Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines (corner of May Street and Indiana Avenue) is inviting all the young families in the community to an Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Event registration and maps will be available in the parking lot facing Massachusetts Avenue.

"Scoop up your children and their Easter baskets and join the fun," says a spokesman.

There will be four Easter Egg Hunts: toddlers and twos at 10:15, 3- and 4-year-olds plus kindergartners at 10:30, first through third grades at 11, and fourth through sixth graders at 11:30.

A moon walk and various games with prizes and popcorn will add to the enjoyment. Bottled water will be provided for the thirsty egg hunters.

This event is one of many hosted by Brownson for young families. Call (910) 692-6252 or go to brownsonchurch.org for directions and more information.

Chicken Stew

Cool Springs United Methodist Church will hold a chicken stew dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

The church is located at 2027 Cool Springs Road, Glendon.

For information, call (910) 464-5215, (919) 776-8996 or (910) 464-5957.

Revival

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold revival Monday, March 24, through Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. The featured speaker is Dr. Jeff Isenhour.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

For information, call (919) 499-2098 or 1-800-681-8602.

Gospel Singing

Pineywood Baptist Church in Cameron will hold a gospel singing at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16.

The featured group is the Royal Descendants of Asheboro.

For information, call (910) 245-7351.

Greater Harvest

Greater Harvest House of Prayer Ministries, located at 760 Midway Road, Aberdeen, will be having a service on March 16, at 4 p.m. The speaker will be Elder Earl Jones.

The pastor is Elder Walter O. Thomas.

Fellowship Program

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will hold a fellowship program at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16.

The speaker is Apostle Ruth Cotton.

Revival

The Church of God of Prophecy in Aberdeen will hold revival Sunday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 19. Sunday services are at 6 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday services are at 7 p.m.

The Rev. Wyvast Lowery, of Raeford, will be the featured speaker.

The church is located on N.C. 211 east of Aberdeen.

For information, call Pastor David Bullard at 944-1039.

Bible Study

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

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

Culdee Services

On Palm Sunday, March 16, at 11 a.m., the Culdee Presbyterian Chancel Choir, with instrumental accompaniment, under the direction of Gail Meeks, will present the Easter cantata, "Amazing Grace -- My Chains Are Gone."

On March 20, there will be a Maundy Thursday service. This will be a communion service.

The Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. in the Culdee Cemetery. Following the service, breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall. At the 11 a.m. service, Pastor Chris Bobo will deliver the Easter message.

"We invite the community to attend these services and activities," said a spokesman.

Eagle Springs

The Eagle Springs Baptist Church announces the schedule for Easter Sunday, March 23. A sunrise service will be held in the church cemetery at 7:15 a.m.

Following the Sunrise service, a fellowship breakfst will be served in the fellowship hall at 8 a.m. Sunday School will follow at 9 a.m., and the morning worship service will be held at 10 a.m.

Screenings

The FirstHealth Mobile Health Unit will be at St. Matthew's Chapel Saturday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The screenings will include blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol for a fee of $5.

Those planning to participate should fast 12 hours prior to screening for more accurate results. Maintenance medications and water are allowed during the fast.

For more information contact Pastor Charles Bloom at (910) 922-9868 or call the church at 295-1911. St. Matthew's Chapel is located on 444 Lea Road (north of the traffic circle off U.S. 15-501) in the Eastwood Community.

West End Services

The West End United Methodist Church will hold the following services during the Easter season:

- March 16, 8:30 and 11 a.m., Palm Sunday service. The Chancel Choir will present a collection of anthems and readings at this service.

- March 20, 7:30 p.m., Communion Service and Service of Tenebrae.

- March 23, 7 a.m., Easter Sunrise Service at West End Cemetery. This is a joint service with West End Baptist Church. In case of rain, the service will be held at West End United Methodist Church.

- March 23, 11 a.m., Easter Sunday Service (no 8:30 a.m. service).

Organ Recital

Matthew Bowles will present a recital Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Mount Gilead. The program concludes a two-part celebration of the 10th anniversary of the church's Casavant Memorial organ.

A native of Ellerbe, Matthew Bowles is a Kenan Organ Scholar at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. He is in his senior year, studying with Dr. John Mitchener. His previous teachers have included Elizabeth Peterson, Dr. George Walter, and Mary Louise Baker.

Bowles has extensive experience as a church musician and currently serves as the director of music ministries at Centenary United Methodist Church in Greensboro. There he directs the adult chancel choir, the handbell choir, and oversees the children's and youth music programs. He is currently in the process of starting classes for his master's degree in organ performance at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

The First Baptist Church organ, Casavant Opus 3757, is a 15-rank, two-manual instrument completed in 1997. Its size and design are ideally complementary to the church's 250-seat sanctuary.

Admission to the recital is free, and a reception will follow. For more information, call (910) 975-3256 or e-mail johnny@mgcca.com.

Eddy Remembered

During March, Women's History Month, the Christian Science Reading Room in Southern Pines will be focusing on Mary Baker Eddy and her accomplishments.

She was a pioneer in the field of mind/body medicine; a healer and teacher of a system of prayer-based healing; author of a ground-breaking book on spirituality and healing; leader of a worldwide church and founder of a publishing house

She directed that products include monthly, weekly, English and foreign language magazines, as well as numerous books. In 1908 she added the international daily newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, with its objective, "To injure no man, but to bless all mankind." The Monitor has won six Pulitzer prizes.

The Christian Science Reading Room is located at 173 NE Broad Street and welcomes visitors daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another opportunity to become better acquainted with Mary Baker Eddy and her system of spiritual healing is a talk to be given at Sandhills Community College on Tuesday, April 8, says a spokesman.

The event, open to the public, is free of charge and will be held at the Horticultural Gardens Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.

For further information, call 295-1179.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel in Pinehurst will host Neriyah Abarov of Chosen People Ministries at its weekly Breaknight program Wednesday, March 12, at 5:45 p.m. in Chapel Hall. Abarov will present the program, "The Messiah in the Passover."

Born in Central Asia in the former USSR, Abarov immigrated to Israel with his family in 1990. He converted to Christianity in 1998 and moved to the U.S. to attend college. Following graduation, he returned to Israel where he now serves as a pastor.

Chosen People Ministries was founded by Rabbi Leopold Cohn in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1894, shortly after he came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Now the organization has its international headquarters based in New York along with two messianic congregations.

Chosen People also has a significant presence throughout U.S. cities, particularly areas with large Jewish populations such as Washington, D.C., Southern Florida, and Chicago.

While traveling throughout the U.S. to present "The Messiah in the Passover," Abarov hopes to meet the woman in Michigan who donated a kidney to him.

The Village Chapel youth will be processing with palm branches at the 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday service on March 16, and special music will be provided by "A Joyful Noise" Choir and Mallory Hayes, violin.

Dr. Larry Ellis will speak 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. at 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 Ellis will present a meditation.

Service times will be changed for Easter, March 23, as follows: 8 a.m. Communion service; 9:15 a.m. family worship service with special music by "A Joyful Noise"; 11 a.m. traditional worship service with special music by the Chapel Choir. Ellis will give the message at all three Easter services.

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

"All are welcome to worship at our interdenominational services," says a spokesman.

For more information, call 295-6003.

Easter Service

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church will hold Easter morning worship services at 7 and 11 a.m., led by the Rev. Don Welch.

Weather permitting, the 7 a.m. sunrise service will be held in the church cemetery, followed by a covered dish breakfast in the fellowship hall.

"Please bring a flowering branch or stem to mark the celebration of the resurrection with a flowering of the cross," says a spokesman.

The 11 a.m. service will be held in the sanctuary.

McDonalds Chapel is located on Foxfire Road two miles from Pinehurst and 1 1/2 miles from Foxfire Village.

"The Chapel is a member of the PCUSA and welcomes worshippers of all faith backgrounds to meaningful worship in a spiritual setting," says a spokesman.

'God's Gang'

"God's Gang" is coming to Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning Wednesday, March 12.

Young people, grades 5 - 8, will meet to break bread, receive the Word during the "Rap Session" and "Word-Life," and enjoy the Rumble Room, where the kids run off some steam while enjoying activities and games that enhance the lesson for that week.

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

For information, contact Tara Ritter at 947-1957; Paula Garrison at 947-5954, or Debra Black at 215-0553.

Lunch Speaker

The Community Congregation-al Church Women's Fellowship will hear Bill Harris, of the Sandhills Community College's Religion Department, speak on Islamic religion as it relates to women Thursday, March 13, at noon.

"Bring a sandwich," says a spokesman.

Our Saviour Schedule

Our Saviour Lutheran Church announces its Holy Week services:

- Palm Sunday, March 16, processional into the sanctuary waving palms (8:30 and 11 a.m.) From 2 to 6 p.m., there will be a quiet retreat including prayer and meditation .

- Wednesday, March 19, a Seder meal and pot luck supper at 6 p.m.

- Maundy Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m. Holy Communion and the opportunity to participate in foot washing.

- Good Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

- Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Children up to 5th grade may enjoy games, food and an Easter Egg Hunt.

- 9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, the church members gather to celebrate Christ's passage from death to life.

- Sunday, March 23, 7 a.m. sunrise service and communion in courtyard, weather permitting; 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship and Communion. There will be no Sunday School.

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

Roseland Services

Roseland United Methodist Church announces the following services:

- Wednesday, March 12, at noon, a Lenten service with meal in fellowship hall.

- Sunday, March 16, Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins.

- Wednesday, March 19, at noon, Lenten service with meal in fellowship hall.

- Thursday, March 20, Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m.

- Saturday, March 22, Easter Egg Hunt for all children at 10:30 a.m. at the fellowship hall.

- Sunday, March 23, a 7 a.m. Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast at 8 a.m., and an Easter drama at 11 a.m.

Each Sunday through Easter, there will be a special drama presented during the worship service that will be in line with the pastor's message. The choir will also present special music which will tie in with the whole service.

Roseland UMC also offers a Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew on Sunday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m., led by Pastor Nancy Willard.

On Wednesday nights the youth groups meet at the fellowship hall. There is a group for grades K-5 called L.I.F.E. from 6-7:15 p.m. The United MethodistFellowship of Youth (UMYF) for grades 6-12 meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. A meal is served for all children.

"If you do not have a home church or you are seeking to know God in a more intimate way, we invite you to come join us on Sunday mornings for worship at 11 a.m.," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 181 Rose Ridge Road, Aberdeen.

Visit the Web site www.roselandumc.org.

New Service Times

St. Matthew's Chapel, located at 444 Lea Road in the Eastwood section of Pinehurst north of the Traffic Circle off U.S. 15-501, has new service times.

St. Matthew's Chapel will have 8 and 11 a.m. worship services each Sunday morning, including fifth Sundays. Sunday School will be held each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday night worship and Bible teaching at 7:30 p.m.

Church pastors are Charles and Deborah Bloom.

For more information, call the church at (910) 295-1911.

St. Paul Lutheran

Holy Week services for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pinehurst, are scheduled as follows:

- Palm Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church

- Maundy Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church

- Good Friday, March 21, 7 p.m., jointly with St. James Lutheran Church, Southern Pines

- Easter Sunday, March 23, 9 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church

Youth Conference

Stone's Chapel YPCL Department will hold its annual youth conference Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15.

The Friday night service begins at 7:30 p.m. A workshop featuring various speakers begins at 11 a.m. Saturday morning. The conference concludes Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

The Stone's Chapel mime team will perform, along with mime teams from other churches.

"Everyone is invited," says a spokesman.

Jewish Congregation

The Sandhills Jewish Congreg-ation announces its schedule for March:

A Shabbat Service and Purim, led by Rabbi Floyd Herman, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Temple Beth Shalom.

A Torah Study, also led by Herman, is at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at Temple Beth Shalom, which is located near the corner of Jackson Springs and Hoffman roads.

The Web address is www.sandhillsjewish.org, and the phone is (910) 673-5224.

Church Preschool

Bethesda Presbyterian Pre-school is now accepting applications for its 2008-2009 school year. The program is open to three- and four-year-olds. Birthdays must fall by mid-October to be eligible for this school year.

The school operates Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., September through May.

The curriculum consists of age-appropriate learning activities, developing socialization skills and a weekly Bible lesson.

Each class is limited to 10 students, and acceptance is on a first-come basis.

To apply, stop by the church located at 1002 N. Sandhills Boulevard (U.S.1, with the lake out front) in Aberdeen.

For more information call 944-1319.

Lenten Services

Sandhills Fellowship of Churches is hosting an inter-denominational Lenten Service at noon each Wednesday through March 19. All are invited to attend.

"Please bring a bag lunch with you to enjoy after the service," says a spokesman. "The host church will provide the beverages and desserts."

The schedule is:

- March 12 -- Brownson Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May Street, Southern Pines

- March 19 -- Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 350 E. Massachusetts Ave., Southern Pines

Lenten Services

St. Paul Lutheran Church has joined St. James Lutheran Church in Southern Pines for the 2008 Lenten season.

All joint Lenten services will be held at St. James Lutheran Church, 983 W. New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines.

The fnal service will be March 12, at 7 p.m. at St. James.

Lenten Lunches

Lenten Lunches at Page Memorial United Methodist Church provide opportunities for spiritual reflection, Christian conversation, and good meals.

"Through March 19, we gather on Wednesdays at noon in the Fellowship Hall," says a spokesman. "The cost is $4 per person and includes a delicious home-cooked meal, tea, coffee, dessert, and time of ministry and fellowship."

- March 12 -- Pastor Jane Leechford of Page Memorial United Methodist Church, is the speaker. The menu includes beef stew, rice, buttered carrots, green beans, rolls and dessert.

- March 19 -- Retired United Methodist minister, the Rev. Bob Bundy, will bring the message. Lunch includes chicken and gravy, scalloped potatotes, corn with pimento, rolls and dessert.

This is the 25th year that the church has hosted the Lenten Luncheon series.

Page Memorial Church is located in downtown Aberdeen.

Lenten Programs

Our Saviour Lutheran Church will hold a Lenten services at noon today (March 12).

The 6 p.m. soup and sandwich meal is followed by a message at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. prayer and Communion service.

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

Community Bible Study

This local CBS nondenominational Bible study group is now in a study of the Gospel of Luke from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen.

The program is open to all singles and couples interested in a Christian study of the Bible. Lesson material is provided with commentary and questions that require some written homework and study time. There is room in both classes for singles and couples.

The study will continue through April 2008. Walk-ins are welcome.

Health Ministry Offered

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.

Classes

St. Anthony's Catholic Church is holding a series of classes on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the parish hall for those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.

For information, call Barbara Kemple at 295-3072 or e-mail bethanymom92@hotmail.com.

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 lomdjm@embarq mail.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.