Foxfire area communities of faith are joining together for an Interfaith Thanksgiving service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.

This year's worship service will be hosted by Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of N.C. 73 and Hotel Street. This is the fourth annual gathering sponsored by the Sandhills Jewish Congregation, the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church and Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines.

"Representatives from the congregations planned this informal service to invite members of West End, Foxfire, Seven Lakes and neighboring communities to worship together in a setting in which various faith traditions share their gratitude for the abundant blessings of this nation and the world," says a spokesman.

Worshippers are asked to bring canned goods as a Thanksgiving offering, which will be donated to the Sandhills Coalition for Human Care.

Familiar music of the church and synagogue, words from the Psalms and the prophets along with offerings of prayer, voice and stringed instruments, will combine to provide worshippers an opportunity to share with one another in gratitude and thanksgiving.

Refreshments will be served following the service.

For more information, call (910) 673-7630.

Pinebluff Methodist

Pinebluff United Methodist Church is hosting a Thanksgiving service for the community Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. at 275 Philadelphia Ave., Pinebluff.

For information, call (910) 281-3468.

Annual Event

Ives Memorial Baptist Church will hold its "free-for-all" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the church fellowship hall.

"It's like a yard sale, but with no prices," says a spokesman. "If you see things that you need or that you can give to someone else who needs them, take them. Payment is not necessary, but if you are able to make a donation, it will be gladly accepted and donated to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions."

Soup and sandwiches will be available.

The church is located at the corner of Philadelphia Avenue and Grape Street, Pinebluff.

For information, leave a message for Betty Hardy at the church office at (910) 281-3247.

Thanksgiving Service

A community Thanksgiving Service will be held at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church and Page Memorial Methodist Church, both in Aberdeen, will also participate in this worship service.

The Rev. Jane Leechford will preach. Choirs from the three churches will join together in special music. A guest string quartet will play, and the Bethesda Handbell Choir will perform.

Steve McKenzie, guitarist, and Larry Arnold, bassist, will accompany the youth choirs.

Following the service, a reception will be held in the fellowship hall.

"The public is invited to join in this service of gratitude and praise for our many blessings," says a spokesman.

Cypress Presbyterian

Cypress Presbyterian Church will welcome the Rev. Bruce Lax to preach at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services Sunday, Nov. 29.

On Sunday, Dec. 13, Cypress will be honoring the senior members of the church with a soup and sandwich lunch following the 11 a.m. worship service.

There are still openings in the parenting class scheduled to being on Monday, Jan. 11. Classes will meet for eight consecutive Mondays from 6:45 to 9 p.m. The skills taught will work best for children ages 5 through 12. Other parents are welcome, but the focus will be on parenting children of this age group.

Call (910) 245-7024 for further information regarding these events.

The church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road, seven miles east of Vass.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will host pre-anniversary services for Pastor Mary Hooker Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m., featuring Billy Billinger, of Raeford, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, featuring Pastor Lois Moore, of Lakeview Chapel.

The church is located in Vass.

Special Services

The Fellowship of Churches is sponsoring a community Thanksgiving worship service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church.The Rev. Larry Gordon, pastor of Trinity, will be preaching.

Also, St. James Lutheran Church in Southern Pines will celebrate its Harvest Home Festival at 4:30 p.m. Sunday Nov. 22, at 4:30 p.m. The Rev. Robert C. Hull from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Charlotte will be the guest speaker. The Rev. Rick Schliepsiek is the pastor of St. James.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel of Pinehurst will hold its annual Thanksgiving worship service on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m.

"Everyone in the community, together with visiting family and friends, is invited to participate," says a spokesman. "This special event will focus on praise and gratitude for our many bountiful gifts, especially our faith, family and country."

A nonperishable food donation for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Aberdeen is requested in lieu of other offerings. This community-wide food bank provides thousands of meals each month to the less fortunate. Canned goods, peanut butter and baby care items are always in short supply.

Contact The Village Chapel at (910) 215-9835 for more information.

Community Event

A community Thanksgiving service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the First Baptist Church of West End (located at 5205 N.C. 211).

Dr. Won Namkoong, pastor at West End United Methodist Church, will deliver the sermon, and the West End Presbyterian Church Choir will provide music for the service.

"The community is cordially invited to this service of Thanksgiving," says a spokesman.

Gratitude Tree

On Saturday, Nov. 21, children and adults passing down Broad Street in Southern Pines can write what they are grateful for and hang it on the "Gratitude Tree."

At this annual celebration of "Gratitude Is My Attitude," refreshments will be available. The tree is in front of the Christian Science Reading Room, 173 NE Broad St., Southern Pines.

Temple Services

The Sandhills Jewish Congregation announces its return to Temple Beth Shalom at Foxfire Village. After several months, repairs have been completed. There will be a rededication of the temple and a return of the Torahs to the ark.

Shabbat services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, with Torah study at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and religious school at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.

An interfaith Thanksgiving service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church.

Gospel Fest

On Saturday, Dec. 12, Kingdom-Minded Ministries will present Gospel Fest 2009, featuring various groups and choirs from the local and surrounding areas. The theme: is "Gathering Together in HIS Presence."

For more information, call Jean McRae at (910) 315-2341.

New Covenant

New Covenant Fellowship, 1305 Hulsey Road, Carthage, hosts an afterschool program for sixth-through-eighth graders.

"We pick up your child from New Century Middle School," says Pastor Adam Love. "Our program offers tutoring, devotions and structured activities in a safe, friendly environment."

The cost is $30 per week, or pay daily for drop-ins. For more details, call Love at (910) 947-1412.

There will be a Thanksgiving service of fellowship, praise and worship at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25

A "Call To Fall" will be held from 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, through 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. This will be a 24-hour prayer service focusing on family needs, with one-hour slots available. Call the pastors at 910-947-1412 for more information on this event.

Christmas Recital

First Presbyterian Church in Carthage will host a Christmas recital at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m.

Elizabeth Williams, Kay Patterson and Rosemary Paschal will perform various selections on the organ and piano.

Revival

Community Friends Church will hold revival Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 22.

The speaker is Evangelist Kenny Greenway, of High Point. Thursday through Saturday services are at 7 p.m., and Saturday is youth night. There will be no Sunday School classes on Sunday, and the service will begin at 10:30 a.m.

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

Shiloh Christmas Tea

The annual Shiloh Christmas tea will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 4 p.m., 5 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.

"Each year, we are welcomed to the Church by the beautiful Scottish sounds of a traditional bagpiper," says a spokesman. "The large pine doors, one for the gentlemen and one for the ladies, open to a vision of yesteryear."

Historic Shiloh Church is decorated with all natural evergreens and simple, homemade ornaments adorn the live 14-foot Christmas tree.

"The plain sanctuary is lit only by the flicker of candles, as it was 100 years ago, when our ancestors gathered here to worship," says the spokesman.

The annual candlelit service includes music (cello, flute, harp, oboe, violin), which varies each year, performed by the world renowned Trinity Music School, old-fashioned communion using North Carolina pottery, the reading of the Christmas story and fellowship with friends, old and new. Refreshments, hot Shiloh spiced tea and delicious sugar cookies, are served by the ladies of Shiloh during each service.

The church is located on Shiloh Woods Drive, Troy.

For directions, visit www.shilohchurchtroy.com.

Thanksgiving Day Service

The community is invited to attend a Thanksgiving Day service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Christian Science Church, 240 E. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines.

The Thanksgiving Day service includes the Thanksgiving Day proclamation of the president of the United States, the Thanksgiving Bible lesson, and time set aside during the one-hour service for individuals to express gratitude for blessings experienced this year.

No collection will be taken; however, food items for the Coalition will be welcome. Child care will be provided.

Sunday, Nov. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 29, is National Bible Week in the United States. According to the National Bible Society, it has been celebrated during the week of Thanksgiving since 1941 as a way of encouraging people to read the Bible.

For more information on the Thanksgiving Day service, call (910) 692-7759.

Free Dinner

Beaver Creek Baptist Church sponsors a free Thanksgiving dinner for families in need Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in its Family Life Center. The menu consists of smoked ham, green beans with potatoes, candied yams, rolls, desserts and drinks.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

Call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

Carolers Needed

The Southern Pines Business Association is looking for singers/carolers to stroll the streets during its holiday open house, Sunday, Nov. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. Get a group together of friends, family, church groups, etc. and join in on the fun.

For more information, contact Claudia Miller at (910) 692-5356.

Highland Baptist Church

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. Wednesday.

The Children's Care Ministry volunteers go out at 10 a.m. every Saturday. Anyone interested in joining can contact Pastor Bill Vaughn at (910) 692-6430.

The church has a bus ministry for those who need a ride to and from church on Sunday mornings.

After-school child care is available through Highland Christian Academy. Call the pastor at (910) 692-6430 or the church at (910) 695-0494 for information.

Security Seminar

A security awareness for young ladies seminar will be offered Saturday, Nov. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, corner of Kelly and Everette roads, Pinehurst.

This class, taught by Army veteran and police officer John Galland and Army veteran Andy Potter, is offered to young ladies of high school and college age in the community.

"As these young ladies become ever more involved in school, church, sports, the workplace and traveling, they are faced with potentially violent situations and security threats they have never dealt with or even thought about," says a spokesman. "The intent of this class is to raise awareness, discuss practical incident prevention and communicate some common sense mitigation measures."

For more information or to register, call the church at (910) 295-6848 or e-mail Margie Nicks at mnicks@cpcpinehurst.org.

Mission Agape

Mission Agape is in need of donations and financial assistance, says a spokesman.

"We are the only mission in this area that helps Hispanics," says the spokesman. "We need someone to help us apply for a grant."

Mission Agape is located at 2256 N.C. 211, Eagle Springs. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 316, Eagle Springs, NC 27242.

For information, call Marian at (910) 673-3333.

Acoustic Music Circle

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church invites local musicians to participate in an Acoustic Music Circle on the third Sunday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

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 upon the musicians who attend.

"Listeners are welcome too," says a spokesman.

There is no admission charge.

McDonalds Chapel is located at 1374 Foxfire Road, two miles from Linden Road in Pinehurst and one mile from Foxfire Village.

For more information, contact (910) 295-6608.

For Young Mothers

Christ Way Church is sponsoring a weekly opportunity for all young mothers up to the age of 20 to gather and discuss issues concerning parenting.

"They can be single parents or married," says a spokesman. "We want to offer them a chance to discuss problems specific to them and receive information about caring for their children."

Advice will be forthcoming from experienced mothers and grandmothers.

Refreshments will be served at the weekly meeting.

"You are welcome to bring your children," says the spokesman.

The church is located at 7681 U.S. 15-501, Pinehurst.

For information, call Elder Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 235-3715.

Dance Classes

Creative Learning Center of the Sandhills presents beginning dance classes at First Missionary Baptist Church.

The church is located at 315 S. Gaines St., Southern Pines.

For information, call Judy at (910) 692-2022.

Reading Room

First Church of Christ Scientist, Southern Pines -- a Bible-based religion that follows the teachings of Christ Jesus -- provides a Reading Room for community use.

There are ample resources to choose from at a Reading Room: Bibles and multiple commentaries, all the published materials about Christian Science including the core teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, the inspirational magazines she founded and the international newspaper The Christian Science Monitor.

Here too, technology offers opportunities to study and research online and the possibility of listening to lectures or topical articles at www.spirituality.com

The Reading Room is located at 173A NE Broad St., Southern Pines, and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

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.

Health Ministry

Sandhills Health Ministry meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Monday of the month, at the Pinehurst United Methodist Church, Airport Road, Pinehurst.

All Sandhills churches are invited to send representatives.

Inquiries for wellness information and programs from area congregations may be directed to (910) 295-1577.

Unitarian Gathering

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, at 10 a.m., at the Pinehurst Executive Center, N.C. 5, Suite 7, Pinehurst. Refreshments will follow.

For more information, e-mail uucsandhills@gmail. com or go to www.uua.org.