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"Evening of Praise and Worship" will be held on November 14 at St. John Lutheran Church. The church is located at 4608 Brambleton Ave. You will enjoy a relaxed evening of worshipful praise music, prayer, dessert and coffee. We all know the stresses of the Holidays as they approach and our prayer is that this evening will bring us all to a greater understanding of God's peace and his desire for us to focus solely on worshipping him. All are invited. Bring your friends and neighbors.

For more information, please call the church at 774-0712.

Submitted by MarLane Knuppel

When the going gets tough, it's always nice to know that you have a community ready to help you out and stick by you. Which is exactly what a local church, Haran Baptist, has been doing for a local family- one many of them have never even met.

Bobby Ferguson, a Deacon at Haran Baptist and a Marine, learned from his mother about his cousin's wife, Ashley Weeks, of Goodview who was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few short years ago.

A little more than a year ago, Weeks, only 27-years-old, was diagnosed with breast cancer and the doctors gave her anywhere between five and ten years to live. She's been unable to work and recently her husband was laid off from his job (only to get it back a few weeks ago).

The Weeks' family has two daughters, one 4-years-old and one 6-years old.

And according to Ferguson, Weeks' doctors recently told her that she only had a year to live.

Haran Baptist Church wanted to do something to help. They collected canned goods, gave them gift certificates, donated money, cards- just to let them know that they care about the family.

"She's a really good Christian and trusts in God and knows there can be a miracle," Ferguson said.

Most recently the church held a yard sale, on Saturday, Oct. 17 and donated the proceeds to the family.

"We had done one for the youth one time and that did really well so we just decided to do another one and raise some money. If anything to help them catch up on some bills or with the holidays coming up."

"The church has been talking about finding a family in the community and helping them out. There are families out there that need help and they don't know who to turn to. It's a chance to get the church involved with them and it gets the families involved in church and it can change your life."

Ferguson said that Haran Baptist Church has a goal to embrace a family every quarter and help them, whether it's doing some work around their house or raising money or food.

The church has helped many others in the past and are involved in the community. Just a few of the things they have done include cutting firewood for the elderly, creating fruit baskets for people are shut-in, they also participate in Women on Mission, Operation Christmas Child, raising money for missionaries, and donate to the homeless shelter.

"Our members are just wonderful. I cant say enough about what they've done. The things they've donated and their time- it's just great," he said.

Do you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

The Church of the Holy Spirit dedicated a new sanctuary on Sunday. Here are photos of the dedication, courtesy of the church.

You can view them in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have photos involving your church in Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Pastor Mike Anderson and Courtesy of Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson isn't new to the Roanoke area, but he is new to Haran Baptist Church. Anderson began his pastoral duties in Southwest Roanoke County officially on September 1.

Anderson said he grew up in the Roanoke area and raised his kids, Nicole (Anderson) Thrasher, Jason Anderson and Chris Anderson. He has been married for over 25 years to his wife, Sandy. He also has two grandchildren, Ashlynn and Camden.

"I got involved in church late in life," Anderson said.

In the fall of 2000 Anderson began working on his undergraduate degree which he received in 2005. He then received his Master's from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School in Louisville. He completed that in May of this year.

Anderson said that he found out that Haran Baptist Church was looking for a new pastor from an acquaintance. And the timing was perfect- he was finished with seminary and ready to start his walk with Christ.

"It felt like the right fit for the church and right for me, so I moved to Roanoke about six weeks ago. I'm just grateful to move back here."

Prior to becoming a pastor, Anderson was a car salesman and worked in the restaurant business.

"My wife got involved in church and I saw the change it made in her. So I went and I took on leadership roles and one thing led to the other. Christ got a hold of me," Anderson said about his journey to Christ.

"I really felt that God was drawing me into full-time ministry. I just felt like if I got my Bachelor's and went to seminary to get my masters it would equip me to serve God better. I felt it would put us in a better position to serve Him full-time."

Anderson said that his experience thus far at Haran Baptist has been great and very welcoming.

"I'm still getting adjusted and meeting people and learning their names. Everybody has been very warm. It's a very loving church. It's been great."

Anderson also said that the church has a passion for the community.

"We are trying our best to see how we can impact the community for Christ," he said.

Upcoming events at the church include Trunk or Treat which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31. They are also holding a yard sale for Ashley Weeks of Goodview who is battling cancer. The yard sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Haran Baptist Church, 7539 Old Bent Mountain Road. The church will also be holding Christmas programs, youth programs, and an Adult Cantata.

"We are considering things they (the church) haven't done in the past and continuing things they've always done," he said.

Sunday School begins at 9:45 in the morning on Sunday's at Haran Baptist and Worship is at 11 a.m. They also have bible study, youth group, and a children's program every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

"We are a warm and accepting fellowship," Anderson said. "Bottom line is we're all sinners and no one is perfect. We hope people will come worship with us. I think we have a great future ahead of us. It's good to be back in the area."

Do you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

ROANOKE, VA:    On Saturday, November 7, Cave Spring United Methodist Church will hold its annual church bazaar to usher in the fall and this year’s holiday season.  The hours this year are 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

This event, sponsored annually by the United Methodist Women of the church, will feature a wide range of church bazaar items, and is the culmination of weeks of work by the men and women of the congregation.

The selection of home made merchandise includes crafts of all kinds for fall and the holidays, baked goods, jams and jellies, and much more.  The “White Elephant” Rummage Sale, always a popular attraction with shoppers, will be repeated again this year.  And, food and drinks will be available for hungry shoppers in the “Bazaar Café”.

“The gifted ladies of the church have been working hard for weeks making many original crafts for holiday decorating and entertaining”, explained Bobbie Rust, Bazaar Chairman.  She added, There will be lots of wonderful gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, co-workers and shut-ins”.

Proceeds from this sale go towards mission work locally, nationally and globally...plus other projects sponsored by the United Methodist Women.  There is plenty of free parking at the church located at 4505 Hazel Drive, SW, just off Colonial Avenue between Routes 419 and 221.  For additional information, contact the church office.

Submitted by Al Colgrove

In its 24th year, Church of the Holy Spirit will dedicate its second, new sanctuary at 10 a.m. this coming Sunday. Anglican Mission in America bishop, The Rt. Rev. Terrell Glenn of Pawley’s Island, will be the guest preacher.
The new sanctuary has a huge sweeping view of Masons Knob and a state of the art sound and light system and a gently sloped floor.
A reception and time of fellowship will follow.
Please bring a dish and try to car pool due to limited parking at this service.
Families and friends can park at Penn Forest Elementary School and car pool over if the lot fills up.
For more information, e-mail Kim Worrell at Kimw@coths.org

Submitted by the Church of the Holy Spirit

You can view photos of the new sanctuary in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have news from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

Who: Haran Baptist Church located at 7539 Old Bent Mountain Road

What: Yard Sale and Bake Sale

When: Saturday, October 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities will include: Yard Sale/ Bake Sale, Hotdogs, Chips, Drinks, Ice Cream

Gospel Music by: The Oyler Family (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.)

All proceeds from the yard sale/bake sale will benefit Ashley Weeks and family. She is fighting a battle with breast cancer.

Members of Colonial Presbyterian Church enjoyed the afternoon hiking to the top of Flat Top Mountain (Peaks of Otter) on Sunday, October 4th.

Submitted by Kim Roe.

Do you have photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Dusty and Bob Fiedler celebrate 30 years with Covenant Presbyterian Church. Courtesy of Kitty Mortara

On Sunday, September 20th, the members and friends of Covenant Presbyterian Church celebrated with Co-pastors, Bob and Dusty Fiedler, the 30th anniversary of their ordinations into the ministry.  The Fiedlers graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1979 and, following a year of work in Richmond, were called by Second Presbyterian in Roanoke to serve as Associate Pastors.  They subsequently moved to Clemmons, NC to become Co-pastors of Clemmons Presbyterian Church.  In August, 1996, Bob and Dusty were called to serve as Co-pastors at Covenant.  After worship, led by Rev. Bill Klein, Pastor Emeritus at Second Presbyterian, the congregation enjoyed fellowship with the Fiedlers at a special luncheon.

-Kitty Mortara

"Colonial Avenue Baptist members Trevor and Melinda Ruble, Ric and Melissa Scott, Tim and Renee Thornhill and Kris and Jena Willis went to check out the U2 concert last week in Charlottesville. Our church has extensively supported and visited missionaries and a young man in Kenya for 6 years and appreciate the massive support U2 raises for the hungry in Africa. We recently sent members Martha Crockett and Jeannie Duddy there as our third mission team to Africa. All thought it was one of the best concerts they had ever been too. The huge,elaborate stage set seemed to devour Scott Stadium in Charlottesville as we expect the Hokies to do to the Cavaliers in November! The night with friends and 60,000 others there was a wonderful 50th birthday gift from wife Renee to Tim."

-Submitted by Tim Thornhill