Aberdeen

St. John United Church of God, 376 Bethlehem Church Road in Carthage, would like to invite everyone in the community and surrounding area to join them on Sunday January 3, at 11:30 a.m. for a special Installation Service of their new Pastor, Elder Charlv-eston Hester, of Greensboro.

They would like to extend an invitation for the pastors, ministers, community leaders and residents to come and meet and greet their new Pastor and his wife during a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately after morning service. They look forward to seeing you on this special and glorious occasion, for God is doing great, mighty and awesome things within the Body of Christ.

If you cannot come, then please continue to pray for us, all churches, pastors, our communities, our president and our country as we enter into this New Year 2010, the year of "completeness, nothing lacking and proper order."

Happy birthday goes out to Rosa Stanback (Dec. 12).

-- Shelbi Person

Addor

The Rev. Joseph Campbell and his wife, Linda, attended morning worship service at New Zion AME Zion Church last Sunday. The reverend is a former pastor of the church.

This Sunday you are invited to attend a Community Christmas program at New Zion AME Zion Church beginning at 3 p.m. Come and take part. It is for the children.

We do ask that you bring some apples and candy to help fill a Christmas bag.

Let's not forget Dec. 31 Watch Night Service at Poplar Springs Baptist Church. Service is at 10 p.m. and breakfast will be served afterward. Everyone is welcome.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Deacon Philip McMillian (Dec. 18) and Celestine Swans Edwards (Dec. 22).

Our community was very saddened to learn of the passing of Lillian Bell Benymon. Our prayers and thoughts are with her husband, the Rev. Hoover Benymon, and her children and loved ones.

Sick and shut-ins: Stella Gillispie is in the hospital. Betty S. Ellerbe's mother, Nettie Benymon, Effie J. Smith, Marie Berry, Betty L. Moses and Sarah F. McMillian are all among the homebound. Gussie L. McMillian, Connie L. Covington, Gladys C. Giles, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Eugene McRae, Charles Wilkerson and James Morris are all in nursing homes or assisted living.

The Missionary of Elizabeth Chapel FWB Church took a trip to Charlotte to visit one of its members, Marie Berry. She was very happy to see them. She is a shut-in.

-- Lorine McCants

Eastwood

The Herbert McLaughlin family would like to thank everyone for their kindness shown during their time of bereavement.

St. Peter's will be having their Christmas program on Sunday following the morning worship.

Please join Apostle Leonard and mother, Mahalia Williams, every Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. for Bible Study at Spring Hill Suites across from Pinecrest High School. All are welcome.

Watch Night service will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's on Dec. 31. Birthday wishes to Larry Russell (Dec. 16), Sheila Harris and Arlene Kearns (Dec. 17), Elaine Jones (Dec. 18), Christian Dailey and Vickie LedBetter (Dec. 21), Bishop C.L. Curry, Chasity Wilson and Larcenia Gibson (Dec. 22).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Steve Coney, Sam Kelly, Ralph McLean, Michael McLean, Joe Jackson, Evelyn Clegg, Mamie Williams, Cornelia Adkins, Ester Mae Monroe, Mary Russell, Margaret Thompson and Alma Jones.

-- Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Hoffman Bible training will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Macedonia. Fletcher's Chapel Bible study will be held at 7:30 p.m. Fletcher's Chapel Church Christmas Party will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 18.

Promise of Life program will be held at at Macedonia at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Jessie Spell and Kevon Ratliff (Dec. 19), Gwen Miller (Dec. 21), Betty Hagins (Dec. 24) and Betty Ratliff (Dec. 30).

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins, Rosa Harrison, Layne Harrison, Wilson Hart, Darius Hart, Albert Hailey, Chrizzell Stroman, Lomuel Stroman, Martha Ingram, Cathy Harrington, Flossie Highland, Mattie White, Frank Smith, Retha Sloan, Lena McRae, Thelma McKoy, Letha Isaac, Johnny King, Eugene Martin, Rebecca Utley, Bulah Jones, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Nancy Hayes, Ernest Gilmore, Juanita Gilmore, Henrietta Little, Queenie Covington, Eva Cunningham, Sister Bethea, Ruth Hart, E. G. McFayden and Lacy Jackson.

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

-- Bea Little

Little River

This past Sunday 30 members of the Mount Pleasant Senior Group attended the Rudy Theater's Christmas program. Traveling to Dunn, the group enjoyed a meal together at Western Sizzler before making their way to the theater. The musical presentation was a blend of Christian and secular Christmas music, with the total emphasis being on the Christ of Christmas.

This past week another Youth Angel Unaware was awarded to Mr. Mason Chatfield for his dedication and contributions to the church and youth activities. Doris and Clarence Marks were the winners of the Angel of Joy this past Sunday. They were recognized for their steadfast contributions to the church and community and their unfailing attempt to make each and every visitor feel like family as they enter the church. They were also noted for their ability to mentor and to be burden-sharers in the community of faith. Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Doris are truly very special Angels.

Next Sunday morning at 11 a.m. the choir will present their Christmas Cantata. Everyone is invited to share this very special service of the gospel. At 6 p.m. the church will gather for the annual Christmas program as the choir again sings selections from the cantata and the children, youth and young adults of the church will perform their Christmas pageant. Following this service, the church, community and guests are invited to share in the bounty of the table loaded with all the special tastes and treats of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus with a birthday party for Jesus in the fellowship hall. As always, an open invitation is extended to all.

Last week the church members, along with help from Mrs. Devito and the Woodlake crew, were able to send another 100 boxes of goodies to the soldiers overseas. Several larger boxes of supplies were also sent, containing note pads, magazines, personal items, cards, lip balm and other items. The church is very blessed to have so many young men and women serving to keep us safe and free.

The members of the church invite everyone to join us as we continue to light the lights of Christmas and hold high the star of Christmas which is Jesus Christ. Cypress Church is preparing some special events in celebration of Christmas.

On December 22, everyone is invited to go Christmas caroling. If you can sing or prefer to ring bells, please join us at 6:30 p.m. at the church for an evening of supporting the elderly and shut-ins in the community with some Christmas cheer.

There will be two Christmas Eve services at Cypress Church. The first service, at 4 p.m., will appeal to families and children. Communion will be offered at the second service, at 10 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

Cypress Church continues two weekly Bible Studies. The Tuesday night Bible Study continues to study "The Lord's Prayer for Today" at 7:30 p.m. Please call the church for the location of this group. The Thursday night Bible Study meets at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This group is studying John Ortberg's video/Bible Study, "When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box." After the holidays, the group will study the book "The Parables for Today." Professor Alyce McKenzie shares the insight of Bible scholars in an understandable form. She also makes Jesus' familiar parables come alive for our lives today. Anyone interested in joining this study, please call 245-7024 so a book can be ordered for you.

The Garnet Lobelias will be having their Christmas party this Saturday night at the restaurant at The Little River Golf Course. Anyone interested in joining this group may contact Queen Sunny at (910) 245-4747 or Princess Peanut Janet at (910) 245-4741. Happy birthday Melanie Dawn, you are missed by your parents.

Please remember our military and their families with your positive thoughts and prayers.

If you have any information you'd like to share, call me at (910) 245-4747.

-- Sunny Sidley

Shawtown

St. John United Church of God, 376 Bethlehem Church Road in Carthage, will hold a special installation service for its new pastor, Elder Charlveston Hester, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 3. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service.

Please pray for Jonathan Ray, all youths, church leaders, our president and others in the White House, those behind prison walls, the elderly, the jobless, those struggling to make ends meet, and all sick and abused children.

Birthday wishes and anniversary wishes are extended this week to all who have one.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

-- Irene Ray

Taylortown

Special thanks to the community missionaries for reaching out to the needy this holiday season. The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance has been very helpful to many sick and shut-ins and others to help alleviate hunger and poverty. Thank you to Rev. Larry Alford, Bishop Larry Brown, Elder Chesney, Rev. Carolyn Mitchell, Rev. Charles Nabors, Rev. Carolyn Radcliff, Rev. Kenneth Stewart, Rev. Angus Wade, Minister Diane B. Watkins, Rev. Edward Williams, Elder Timothy Worthy, and other local ministers.

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church will have its annual Christmas program this Friday at 6 p.m. Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe will do some storytelling for the children. The pastor, Rev. Elgett Floyd, invites everyone to attend.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will have its Christmas program this Sunday at 1 p.m. immediately following the morning service. The pastor, Rev. Charles Nabors, invites adults and youths to attend the services.

Ingram Branch Presbyterian Church will have "Coming of Light to a Dark World" Christmas program, which will include caroling, a monologue and a short play. The program begins at 2 p.m. this Sunday. Rev. Georgia Frye, the pastor, invites all to be a part.

Word of Truth Christian Center will have a Christmas musical this Sunday at 4 p.m. The holiday concert is coordinated by Francis Jackson Johnson, who is a praise and worship leader, poet and psalmist. Pastor Helen Spencer and Co-Pastors Cheryl and Michael Blue invite everyone to attend this spectacular, anointed program.

Solid Rock Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ will have a three-night revival December 18-20 at 7 p.m. Minister Jason Hackett will be the speaker. The pastor, Eldress Judy Hackett, invites all to attend.

High school and college students and their parents are invited to a free session regarding the physical therapy profession. There will be several physical therapists to answer questions about the profession at this program on Tuesday, December 22 at 2 p.m. at FirstHealth Center for Health and Fitness - Pinehurst classroom.

Refreshments will be served. Physical therapy jobs rank in the top 10 of the best jobs in America (recent issue of CNNMoney. com). For more information, call (910) 715-1600.

Minister Jeff Person is looking for ministers to preach on the Person Gospel broadcast on WEEB radio. For information, call Minister Person at (910) 947-9632. Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe, Gospel Music Program Director, can be reached at (910) 295-0013.

"Town Talk" television show airs daily at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Time Warner Cable Channel 3 n Southern Pines. "Town Talk" radio show airs each Sunday at 2:05 p.m. on WEEB, 990 AM. These programs are a community service.

If you are interested in sharing your inspirational story or talent, call Rose Highland-Sharpe at (910) 295-0013 or e-mail rosesharpe37@ gmail.com.

The community extends sympathy to the family of the late Herbert Lee McLaughlin. Please continue to pray for the family.

The sick and shut-in list includes Lottie Alford Mason, who recently had surgery.

Please remember all the sick and shut-ins, orphaned, widowed, incarcerated, needy and the United States military in your prayers and good deeds.

Send your community news at least two weeks in advance to R. Highland-Sharpe at P. O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374, e-mail rosesharpe37@gmail.com, or call (910) 295-0013.

-- Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

God's House of Prayer Ministry would like to thank Minister Micheal Conwell, of Kings Chapel, for being the guest speaker on Sunday, Dec. 13, for their building fund program. His subject was titled "The Real Reason for the Season: When Jesus Was Born." His scripture came from Matthew 2:1-4.

On Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Minister Frederick Kelly, of God's House of Prayer Ministry, will be the guest speaker at Sandy Grove Church in Vass for a appreciation service for Elderess Hooker.

On Dec. 20, at the 11 a.m. worship service, there will be a Christmas program at the church.

Carolyn Wilkins would like to wish her granddaughter Charlotte Ann Goins a happy birthday on Dec. 14.

The church also extends birthday wishes to Beatrice Perez (Dec. 13), and Arnold and Arthur Frye.

-- Anita Finch