Addor

The A.M.E. Zion Church Sanford District revival will be held April 20-22 at Fair Promise A.M.E. Zion Church in Sanford. The Rev. Dr. Clifford A. Jones is the guest preacher.

Men of Integrity of Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Carthage will sponsor a music program at 6 p.m. this Sunday at Carthage Elementary School. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Sanford District YAMS meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday at Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Coordinator Carol Frye Davis called the meeting.

The Sons of Varick meeting will be held at 8 a.m. this Saturday at Golden Corral in Southern Pines.

A wonderful music program will be held at 6 p.m. this Saturday at R.B. Dean Elementary School in Maxton. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. A number of big groups will perform including the Tracy Brothers from Arkansas, Flossie Boyd Johnson from South Carolina and the Heavenly Stars from Connecticut.

The board members of the Addor Community Center invite everyone to plan to attend the first-ever "Black-White Ban-quet" at 7 p.m. July 1 at the Days Inn on U.S. 1 in Southern Pines. Tickets are $25. Contact Gregory Savannah, the chairman, or the Rev. Fred Goins Jr., vice chairman. Everyone is asked to dress in black and white.

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

Birthday wishes go out this week to Lanisha and Lakisha Womack (April 14) and Valerie Bagley (April 17).

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.

--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.

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 deaths of Elizabeth "Rabbit" Bandy and Johnny Frye. It extends prayers and sympathy to the families.

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.

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 this Saturday and Sunday. 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 Ronnie Howard, Teresa Armstrong and Nyssa Howard (April 15), Jamal Upchurch (April 18), Betty Gilmore (April 21), Vonn Morrison and Luvenia Jackson (April 23) Pastor Lillian Kearns and Irene Raye (April 24), Mary "Cat" McNeill (April 25) and Brenda Kiser (April 28).

Anniversary wishes go out to Christy and Terry Cheatham on April 8.

Please 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 thanks everyone who supported its Rainbow Tea on Saturday.

Minister Tina Harris will be the speaker for the missionary revival April 20-22 at St. Peters.

The Kentucky District convention will be held today (Wednesday) through Saturday.

The Sunday School workshop will be Saturday, April 25.

The family of Drissie McKinney thanks everyone for the kindness shown during their time of bereavement.

Michelle and Ricky Moore will celebrate their wedding anniversary this week.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Abriea Alston (April 15) Yolanda Stancil (April 16), Sharonda Wilson (April 17), Kim Smith (April 18), Ruth Rogers (April 19) and Barbara Harris and William Smith (April21).

Sick and shut-ins include Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Steve Coney, 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 is held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Macedonia and at 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel. Pleasant Hill holds Bible study at 7 p.m. Thursday.

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

Roy Jefferson and his wife spent a few days with his mother, Dorthea Jefferson. Cora Kelly celebrated her 65th birthday Saturday at a party given by her children at her home.

Carl Sloan and his wife, who live in Statesville spend Easter weekend with his father and his sisters and brothers. Josephine Henry and her son, who live in Wilmington, visited with her sister, Alice Little, over Easter weekend. Lena Mae Brown and her husband from Mytle Beach spent Easter weekend with her mother, Lena McRae.

Betty Ratliff, Ruth Clark, Cora Kelly, Bea Little, Dorthea Jefferson and Amanda Jackson attended the 29th Masonic and Eastern Star banquet Friday night in Laurinburg.

Ruth Clark and Bea Little attended the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday at Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church.

The community extends sympathy to the family of Loveone Clarene Hailey Formaner.

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

Mount Pleasant Community Church held a Maundy Thursday service last Thursday. Those in attendance remembered the sacrifice of Christ as he shared his last supper with his disciples.

After special music from the choir, members of the church took communion, and the cross was draped in black to symbolize the darkness of the tomb that held the body of Christ until Easter morning.

More than 100 worshipers gathered at the cross in the cemetery Sunday morning for the Easter sunrise service. Songs were sung, and Dr. Poplin gave the homily. After the service, everyone was treated to breakfast.

Worship began at 8 a.m., with more than 150 in attendance. The choir helped to make this service very special by singing "Gone," which tells of the resurrection of Christ. Weldon Chilton and Steve Hohman sang a duet entitled "Rise Again." Dr. Poplin led the children's special service, explaining the resurrection.

Last week, the church sent 50 shoeboxes of cookies to soldiers for Easter. More than 200 dozen cookies were added to the shipment that was gathered at Woodlake.

The youth sponsored the Easter egg hunt, with about 15 children participating. All the children received refreshments, cookies and prizes for their efforts.

The church extends a special welcome to new members, Linda and Mike Gilbert of Woodlake.

Many in the church will be assisting with the Warriors of the Water this Friday at Jordan Lake at the New Hope boat ramp. This is a fishing tournament that shows appreciation for members of the military who have served and returned from duty overseas.

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 on Lemon Springs Road, where the pastor is the Rev. Larry, held an Easter sunrise service Sunday. The guest speaker was Minister Gail Windley.

Breakfast was served after the service. A second service was held after breakfast. The speaker was the co-pastor, Minister Melaine Raye. There was a good turnout.

Bishop Ronnie Moore will be preaching at Holy Temple April 23-24.

Birthday wishes are extended to Sharonda Wilson (April 17) and Jamaliah Upchurch (April 18).

Continue to pray for rest home residents, the sick and shut-ins, prisoners, hospitals patients, all of our leaders and each other.

--Irene Ray

Taylortown

The Senior Community Center of Taylortown is sponsoring a "Gospel Extravaganza and Banquet" at the Ralph Bostic Recreation Center in Candor at 3 p.m this Saturday.

The program will feature recording artist and gospel's greatest storyteller, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood. Anyone needing more information, contact Gladys Garris, the coordinator, at 528-1564.

Minister Jeff Person and the Men of Integrity of Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will have a musical program at 3 p.m. Saturday at Carthage Elementary School auditorium. The program will feature the Mount Zion youth choir, New View All Stars and recording artists St. Paul Baptist Church male choir from Charlotte. Artisan Valerie Washington and author Elder Lee Harris will be the venders.

The Rev. Wayne Brown is the pastor of Mount Zion. For more information, call Minister Person at 528-6289.

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will have another block sale on "the Hill" on Main Street in Taylortown beginning at 8 a.m. this Saturday. Food, clothing, household goods, books, toys and other items will be available. Many items will be sold for $1.

Proceeds benefit all Spaulding Chapel queen contestants and the building fund. The pastor is the Rev. Oscar Rush. For more information, call Doris Lee at 295-4353 or Barbara McKnight at 215-9031.

Hats off to all the preachers who delivered great messages during Holy Week: The Rev. David Levine, the Rev. Carolyn Mitchell, the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff, the Rev. Charles McKnight, Elder Chesney and the Rev. Angus Wade. The Rev. Oscar Rush was the coordinator.

The Rev. Larry Alford is the president of the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance. The other officers include the Rev. Kenneth Stewart, the Rev. Edward Williams and the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff. Bishop Larry Brown and the Rev. Carlyss Johnson are long-standing members of the original alliance. All ministers in the community are invited to the alliance, which meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at one of the local churches.

The 4-H afterschool tutorial will resume on next Monday and Wednesday. It runs from 3 until 6 p.m. The children have been on spring break from the year-round and traditional elementary schools. All age children are welcome to attend this free tutorial.

Jermaine Bright is the lead tutor. Professor Bobby Allen from Sandhills Community College will assist with tutoring this spring. Rose Highland-Sharpe is a local 4-H adviser and volunteer with the Moore County school system. Linda Gore, Moore County 4-H coordinator, can be reached at 947-3188 for more information.

The community extends sympathy to the families of the late Drissie McKinney, Leroy McFadgen and Clinton Ted Nealy. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Special thanks to our community missionaries for reaching out to the sick and shut-ins during the Easter season.

Please remember the sick and shut-ins, our youth, incarcerated, needy and the members of the U.S. military in your prayers and good deeds.

Send your community news to R. Highland-Sharpe at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or call 295-0013. Also, send e-mail to rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

--Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

God's House of Prayer Ministry will have Sunday School at 10 a.m. and a worship service at 11 a.m. this Sunday.

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.

The Rev. Linwood Tuck, of First Missionary Baptist Church in Cameron, celebrated his fifth pastoral anniversary at 3 p.m. April 12. The Gospel Mellowtones and the Annointed Males Choir as well as several other choirs performed at the program.

Pastor Fairley, of The House of Refuge in Addor, will be the guest speaker at God's House of Prayer Ministry at 6 p.m. April 25 for Pastor Mary Kelly's pre-anniversary program.

On April 26, Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church will have a Women's Day program.

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 thanks everyone who came out for the children's Easter party Saturday. More than 1,055 were "hunted" and some 100 hot dogs were eaten. Everyone had a great time.

Highland Christian Academy is closed this week for the Easter holiday. Students will return to school Monday, April 20, at the regular time.

Jerry Carter will preach at Highland Baptist Church tonight (Wednesday).

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.

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 Charlotte Simmons (April 20) and Tanesha Harris (April 28).

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