Addor

The board members of the Addor Community Center invite everyone out for fellowship and fun Monday, April 13 (Easter Monday).

A spring basketball tournament will be held at 10 a.m., with several age categories. For youths ages 5-12, the cost is $10 per team. For youths ages 13-16, ages 17-24, and 35 and older, the cost is $25 a team.

After the tournament, a big Easter egg hunt will be held at 1 p.m. Residents are asked to bring colorful Easter eggs for the children. If you can help, please call Gregory Savannah, the president of the board, at 528-4292.

Anyone who can donate eggs is asked to bring them to the community center by 11:30 a.m., along with another goodies such as cookies and candy for the kids.

The board is also planning a team softball tournament this summer. If you would like to help with this, please contact Gregory.

The New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will hold a Rainbow Tea at 3 p.m. April 25 at the church.

The Quadrennial Evangelistic Congress will be held April 17 at Lake Junaluska.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Orrin Bright (April 6), Evelylena Boles (April 8), Vivian McMillian (April 9), Ruth Holmes (April 10) and Rodney Gilmore (April 12).

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.

We wish everyone in the community a Happy Easter!

--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 was saddened by the death of Percy Vample and would like to extend prayers and sympathy to the family.

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.

Holy Week concludes April 12. There will be no service Saturday.

Elderess Lillian Kearns was the guest speaker at Cedar Grove in West End on Tuesday. Holy Way in Eagle Springs will be the host church today (Wednesday), with Elder Johnny Horne as the guest speaker. On Thursday, St. Ruth will be the host church, with Pastor McNair as the guest speaker. Victory Temple will be the host church Friday, 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 this Sunday, which is Easter, but will have morning worship service.

The choir of Synagogue of Christ Carthage, where the pastor is Bishop Lynn Kiniel and the assistant pastor is Minister L. Kiniel, 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.

Holy Temple Church in Carthage, where the pastor is Elder A.W. Moore, will have services April 23-24 at 7:30 nightly, with Bishop Ronnie Moore, pastor of Kingdom Builders City of Refuge International Ministries, as the guest speaker.

Birthday wishes go out to Bobby "BJ" Ray (April 3), Jamieya McKendall (April 8), Marquese Howard (April 12), Dakota Smith and Aeriona Ray (April 14).

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

The YPHA will have its Rainbow Tea at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Minister Tina Harris will be the speaker for the missionary revival April 20-22 at St. Peters. The St. Peters ushers will travel to St. Mark in Sanford at 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Kentucky District convention will be held April 15-18.

The Sunday School workshop will be Saturday, April 25.

Garron Monroe attended the HOSA convention in Greensboro last week.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Gracie Russell (April 8), LeKisha Womack and Laneisha Womack (April 14).

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 will not be held this week at Macedonia, Fletcher's Chapel and Pleasant Hill because of Holy Week services.

Holy Week services continue today (Wednesday) at Pleasant Hill. 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 of the service.

The inspirational youth choir from Oakley Grove will be on the program at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Rockfish Free Will Baptist Church in Raeford.

Betty J. Hagins returned home to Trenton, N.J., after spending a month at home with her mother, Flossie Hagins.

Birthday wishes are extended to Robert Hart and Tyshea McLean (April 8), Tori Jones (April 13), Cora Kelly (April 14) and Mae Anderson.

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

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

-- Bea Little

Little River

This past Sunday, everyone at Mount Pleasant Community Church was deeply touched as Pete Vazquez shared his testimony and sang "The Old Rugged Cross." It was Palm Sunday, and the choir opened the service as the children entered the worship center waving palms.

Afterward, as the choir sang "Comes the King," the children again waved the palm branches triumphantly as the choir sang. It was a very special day.

A very special service and Communion will be held Thursday at Mount Pleasant Community Church, as members celebrate the Lord's Last Supper.

On Easter Sunday, members will gather at the cross in the cemetery at 6:30 a.m. for a special sunrise service immediately followed by breakfast in the church educational section since the fellowship hall is still under renovation.

The worship service will begin at 8 a.m. The service will have a lot of special music, with the children's choir singing and a very special message in song by the adult choir called "Gone." The children of the church will also sing. Everyone is invited to come for the sunrise service and stay for breakfast and worship. The service will be finished by 9:30, so members can attend services at other churches.

Parents and children are invited to join in an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. The hunt will include plenty of eggs for all the children, prizes and refreshments. Everyone is invited to come and share the fun.

Plans are being made to welcome all the new families moving into the community. The church is asking that anyone who knows of a new family moving in to their neighborhood to call the church office with the contact information so that we might welcome then with a gift basket. Plans are set to deliver the first of these baskets this week. This is a new ministry of the church.

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, please contact me at 245-4747.

-- "Sunny Sidley

Taylortown

Holy Week services for our community continue tonight (Wednesday) at Providence Presbyterian Church in Jackson Springs. The speaker will be the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will host the services Thursday. The speaker will be the Rev. Oscar Rush. The House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ will host the services Friday. The speaker will be Elder Chesney. Services begin at 7 o'clock both nights.

Galilee will host the Easter sunrise service beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday. The speaker will be Rev. Edward Williams. Breakfast will be served immediately after the service.

The Revs. David Levine and Carolyn Mitchell were the speakers Monday and Tuesday, respectively. They both gave very moving messages. Everyone is invited to these wonderful, inspirational services in celebration of Easter. There will not be a community Easter luncheon on Thursday at Galilee this year.

The Rev. Carolyn Radcliff has asked the community to do a partial fast April 13-19. Please pray for the needs and concerns of our community, the nation and the world. Check with your health-care provider before beginning any fast. For more information, call the Rev. Radcliff at 295-2779.

The Church of God of Prophecy will have its annual "March for Jesus" in Raeford at 11 a.m. this Saturday. The Rev. David L. Bullard, pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy, and Pastor Stoney Locklear, pastor of Turning Point Church, and their congregations will meet at Bo's Grocery Store parking lot and end at the Raeford Park.

There will be preaching, testimonies, music and free food. All are invited to participate.

There will be an orientation for Pathways to CNA (certified nursing assistant) in room 108 of Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College, tonight (Wednesday) from 5 p.m. until 9 o'clock. Please bring a picture ID and Social Security card.

This is a free program for those who have a high school diploma and for those who need a GED to help them prepare for enrollment in the CNA program. Those completing the GED during the 15-week program will be eligible for a $250 scholarship that will help cover some of the cost for the CNA program at SCC.

Call Twana McKnight at 695-3782 for more information.

The deadline to make a nomination for the Moore County NAACP 2009 Woman/Mother of the Year is April 12. For rules and registration forms, 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, president of the local NAACP, at 947-1422.

The deadline to get tickets for the "Gospel Extravaganza and Banquet" featuring Evangelist Dorothy Norwood is Saturday. Call Gladys Garris, the coordinator of the Taylortown Senior Community Center, at 528-1564. The event will be held at the Ralph Bostic Recreation Center in Candor at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

Jermaine Bright, lead tutor and coordinator of the 4-H after-school tutorial at the Taylor House, would like to meet with the teenagers of the community to organize some 4-H activities for older children. He can be reached at 528-9512.

Please remember the sick and shut-ins, incarcerated, needy, and the members of the U.S. military in your prayers and good deeds. The sick list includes Sandra and Margie of Spruill Temple and John Purcell of Providence.

Happy Easter to all!

--Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

Pastor Mary Kelly was the guest speaker at Fellowship House of God at 6 p.m. April 4 for its Green Tea program. Her message was entitled "Get Up." Her scripture came from 2 Kings 7:3-9. The Gospel Mellowtones also performed.

God's House of Prayer Ministry had Sunday School and a worship service this past Sunday. Pastor Kelly's message was entitled "Power to Serve." Her scripture came from Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:1-4.

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.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. this Sunday at God' s House of Prayer Ministry. The speaker will be Minister Patricia Kyle. Pastor Mary Kelly will be the guest speaker at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church in Cameron. The Gospel Mellow-tones will also perform.

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.

The church will hold an Easter Party for all the children this Saturday. There will be hot dogs to eat and candy to take home. There will be lots of fun and good fellowship.

Highland Church has started a new Care Ministry Program. Volunteers are needed at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. They will be out in full force in the area sharing the good news. Anyone interested in joining can call the church and leave a message for Jane.

On Wednesday, April 15, Jerry Carter will preach at Highland Baptist Church.

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

Birthday wishes go out to Josyia Smith (April 7), Wenona Thomas (April 10), Mother Betty Ray (April 12) and Alexander McArthur (April 13).

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