Churches in the Sandhills Baptist Association will participate in Operation Inasmuch, a statewide mission day, Saturday, April 19.

Operation Inasmuch-North Carolina (OIAM-NC) is a big one-day mission blitz of the community. The name is based on Matthew 25:40: "Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."

Throughout the county, several churches will partcipate, says the Rev. Scott Yow, pastor of Beaver Creek Baptist Church, who helped head the initiative.

Projects include community prayer walkings; community gravel road repair and construction (scraping and filling in potholes, etc.); "reverse" yard sales; construction of wheel chair ramps for elderly; nursing home visitations; potted plant distributions; home safety checks; yard and gutter cleanings and community cookouts.

First Baptist Aberdeen volunteers will be involved in those projects as well as assisting patrons at a local laundromat; a car checkup, medical checkup and clothes closet at Calvary Chapel of the Sandhills, 201 W. South St., Aberdeen; a Backyard Bible Club in the Woodgreen subdivision; assembling packages for the Red Cross and military personnel; visiting the Moore County jail; and a golf clinic and sports camp.

For information, call Yow at 919-498-5172 or the Associational Office at (910) 947-2238.

Adult Academy

The Adult Academy of Religious Studies and the Seven Lakes Forum are joining together to present a series everyone should attend. The name of the series is: "Let's Talk about Death and Dying."

"This is a topic no one wants to think about, but everyone will have to face more than once, whether you are dealing with your own death, the death of a loved one, or the death of a casual acquaintance," says a spokesman.

The Adult Academy is a combined effort of West End Presbyterian Church and the Seven Lakes Chapel. The Seven Lakes Forum meets once a month at the Seven Lakes West Community Center to discuss important issues facing our society.

There will be four sessions in the series on death and dying. The sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoons, May 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Seven Lakes West Community Center.

The first session, on Wednesday, May 7, is titled "Isn't It Time We Talked -- An Overview of Dying in America." The speaker is Jeanne S. Twohig, deputy director of the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life and a nationally known leader in end-of-life care.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Rev. Pam Hudson, former chaplain of First Health Hospice and now a member of the staff of FirstHealth Foundation, will lead a discussion on "Learning How to Talk to One Another about Death and Dying." Hudson has extensive experience in palliative care.

"Legal and Financial Aspects of Death and Dying" will be discussed Wednesday, May 21, by attorney Jennifer Garner, a frequent speaker on end-of-life issues.

On May 28 the series will end with the final subject in the series: "Spiritual and Ethical Concerns Surrounding Death and Dying," presented by Dr. Allen Verhey, professor of Christian Ethics, Duke University Divinity School and author, editor or co-editor of 12 books including his latest, "Reading the Bible in the Strange World of Medicine."

Area residents of all ages and faith traditions are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enter into conversations about these important issues. Reservations are not required and there is no charge for this series. For information, contact Don Welch at 673-6701.

Film Scheduled

The movie, "Facing the Giants," will be shown at Ives Memorial Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20.

The church is located at 365 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff.

Admission is free.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will host a revival Wednesday, April 15, through Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. The speaker is Larry Bullock of Aberdeen.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20, the church will hold a 100 Women in White service featuring Pastor Melvin Chambers of Shady Grove.

Chicken Dinner

High Falls United Methodist Church will be having a chicken tender dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Plates will be $7.

Proceeds will go to benefit the Building Fund.

The church is located at 323 Freis Road, High Falls.

For more information, contact the church or the pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Buckingham, at (910) 464-3217.

Night of Worship

The choir of the Sandhills Presbyterian Church will present a special praise and worship service "Amazed" at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

"The musical message will draw one to the power of the cross in a life and remind us of how amazing the love of God really is," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 650 Pee Dee Road in Southern Pines. For information, call 692-5834.

Yard Sale

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church will hold its annual yard sale Saturday, April 19.

Baked goods and hot dogs will be available.

The church is located in Seven Lakes on Seven Lakes Drive right off N.C. 211.

"Plan to come out, rain or shine, and pick up something you just can't live without," says a spokesman.

Gospel Sing

Emmanuel Baptist Church will host a gospel singing at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 27, featuring The Browns.

The church is located at 32 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

Revival

Community Friends Church will hold revival services Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 20, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Pastor Wayne Taylor, of High Point, is the featured speaker.

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

Youth Day

Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ will hold a youth day service at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 20. The speaker is Elder Lee Harris.

The church is located in Taylortown.

Yard Sale

Victory Community Baptist Church will hold a yard sale in conjunction with Operation Inasmuch, a statewide mission project, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19.

Local proceeds will be donated to Friend to Friend.

For information, contact Debbie Bosworth at 235-0519.

Pastoral Anniversary

St. Joseph A.M.E. Church will celebrate the third pastoral anniversary of Pastor Henry Davis and his wife, Arnita, at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

Bishop Ricky Smith, along with the choir and congregation of St. Peter's Deliverance Church in Southern Pines, will conduct the service.

The church is located at 309 Keyser Street, Aberdeen.

New Ministry

Rivers of Life Ministries of the Sandhills, a nondenominational church, will hold services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays.

The church is located at 204 E. Barrett Street.

For information, call Pastor Willie Self at 783-5590.

Rainbow Tea

Jesus Is Lord Deliverance Center will be having its annual Rainbow Tea at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the church. The ticket prices are as follows: 13 and up $15, 5-12 $5 and 4 and under free.

"You may see any member of Jesus Is Lord to purchase a ticket," says a spokesman.

The host pastor is Overseer Clara Blue.

Missionary Here

Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines will host missionary Jamie Dotson at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday, April 20.

Dotson, who recently returned from 33 months of ministry in Kumamoto, Japan, will be honored with a reception in the fellowship hall at 9:45 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Our Saviour Lutheran is on Luther Way near the Barn Restaurant.

Quilt Display

The women of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church will host a display of the 2005-2006 Women's Ordination Celebration Quilted Banners from Wednesday, April 16, through Thursday, April 25.

These quilts are touring the country. There are three quilts made of more than 3,000 squares from 1,005 churches and 449 clergywomen from all over the world.

Brownson Church has squares representing three of their ordained women in ministry: Libby Dunn, Alma Larson, and Karen Allen.

Those wishing to view the display should contact Sue Loth at (910) 215-8169 for an appointment.

Revival

Dover Baptist Church wil hold revival services through Wednesday, April 16. The Rev. Lonnie Gibson is tonight's speaker.

There will be special music for the service, and a nursery is provided.

The church is located in Seagrove.

April Schedule

Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church announces upcoming events for April:

- Sunday, April 27, homecoming service at 11 a.m. (no Sunday school).

- Sunday, April 27, through Wednesday, April 30, revival at 7 p.m.

Doubs Chapel UMC is located at 1444 Doubs Chapel Road, West End.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will participate in the statewide Operation Inasmuch at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

Men of Integrity

Jesus World Outreach Center, Inc. (JWOC) will hold its Seventh Annual Men of Integrity (MOI) Conference at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19. Intercessory prayer will begin at 9:15 a.m., prior to the conference.

This year's theme is "Being Fully Persuaded." 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. "Dr. Williams' passion to see men succeed in Christ has ignited men throughout the region to become committed and faithful to God and their families."

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.

Salad Supper

Springtime marks the welcome arrival of warmer weather, peach blossoms and, of course, the annual Salad Supper hosted by the United Methodist Women of the West End United Methodist Church.

This year's Salad Supper will be held Friday, May 2, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under, and must be purchased in advance as no tickets will be sold at the door.

For tickets, contact Trudie Vaughn at 255-6158 or Angie Thingstad at 673-3691.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to mission projects and the Food Pantry.

Jewish Congregation

The Sandhills Jewish Congregration announces its schedule for April:

A congregational Seder will be held Saturday, April 19; a Shabbat service and Purim, led by Rabbi Floyd Herman, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, and a Torah study will be held Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m.

For further information, visit www.sandhillsjewish.org or call (910) 673-5224.

Concert

Sweet Lew and the Jayhawks will perform at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Saturday, April 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. The group, made up of Lew Ketchem, Hugh Sutherland, Jaime Conrad, Tom Connor, Barkley Kern and Emmanuel's rector, the Rev. John Tampa, plays old-fashioned rock 'n' roll and beach music.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase through the church office for $10 per person or $30 per family.

Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event for $15 per person and $30 per family.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the church's global mission outreach program.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 692-3171.

Women's Conference

Bishop Roy A. McKoy and Pastor Costella McKoy of Pentecostal Assembly of Jesus Christ, 150 Eastman Road, Southern Pines, invite residents to attend "Keeping It Real," a Women's Conference to be held Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19.

The morning sessions will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. On Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m., there will be a corporate session featuring guest speaker Evangelist Clara Hickey of Sanford.

On Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m., following the morning session there will be a mother-and-daughter banquet held at the Days Inn, U.S. 1, Southern Pines, which will conclude the conference.

For further details or directions, call the church office at (910) 692-3574.

Conference

A conference for clergy and laity on hearing accessibility will be held on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Garner UMC in Garner.

Registration is required by May 23. Lunch is included in the registration fee.

Call John Crowe at (919) 759-2146 or e-mail him drcrowe@ nccumc.org.

This conference is being sponsored by the Committee on Disability Concerns of the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The early-bird registration fee is $15 for those who sign up by May 1. After May 1, the registration fee goes up to $20.

To learn more about this event, visit http://www.nccmen talhealth.org/hearing.htm for information.

Bible Study

Cornerstone Baptist Church announces that Pastor Dr. David Boroughs will lead Sunday and Wednesday night Bible studies at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

The church is located at 656 Hoffman Road, West End.

Health Ministry

A Sandhills Health Ministry has been started.

Meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. on the third Monday of the month, at the FirstHealth Community Health Building conference room on Page Drive, in Pinehurst.

All Sandhills churches are invited to send representatives.

Inquiries for wellness information and programs from area congregations may be directed to The Village Chapel, at 295-6003.

Unitarian Gathering

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

Breakfast is at 9 a.m. A discussion group will be held at 10 a.m., and there is now a children's group for ages 5-12.

For more information send an e-mail to uucsandhills@gmail.com or go to www.uua.org to learn more about this progressive religion.

Reading Room

At its location at 173A NE Broad St., the Christian Science Reading Room offers, among its Bible resources, Spanish translations of the Bible.

Also available are translations into Spanish of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, as well as other Spanish language items.

The Reading Room is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Support Group

Middle Cross Baptist Church has started a cancer support group that meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m.

The church is located at 440 Lucas Road, West End. For information, call Jessie Kellis at 673-2938 or Pastor David Reynolds at 947-2261.

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 Road, Cameron.

Call (919) 499-9632 for information.