Church news (week of March 23, 2011)

Notices

Lenten worship services
    Oakland United Methodist Church located on 2465 Goode Station Rd., Goode, VA will host Lenten worship services leading up to the celebration of Jesus death and resurrection.  These services are a great time to glorify Jesus Christ and fellowship with others in our community.  Seven churches in the surrounding area will lead a half-hour service followed by a luncheon provided by the participating churches. The luncheons are a way to support Bedford Christian Ministries; a donation of $5 will be appreciated.  Bedford Christian Ministries are in need of our support; they have many new clients due to rising unemployment and food costs. The services begin at noon with the luncheon to follow.  They will be held each Wednesday through April 20. You are also invited to join in a brief sunrise service at Virginia Memorial Park at 7 a.m., April 24.

Lenten Meal and Study
    A Lenten Meal and Study will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bedford, beginning at 6 p.m., each Wednesday thereafter until Easter.  Lenten Study follows meals at 6:45 p.m.  Topics to be presented include:  March 23 Christ In the Stranger’s Guise; March 30 “The Woman in the Red Hat:  Why Do You Suppose She’s in Church?”; April 6, Components of Successful Hospitality Programs:  Where Do I Fit In?; April 20 Putting It All Together.  The evening will conclude at 7:30 p.m. with a brief service of Compline, the traditional service at the end of the day.

Celebrate the Lenten season – in Bedford
    From noon until  1 p.m., every Wednesday until Easter, you are invited to gather with believers from all over the Bedford Community for a light meal and worship service at Main Street United Methodist Church.
    Each week a different speaker will reflect on one of the “Seven Last Words of Jesus.”  The meal will be prepared by a different Church and a free-will offering will be collected to defray the cost of the food.
    On Good Friday, April 22 a noon worship service – without a meal – will be held at Washington Street Baptist Church, with various ministers reflecting on “The People Standing Near the Cross.”
    March 23-“Woman, behold your son!” (John 19:26-27).  Deacon Kay Waff, St John’s Episcopal.   Meal provided by the Reading Depot of Bedford.
    March 30-“I thirst!” (John 19:28). The Rev. John Salley.    Meal provided by Bedford Presbyterian.
    April 6-“ Today you shall be with me in paradise.”  (Luke 23:43). The Rev. Bill Moore.  Meal provided by Bedford Christian (Disciples of Christ).
    April 13-“It is finished!”  (John 19:30).  Dr. Eldridge Cullum, Pastor of Thaxton Baptist.   Meal provided by t.b.a.
    April 20-“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46).  Dr. Chris Dowd - Meal provided by Bedrock Community Church.
    April 22-(Good Friday) Noon worship @ Washington Street Baptist Church. No meal will be served this day.

A Walk with Christ to the Cross
    Mentow Baptist Church, Huddleston, will have on Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m.,  "A Service of Darkness," mourning the death of Christ.  This will be held in the church sanctuary.  Prior to all Wednesday evening services, there will be a covered dish supper in the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m.  Mentow, a Cooperative  Baptist Fellowship, is located at the intersection of Route 43 (Leesville Road) and Route 628 (Mentow Drive).  The Rev. Gregory L. Soult is pastor.  For further information on any of these ministries, please call 540-297-4051 or email mentowbaptistchurch@yahoo.com.

Emmaus UMC Apple Butter Sale
    Emmaus United Methodist is selling quart jars of homemade apple butter.  $4.50 per quart. 2282 Meadors Spur Rd, Moneta  540-297-5117, 540-297-9038.

Halesford Easter drama
    Halesford Baptist Church in Wirtz  will be presenting “The Cry of Christ,” a fully staged and costumed drama of the agonizing, triumphant life of Jesus Christ. Based on the biblical events during Jesus Christ’s life here on earth, the production recounts many of the encounters He had with the people, including the rising of Lazarus from the dead, Zaccheaus and the adulterous woman, ending with His crucifixion and resurrection. The stories are told from the perspective of a variety of characters stepping outside their role temporarily to narrate.
    Last year, over 200 HBC members came together to produce the area's only fully staged Easter drama, “The Cry of Christ.” It was met with enthusiastic response, with approximately 2,000 attendees across six showings. This year’s production will be over an hour and a half with more than 200 people involved in some way, including stage design, parking lot attendees, and sound and lighting crew. Nearly 100 people are on stage and involved with the acting, many serving as stage choir and the crowd that follows Christ.
    The production has been a cumulative work in progress for four years with the desire to present this unique drama to our local community.  The stage area is built over the existing pulpit area in front of the church and large enough to be stored in a tractor trailer during the rest of the year. Extensive artwork and prop design gives the look and feel of Jerusalem. The goal is to make the presentation as realistic as possible so the audience can really understand the story of Christ.
    An additional weekend of performances has been added due to high demand last year. Performance times are as follows: Thursday & Friday, April, 14 and April 15 at 7 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, April 16 April 17 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The following weekend performances are for Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 23 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Free admission with seating reservations strongly suggested. The seating reservations and other information will be available beginning March 1 at www.halesford.com. Those without Internet access may call 877-917-7677.

Calendar

Saturday, March 26

Concert
    The English Family will hold a Gospel concert on Saturday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at Olive Branch Baptist Church, located at the corner of Joppa Mill and Flint Hill Roads, Bedford.

Music program
    Evington United Methodist Church will host the Harvesters music program on Saturday, March 26, at 6 p.m. (corner of Colonial Hwy. and Church Lane). Light refreshments will follow. If questions, call 821-7201.

Sunday, March 27

24th Chorus anniversary
    The Men’s Chorus of Washington Street Baptist Church, where the Rev. Henry A. Henderson is pastor, will be celebrating its 24th Chorus Anniversary, on Sunday, March 27, at 3 p.m. They will celebrate with a Song Festival. They are under the direction of Mildred Padgett and will celebrate 24 years of ministering tot he church and the community by singing praises to the Lord.

Usher Board anniversary
    The Usher Board of Western Light Baptist Church will celebrate their 47th anniversary on Sunday, March 27, at 4 p.m. The Fantastic Heavenly Five will be in concert and the Oakmulgee Baptist Church choir will be the guest choir.

Deacon and Deaconess Day
    The Mt. Rock Baptist Church is having Deacon and Deaconess Day on Sunday, March 27. Guest speaker for the 11 a.m. service will be the Rev. L. Kitt. The afternoon service begins at 3 p.m. The Rev. Dr. M.D. Mays, pastor of Otterville Baptist Church will be the guest speaker along with his choir and ushers.

Reed Creek Baptist Black History Program
    Join Reed Creek Baptist Church in Big Island on Sunday, March 27 at 3 p.m. for a Black History Program. The program will include Black History Profiling, Skit on the Mirror by Brenda Spinner and the Carter Singers in concert.

123rd anniversary
    Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bedford, will celebrate the church's 123rd anniversary on Sunday, March 27, at 3 p.m. An old-fashioned lunch will be served. The Rev. J.D. Holland of Wirtz will be the speaker for the afternoon.

Saturday, April 9

2011 Gathering
    Woman to Woman Ministries will be having 1st 2011 Gathering on Saturday morning, April 9  from 9 to 11 a.m. at Family Life Christian Church International, 22059 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg. This free event is an open invitation for all ladies in the surrrounding areas to come for fun and fellowship. Registration can be done online @ www.flccinc.org or at the door. Ministries founder and president Sharon McQueen with be speaker.