Val and Lee Harris are sponsoring an appreciation service for the Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe at Pinecrest High School on Friday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.

This "tribute" acknowledges her contributions to the community by shining the spotlight on people with inspiring stories and non-profit agencies with services to help those in need on "Town Talk" television show on Time Warner cable 3.

She hopes to purchase some TV equipment in order to capture more moments of events in the African-American and church communities.

Rose Highland-Sharpe is the daughter of Flossie Ingram Highland and the late Richard C. Highland. She has one son, John Highland Sharpe, a recent honor roll graduate and ROTC commander from Pinecrest High School, and soon-to-be United States Marine Corps graduate. Mother and son have entertained community and school groups with their storytelling and music program.

Highland-Sharpe obtained her radio training at North Carolina A & T State University, WNAA, 90.1 FM Radio, Greensboro. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is employed with Sandhills Community College as a recruiter for the Basic Skills Program. Highland-Sharpe is the gospel music program director/Sunday announcer at WEEB, 990 AM Radio, Southern Pines. She is a motivational speaker for various youth, singles' and women's groups.

Highland-Sharpe is the youth director, youth choir director, and assistant pastor at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Taylortown. She serves on the Volunteer Advisory Council for Moore County Head Start and Moore County 4-H, and on the executive board for Sandhills Community Action Program.

She volunteers as a tutor for Moore County schools, and as a storyteller for Moore County Head Start, Moore County Schools, and community centers. She participates on the Sandhills InterFaith Hospitality Network-Wheels-to-Work committee. She is a former member of the Moore County Arts Council Board of Directors. She has implemented career-day, after-school tutorial and recreational programs in Taylortown.

Highland-Sharpe was "called" to preach in 2001. Her pastor is the Rev. Charles Nabors. She is a licensed minister and will be ordained April.

Focus Sunday

Phyllis Elliott Elvington, popular keynote speaker from Green Sea, S.C., will lead "WMU Focus Sunday" Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church located at 1838 Bethlehem Church Rd., Carthage.

Anniversary

Piney Grove Church, Windblow Community, Ellerbe, will honor its pastor and his wife with an anniversary celebration Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25.

The service on Saturday at 6 p.m. features the Lovely Hill Male Chorus, New Hill Male Chorus, and Piney Grove Male Chorus. The Sunday service will begin at 11 a.m. with Elder Terence McCrimmon preaching. Accompanying him will be Mingto Hill Church of Dunn. Dinner will be served following the service.

Pancake Supper

The men of Culdee Presbyterian Church will sponsor their annual pancake supper on Friday, Feb. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. There is a $6 donation per plate and children under three are free. Donations received will be used for mission projects and for needs in the local community.

"The congregation and friends of Culdee Church are invited and encouraged to attend this event and support the men's group in this project," said a spokesman.

Chapel Women

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Women of the Chapel enjoyed a Valentine program and luncheon in fellowship hall of the Village Chapel. Jane Foster, accompanied by Darlene Skinner, entertained with a vocal selection of love songs that was enjoyed by all.

Carolyn Helms presented a powerful and inspirational program titled "A Healthy Heart -- Is It All Physical? (Where Does Love Fit In?)." Helms is married to the Rev. David Helms, senior minister for First Baptist Church of Southern Pines. She earned a bachelor's degree from Medical College of Virginia and a master of divinity degree in religious education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She enjoys sharing her love for Christ through the teaching of retreats and seminars and through speaking to various Christian groups. She serves as associate professor of nursing at Sandhills Community College, where she has been employed for the past 10 years.

For information on future programs at The Village Chapel, contact the church office at 295-6003.

Gospel Sing

Crossroads Community Church in Carthage will host a gospel singing featuring Mountain Creek Harmony from Albemarle, Sunday, March 4, at 10 a.m., at the church located at the Whispering Pines intersection of Vass-Carthage and Niagara-Carthage roads.

For more information or directions call 910-949-3971 or 910-949-3080.

Programs Set

There will be a gospel program at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Carthage at 584 Bryant Rd., Saturday, March 17, at 6 p.m., featuring The Sensational Royal Lights of Dillon, S.C.

Also, there will be a musical program on Sunday, March 25, at 3 p.m. with several area groups attending. The missionary program will be Sunday, Feb.25, at 3 p.m.

Ladies' Meeting

"The ladies of Sonlight Independent Church located on N.C. 211 invites all ladies in the community to a special ladies meeting at the church on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m.," said a spokesman. "Our special guest speaker for the evening will be Mrs. Maconaghie, a native of Ireland, who has been very active for several years in church ministry both here and abroad.

Call 910-295-4104 with any questions.

Day of Prayer

Church Women United of Moore County will celebrate "World Day of Prayer," Friday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Southern Pines, 175 Midland Road.

The theme is "United Under God's Tent," prepared by the women of Paraguay.

Through World Day of Prayer, women from more than 170 countries and regions affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. Because it is a movement that takes place around the world on that day, prayer continues for 24 hours.

"Come join us as we celebrate this powerful event," says a spokesman.

Refreshments will be served after the program. If child care is required, contact Jacque Klimack, president, at 910-281-0129.

Workshop, Service

Ash Wednesday services will be held for the Taylortown community at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. The pastor is the Rev. Oscar Rush.

Joining the services will be Galilee Missionary Baptist, the Rev. Charles Nabors; the House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ, Bishop Larry Brown; Providence Presbyterian, the Rev. Edward Williams; Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ, Superintendent John Spruill and others.

Lenten Services

On Feb. 21, St. Paul Lutheran Church will have an Ash Wednesday service with Communion and Imposition of Ashes at 7 p.m. Then the regular Lenten services will be on Wednesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul.

Our Saviour Lutheran

On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 21, there will be imposition of ashes and Holy Communion in the chapel at noon. At 7 p.m. there will be Holy Communion with imposition of ashes.

On Wednesdays, the church will hold noon prayer and scripture reading in the chapel. On Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m., participants may experience Bible-time culture by sharing a meal and a visit to the Jerusalem Market Place.

Our Saviour Lutheran is located on Luther Way near the Barn Restaurant in S. Pines

Call 692-2662 for information.

Recovery Ministry

Beaver Creek Baptist Church continues its substance abuse recovery ministry Monday through Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. The church has recently opened its Rescue Mission House for recovering addicts and is in need of monetary donations as well as household items.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Rd., Cameron. Call 919-499-9632 for information.

Breakfast

The Unitarian Universalist Breakfast Group will meet each second and fourth Sunday, at 9 a.m., at the Days Inn Restaurant on U.S. 1, Southern Pines.

For more information send e-mail to lomdjm@earthlink.net or go to www.uua.org to learn more about this progressive religion.

Donations

A church ministry is looking for donations for home-school material (pre-K, second grade, and fourth grade).

"We are also looking for volunteer home-school teachers that will also be screened," said a spokesman.

For more information, contact Tonya at 910-687-0257.

Christian Singles

Christian Singles, for adult Christian singles from 40 years of age and up, meets each Monday at 6:30 p.m., at various restaurants in the Southern Pines and Aberdeen area.

Call 692-8888 for information.

Health and Wellness

On Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m., Evangelist Juanita Douglas will be ministering at Jesus Is Lord Deliverance Center on the holistic approach to health and wellness.

She is a retired nurse but holds a part-time teaching position in health occupations at Scotland High School in Laurinburg.

The church is located on U.S. 15-501 south of Aberdeen. Overseer Clara Blue is the pastor. The TLC Mission offers inexpensive clothes for men, women and children. Donations are accepted. The mission, located on N.C. 211 near the line between Moore and Hoke counties, is open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m.

For information, call 944-6064.

Doubs Chapel

Doubs Chapel UMC announces that this year's theme for VBS is "Take The Plunge."

"'Take the Plunge' is a water park adventure; but more than that, it is a Bible adventure kids will love," says a spokesman. "At our 'Take the Plunge' water park, kids will build lasting relationships with each other and more importantly, with Jesus. It will be an exciting adventure for kids of all shapes and sizes. They'll experience every day what it means to be living life in the Son."

Vacation Bible School is scheduled to begin on Sunday, June 24, and conclude on June 30.