Angel Food Ministries, an organization dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality food to those in need, has just expanded its meal offerings to include a specialty Christmas Box that includes everything needed for a traditional holiday celebration -- even the dressing.

The local host site is Mosaic Ministries in Aberdeen. Host sites are taking orders now throughout 37 states and the District of Columbia, and will be distributing the meals in time for the holidays.

Each Christmas Dinner Box contains enough food for six to seven people and costs only $35.

Angel Food provides individuals and families with fresh, brand-name food for a fraction of the retail price. By purchasing food in bulk, directly from some of the top suppliers in the country, food is discounted by up to 50 percent of retail.

A standard medium-size box of food may be purchased for $30, and contains top quality food staples from every food group, including chicken or beef, milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits. Each of the regular boxes of food feeds a family of four for about one week, or a single individual for almost a month.

The menu selections vary each month and consist of both fresh and frozen items, saving Americans money with no sacrifice to quality. There is even a box geared toward the nutritional needs of senior citizens.

Angel Food Ministries' services are for everyone, regardless of economic circumstances. There are no limits to the quantity of boxes per individual, nor are there any applications or qualifications for eligibility.

In response to current economic conditions, Angel Food has stepped up its efforts to meet the growing needs by adding new distribution centers and host sites as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The demand for Angel Food's services nationwide has increased substantially, with September and October shattering all previous months' orders.

Today, Angel Food Ministries serves hundreds of thousands of families across 37 states and the District of Columbia. Angel Food Ministries helps every local "host site" with direct financial donations in proportion to the number of units distributed from a site.

Since 1994, more than $14 million has been donated back to houses of worship, community centers and other "host sites" throughout the country. At the core of Angel Food's mission is the promise of fresh food and quality nutrition.

Anyone who wishes to make use of Angel Food's services can call 1-888-819-3745 or visit www.angel foodministries.com to find the nearest host site.

Call (910) 690-5545 for information.

New Year's Breakfast

An outreach ministry of First Baptist Church in Carthage is having a free breakfast for the community to bring in the New Year, from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, in the church fellowship hall.

The event includes entertainment. The church is located at 108 McNeill Street, Carthage.

Contact Glenda Layton at (910) 947-2031 for further information.

Christmas Cantata

The Sandhills Presbyterian Church in America choir will perform its fifth annual Christmas cantata at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

"'Agnus Dei' brings the timeless of the birth of our Savior to light through some of the best-loved songs of the season, complemented with narratives from the Word of God," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 650 Pee Dee Road, Southern Pines.

'Church Fight'

Jacagi Productions presents the Thomas J. Gibson play, "The Church Fight" at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Luse Fellowship Hall at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 198 Gaines Road in the Jackson Hamlet Community.

Admission is only a $7 donation.

For more information, contact Thomas J. Gibson at (910) 295-6473.

Pastor's Anniversary

Higher Dimensions Worship Center will celebrate the fifth pastoral anniversary of Pastor Samantha Dowdy at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Ruth United Church of God.

Bishop Nathan Anderson of Greater Myers Chapel, Charlotte, will be the guest speaker along with other choirs.

The church is located at 213 Shepard Road, West End.

Musical Celebration

Pinehurst United Methodist Church will present the 2008 Musical Christmas Celebration "Who Is It?" at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

Guest soloist for the two concerts is Mary Lea Williams of Winston-Salem. Williams is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, with a bachelor's degree in opera performance. She is active in community theater in the Winston-Salem area, and is soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Winston-Salem.

The concert features the 45-voice Christmas Celebration Choir and Celebration Instruments, under the direction of the church's music director, Roger Wayne Hicks.

Both concerts are free and open to the public.

"The Moore County community is invited to join in the celebration," says a spokesman.

Pinehurst United Methodist Church is located on Airport Road, near Sandhills Community College.

Christmas Programs

"Scrooge in Bethlehem" will be presented by the children of Our Saviour Lutheran Church at 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 14. Dinner and a dessert auction will be hosted by Senior Youth, who will be attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Donations will help defray the cost of the trip.

On Christmas Eve , Dec. 24 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church there will be a 4 p.m. child-friendly worship service, with Holy Communion. The service will be held out in the courtyard, weather permitting.

At 6 and 10 p.m. traditional candlelight worship services with Holy Communion will be held.

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

Presentation

Kingdom Minded Ministries presents "He Is" at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Southern Pines Primary School Auditorium, Southern Pines.

For information, call (910) 206-1052.

Chanukah Party

Temple Beth Shalom will be having its annual Chanukah party and potluck dinner at 4 p.m. Dec. 13, at the Temple.

Chanukah or "festival of lights" is the Jewish eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the second century BCE.

Participants attending the dinner are asked to donate a new children's book that will be collected and donated to the Moore County Literacy Council, which the Temple has supported for the last eight years.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at the corner of Jackson Springs Road and Hoffman Road in Foxfire village or contact the Sandhills Jewish Congregation at (910) 673-5224.

Reading Room

"Members of the community are invited to explore the use of Bible stories and biblical truths in addressing the challenges facing our world today," says a spokesman for the Christian Science Reading Room. "All who have ideas to share on healing our world may bring them to the Christian Science Reading Room, (open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily ) located at 173 A NE Broad St., Southern Pines, or can e-mail them to csreadingroom.readingroom.@yahoo.com."

Fellowship

The Sandhills Fellowship of Churches will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at noon at the Agricultural Building in Carthage, with Linda Hubbard and the Moore County Schools as host.

Gospel Sing

Harmony Baptist Church will host a gospel sing featuring Four-Heart Harmony at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

The church is located at 3624 N.C. 73, West End.

Call 944-0544 for information.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God, Vass, will hear two special speakers: Rev. Barnes, of Little Galilee, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Sarah Elliott at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

Special Worship

Covenant Christian Church will hold a special evening of worship at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, as part of its pre-appreciation celebration for Bishop Charles Cameron and his wife, Charlene.

The theme is "With Worship and a High Praise." There will be poetry, dance, mime, art, interpretation, rap, singing, drama presentations and more.

The church is located at 5112 U.S. 1, Southern Pines.

For information, contact Linda Cameron at (919) 499-9652.

Christmas Concert

Dust and Ashes will perform a Christmas concert Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at West End United Methodist Church.

Dust and Ashes is the husband-and-wife duo of Tom Page and Mary Lou Troutman. They have recorded 13 albums and have performed in virtually all arenas.

A love offering will be taken after the performance, and CDs will be available for purchase.

Healing Services

Our Saviour Lutheran Church will hold a healing service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.

Our Saviour Lutheran is located on Luther Way just past the Barn Restaurant, Southern Pines.

Fletcher's Chapel

Fletcher's Chapel Church will observe Women's Day at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The guest minister will be the Rev. Maxine Isaac, of Macedonia Baptist Church. Ladies are asked to wear red.

The church is located on U.S. 1, Hoffman.

Cantata

Pinebluff United Methodist Church will present its annual Christmas cantata at the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, Dec. 14.

"If you are interested in singing with us and celebrating this joyous occasion, call 281-3854 and leave a message," says a spokesman. "We need lots of voices to brighten the holiday season.

Gospel Singing

Crossroads Community Church will hold a gospel singing featuring Tony Gibson, of Fayetteville, at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

The church is located at the Whispering Pines intersection of Vass-Carthage and Niagara-Carthage roads, Carthage.

For information or directions, call 949-3971.

Sandhills Circuit

The Sandhills Circuit United Methodist Churches will have special events throughout December.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Hill UMC, 10 a.m. at Eagle Springs UMC and at 11:15 a.m. at Marcus UMC.

Marcus United Methodist Church Choir will present the Christmas cantata titled, "The Love of God at Christmas" Sunday, Dec. 14, at the 11:15 a.m. service. Linda Thompson is the director/accompanist for the choir. Fruit bags will be given out following the service.

The Sandhills Circuit Youth will present a drama of the story of Christmas beginning at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Marcus United Methodist Church. Melissa Sherman and Deanna Bynum are youth coordinators.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21, the Sandhills Circuit of the United Methodist Churches will have their Christmas dinner in fellowship hall at Marcus UMC.

Tom Page and Mary Lou Troutman, founders of the music group, Dust and Ashes, will lead the Christmas Candlelight Holy Communion Service in the sanctuary of Marcus beginning at 7 p.m.

The Revs. Myron and Barbara Dice are co-pastors of the Sandhills Circuit and encourage everyone in the community to come and worship at one of the three churches during the Advent season.

Shiloh Tea

The annual Shiloh Christmas Tea and Candlelight Communion services will be held at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The church will also be open Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. for tours.

Shiloh is a historic 125-year-old church that has been lovingly restored. It hosts the annual Shiloh Church Tea the first Saturday in December.

Each year, more than 400 people from across the region travel to hear about a baby's birth, of wise men who traveled and of shepherds. Shiloh's beauty is its simplicity -- one room and 18 pews and set off the road and in the woods. But every December more people find it and come for its candlit Christmas tea.

The event offers live Christmas music, reading of the Christmas story and vintage Christmas decor.

The church is located on Shiloh Church Road, near Troy.

For information, call Kelly Hinson at (910) 974-4855.

Love Feast

In the Moravian Church, there is a celebration called The Moravian Candlelight Love Feast that celebrates the birth of Christ. Early Christians met and broke bread together to signify their union. It is also a symbol of the meals Jesus shared with the disciples during his ministry.

In the 1700s the Moravian church revived this practice with the simple meal known as "The Love Feast" or Agape Meal. Its intention is to strengthen the spirit of unity and goodwill among all people.

Bethesda Presbyterian Church, on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen, will be sponsoring its first "LoveFeast" in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

"Everyone is invited to come experience this beautiful service filled with the rich spirit of others from the past," says a spokesman.

"Come, bring a friend, with the expectation of worship through Scripture, music, prayer and the sharing of a meal of Moravian buns with a warm beverage."

Service Times

Kingdom-Minded Ministries International will now begin morning worship services at 10 a.m. each Sunday at the Southern Pines Primary School Auditorium at 1250 W. New York Ave.

Youth church is available for children ages 5-14 each third and fourth Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. in the school gymnasium.

The pastors of Kingdom-Minded Ministries International are Charles and Deborah Bloom.

For more information, call 725-0140.

Children Needed

Pinebluff United Methodist Church will hold a children's Christmas program at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, with a party following.

"If your child would like to participate in the program, call 281-3854 and leave a message," says a spokesman.

Child-friendly refreshments will be served at practices, and a pizza party will be held for all participants at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

Nursery care is available for younger siblings during practices.

Music Circle

McDonalds Chapel Presbyter-ian Church invites local musicians to participate in an Acoustic Music Circle on the third Sunday of each month.

Area musicians are invited to play in the round in the fellowship hall from 4 to 6 p.m.

Musicians leading the Circle will be: David McDonald, of the April Fools, on fiddle and guitar; Jill McCloy, hammered dulcimer; David McCloy, fiddle.

Music of various genres will be played, especially old-time and traditional music of Appalachian, Irish and Celtic influence. The type of music played will vary depending on the interests and talents of the musicians who attend.

Listeners are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. There is no admission charge.

McDonalds Chapel is located at 1374 Foxfire Road, just two miles from Linden Road in Pinehurst and one mile from Foxfire Village.

Contact Amy McDonald at 295-6608 for more information.

Remembrance

Morgan Saunders, a 2007 graduate of Pinecrest High School, says that she would like to plan a memorial service for all of the young people in the area who have died.

"About a year ago I was thinking about all the young people in our town who have passed away," she says. "I really felt the Lord placing it on my heart to have a huge memorial service for them.

Saunders, now a student at Liberty University, has not set a date for the service.

"I am just trying to get a general consensus of people who would be interested in being involved," she says. "Once I get a list of people who want to remember their children, I plan on having a meeting to share ideas and visions that I have and that they may have for this service, and to work out all the details."

Those who had family members who passed away at a young age and are interested in honoring them at the service can contact Saunders by e-mail at msaunders@liberty.edu or by phone at (910) 783-9191.

Healing Service

A healing service will be held at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at The Village Chapel, Pinehurst.

The service includes the reading of God's Word, confession, prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the anointment with oil.

Caregivers' Support

"If you are a caregiver for your spouse, another family member or a friend, and would enjoy getting together with others who have similar circumstances, come to the Congregational Church of Pinehurst from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month to meet with a small group of fellow travelers," says a spokesman.

No registration is needed.

"Sometimes we talk about the problems that we face day-to-day; sometimes we watch a short film that brings us the big picture or helps us with new ways to manage our caretaking," says the spokesman.

"A subject that is important to each of us is how best to care for ourselves while caring for others. One thing that we all want is the accepting support of others and to find our spirits lifted through the companionship of other people who care."

Pastor Brent Bissette facilitates the Caregivers' Support Group. For further information, call 295-2243.

Dancing

First Missionary Baptist Church is currently hosting beginning movement/dance and ballroom dance classes for the Creative Learning Center of the Sandhills.

"All children are welcome to attend," says a spokesman.

Classes for children are from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, and teens and adults attend from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays.

Call Judy at 692-2022.

Bible Study

Jesus Is King of Deliverance Ministries, located at 550 Ashemont Road, Aberdeen, is holding Bible study at 7 p.m. every other Wednesday night.

For more information, call one (910) 295-6744 or (910) 864-9923.

Bible Studies

Sandhills Alliance Church is holding two Bible studies.

One is Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit."

The other is Kay Arthur's Precepts ministries study of Exodus.

Studies are from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Child care will be available.

For information, contact Dorice Birdwell or Pebbles Hess at (910) 295-4949.

Donations

Mission Agape is requesting donations.

Those who are interested in giving items to help support the mission should call Maria at 673-3333.

Health Ministry

Sandhills Health Ministry meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Monday of the month, at the Care Cottage, 55 Community Road, 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 10 a.m., at the Pinehurst Executive Center, N.C. 5, Suite 7, Pinehurst.

Refreshments follow the service.

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

Support Group

Middle Cross Baptist Church's cancer support group 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.