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."

Film Fundraiser

First Baptist Church of Carthage will host a showing of the film, "Brian's Song," at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the fellowship hall.

Admission is at least two cans of vegetables for the Carthage United Methodist Church food pantry. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.

"The community is invited," says a spokesman.

Gratitude Tree

Saturday, Nov. 22, children and adults passing down Broad Street can hang their card of gratitude ideas on the Gratitude Tree. At this annual celebration of "Gratitude is My Attitude" refreshments will be available.

The tree is in front of the Christian Science Reading Room at 173 NE Broad St., Southern Pines.

Kingdom-Minded Ministries

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.

Gospel Singing

Liberty Church will hold a gospel singing Sunday, Nov. 30, featuring Four Heart Harmony, of Sanford.

The morning worship service is at 11 a.m., followed by a Thanksgiving covered dish supper. The gospel sing begins at 1:30 p.m.

The church is located at 1810 Quewiffle Road, Aberdeen.

For information, call 281-3320.

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.

Revival

Community Friends Church will hold revival services at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22, and at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Evangelist Kenny Greenway, of High Point, is the speaker.

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

Thanksgiving Feast

MANNA! (Moore Alliance for Nourishing Neighbors, Amen!) will host its third Thanksgiving Feast from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at five different locations: Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, 972 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines; Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 4248 Main St., Taylortown; Love Grove Free Will Baptist Church, 293 Dawkins St., Jackson Hamlet; Word of Truth Christian Center, 132 Poplar St., Vass and Southern Pines 7th Day Adventist Church, 1145 W. Wisconsin Avenue.

MANNA! is an ecumenical and community nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry of Moore County by providing prepared meals that are taken to the above five feeding sites located in areas of need.

MANNA!'s mission is to provide nourishing meals in a safe, warm and caring environment, free of charge, to anyone who comes seeking nourishment regardless of age, sex, race, financial qualifications, or religious beliefs.

Funding for the hunger program comes from community-wide contributions, grants and gifts. Cooking teams may obtain food at a significantly reduced cost since MANNA! is an agency of the Sandhills Food Bank.

Residents of Moore County who have much to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving holiday are encouraged to make a contribution to MANNA! to help provide this feast for less fortunate neighbors, says a spokesman. A $25 donation will not only buy a turkey, but also provide plenty of the fixings as well. Contributions may be sent to MANNA!, P.O. Box 1081, Southern Pines, NC 28388-1081.

Interfaith Service

Five congregations in the Foxfire area are joining hands, hearts and voices in an Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at this year's host site, the Congrega-tional Church of Pinehurst, UCC on Linden Road, across from Elliott's restaurant.

This third annual Thanksgiv-ing gathering is sponsored jointly by Temple Beth Shalom, the Congregational Church of Pine-hurst UCC, Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, Mc-Donalds Chapel Presbyterian Church and Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines.

Representatives from each congregation designed the service to invite neighbors into a worship setting in which various faith traditions express their gratitude for the blessings of this shared community, nation and world.

Using familiar hymns of the church and synagogue, sharing words from the Psalms and the prophets, praying in Hebrew and English will offer worshippers an opportunity to share their common faith traditions and give thanks together for their many blessings.

Everyone in the community is welcome, and participants are invited to linger for acoustic music and refreshments following the service to enjoy getting to know their neighbors.

Worshippers are asked to bring canned goods or desperately needed winter items such as coats, new undergarments, and blankets as a Thanksgiving offering, to be donated to the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care.

"As we offer thanks for the many blessings of this community we will also remember that some are in need," says a spokesman.

Thanksgiving Service

The community is invited to attend a Thanksgiving Day Service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Christian Science Church 240 E. New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines.

In addition to the Thanksgiving Bible lesson there will be an opportunity during the hour-long service to express gratitude for blessings experienced this year.

No collection will be taken; however, food items for the Coalition will be welcome.

Child care will be provided.

The Christian Science Reading Room at 173 NE Broad Street, Southern Pines is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Both English and Spanish resources are available to the community.

For more information, call 692-7759.

Harvest Bazaar

God's Love in Action Deliverance Ministries will hold a harvest bazaar from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the church, located just past the post office in West End.

There will be a yard sale, food, games for all ages as well as "Bible Bingo."

Thanksgiving Meeting

Bible Tabernacle Church is having its annual Thanksgiving meeting Wednesday, Nov. 26, Thursday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m.

A gospel singing will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.

The church is located 1/2 mile north of the airport on N.C. 22.

Community Service

Eagle Springs Community Thanksgiving Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Bensalem Presbyterian Church, 2891 Bensalem Church Road, Eagle Springs.

The Rev. Wes Brandon, pastor of Bensalem will be preaching. The Revs. Myron and Barbara Dice, co-pastors of Sandhills Circuit of the United Methodist Churches will be the worship leaders.

Following the service, a reception will be held in the fellowship hall. A love offering will be taken to support local mission projects.

'Free-for-All'

Ives Memorial Baptist Church will hold its annual "free-for-all" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in the church fellowship hall.

"It's like a yard sale, but with no prices," says a spokesman. "If you see things that you need, or that you can give to someone else who needs them, feel free to take them. Payment is not necessary. If you are able to make a donation it will be gladly accepted, and in turn donated to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. If you cannot make a donation, please accept whatever you need in the name of Jesus, and with his blessings. "

Soup and sandwiches will be available.

The church is located at the corner of Philadelphia Avenue and Grape Street, Pinebluff.

For information, leave a message for Betty Hardy at the church office at 281-3247. Church office hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Spaghetti Supper

The men of the West End United Methodist Church will once again serve their "World Famous Spaghetti" from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the church fellowship hall.

Tickets are available for $7 from the Methodist Men and will also be available at the door.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to help support Men's Ministries, the Scouts, Back Pack Pals, and the Food Pantry.

For additional information contact the church office at 673-1371.

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 that 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 membesr 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.

Women's Bible Study

Community Bible Study, an international study with classes held throughout the United States and more than 120 countries, is now taking enrollment for the 2008-09 season in the Sandhills for women.

Nondenominational classes meet each Tuesday from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines.

This year, women representing 17 local churches attended, attesting to the unity of the Christian message.

Women meet together for a short program with singing and special music or testimony.

They then proceed into small groups where answers to printed lessons that had been distributed the week before are shared.

"Love, caring and prayer are emphasized, and lasting friendships are often forged through participation," says a spokesman.

There are classes for preschool children with crafts and Bible stories, and a nursery for babies, and young mothers are welcomed.

There is a small charge to cover materials, with scholarships for those who cannot afford the fee.

Anyone interested in registration or more information about Community Bible Study should call Noel Roberts at 235-5271 or Betty Rossi at 295-0489.

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.a