Blacksburg. 382-0175 or 951-3376.

*Ann Hess will speak on "Community Involvement" at Asbury United Methodist Church , 490 Stuart St., Christiansburg, at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29. The congregation will celebrate "Friends and Family Day" at the 11 a.m. worship service. 382-0743.

*Crockett Springs United Methodist Church,2780 Crockett Springs Road, Shawsville will have its fall festival on Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include apple-butter making, a rummage sale, string bands, hayrides, a cakewalk and supervised children's games. Proceeds from apple butter sales and the rummage sale to go to missions and for new playground equipment.

*The gospel group "Greater Love" will perform atBanger's Mountain Pentecostal Holiness Church, 2844 Spaulding Road, Christiansburg, Sunday night at the 7 p.m. service. Bob Mullins, 639-6271.

*A musical program to benefit Adrianne Clay, a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, New River Road, Radford, will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the church. Donations will be used for medical bills for treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Featured choirs will be the New River Valley Gospel Singers, Young Voices in Praise and the West Street Baptist Men's Choir. 674-1845 or 674-4336.

*An Episcopal student ministry has been reactivated at Radford University under the direction of Meredith Leonard, a junior there. Supported by the congregation of Grace Episcopal Church, Fourth and Harvey streets, Leonard is living at Canterbury House, a residence and student gathering place on Tyler Avenue near the campus. The Rev. Gene Anderson, interim rector at Grace Church, said the center is open each Tuesday night at 7:30 for fellowship and discussion of religious issues. Church volunteers also are providing free supper weekly before the meetings. About a dozen students are involved in the programs, Anderson said. Leonard can be reached at 633-3917.

In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization, along with photos, to Mary Lou Bruton, New River Current, Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1673. E-mail: newriverxc2infi.net. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.

LENGTH: Medium:   90 lines