Addor

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. As the season of Lent comes to a close, we hope everyone in the community has done something to help others.

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Taylortown will hold a block sale starting at 8 a.m. this Saturday. It lasts until everything is sold.

It will take place on "the hill." Clothing, toys, jewelry, books, baked goods and food will be for sale. The sale will feature a "surprise" package. Many items will cost just $1. This is a fundraiser for the church.

The Men's Club of the Addor Community Center and the board of directors of the center are trying very hard to make a difference in the community. They need the help of others in the community. Please contact the chairman, Gregory Savannah, for more information.

The Community Center board is also trying to have programs held at the center every month throughout the year. Services will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings. Churches interested in sponsoring programs are asked to respond in writing to P.O. Box 775, Pinebluff, NC 28373.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Thaddeus Brown (April 2), Colon "Butcher" Boles (April 3) and Trava D. Hunter (April 5).

Sick and shut-ins: Betty J. Ellerbe, Nettie Benymon, Effie Jane Smith, Betty Lou Moses, Sarah F. McMillian and Marie Berry are among the homebound. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Gladys Giles, Allen Smith, Eugene McRae, Wilbert Brown, Charles Wilkerson and James Morris are all in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities.

If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary or have other community news to share, please call me at 281-3385.

--Lorine McCants

Berkley

New Hope Christian Ministries at 704 Harris St., where the pastor is Elder Brenda Brown, holds regular worship services on the first through fourth Sundays of the month at 11 a.m. Sunday School is held at 10 a.m.

Bible study is held at 7:30 p.m. at the church. The church invites everyone in the community to attend services.

St. John Baptist Church at 703 Harris St., where the pastor is the Rev. Jimmy Gilchrist, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. every Sunday. Prayer meeting and Bible study take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Pastor Gilchrist will celebrate his pastoral anniversary this Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.

St. Joseph A.M.E. Zion Church, 309 Keyser St., where the pastor is the Rev. Henry R. Davis, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11:15 a.m. each Sunday.

Bible study is held at 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday.

On the prayer list are Curtis Hill, Weldon Ted Nealy, Ann Reaves, Brenda McCrimmon, Ruth Atkins, Viola Ross, Gloria Wallace, Rosa McDonald, Ethel McNeil, Susie Carter, Raymond Carter, Elvis Verbal, Charles Wilkerson, the Rev. John Wesley Hill, as well as all those in need.

Birthday wishes are extended to all who are celebrating this week.

Please submit church, community and personal announcements (such as birthdays and anniversaries) by 7 p.m. Sunday by calling 603-1135, 255-4001 or 944-1561. If there is no answer, please leave your phone number and name.

-- Clarissa Nealy

Carthage

The community would like to extend prayers and sympathy to all the families that lost loved ones at Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center.

St. Ruth United Church of God in West End, where the pastor is Elderess Lillian Kearns, holds worship services on the second and fourth Sundays at 11:30 a.m. A prayer meeting is held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by Bible study at 7 p.m.

United Voices of Crossroads will have its choir anniversary at 4 p.m. this Sunday.

Holy Week will begin April 7 and conclude April 12. There will be no service Saturday.

Elderess Lillian Kearns will be the guest speaker at Cedar Grove in West End on April 7. On April 8, Holy Way in Eagle Springs will be the host church, with Elder Johnny Horne as the guest speaker.

On April 9, St. Ruth will be the host church, with Pastor McNair as the guest speaker. Victory Temple will be the host church April 10, and Bishop Lorenzo Purcell will be the guest speaker. These services will start at 7:30 nightly.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. at Cedar Grove, with Elderess Lillian Kearns as the guest speaker.

St. Ruth will not hold Sunday School on April 12 but will have morning worship service.

Synagogue of Christ Carthage, where the pastor is Bishop Lynn Kiniel and the assistant pastor is Minister L. Kiniel, will have a fellowshio service at 4 p.m. April 5. Pastor Joann Davis, of Laurinburg, will be the guest speaker. The church choir will celebrate its anniversary April 18-19. The Saturday program will start at 2:30 p.m.. The program Sunday will start at 3 p.m.

Stoneyhill Free Will Baptist Church in Carthage, where the pastor is Elder Al Wilson, will be having Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. this Sunday. The theme is Memorial and Celebration of Life.

The following groups will provide music: the Heavenly Tones, of Bunnlevel; the New View Allstars, of Carthage; the Gospel Messangers, of Lemon Springs; Mount Olive Gospel Choir, of Carthage; and Linda Williams, a soloist from Timmonsville, S.C. All are invited.

Holy Temple Church in Carthage, where the pastor is Elder A.W. Moore, will be having services April 23-24 at 7:30 nightly, with Bishop Ronnie Moore as the guest speaker.

Please remember to pray for each other.

Announcements can be submitted by e-mail to churchnews08@ yahoo.com or by leaving a message at 783-5086.

--Jennifer Smith

Eastwood

Congratulations to Devonte Wilson who was elected sergeant of arms during the TSA competition in Greensboro.

The YPHA will have a Rainbow Tea at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

The United Church of God Leadership Conference last Friday and Saturday in Greensboro turned out great.

The family of Louise McLaughlin thanks everyone for the kindness shown during their time of bereavement.

Lottie and Mary Mason took a short trip to Aruba.

Wilma and Nick Monroe will celebrate their wedding anniversary today (Wednesday), which is April Fools' Day.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Vanessa McKinney and Benjamin Harris (April 1), Charlene Hollingsworth and John Brown (April 5), Andrea McFarland and Darius McLaughlin Jr. (April 6), and Artilus Lett and Melvin Jones (April 7).

Sick and shut-ins include Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Steve Coney, Drissie McKinney, Mamie Williams, Michael McLean, Ralph McLean, Joe Jackson, Evelyn Clegg, Mary Russell, Cornelia Adkins, Andrea Cattle, Anthony Thompson, Margaret Thompson and Alma Jones.

--Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Bible study and prayer meeting are held every Wednesday at Macedonia at 7 p.m. Sunday School is held at 9:45 a.m., with the worship service at 11 a.m. each week.

Fletcher's Chapel holds its Bible study every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Pleasant Hill holds its Bible study and prayer meeting on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Week services will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at Mount Calvary. Fletcher's Chapel is in charge of the service. On Tuesday, April 7, the service will be at Macedonia, and Full Gospel Church will be in charge. On Wednesday, April 8, Pleasant Hill will host the service, and Mount Calvary will be in charge. On Thursday, April 9, the service will be at Full Gospel, and Oakley Grove will be in charge. The Friday, April 10, service will be at Oakley Grove, and Pleasant Hill will be in charge.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 12, at Fletcher's Chapel. Macedonia will be in charge.

Birthday wishes are extended to Roy Hart (April 6), George Little (April 7), Robert Hart and Tyshia McLean (April 8), and Cora Kelly and the Rev. Mingo McRae (April 14)

Sick and shut-ins include Flossie Hagins, Flossie Highland, Rosa Harrison, Wilson Hart, Darris Hart, Harold Hart, Ruth Hart Frank Smith, Douglas Green, Juanita Gilmore, Lillie Ellerbe, Nancy Ellerbe, Leana M. McRae, Thelma McRoy, Johnny King, Martin Myers, Eugene Martin, Martha Ingram, Chrizzell Stroman, Beverly Swinie, Wilbert Brown, Willie Gibson, Martha Rushing, Harold Hart and Willie Jane Lee.

Please continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins, church leaders, educators, children, government leaders and one another.

-- Bea Little

Jackson Hamlet

Love Grove Free Will Baptist Church, continues to host "MANNA!," a program to feed the hungry of Moore County.

It is held every Thursday from 11 a.m. until, in the church fellowship hall at 293 Dawkins St. in Jackson Hamlet. This event is free and open to anyone who wants a hot meal.

Birthday wishes are extended to all in the community who are celebrating this week.

Continue to pray for our youth, the less fortunate, sick and shut-ins, bereaved families, church leaders, educators and students, communities, government leaders, homeless, incarcerated, our soldiers and one another.

--Michael Dixon

Little River

During Sundays' worship service at Mount Pleasant Church, Joel Norton sang a special song about Easter and Christ's sacrifice. He dedicated the song to Ina Mae Boggs. Aside from writing this column for many years, she was a very active and dedicated member of Mount Pleasant Church.

The storage building has been divided with a wall, and shelves will be built soon to hold all the items that are stored in various parts of the church now.

The church is baking cookies for military personnel. They will be shipped next Sunday. The church hopes to have 50 boxes of cookies to send as a special Easter Sunday surprise for the troops.

Anyone who would like to help can call the church office at 245-7405, or drop your cookies off at the church or B&L Auto and they will be added to the shipment. Cookies just need to be sealed in Ziplock bags.

The youth of the church will sponsor an Easter egg hunt and family outreach day at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11. All children and families in the community are invited to share this special day of fun, fellowship and refreshments.

Easter services are special. Church members will gather at 6:30 a.m. for sunrise service, with breakfast immediately afterward. Another worship begins at 8 a.m.

These special service times are being held so that members will have time to share with their families at home or attend other services in the community. Everyone is invited to attend services on this special Sunday.

The children of the church announced this Sunday that they would sing special music for Easter.

The Garnet Lobelias had dinner at the Ironwood Caf to celebrate Princess Peanut's and Duchess Pat's birthdays. They had the largest turnout ever, with eight red and pink hatters.

Anyone interested in joining them can call Queen Mum Sunny at 245-4747.

Please take a moment to remember our military members and their families with positive thoughts and prayers. With many of them spread from all four corners of the world, any time of the year can be difficult for them and their families.

If you would like to share any special news about our community in this section of The Pilot, please contact me at 245-4747.

-- "Sunny Sidley

Shawtown

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry had their morning worship at 8 a.m. Sunday. The pastor there is the Rev Larry Ray.

Since Sunday School was not held, John and Irene Ray used that opportunity to visit two other churches, Stone's Chapel and St. Mary's.

Bishop Ronnie Moore will speak at Holy Temple Church on Anderson Road, where the pastor is Elder A.W. Moore, at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 23-24.

Please pray for the families who lost loved ones in the shooting at Pine Lake nursing home Sunday. Also continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins, our president and vice president, all our leaders, all pastors and church leaders, and each other in prayer.

Birthday wishes are extended to Louise Pelham (April 2).

If you have any community news to share, call 783-7822.

--Irene Ray

Taylortown

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church is holding a service at 7 p.m. Sunday commemorating the Passion of Christ. The pastor, Rev. Oscar Rush, invites everyone to these services.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will host a fellowship meal for the community in celebration of the Easter season Thursday, April 9. The House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ, Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ and Spaulding Chapel will help with the preparation of this meal. For the exact time and more information, contact Jeannie Scales or other members at Spaulding Chapel and Galilee.

Contact the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance regarding the Holy Week services, which will be held the week of April 6-10. Services begin at 7 p.m. A sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. April 12.

The officers of the ministerial alliance include the Rev. Larry Alford, the Rev. Kenneth Stewart, the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff and the Rev. Edward Williams. The Rev. Carolyn Mitchell helps with promotions. The Rev. Oscar Rush usually coordinates the Holy Week services.

Spaulding Chapel will have a block sale on "the hill" on Main Street beginning at 8 a.m. this Saturday. There will be a "surprise package." Many items will be sold for $1.

Many household items, clothes, toys, books and food will be available. Proceeds help the Spaulding Chapel Queen contestants and their supporters. For more information, call Doris Lee at 295-4353 or Barbara McKnight at 215-9031.

A.K.A Sorority will have "Experience Spiritual Praise" at the Moore County Cooperative Extension building at 707 Pinehurst Ave. in Carthage at 10 a.m. this Saturday. There will be a brunch. Several musical groups will perform.

The donation is $15. Proceeds will benefit college scholarships and other community projects. For more information, call 949-3718.

Pathways to CNA is a free program that will help you improve your basic academic skills, help you earn a GED and prepare you for enrollment in the certified nursing assistant program. Orientation will be held April 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. in room 10 in Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College.

To register, call Twana McKnight at 695-3782. Rose Highland-Sharpe is the recruiter for basic skills at SCC. She can be reached at 695-3783.

The "Gospel Extravaganza and Banquet featuring Evangelist Dorothy Norwood will be held at the Ralph Bostic Recreation Center in Candor at Saturday, April 18.

For ticket information or to place an ad in the booklet, call Gladys Garris at 528-1564. The deadline to place an ad is April 4. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 11.

The Moore County NAACP 2009 Woman/Mother of the Year contest application deadline is April 12. For rules and regulations, stop by Heads Up Barbershop in Carthage, House of Hair and Nu-nique Nails in Vass, Vogue Styles in Southern Pines, and Anointed Creation and Baker's Beauty Salon in Aberdeen. Also call O'Linda W. Gillis at 947-1422.

Thank you to the missionaries who are reaching out to the sick and shut-ins, incarcerated, youths, needy, and our United States military men and women this Easter season.

The community extends sympathy and prayer to the families of the victims of the shooting at Pinelake Nursing Home in Carthage. Many in our community have family and friends who are residents or employees of the facility.

Please send community news to R. Highland-Sharpe at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or call 295-0013.

--Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

God's House of Prayer Ministry will have Sunday School and a worship service this Sunday, starting at 10 a.m.

Worship services are held every first and third Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday School is held every Sunday at 10 a.m. Bible study is held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Intercessory prayer is held every Saturday at 8 a.m.

Pastor Mary Kelly is the church pastor. The church is at 205 Pats Road in Vass. Everyone is welcome to attend all services.

Highland Baptist Church on U.S. 1 holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every Sunday. Services are also held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

A Saturday night prayer meeting is held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Come if you have a special need and would like others to pray with you. Or you can also call the prayer line at 693-PRAY.

On Wednesday, April 1, Danny Foss will present his burned for missions to our church.

A community yard sale will be held at the church from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday. All those who are interested in participating need to sign up as soon as possible.

Pastor Ruby Shepherd, of God's Vision of Praise Ministry, will begin observing her pastoral anniversary on April 23-24 at 7:30 nightly. It concludes at 4 p.m. April 26 at Vass-Lakeview School. All are welcome to attend.

God's Vision of Praise Ministry holds a worship service every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. except on any fifth Sunday of the month. Bible study is held at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

On the prayer list for God's Vision of Praise church members are Helen Covington-McCoy, Mother Shields, Patricia Malloy, Charlie Malloy and Carolyn Terry. To be put on the prayer list for God's Vision of Praise members call 910-783-9783.

On Thursday, you can hop on down to the Vass Area Library to visit the Easter Bunny for fun and prizes at 4 p.m.

A summer program will be offered at Vass-Lakeview Elementary School. There are 50 spots available for children who have finished kindergarten. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $25 deposit for each child. The charge is $70 per child and $100.

The program is for parents who need full-time child care in the summer. It runs June 15-Aug. 14. For more information you can contact Louise Hardy at the school at 245-3444.

Birthday wishes go out to Ruby Edwards (April 6), Hubert Kiser (April 8), Mary Locklear (April 9), Hedi Atkins (April 10) and Cassie Holder (April 11).

Happy anniversary goes out to Willard and Debbie Cleary on April 4.

Continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins -- including Deacon Norman Kelly at Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital, Annie Cockrum at Pinelake Health Center and Linda McArthur at home -- as well as our troops in Iraq and worldwide and our youth and each other.

To have your news in the Vass section, leave a message at 603-6254, send an e-mail to god1house@yahoo.com or mail items one week in advance to PO Box 1364, Vass, NC 28394.

--Anita Finch