ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612100152
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-4 EDITION: METRO
The spirit of the Christmas season has descended on the Roanoke Valley, as holiday lights glow and the smell of evergreen branches fills the air. Churches in the Roanoke Valley begin their seasonal celebrations this week with special services, performances and music. Following is a list of their offerings.
Lynn Haven Baptist Church, 1501 Washington Ave. in Vinton, plans Singing Christmas Tree performances Dec. 12-15 nightly at 7:30 and a matinee on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. The 30-foot framework decorated as a tree holds a choir performing a variety of seasonal music. Child care is provided.
The Calvary Baptist Church Singing Christmas Tree, a Roanoke Valley tradition for 28 years, will include choirs, handbells and an orchestra at performances at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the church, 608 Campbell Ave. S.W. A nursery will be staffed.
Grandin Court Baptist Church, 2660 Brambleton Ave. S.W., has scheduled special Christmas music beginning Dec. 11 with a Victorian-era drama at 6:30 p.m. and music by the youth choir. On Dec. 15 at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services, the Bach cantata, "Unto Us A Child Is Born," will be sung by the Sanctuary Choir. Special choral and handbell music also will be performed on Christmas Eve at 11 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 515 Third St. S.W., will offer its annual Christmas pageant Friday through Wednesday nightly at 7:15 in the main sanctuary of the church. The six performances are free, but tickets are needed for admission. Call 224-3300.
Glenvar Baptist Church, 4804 Stanley Farm Road in Salem, has planned a cantata, "Born to Die," for the 11 a.m. worship on Dec. 15. It features original Christmas music by Ron Hamilton. A children's program, "King of Kings," will take place at 6 p.m.
At Morning Star Baptist Church, 1513 Rorer Ave. S.W., the Male Chorus and the L.A. Lewis Singers will present seasonal music Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. On Dec. 22 at 11 a.m., a play, "The Christmas Apple," will be performed by Sunday school members.
Rosalind Hills Baptist Church, 2711 Laburnum Ave. S.W., has scheduled a benefit Christmas concert featuring Mark Andrist on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. The $10 tickets will help pay for a community playground the congregation is developing. Call 344-7888.
Hollins Road Baptist Church, 3502 Old Mountain Road N.E., plans a choral presentation, "Two From Galilee," on Dec. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m.
Williams Memorial Baptist Church, 2105 Carroll Ave. N.W., will be the site of a cantata presentation, "Lord of the Manger," Sunday at 11 a.m. The Gospel Chorus and the Senior Choir are directed by Richard English. On Dec. 15 at 12:15 p.m., a Sunday school program will include two skits. One is an original work by Jessica Hayden. The festivities will include a luncheon.
Belmont Baptist Church, 825 Stewart Ave. S.E., has set its children's choir program, "Hark the Herald Angel," for Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Two performances of a seasonal drama, "The Gift," are planned on Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. at Cave Spring Baptist Church with an additional showing on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Combined choirs, handbells and an orchestra will perform at the church at 4873 Brambleton Ave. S.W. Tickets are needed though there is no charge; call 989-6136.
Layman Memorial Baptist Church, 5207 Old Mountain Road, plans its first outdoor Nativity tableau Dec. 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A social time will follow.
First United Methodist Church, 125 W. Main St. in downtown Salem, begins its Advent activities on Dec. 15 with "A Celebration of Carols" presented by the Sanctuary Choir at the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services. That night at 5, children will present a pageant followed by a community potluck meal with offering for the Salem Food Pantry. On Dec. 22 a Moravian Love Feast music and fellowship program will take place at 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve worship will begin at 5 and 10:30 p.m. The Christmas season will conclude with an Epiphany drama at the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services on Jan. 5.
Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, 3591 Windsor Road S.W., has planned special music of Advent and Christmas each Sunday in December featuring the Chancel, Chattic, Westminster and Joyful Noise choral and handbell groups. Sunday morning worship begins at 10:45. The Christmas Eve service starts at 10:30 p.m.
At Highland Park United Methodist Church, 624 Ferdinand Ave. S.W., the host choir will be joined by singers from Waverly Place Baptist and Oak Grove Church of the Brethren to present the second annual Singing Christmas Tree program. It will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Grace United Methodist Church, 4404 Williamson Road, has scheduled a program of singing, handbells and other instruments on Sunday at 7 p.m.
South Roanoke United Methodist Church, 2330 S. Jefferson St., will have its seasonal music by children's and handbell choirs Sunday at the 11 a.m. service. On Dec. 15 at 11 a.m., the Hosanna Choir will be joined by the Brass Five instrumental group. Christmas Eve service will begin at 5 p.m.
Belmont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1101 Jamison Ave. S.E., plans its annual Hanging of the Greens service of music, carol history and Nativity customs on Saturday at 7 p.m. A social period follows the service, and child care will be provided.
Salem Church of Christ, 401 W. Main St., Salem, will present its annual cantata, "Christmas! Sing of the Wonder," on Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. Sylvia Bailey directs the 40-voice choir.
The Penn Forest Christian Church annual outdoor tableau with several scenes from Christ's Nativity is scheduled Dec. 20, 21 and 22 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The church, which motorists drive around to see the presentation, is at 3028 Penn Forest Blvd. S.W. The tableau scenes include livestock.
Valley View Wesleyan Church, 2302 Oakland Blvd. N.W., has announced its Christmas preparatory programs. These include a children's play Sunday, a cantata, "Wonderful Name," on Dec. 15, and a candlelight service on Dec. 22. All will begin at 6 p.m.
A Christmas Day service especially for families is planned at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1008 Franklin Road S.W. Christmas Eve devotions and fellowship start at 7:30 p.m.
St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1201 Hardy Road, Vinton, will hold Christmas Eve candlelight worship at 8 p.m.
Advent lessons and carols will be the focus of a Dec. 22 service at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 314 Turner Road in Salem.
At St. John's Episcopal Church, Elm Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke, a Sing-A-Long of Handel's "Messiah" is scheduled Sunday at 3 p.m. Free and open to the public, it will be directed by Emily Owens. Call 343-9341 for more information.
At St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Fincastle, two Christmas Eve services are planned with the Rev. Dr. Melvin Maxey, interim rector, officiating. A family Communion service will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by traditional Christmas Eucharist and special music at 10:30 p.m.
Peters Creek Church of the Brethren, 5333 Cove Road, plans a cantata, "From the Realms of Glory," at 11 a.m. on Dec. 22. That evening at 6, children and youth of the congregation will present "The True Meaning of Christmas," a pageant with special music. A social time follows. An informal service by candlelight especially for families and including Communion is scheduled on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. An infant nursery will be staffed.
First Presbyterian Church, 2105 S. Jefferson St., will begin its Advent and Christmas music programs Sunday with a Spanish music service at 6 p.m. On Dec. 15 at 3 p.m., the Chancel Choir presents worship at 11 a.m. including the Christmas story told through carols.
The Covenant Presbyterian adult and handbell choirs will present music for the coming of Christ on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. A social time follows at the church at 1831 Deyerle Road S.W. A nursery will be open.
Covenant Community Church, 955 Bird Lane, Salem, will hold its annual children's Christmas program on Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. On Christmas Eve, a family service will begin at 9 p.m.
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