The third and final installment of the three-part series “Toward 2017: Rediscovering Luther’s theology as expressed in his hymns” will be held on April 28 at 3 pm, at College Lutheran Church, 210 South College Avenue, Salem. The event is free and open to the public, and will be handicapped-accessible. Refreshments will follow. Presenters for this session include Charles Shenberger, Dr. Robert Benne, Natalie Hartwig, and Karen Adams.
For more information, contact Karen Adams at College Lutheran Church, 389-4963.
Faith Shelor gives the Easter Bunny a high-five. Photo courtesy of Linda Shelor
Faith Shelor, daughter of Justin and Beth Shelor and granddaughter of JR and Linda Shelor and Grady and Nancy Hewitt of Salem, gives a “high five” to the Easter Bunny.
Local Office on Aging representative Amy Lawson will speak at the Salem Church of Christ on April 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Lawson will discuss the services available to seniors in our area with special emphasis on inhome services. The community is welcome to attend the potluck luncheon and presentation. The church is located at 401 W. Main St.
The 15th-annual Lebanese Festival at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church will be held May 31, June 1-2 at 4730 Cove Road, N.W., in Roanoke.
The festival features delicious Lebanese food, including a wide variety of vegetarian choices and customary Lebanese dishes and pastries, toe-tapping live Lebanese music by a professional musician and traditional Lebanese dances in full costume.
As it has since 2007, WDBJ7 will again sponsor the festival, which will be held rain or shine. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission and parking is free; there is a moderate charge for food and children’s activities.
Available again this year will be ”A Taste of Lebanon,” a special area displaying information about the country, unusual Lebanese musical instruments and artifacts, ornate Lebanese dress, a hookah, colorful rugs, and a “saj” — a special device used for baking the famous Lebanese flat bread.
Activities for children include face painting, an obstacle course and a Moon Walk. There will be a well-stocked silent auction featuring items from local businesses, gift baskets and restaurant gift certificates. Samer Jazrawy, professional musician, will be on hand to provide the live rhythmic Lebanese music that persuades guests to get up and dance.
In addition, tours of the church will explain the rich history of the Maronite Catholic rite, one of the oldest churches within Christianity. There will be takeout available for food orders: The form may be found on the church’s website and faxed to (540) 562-1300. There will also be “Frozen-To-Go” bulk food of select items also available to purchase for heating at a later time.
For more information, call St. Elias Church at 540-562-0012 or visit the website at www.steliaschurch.org.
Our church, CommUNITY Church, is doing something that is rare in our day and time! On Saturday, March 30, we will hold a free, no donations accepted, car wash, face painting and lunch to the entire community. This will be held at AutoZone in Salem from 11-2. This is our way of showing our community that we love and appreciate them.
Living Well Church of the Nazarene
3631 Evelyn Drive Salem, VA
Pastor Steve Parker 540-597-6207
Friday, March 29th @ 7 pm – GOOD FRIDAY CONCERT
The Dominion Trio
Justen Bruffy
Living Well Praise Team
Living Well Teen Snack Bar
Saturday, March 30th 8am-? – SPRING FLING
YARD SALE Begins at 8am
PANCAKE BREAKFAST served from 8am – 10am
Several Activities for CHILDREN – including an Easter Egg Hunt between 10am-2pm
CAR WASH (for donations) from 11am – 2pm
HOTDOG LUNCH will be served from 11am-1pm
Sunday, March 31st – EASTER SUNDAY
Breakfast @ 9:30am
Sunday School @ 10am AND 10:15am
Worship Service @ 11am
Directions: Rt 460W to right on McDaniel Drive at Andrew Lewis Place
Follow McDaniel Drive to church property on left.
The Salem Community Easter Drama at Sherwood Memorial Park Amphitheater is March 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but we will receive donations for the Salem Food Pantry. This will be followed by an Ecumenical Sunrise Service Easter Sunday at 7 a.m.
Diane and Rick posing next to the retired organ on Sunday, Feb. 24.
Roanoke – During Holy Week, Rosalind Hills Baptist Church (RHBC), 2712 Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, will dedicate a new organ that will be played in worship services for decades to come.
Rick Tomlinson, an RHBC member and former church organist, played the first note nearly 40 years ago and on Feb. 24, he played the last on the recently retired Rodgers organ. As the congregation celebrates Palm Sunday on March 24, Tomlinson’s daughter, Diane Fritzinger, will carry on the family tradition and play the first piece of music during worship on the church’s new Rodgers 588, three manual organ.
The Tomlinson family has a long history at RHBC which includes Rick’s 40 year career as its organist. In January 2013, Diane moved back to Roanoke and was hired by the church to fill the spot once held by her father.
Rick began as the church organist in 1962 where his family was also actively involved as members. Diane played during her first worship service as a member of the RHBC youth group in the mid-seventies and then went on to accept her first position as organist at St. James Episcopal church in Roanoke as a high school student.
“I began taking piano when I was seven years old. I was always fascinated with the organ Dad had at home and began trying it out in fourth grade. As a young child I thought it was fun to play with your hands and feet,” said Diane. “I started organ lessons as a sophomore in high school. I have always loved the many different sounds one can get from an organ; from very quiet reflective music to the grand and glorious sounds of hymns and classical music.”
Diane left Roanoke to attend Radford University and stayed in Radford after getting married and starting a family. She worked as a music teacher in the local school system and served as the organist for First Baptist Church in Radford from 1978 to 2011. In 1987, she completed her Master of Science degree in Music Education with a concentration in organ.
“We are fortunate to have Diane at Rosalind Hills. She is so talented and uses the gift God has given her to worship him,” said Paul French, Minister of Music at RHBC.
Rick and his wife Betty continue to serve at RHBC alongside Diane. In addition, the Tomlinson’s son, Bruce attends RHBC with his family which includes his wife, three daughters and three grandchildren.
Linda Shelor shares these photos from Faith Wesleyan Chapel. Children enjoyed Easter-related activities before an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 23.
Thanks, Linda!
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Chad Parries is the community journalist for So Salem and can be reached at 981-3342. You can share your news and photos through the “Share” button below or at news@sosalem.com.
