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.

Stephen Ministry Expands

Two members of Community Presbyterian Church were among 362 pastors and congregation leaders at the Stephen Series Leaders' Training Course held in January in Orlando, Fla.

Roger and Maggie Simmons attended the one-week training event hosted by the St. Louis-based Stephen Ministry organization. The Simmonses received training there to become ministry leaders.

Stephen Ministry gives Community Presbyterian Church an effective way to train and organize congregation members to provide one-on-one Christian care to individuals struggling with a crisis such as grief, divorce, loneliness, relocation, terminal illness, or unemployment.

"All Christians are called to care for and love one another," says a spokesman. "By equipping laypeople, Stephen Ministry can help them to fulfill their calling as Christians and to grow the caring ministry available at Community Presbyterian Church."

Stephen Ministry began in 1975 when Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist in St. Louis, Missouri, trained parishioners to help meet the needs for care in his congregation. The ministry was so successful that other congregations became interested, and Haugk founded the Stephen Ministries organization.

Today, more than 50,000 pastors and church leaders have been trained as Stephen Leaders and more than 450,000 Stephen Ministers have been trained by them.

Roger and Maggie Simmons join a team of Stephen Leaders at Community Presbyterian Church, where more than 20 people have been trained as Stephen Ministers and many people in crisis have received the formal care of a Stephen minister.

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.

Gospel Singing

Pineywood Baptist Church, Cameron, will hold a gospel singing at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 29.

Guests are the Rev. Clay Davis and Singers from Seagrove.

For information, call 245-7351.

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 non-perishable 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 Administrative 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. Sunday, March 29, 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.

Revival

Community Friends Church will hold revival at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, through Saturday, March 28, and at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 29.

Pastor Wayne Taylor, of High Point, is the speaker.

The church is located at 3879 U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

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.

Beaver Creek

The ladies at Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold exercise classes at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in the family learning center at the church, located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

The church will hold an "Old Country Fair" Saturday, April 25. Spaces are available for vendors. Call (919) 499-9632 or 800-681-8602 for information.

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

Aberdeen First Baptist Church will host the N.C. Regional Sunday School Equipping Conference Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. All local Sunday School teachers, parents and church leaders are invited. There will be child care available for children up through kindergarten, but reservations are required.

There is a $5 charge for lunch.

Revival will be held Sunday, March 29, through Wednesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. each evening. 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.

Encore Presentation

Eirrac-Semaj Productions presents an encore performance of "The Church Fight," at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Luse Fellowship Hall, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson Hamlet.

Admission is $10.

"Join us as we take a look at church members having a private meeting to discuss the pastor and how to get rid of him," says a spokesman. "In the process they argue and air each other's dirty little secrets."

For more information contact Thomas J. Gibson at (910) 295-6473.

Bluegrass Gospel

Exway Baptist Church presents the Helms Family gospel bluegrass group at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 29.

The church is located at 2119 County Line Road, Mt. Gilead.

Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus will hold its annual fish fry at St. Anthony of Padua's parish hall, Fridays, March 27, and 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.

Musical Night

The musical group Sweet Lew and the Jayhawks will perform at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Saturday, March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The group, which consists of Lew Ketchem, Hugh Sutherland, Jaime Conrad, Tom Connor, Barkley Kern and Emmanuel's rector, the Rev. John Tampa, plays old-fashioned rock 'n' roll and beach music.

The program is open to the public, and tickets are available for purchase through the church office at $10 per person or $30 per family. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For more information or to buy tickets, call 692-3171.

Lenten Events

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

n Wednesday, March 25, First Baptist Church, 200 E. New York Avenue.

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 continuing each Wednesday through 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.

Our Saviour Lutheran

"On Wednesdays through April 8, we will enjoy a light supper together at 6 p.m., followed by activities for all ages at 6:30 p.m.," says a spokesman.

Worship begins at 7 p.m.

A Seder meal will be celebrated on April 8 at 6 p.m., followed by the worship service at 7 p.m.

There will be a nursery provided each evening.

The church is located on Luther Way, near the Barn Restaurant, Southern Pines.

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.