Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church will be hosting its annual barbecue or chicken lunch and supper and auction Friday, March 9.

The cost of the meal is $7.50, and lunch delivery is available for orders of 10 or more. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Dinner will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are prepaid and may be purchased by contacting any church member.

Immediately following the supper, auctioneers will open the floor and take the opening bids for the annual auction. New and used items, gift certificates, golf packages and homemade baked goods are only a sample of items available to purchase.

All proceeds from this event will go to the church's local Community Mission Fund. This fund benefits individuals and families throughout the area and beyond in times of need.

"Through events like this our small church was able to provide nearly $20,000 in assistance to needy families in 2006," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 1444 Doubs Chapel Rd., West End.

Morrison Called

The Rev. Robert Morrison has been called to serve as full-time pastor of Harmony Baptist Church in West End.

Morrision will be installed by the Rev. Tom Lamkin of the Sandhills Baptist Association at the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, March 11.

Morrison served as pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church for 20 years and retired as pastor emeritus of that church. He was then called by Red Branch Baptist to be its interim pastor and remained there for three years.

"I feel God has called me to these churches to be his servant and a servant to the people," says Morrison.

Candlelight Service

The theme, "Victorious Living Through Spiritual Renewal, Obedience to God, Co-Laboring with Christ and Evangelism," will continue as Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church's missionary department celebrates its annual candlelight service on Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m.

Nora McNeill, director of Christian education of the central North Carolina Conference, will be the speaker. She is also the principal of Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School in Moore County. McNeill resides in Southern Pines and is a graduate of Lillington High School, attended N.C. Central University, and has a bachelor's degree in education from UNC-Greensboro, and a master's degree in education from Fayetteville State University. She is certified in administration and supervision from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

A recipient of many honors, including Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School's Teacher of the Year 1987-88, Moore County School's 1999 Principal of the Year, A.M.E. Zion Church's 1990 Outstanding Achievement Award in Christian Education, and Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church's 1996 Academic Excellence Award for children.

The Trinity Church Gospel Choir will provide music. The Rev. Marvin Lee, pastor, and Peggie Caple, missionary president, invite the community to attend and be blessed and uplifted by this program.

Lenten Schedule

Each Sunday morning during Lent at both 8:30 and 11 a.m., First Baptist Church in Southern Pines will provide Lenten worship services that focus on the theme: "A Place for You."

On Sunday evenings, the church will provide a Contemplative Worship service. The service will last 30 to 45 minutes and will include music, prayers, silence, and Communion. The aim of the service is to meet Christ in prayers and silence. The theme for each week will be: March 11, "Silence and Art; March 18, "Silence and Creation; March 25, "Silence and the Cross."

On Palm Sunday, Dr. Ben Witherington, a respected Jesus scholar and gifted Methodist preacher will lead Sunday morning worship services as well as a study on the life of Jesus on Sunday and Monday evening of Holy Week. All services are open to the public.

Luncheon Meeting

The Sandhills Fellowship of Churches luncheon meeting will be held at the First Baptist Church in Southern Pines on Tuesday, March 13, at noon. For further information, call Nan Cunningham at 295-5191.

Author Lectures

Author and retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong has two events scheduled in the Sandhills area in March. He will be the guest lecturer at the Ruth Pauley Series Thursday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, March 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., he will be at the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC, to offer two lectures.

Spong, a Charlotte native and UNC Chapel Hill graduate, served churches in Durham and Tarboro. His most recent book is "Jesus for the Non-Religious," which targets his main audience -- Christians who have left the church over questions of science, biblical literalism, and historical prejudice.

Each lecture at a church will be followed by question-and-answer segment. Spong will also sign copies of his books. Reservations are required.

For more information, contact the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC at www.ucc pinehurst.org or 295-2243.

Workshop

The Creative Learning Center (CLC), in collaboration with the Southern Pines Police Department, will present a special session on "what is and is not" a crime for those ages 10 to 16, Saturday, March 17, at 10 a.m., at First Missionary Baptist Church, 315 S. Gaines Street, Southern Pines.

This is the first workshop in a series that will be sponsored by First Missionary Baptist Church Youth Department to provide vital information to today's youth.

Preschool

Bethesda Presbyterian Preschool is accepting applications for the 2007-2008 school year for three- and four-year-olds. The program nurtures and develops learning and social skills that are age-appropriate. The preschool is reasonably priced and operates September to May, Tuesday through Thursday mornings.

"Stop by the church with the lake out front on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen or call 944-1319," said a spokesman.

Lenten Services

Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Southern Pines will present several special events and programs during the Lenten season, beginning in March.

The East Carolina University Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Bara, will perform in concert on Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Admission is free.

On Wednesday, March 14, Dr. David Bowling will begin a three-week Bible study with "The Road to the Cross," followed by "The Crucifixion" on Wednesday, March 21, and "The Resurrection" on March 28, in preparation for Holy Week. The study series will begin at 6 p.m. with a pot luck supper in the fellowship hall each Wednesday evening.

The Rev. Michael J. Garber will be confirmed as minister Emeritus in a ceremony during the 11 a.m. worship service on March 18. Garber retired in 2002 after 26 years of service as senior pastor of the Community Congregational Church.

Lent will culminate with the following Holy Week services:

n Palm Sunday, April 1, at 11 a.m.

n Maundy Thursday, April 5, Service of Tenebrae with communion at 7 p.m.

n Easter Sunday, April 8, at 11 a.m.

"All are welcome to visit us at 141 North Bennett St. in Southern Pines," says a church spokesman.

For further information, call 692-8468 or visit the Web site at www.communitycongregational.org.

Lenten Lunches

Lenten lunches at Page Memorial United Methodist Church located in downtown Aberdeen will be held through April 4.

"This is a great opportunity for spiritual reflection, Christian conversation, and delicious meals," says a spokesman.

Participants will gather on Wednesdays at noon in the church fellowship hall. The cost is $4 per person and includes a home-cooked meal, tea, coffee, rolls, dessert, and a time of ministry and fellowship. Speakers and menus are as follows:

n March 7, the Rev. Dennis Sheppard, Hope Mills United Methodist Church. Menu includes roast beef and gravy, new potatoes, broccoli with cheese sauce, and beet pickles.

n March 14, the Rev. Joe Forbes, retired United Methodist minister. Menu includes baked turkey and gravy, peas and carrots, and potato salad.

n March 21, the Rev. Mike Branscome, Aberdeen First Baptist Church. Menu includes chicken casserole, pear salad, and butter beans.

n March 28, the Rev. Bob Bundy, retired United Methodist minister. Menu includes beef stew with rice, buttered carrots, and green beans.

n April 4, the Rev. Janet Buffaloe, United Methodist Church. Menu includes baked chicken, scalloped potatoes, and corn with pimento.

Revival

Community Friends Church will hold revival services Friday, March 23, and Saturday, March 24, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 25, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Rev. Darrell Garner will be the speaker.

The church is located at 3879 U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

For information, call 947-2002.

Annual Services

The Sandhills Fellowship of Churches will have its annual Lenten services this year at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines at noon Wednesday, March 7. The subject will be the life and ministries of Jesus.

The Rev. Rick Schliepsiek will lead the service. There will be fellowship after the service.

"Since it is near lunch time you may feel free to brown-bag it, and drinks will be served," says a spokesman. "All are welcome to come."

For further information, call Nan Cunningham at 295-5191.

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.

Lenten Services

St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold Lenten services on Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m.

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.