Crossroads Community Church presents the Easter drama, "A Tree for Cassie," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, through Saturday, April 11.

Immediately after the drama, on Friday and Saturday, a kickoff for the annual Easter Camp Meeting will be held. Friday night will feature Charles Scarlette, of Madison, and Tony Gibson, of Fayetteville. Saturday night features Heart 2 Heart, from Stanley, and local talent Corbin Whitaker.

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

For information, call 949-3971.

Seder Meal

On Wednesday, April 8, starting at 6 p.m., Christ Fellowship Church will offer its annual Seder and Passover feast.

"This is a time for gathering as a family in Christ, feasting, and gaining a new understanding of this special holiday from the Hebrew faith," says a spokesman. "The public is invited for fine food and a teaching of the Seder and its relevance to the Christian today.

If interested, call (910) 692-5155 for reservations by Friday, April 3, to be assured a place at the table.

Open House

Thursday, April 16, through Saturday, April 18, the Christian Science Reading Room, located at 173A NE Broad Street will be joining Christian Science Reading Rooms around the world in an International Open House weekend celebration.

Each Reading Room will offer different features. Visitors are invited to come in to see what a Reading Room is and what it has to offer. Learn about spiritual healing and discover the new Christian Science Monitor Weekly, which will be launched this month. The Reading Room is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

On Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m., the local Christian Science Church will host a free lecture by John Q. Adams, of New York City, at the Sandhills Horticulural Visitor Garden Center at Sandhills Community College. The title of the lecture is "If God is All, Where is He at This moment?" There will be a question-and-answer period following the talk.

For further information, call 692-7759.

Outdoor Drama

Faith Baptist Church, West End, will perform an outside Easter drama called "The Love of Christ" Friday, April 10, and again on Saturday, April 11, at 8 p.m. each evening.

There is no admission charge for this event.

The church is located at 2180 Carthage Road, West End.

Women's Day

Women's Day will be held at Fryes Chapel Free Will Baptist Church Sunday, April 5, with Minister Charnita Jones, of Parks Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Fayetteville, as the 11 a.m. speaker, and Pastor Cordelia Challenger, of Unity Tabernacle Church, Fayetteville, at the 3 p.m. service.

A sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 12.

Gospel Singing

Harmony Baptist Church will hold a gospel singing Sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. featuring Redeemed.

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

Call 944-0544 for information.

Easter Services

McDonalds Chapel Presbyte-rian Church will hold Easter morning worship services at 7 and 11 a.m., led by the Rev. Fran Stark and the Rev. Don Welch.

Weather permitting, the 7 a.m. sunrise service will be held in the church cemetery, in the pines behind the chapel building, 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 worshipers of all faith backgrounds, says the spokesman.

Praise Service

New Covenant Fellowship Church, located at 1305 Hulsey Road, Carthage, will be hosting a Praise and Worship service for Union Pines FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Friday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the church.

Light refreshments will follow the service.

Our Saviour Services

Our Saviour Lutheran Church announces its schedule of services for Easter:

n Palm Sunday, April 5, services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. will begin in fellowship hall with a processional into the sanctuary, waving palms.

n Wednesday, April 8, there will be a Passover Seder meal at 6 p.m. A potluck supper will folllow the Seder. Each guest is encouraged to bring three cans or boxes of food for the Food Bank to feed hungry local families. Call the church at 692- 2662 if planning to attend.

n Maundy Thursday services, April 9, at noon and 7 p.m.

n Good Friday services, April 10, at noon and 7 p.m.

n Egg dyeing, Saturday, April 11, from 3 to 5 p.m.

n Easter Sunday, April 12, begins with a 7 a.m. sunrise worship in the courtyard (weather permitting) and continues with worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Communion will be given at all services and a nursery is available. Breakfast will be served between the two services. There will be no Sunday School that day.

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

Holy Week at

West End

West End United Methodist Church will hold the following services during Holy Week:

n Palm Sunday services, April 5, at 8:30 and 11 a.m., with special music by the choir at the 11 a.m. service.

n Maundy Thursday service, April 9, at 7 p.m. with special presentation and service of Holy Communion.

n On Good Friday, April 10, the church will be open for prayers between 3 and 6 p.m. with a Tenebrae service at 7 p.m.

n West End Baptist Church and West End United Methodist Church will hold an Easter Sunrise service Sunday, April 12, at 6:45 a.m. at the West End Cemetery.

n Easter Sunday services are at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Revival

Word of Truth Christian Center will hold a revival Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m.

Pastor Marshall Blackmond, of Life Changers Church Int. in Raleigh, will be the speaker.

The church is located at 132 Poplar Street, Vass.

Visit wotcc-inc.com for further information and directions.

Yard Sale

Highland Baptist Church will hold its semi-annual community yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the church, which is located on U.S. 1 between Southern Pines and Vass.

Those interested in participating should sign up as soon as possible.

For information, call (910) 695-0494.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will host its Old Country Fair Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"We will have food, games, auction, vendors, vintage car and farm equipment on display and more," says a spokesman.

The spring tent revival will begin Sunday, April 26, at 11 a.m. and continue through Wednesday, April 29. The Sunday night service will be at 6 p.m. with live music. Monday and Tuesday services will start at 7 p.m., and Wednesday night will be Youth Night, beginning with pizza at 6 p.m.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

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

Fundraiser

Bensalem Presbyterian Church is joining with Salon 7 in Seven Lakes to raise money for Moore County Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society with "Cuts for Cancer."

"Come out any time Saturday, April 25, and get a haircut, with all donations going to the American Cancer Society," says a church spokesman. "No appointment is necessary. If you don't need a haircut, come out anyway. You can purchase luminaria in honor or memory of loved ones affected by cancer, enjoy a baked good or purchase a 'Fight For the Girls' T-shirt."

All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Holly Camplin at 690-7957.

Awareness Program

Fairview Baptist Church will present a program on gang and drug awareness and prevention at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4.

"This will give information on trends and facts concerning gangs and drugs that are present in our community and in our schools," says Pastor Donald Gillis. "In addition, a 'spiritual application' will be given.

Attending will be members of the Moore County Gang Prevention Task Force, who will be available to answer questions following the presentation. A drug abuse prevention presentation will also be given.

"Parents, concerned citizens, children and teens are encouraged to attend," says Gillis.

Music will be provided between presentations, and lunch will be offered at no charge.

The church is located at 1580 Carthage Road, West End. For information, call 944-1274.

Block Sale

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will hold a block sale beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 4, on Main Street, Taylortown.

There will be food, clothing and accessories, household items, baked goods, books, jewelry, toys and other items.

"Come early," says a spokesman. "Don't miss out on the 'surprise package' and unbelievable $1 items."

This is a church fundraiser.

For additional information, call Doris Lee at (910) 295-4353 or Barbara McKnight at (910) 215-9031.

Cypress Presbyterian

Cypress Presbyterian Church will celebrate a Seder meal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9. This is the meal Jesus and his disciples celebrated on the night of his arrest. The Seder meal and Communion will be served in the fellowship hall.

A slightly abbreviated Tenebrae service will follow at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

A community-wide Good Friday service will be held at noon Friday, April 10, at the Vass United Methodist Church.

A sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12, at the Oates House in Woodlake.

"We hope to celebrate this service outdoors, if weather permits, but will go indoors if need be," said a spokesman.

Call 245-7024 for further information regarding these events.

The church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road, seven miles east of Vass.

Pinebluff Events

Pinebluff United Methodist Church announces the following events:

n United Methodist Women fellowship meeting, 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1.

n United Methodist Men breakfast and fellowship, 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 5.

n KidzCanz! Food Bank Project, Sunday, April 5. During Children's Church, kids are asked to donate a canned-good item for Sandhills Food Bank and distribute shopping bags to the congregation to fill with nonperishable food to be returned on the first Sunday of the following month.

n Bingo and covered dish supper, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7.

n Children Handbell Ringers (for all ages) 4 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays April 14 and 28.

n Angels Without Wings -- Helping Others through Kindness, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15. For more information, call Martha at 281-5439.

n Church's Volunteer Admini-strative Personnel Appreciation Day, 11 a.m. Sunday, April 19.

n Easter Eggstravaganza -- Children's Easter program practice, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 1 and 8; Holy Week services at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 5, Wednesday, April 8, Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10; Community egg hunt, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11; Easter Sunday sunrise service at Pinebluff Cemetery, 6:30 a.m.; Easter breakfast at PUMC with Ives Memorial Baptist Church, 7:30 to 9 a.m.; Children's Easter program, 10 a.m. with traditional Easter service, 11 a.m. to noon.

n Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25.

n Crafts and Companionship, 10 a.m. Monday mornings, 10 a.m. Beginners welcome.

n Pinebluff United Methodist Church Prayer and Share 9 a.m. Thursdays. at Julie Graham's Pinebluff residence.

n Bible study, 6 p.m., Sundays

The church is located at 275 East Philadelphia Ave., Pinebluff.

In-House Revival

Dover Baptist Church will hold an "in-house" revival at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 5, and at 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, through Wednesday, April 8.

A nursery will be provided.

The church is located in Seagrove.

Spring Revival

Victory Community Baptist Church will hold spring revival at 7:30 p.m. through Wednesday, April 1. The Rev. James Cagle will be bringing the message. There will be special singing nightly.

Movie Night

Carthage First Baptist Church will host "Thursday Night at the Movies" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2. The film will be "Remembering Coach Kay Yow."

"Everyone is invited to attend the showing of this WRAL-TV produced DVD that honors the legacy of the long-time women's basketball coach of N. C. State University, who died in January of this year after a long battle with cancer," says a spokesman.

Popcorn and soft drinks will be provided during the evening.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will hold Joy Night Saturday, April 4, at 7 p.m. The speaker is Pastor Margaret Allen, of Sanford.

A three-night revival will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, through Friday, April 10, featuring Pastor Alfonso McLaughlin, of Evans Grove Church, Maxton.

The church is located in Vass.

Village Chapel

Services

The Village Chapel, an interdenominational Christian community, will conduct three services on Palm Sunday, April 5.

A liturgical Communion service will be held at 8:30 a.m. At the 9:30 family service, Chapel youth will process with palm branches and provide special music. Additional music will be provided by "A Joyful Noise," the family service choir. The Chapel Choir will provide special music at the traditional service at 11 a.m. Dr. Larry Ellis will speak at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services.

The Village Chapel and the Carolina Hotel are jointly sponsoring an Easter sunrise service at the hotel at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12. The Chapel Choir, under the direction of John W. Shannon, will be singing, and Dr. Al Hill will present a meditation.

The times for worship services at The Village Chapel will be changed for Easter. The Communion service will begin at 8 a.m. The family service will begin at 9:15 a.m. and include special music by "A Joyful Noise" and "The Chapel Chimers." The traditional service will meet at 11 a.m. as usual, and will have music provided by the Chapel Choir. Ellis will give the meditation at 8 a.m., and Hill will deliver the messages at the 9:15 and 11 a.m. Easter services.

The Village Chapel, located on the Village Green in Pinehurst, is handicapped-accessible and visitor-friendly. Audio receivers are available for the hearing impaired.

For more information, call 295-6003.

Spring Revival

Middle Cross Baptist Church will hold its spring revival beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 5, and continuing through Wednesday, April 8.

Special guest speaker will be Anthony Clemmons. There will be special singing each night. Nursery will be provided each night.

For information, call Pastor David Reynolds at (910) 947-2261.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Village Chapel, in Pinehurst, will hold an Easter egg hunt for ages 3 to 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 4.

Families are asked to gather in the Chapel Hall for face-painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, games and the hunt.

"Please enter from the rear of the building," says a spokesman.

For information, call 295 6003.

Aberdeen First Baptist

Revival continues at Aberdeen First Baptist Church through Wednesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. The speaker is the Rev. Mike Cummings, director of missions for Burnt Swamp Missions. Child care will be available for children up through 5 years of age.

The Easter cantata, "The Passion of His Love," will be presented by the choirs of the church at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 5.

A six-week program, "1-2-3 Magic: Managing Difficult Behavior in Children ages 2-12" will be held Sundays, beginning April 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a video and discussions each week. Child care will be provided.

"No homework, except to apply what you learn," says a spokesman.

For information, call 944-1421.

Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus will hold the final night of its annual fish fry at St. Anthony of Padua's parish hall, Friday, April 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Takeout plates are available.

Plates include either fried or baked fish, hush puppies, french fries, green beans, cole slaw and fruit salad as well as soda, iced tea, coffee and water.

Plates are $8 for adults; $5 for ages 7 to 12, and children under 6 eat free.

The church is located at 320 N. Ashe Street, Southern Pines.

Lenten Events

The Sandhills Fellowship of Churches will hold its Lenten services at these Southern Pines churches, at noon:

n Wednesday, April 1, Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, 972 W. Pennsylvania Avenue.

n Wednesday, April 8, St. James Lutheran Church, 983 W. New Hampshire Avenue.

"Bring your lunch for the Lenten services," says a spokesman. "Drinks will be provided."

Lenten Lunches

West End United Methodist Church will host a Lenten Lunch Service at the church Wednesday, April 1.

The services will start at 11:30 a.m. and include a devotion, Communion, and a speaker, and conclude with a light lunch consisting of soup and sandwiches.

The luncheons are free of charge, and the public is invited and welcome to attend.

For directions or additional information, contact the church at 673-1371.

Rummage Sale

Our Lady of the Americas Roman Catholic Church will hold an indoor rummage and yard sale Saturday, April 18.

The church is located on Farmers' Market Road off N.C. 211, near Candor.

To reserve a table, which costs $20 each or two for $30, call (910) 400-5176.

Church Preschool

Bethesda Presbyterian Pre-school is now accepting applications for its 2009-2010 school year.

The program is open to 3- and 4-year-olds. Birthdays must fall by Aug. 31 to be eligible for this school year.

The school operates Tuesday through Thursday, 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 first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.

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 944-2567.

Christian Science

The activities of the Christian Science Church are designed to inspire and encourage as well as explain the practical Science of Christ that heals.

They include a Bible lesson, church services, reading rooms and lectures.

The local Christian Science church holds a Sunday service at 10 a.m. and a Wednesday evening testimony meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 240 E. New Hampshire Avenue in Southern PInes.

The Reading Room, located at 173 NE Broad Street, where the Christian Science Monitor, other books and periodicals can be studied, purchased or borrowed, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

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.

Bible Studies

Sandhills Alliance Church is holding two Bible studies.

One is Beth Moore's "Study of Esther."

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

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.

Music Circle

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian 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.

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 on the second and fourth Sundays, at 10 a.m., at the Pinehurst Executive Center, N.C. 5, Suite 7, Pinehurst.

Refreshments will follow.

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