On Wednesday, March 21, the Christian Science Reading Room will reopen at its new location: 173-3 North East Broad Street in the Nationwide Insurance Building.

The hours will remain the same -- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Available here to be read or purchased is the Pulitzer Prize- winning Christian Science Monitor, Here too, visitors can use computer Bible study aids and borrow from an extensive lending library.

"It's the perfect place to take a few minutes for prayer and quiet mediation in the midst of a hurried day," says a spokesman.

For more information, call 692-7759.

Culdee Luncheon

On Sunday, March 18, there will be a benefit spaghetti lunch for Darren Bullard. Bullard is currently awaiting a heart transplant.

The luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall of Culdee Church immediately following the morning worship service. All donations received will go to the Darren Bullard Fund and will be used to help defray his medical expenses. Donations can also be sent to Culdee Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 399, Pinehurst, NC 28370.

"The congregation and friends of Culdee Church are invited and encouraged to attend this luncheon and show their support for Darren," said a spokesman.

Dinner and Singing

Fair Promise United Methodist Church will hold a chicken tender dinner and gospel sing Saturday, March 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, which is located on Glendon/Siler City Road.

Plates are $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Music will be provided by the Nall Sisters and Salt Creek Bluegrass.

Lamplighters

The Lamplighters will present a gospel singing concert at the Main Street Baptist Church, Sunday, March 18, at 7 p.m.

There is no charge for this concert.

The church is located on N.C. 24/27 west of Biscoe.

Special Service

Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church will hold a special worship service Sunday, March 18, at 7 p.m.

"In this service, each disciple at the table the night Jesus was betrayed will share his self-reflection in answer to the question 'Is It I?,'" says a spokesman.

The choir will join in with special music. Communion will be celebrated during the service.

The church is located at 6244 N.C. 73.

Gospel Singing

West End First Baptist Church will host the gospel group, Blue Horizon Band, Sunday, March 18, at 7 p.m.

Browns Chapel

Revival services will begin at Browns Chapel Christian Church in Robbins, Sunday, March 18, through Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Sunday night service will start at 6 p.m. The guest evangelist will be Michael Greer.

The church will have an Easter Egg hunt for the children Saturday, March 31, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the church. The rain date will be Saturday, April 7, at 2 p.m.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 8. A continental breakfast will be served following the service.

For more information, call 910-948-2729.

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 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.

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 the church will be followed by a 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.