Monday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Ben Witherington, professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary, will present a public lecture at First Baptist Church in Southern Pines. He addresses the claims of the documentary film, "The Tomb of Jesus."

On Sunday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m., Witherington's lecture is titled "Who Was the Beloved Disciple of Jesus?"

A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, Witherington received his doctorate from the University of Durham in England. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world. Witherington has also taught at Vanderbilt University, Duke Divinity School, and Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

A popular lecturer, he has presented seminars for churches, colleges and biblical meetings not only in the United States but also around the world. He has appeared on the History Channel, NBC, CBS, CNN, The Discovery Channel, A&E, and the PAX Network.

The church is located at 200 East New York Avenue. These free lectures are open to the public.

Bensalem Events

Bensalem Presbyterian Church in Eagle Springs will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m., followed by a cookout. All ages are invited.

The church will celebrate Easter morning at its annual sunrise service and breakfast. The service begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast to follow. The regular morning worship service will begin at 11 a.m.

Workshop

First Missionary Baptist Church, 315 S. Gaines Street, Southern Pines, is sponsoring a "First Time Home Buyers" workshop Saturday, March 24, at 9:30 a.m.

"The public is invited," says a spokesman. "Come out, ask questions and learn about home ownership."

Church Fundraiser

There will be a chicken and fish plate sale Saturday, March 24, of N.C. 5 in Jackson Hamlet (under the tents), beginning at 11 a.m. Plates are $7 and include two side items, a piece of cake and a drink.

This benefits God's Love in Action Deliverance Ministries.

Contact 528-6545 for delivery of orders for five or more.

Anniversary Celebration

The Rev. Dr. Bill Vaughn, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Vass, celebrated 21 years of ministry at the church on Sunday, March 11.

Vaughn, a native of Richmond County, was saved at 11 under the ministry of the Rev. Lester English. At the age of 16, he answered the call to preach at summer camp while sitting under the ministry of the Rev. Russell Edwards.

He graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1976, after which he attended Baptist University of America in Decatur, Ga., studying under Dr. Curtis Hudson. He was ordained in 1980 at Temple Baptist Church in Austell, Ga., and founded Steadfast Baptist Church in Rockingham in the same year.

Vaughn came to Highland Baptist Church in March 1986, after ministering in his home town for six and a half years and seeing more than 400 professions of faith.

Since coming to Highland, Vaughn has seen the establishment of a "faith promise mission" program that produced more than $42,000 last year toward World Wide Missions. He has led the church in adding a 3,000-square-foot addition to the main building, the establishment of a Christian school and daycare center, the establishment of the Highland Baptist Mission Board, the remodeling of the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall, the establishment of a tape ministry, the start-up of a mission cottage, the establishment of a bus ministry, and the reaching of more than 1,000 souls for Christ, since becoming the pastor of Highland.

Vaughn's most recent endeavors include the paving of the church's parking lot, the construction of two new classrooms, and the installation of a new sound system in the church's auditorium.

The church is located at 5587 U.S. 1, four miles north of Southern Pines. For more information call the church at 695-0494.

Conference

Jesus World Outreach Center, Inc. (JWOC) will hold its Sixth Annual Men of Integrity (MOI) Conference on Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m. Intercessory prayer will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the conference.

This year's theme is: "Can You Handle the Truth?" JWOC pastor, host and MOI founder, Dr. Jake Williams Jr. invites men from all walks of life to attend.

"Men of Integrity's purpose is to train men how to be men, husbands and fathers of integrity by teaching them the living Word of God that they may walk upright before God at all times, in all areas, and at all cost enabling them to take back their rightful place," says a spokesman.

JWOC is located at 2727 Murchison Road in Fayetteville. There is no registration fee. Nursery care will be provided, and refreshments will be served.

For more information and to RSVP, call JWOC at 910-823-4849.

Revival

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson Hamlet will host a three-night revival Wednesday, March 21, through Friday, March 23, at 7 p.m. nightly.

The Rev. Bobby McKoy of the New Vision Christian Church in Hope Mills will bring the message.

The church is located at 198 Gaines Road in the Jackson Hamlet community of Pinehurst.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel youth will be processing with palm branches at the 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Service on April 1, and special music will be provided by "A Joyful Noise" Choir. Dr. Larry Ellis will speak on "Facing the Future" at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services. The Chapel Choir will provide special music at the 11 a.m. service. There is also an 8:30 a.m. Communion service available.

An Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. on the lawn of The Carolina Hotel is being offered jointly by the Carolina Hotel and The Village Chapel. The Chapel Choir, directed by John Shannon, will be singing, and Dr. Glenn Miller will present a Meditation.

Service times will be changed for Easter, April 8, as follows: 8 a.m., Communion service; 9:15 a.m., family worship service, with special music by "A Joyful Noise" and "The Chapel Chimers"; 11 a.m., traditional worship service with special music by the Chapel Choir. Dr. Glenn Miller will speak on "Why Are You Weeping?" at all three Easter services.

The Chapel building is handicapped accessible and has receivers for the hearing impaired.

For more information, call 295-6003.

Browns Chapel

Browns Chapel Christian Church in Robbins 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 this week is "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.

Lenten Services

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

Dr. David Bowling will lead Bible study on "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.

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.

Gospel Sing

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will host Al Batton and the Bluegrass Reunion Sunday, March 25, at 6 p.m.

There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be taken.

For information, call 919-499-9632.

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 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., 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 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.

'Ladies in Hats'

New Beginning Holiness Church of Deliverance in Aberdeen will hold a "Ladies in Hats" parade Sunday, March 25, at 3 p.m.

The speaker will be Pastor Elwood Hooker of Sandy Grove.

The church is located at 707 S. Pinehurst St., Aberdeen.