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The Herald will publish Christmas music, dramas and other holiday programs in our Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 issues. Please send events by email to Barbara Francis at [email protected] prior to Friday, Dec. 2. Due to space limitations we are unable to include Christmas Eve Services.
Transitions
ON THE MOVE
James B. Denton Jr., to Wytheville (Va.) Baptist Church, as pastor.
Lester Morelock, to First Baptist Church, Weber City, Va., as pastor.
R. Michael Embrey, to Hebron Baptist Church, Afton, Va., as pastor.
Chase Peak, to Tomahawk Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va., as music director.
Fred Hardin, to Fuller Memorial Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va., as pastor. He previously was pastor of Pinecroft Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.
David Johnson, to Rappahannock Baptist Church, Warsaw, Va., as pastor.
Donnie Owen, to Broadway (Va.) Baptist Church, as pastor.
Scott Covington, resigning as pastor of Berea Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Va., to pursue teaching fulltime.
DEATH
Thomas Wright Morris Sr., senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Reedville, Va., died Nov. 9 at the age of 76. He had served as pastor at Shiloh for the past 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; three children, Thomas W. Morris Jr., Nerissa E. Morris and George L. Morris; a sister; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A homegoing celebration was held Nov. 14 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Reedville.
Kudos
ORDINATIONS
Tamara Witte was ordained to the ministry on Aug. 7 at First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va. She is a student at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and director of pastoral care at St. Maryís Woods, a retirement community in Richmond.
Alex Gallimore was ordained to the ministry Nov. 13 at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Airy, N.C., where he serves as minister of youth.
5 YEARS
Daniel Glaze, celebrating 5 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ahoskie, N.C.
10 YEARS
Gary Stewart, celebrating 10 years as pastor of Beaverdam (Va.) Baptist Church.
David Cameron, celebrating 10 years as minister of music/senior adults at Chatham Heights Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va.
25 YEARS
David Whiteman, celebrating 25 years as pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Buies Creek, N.C.
RECOGNITIONS
Dorothy Price
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Dorothy Price began playing the organ at Berryville (Va.) Baptist Church in 1951 at age 22. Fifty years later she still plays the organ and piano, directs the choir and manages other responsibilities as minister of music. To commemorate this milestone, the congregation surprised Price on October 30 with a celebration. It took place at the end of a Music Sunday Service, a service of hymn singing, choir anthems, bell choir pieces, and music from its praise band and other vocalists. Following the service a luncheon was held. A beautiful cake in the shape of a hymnal open to a page with the words to “How Great Thou Art,” her favorite hymn, was baked and decorated by Patti Royston. To commemorate her golden anniversary, a plaque will be hung in the church in her honor.
Ron Hall, president of the Virginia Baptist Foundation, was given the Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award by Bluefield College Oct. 15. The award recognizes BC graduates who display continual continual service and compassion in ministry, leadership in the community and passion for the values and mission of Bluefield. Hall is a 1981 graduate of BC.
Bluefield College will present honorary doctorates to two longtime faculty members during commencement exercises Dec. 17. Will Gordon, a business professor since 1962, will receive the doctor of science degree. David Armbrister, professor of history since 1968, will receive the doctor of humanities degree.
PASTOR APPRECIATION
Chatham Baptist Church
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The members of Chatham (Va.) Baptist Church outdid themselves for Pastors Appreciation Month. On Sunday, Oct. 30, 90 members arrived wearing red t-shirts imprinted, “We Love Chuck & Debbie.” Following the service there was a covered-dish lunch. The congregation signed a big card of appreciation and personal cards and gifts were presented. Chuck Warnock began his eighth year as Chatham Baptist’s pastor last June and he and his wife are pictured (sitting).
On Mission
Wake Forest Baptist Church, Wake Forest, N.C., is providing Christmas trees to families who have a spouse deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Church members are contributing $55 for each tree to “exhibit Christ’s love and demonstrate support for those on the forefront of the defense of freedoms in a real and tangible manner.”
Christmas Music/Drama
WED., NOV. 30
Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Lessons & Carols” presented by the children’s music ministry. This well-loved Advent tradition will include congregational singing and new seasonal selections, all enhanced by traditional Scripture readings led by children.
FRI-SAT., DEC. 2-3
First Baptist Church, Martinsburg, W. Va.; “A Mt. Zion Christmas,” at 7 p.m.
FRI-SUN., DEC. 2-4
First Baptist Church, Hopewell, Va.; Bethlehem Walk, an interactive experience where participants walk through Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth; Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday from 5-8 p.m. and Sunday from 4-7 p.m.
SAT., DEC. 3
First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; ChristkindlMarkt, a European-style Christmas market with local vendors, craftsmen and artisans selling handmade crafts, food items and Christmas trees and ornaments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music and activities for children.
SAT. & SUN., DEC. 3-4
Cool Spring Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va.; Mercy’s Well will be presenting a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. The concert will feature the adult choir of Cool Spring.
SUN., DEC. 4
Bethel Baptist Church, Salem, Va.; “Iíll Be Home for Christmas,” a Christmas musical honoring the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor with recognition of military veterans, at 6 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “The Many Moods of Christmas,” presented by the sanctuary choir and One Accord, featuring familiar carols of the season along with new works by Dan Goeller, Howard Helvey and K. Lee Scott, at 7 p.m.
Freemason Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va.; “Candlelight Noel!” Sing beloved carols of the season with brass, organ and adult choir.
Hillcrest Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va; “The King’s Birthday,” at 6:30 p.m.
THURS., DEC. 8
Red Lane Baptist Church, Powhatan, Va., will host the Dixie Melody Boys in concert at 7:30 p.m.
THURS.-SUN., DEC. 8-10
First Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va.; “Living Christmas Tree.” Performances at 7:30 on Thursday and Friday; at 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets required.
FRI.-SAT., DEC. 9-10
First Baptist Church, Newport News, Va.; “Singing Christmas Tree,” at 7 p.m.
Providence Baptist Church, Hayes, Va.; living singing Christmas tree, “Jesus is Christmas,” at 7 p.m.
Mill Creek Baptist Church, Fincastle, Va.; live nativity from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buchanan Carnival Grounds.
FRI.-SUN., DEC. 9-11
Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Symbols, Stories and Songs,” a holiday worship concert, on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 and 7 p.m. Attendees will hear a worshipful retelling of the Christmas story, learn more about holiday symbols and be inspired by stories of the Christian faith through insightful narrations.
SAT., DEC. 10
Charles Town (W. Va.) Baptist Church; hosting The 6th Dimension hand bell choir from Winchester, Va., at 7:30 p.m.
Meadows of Dan (Va.) Baptist Church; Moravian Lovefest at 6:45 p.m.
Pisgah Baptist Church, Rice, Va.; “For the Glory of the King,” at 6:30 p.m.
SAT.-SUN., DEC. 10-11
Amelia (Va.) Community Church; “Once Upon a Midnight Clear,” presented at Amelia County High School, 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.
Mineral (Va.) Baptist Church; “Light Looked Down and The Word Became Flesh,” 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
SUN., DEC. 11
Branch’s Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Hark the Herald,” at 11 a.m.
Calvary Baptist Church, Floyd, Va.; “Searching for the King,” at 11 a.m.
Central Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “Song for a King,” with sanctuary choir and chamber orchestra at 7 p.m.
Falmouth (Va.) Baptist Church; “Hark the Angel Sang,” at 11 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Springfield, Va.; “A Song in the Air,” at 10:30 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Va.; “Sing the Songs of Bethlehem,” at 6 p.m.
Floyd (Va.) Baptist Church; “Light Looked Down,” at 4 p.m.
Friendship Baptist Church, Chesterfield, Va.; “Celebrate the Gift,” at 10:30 a.m.
Haran Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; “I Hear the Prophet Callin’”, at 11 a.m.
Manassas (Va.) Baptist Church; “Winter’s Grace: A Cantata for Christmas,” at 11 a.m.
Ridge Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; “A Child is Born,” at 7 p.m.
Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.; “Come in from the Cold,” a musical drama presented by the youth and parents; worship choir and children will present music from “Sing Gloria.”
Sandston (Va.) Baptist Church; Christmas concert with music performed by the church’s praise team, handbell choir, MajeSticks, adult choir and various ensembles, starting at 7 p.m.
Westhaven Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va.; Chancel Choir, children’s choir and orchestra presenting Joseph Martin’s “Ceremony of Candles: A Cantata for Advent and Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m.
SUN.-MON., DEC. 11-12
Walnut Hills Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Va.; “The Gift of Christmas,” on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Monday at 6 p.m.
FRI.-TUES., DEC. 16-20
Hebron Baptist Church, Afton, Va.; “Bethlehem Village,” outdoor Christmas production; Friday, Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. each day with early opening on Sun., Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
SAT.-SUN., DEC. 17-18
Bybee’s Road Baptist Church, Troy, Va.; “Mary Did You Know?” Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Keystone Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Va.; “Joyful and Triumphant,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.