Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church will climax its annual Women's Day weekend at the 11 a.m. service Sunday, Sept. 27.

The speaker is Jacqueline Burton Covington. Other features of the morning service will be music by special women's and girls' choirs, and special awards and recognitions. Dinner will be held in the fellowship hall following the service.

Raised in Robbins, Covington attended Davis Elementary School and North Moore High School. She received a bachelor's degree in English from Livingstone College and a master's degree in counseling from N.C. A&T State University. She is currently pursing a doctorate in counseling psychology.

Covington is a guidance counselor at her old alma mater and has worked at Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Westmoore, and Elise Middle Schools. She is a member of several professional organizations.

She is a member at Long Leaf A.M.E. Zion Church, where she is church secretary, pianist, missionary and Christian education president. A member of the NAACP, she is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

The Women's Day events begin with "games night" at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. A breakfast is scheduled at 9 a.m. Saturday morning followed by a mini-women's conference, workshop and fellowship games.

The church is located in Southern Pines.

Adult Academy

The Adult Academy, a joint venture of West End Presbyterian Church and Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines, will present a series of lecture/presentations on "Faith and the Environment."

"This series features some of the leading experts in this field, and the public is invited to attend part or all of this timely series," says a spokesman.

The programs will be held at West End Presbyterian's Crawford Center at 6 p.m. on the following Sundays: Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18.

The purpose of the series is to educate our community about the challenges of our environmental crisis and to give people of faith a reason to respond in practical ways at the local level.

On Sept. 27, Dr. Thomas Mann, author of four books and multiple published articles, will kick off the series speaking on "God's Creation: The Biblical and Theological Background for Seeing the Sacredness of Nature."

Mann is a graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill and graduated Yale Divinity School magna cum laude. He also earned a doctorate in Hebrew Bible from Yale.

The series continues with the following programs.

Oct. 4 -- A presentation of the DVD, "Renewal," a production of Interfaith Power and Light. The DVD deals with what people of different faith traditions are doing to combat the devastation of God's creation.

Oct. 11 -- Dr. Tim Beach-Verhey: "Take and Eat: Food, Faith and the Environment." Sandhills Farm-to-Table Cooperative and Moore County Farmer's Market will also present.

Oct. 18 -- Sustainable Sandhills Director Jon Parsons, Save our Sandhills Ruth Stotling and Sandhills Area Land Trust Director Dan Bell conclude the series with practical ideas that people in the Sandhills can implement immediately.

Concert

The Royal Lights, of Dillon, S.C., will appear in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Love Grove Freewill Baptist Church, located at 293 Dawkins Street, Jackson Hamlet.

Gospel Sing

Emmanuel Baptist Church will host N Harmony in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.

The church is located at 632 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

Call 947-4736 for information.

Old Bethesda

Members of Bethesda Presbyterian Church of Aberdeen will celebrate homecoming at Old Bethesda Church on Bethesda Road this Sunday, Sept. 27.

Dr. Robert Ramey will be guest minister. Sunday School for all ages will begin at 10 a.m. with the worship service at 11:15. Immediately after the worship service, dinner on the grounds will be served in the grove beside the church building.

Carolyn Burns, coordinator of homecoming, encourages everyone to bring a dish or dessert to share at the dinner.

Burns says Bethesda members regard this as a true homecoming, because family and friends with long-term and short-term connections with Bethesda travel many miles to be a part of the celebration.

Visitors are welcome.

Additional information is available by calling 944-1319.

Harvest Sale

Center United Methodist Church will host its annual harvest sale Saturday, Sept. 26, featuring chicken stew, barbecue and all the fixings. Plates are available to eat-in or take out.

Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $7 and are available at the door. An auction will be held at 6:30 p.m.

The church is located at 4141 South Plank Road, Sanford.

For information, call (919) 775-5748.

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 the Hispanics," says the spokemsan. "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.

Call Marian at (910 673-3333.

Bazaar

Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines, will hold its annual benefit bazaar and yard sale Friday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event includes a big yard sale, caf with breakfast and lunch menu, handmade crafts and bake sale. All proceeds are donated to local programs that aid the needy in Moore County -- the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care Inc., Family Promise and Our Saviour's Discretionary Fund.

Donations of household items, books, jewelry, furniture, toys, books, fall and winter clothing, infant and children's clothing are needed and may be brought to the church Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 12-13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Arrangements for pick up of large items may be made by calling (910) 690-0328 or (910) 673-8132.

Page Homecoming

Page Memorial United Methodist Church in Aberdeen will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 18, during 11 a.m. worship. No early service will be held that day.

The guest preacher will be the Rev. Thomas Simpson. A covered dish meal will follow worship.

"If you or someone you know were married, confirmed, baptised or attended Page Memorial in the past, you are invited to homecoming," says a spokesman.

For more information, contact the church office at 944-1093.

Revival

Yates Thagard Baptist Church will hold revival Sunday, Sept. 27, at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 28, through Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m.

The speaker is Morris Gleiser.

The church is located at 3820 Vass Carthage Road, Carthage.

Call 949-3511 for information.

Healing and Wholeness

West End Presbyterian Church has scheduled a worship service for healing and wholeness on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Healing was an integral part of the ministry of Jesus, and West End Presbyterian sees the service as part of its ministry as a healing community.

The worship service is open to all, and is not restricted to only those desiring healing for themselves or for others of special concern to them.

The worship service will focus on prayer, which is essentially a time of waiting in faith upon God. There will be silent prayer, and spoken prayer lifted up. Worshipers will have the opportunity to speak their own intercessory prayers.

The service, too, will include an opportunity for being anointed with oil and for the laying on of hands.

Hymns will include "Abide with Me," "O Christ, the Healer," and "There Is a Balm in Gilead."

West End Presbyterian is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The church is located on Knox Lane, one block west of N.C. 211, in the community of West End.

Homecoming

Pinebluff United Methodist Church will have homecoming Sunday, Oct. 11.

Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m., with the worship service at 11 a.m., followed by dinner on the grounds.

The Rev. William Witt will be the guest speaker.

The church is located at 275 E, Philadelphia Ave, Pinebluff.

Baby Shower

The Women on Missions group of Beaver Creek Baptist Church will host a baby shower for church pastor, Scott Yow, and his wife, Crystal, from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the church's family life center.

"We welcome anyone who would like to celebrate with us," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

For information, call (919) 499-9632.

Celebrating 175 Years

The 175th Anniversary Celebration and Homecoming for Bethlehem Baptist Church will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m.

Bethlehem was established in September 1834, and it is the mother church of Carthage First Baptist. The church is located at 1838 Bethlehem Church Road, Carthage.

Speakers will include the following: Dr. J. Billy Graham, retired director of missions for the Sandhills Baptist Association, Evelyn Moss, and the Rev. Steve Frasier. Music will be provided by the church choir. Special guests will receive recognition.

"Everyone is invited to the fellowship hall after the service for a meal and fellowship," says a spokesman.

The fall revival services will begin Sunday, Oct. 4, and continue through Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. The Rev. Steve Frasier, pastor of Southside Baptist Church, McRae, Ga., will be speaking.

Pastor William Kilpatrick says he extends an invitation to the homecoming celebration and the revival services.

For additional information call (910) 947-3657.

Blessing and Healing Service

A service of Blessing and Healing will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines.

"This 30-minute, informal service will offer a time to pray for ourselves, for others, and for our world," says a spokesman. "People with special needs and prayer concerns are most welcome. The laying on of hands and anointing with oil will be offered and available."

For more information, contact Cynthia J. Strickland, parish associate of pastoral care, at (910) 692-6252, ext. 17 or by e-mailing cynthia@brownsonchurch.org.

Chicken Stew Dinner

Cool Springs United Methodist Church will have a chicken stew dinner with all the fixings Saturday, Oct. 3, starting at 4 p.m. The cost is just a donation, and the funds will be used to help people in the area.

The church is located at 2027 Cool Springs Road, Glendon.

Old-Fashioned Day

Highland Baptist Church will hold its annual Old-Fashioned Day Sunday, Sept. 27.

"All are asked to come dressed in old-fashioned clothing such as large hats, blue jeans, or long dresses," says a spokesman.

Dinner on the grounds will follow the 11 a.m. service.

This is a kickoff for revival.

The church is located on U.S. 1 between Southern Pines and Vass.

For information, call (910) 695-0494.

Mission Fair

All area women are invited to join the women at Pinehurst United Methodist Church for their Mission Fair and Covered Dish Supper Monday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m.

The event, encouraging fellowship among Christian women through supper and education, will take place at the Methodist church building located at 4111 Airport Road in Pinehurst. Several local agencies will be present to discuss how the community can get involved in regional mission work -- from the Coalition of Human Care and beyond.

The keynote speaker will be Steve Taylor, director of Mission and Justice Ministries for the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Taylor has served as a commissioned missionary of the United Methodist Church, and worked for six years at the Robeson County Church and Community Center in Lumberton. He has also worked in refugee relief in Kozina, Ilustra Bastriza, Slovenia, and Croatia.

The event is free of charge and open to all area women.

Call the Pinehurst United Methodist Church Office at 215-4559 for reservations and more information.

Acoustic Music Circle

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church invites local musicians to participate in an Acoustic Music Circle on the third Sunday of each month, beginning on Sept. 20, 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 Amy McDonald at 295-6608.

Conference

The House of Prayer Church of Deliverance for All People will hold its annual Five-Fold Ministry Youth Conference and Convention Saturday, Sept. 26, through Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. nightly.

The service on Saturday, Sept. 27 will be at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a performance by Donald Livingsten.

The church is located at U.S. 1 south of Rockingham.

Big Anniversary

John Hall Prebyterian Church will hold a celebration of its 125th anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.

The speaker for the program will be the Rev. Garfield Warren, of the College Heights Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville.

Dinner will be served after the service.

The church is located at 581 Dowd Street, Carthage.

"Please join us," says the Rev. Joseph Thompson, pastor of the church.

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 wanted to offer a chance for them 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.

Afterschool Program

West End Presbyterian Church has resumed its afterschool program, "WEPC on Wednesdays."

"Children in grades K-5 are invited to join us from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoons for games, snacks, arts, and participation in a choir led by Pinecrest High School's director of choral studies, James Brown.

Transportation is provided from West End Elementary School to the church.

To register, call the church office at 673-4341.

West End Presbyterian Church is located at 275 Knox Lane near the corner of N.C. 211 and N.C. 73 in West End.

Revival

Rivers of Life Ministries will be holding a revival Wednesday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 26.

Services start each night at 7 p.m. Dr. Shirley Brown of Destiny International Ministries, in Raleigh, will be the guest Wednesday night, Sept 23. On Thursday and Friday night, Tim Adams, senior pastor of Harvest Ministries Outreach Center (HMOC) will be bringing the messages. Pastor Steve Adams also of HMOC will be catering to the youth on Saturday night. There will be snacks and fellowship after the service on Saturday night.

Rivers of Life Ministries is located at 2066 C Juniper Lake Road, West End.

For information, contact Willie Self at (910) 783-5590.

Fletcher's Chapel

Fletcher's Chapel Church, in Hoffman, will hold a food sale Friday, Sept. 25, beginning at 10:30 a.m. There will be fried fish, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken. Plates will be $7; combination plates are $8.

The church will hold a Men's Day program at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, with Superintendent Leonard Fairly as guest speaker.

The church is located on U.S. 1.

Dust and Ashes

Tom Page and Mary Lou Troutman, otherwise known as Dust and Ashes, will lead the worship service at Page Memorial United Methodist Church Sunday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m.

The couple travel full-time, nationwide, writing and performing their own music.

Holy Communion will be served, and a love offering will be taken.

For information, call (910) 944-1093.

Interfaith Service

NAMI-MC is offering a new interfaith worship service to the community in an effort to increase public awareness of brain disorders and help eradicate the stigma associated with these illnesses.

This worship service will be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at Congregational Church of Pinehurst, 895 Linden Road, Pinehurst.

The featured guest speaker for the service, Angela Oakes, struggles with four brain illnesses, including borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, and major depression.

Now in recovery and managing her mental illness and leading a normal healthy life, Oakes will share how she maintains good physical and mental health.

"The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free presentation," says a spokesman.

This special service was planned by members and pastors of several local congregations. The chairman of the planning committee is Fran Stark, associate pastor for McDonald's Chapel and Chapel in the Pines.

For additional information, call (910) 295-1053 or go to www.nami-moorecounty.org.

Woman's Day

A Woman's Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church. The speaker will be Evangelist Janice Martin.

For information, contact Irene Sellars at (910) 237-8863.

Sweet Lew

Sweet Lew and the Jayhawks will return to Emmanuel Episcopal Church for a performance on the EDS field Saturday, Oct. 17, 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.

Activities will begin at 4 p.m. with pumpkin-carving, face-painting and games for children. Food and music will follow.

"Bring lawn chairs, blankets, appetites and dancing shoes, and get ready for a rompin' good time," a spokesman says.

This year, the meal will consist of a pot luck dinner. If your last name begins with A-F, bring a main dish; H-M, bring a side dish; N-Z, bring a dessert. Each should serve 8 to 10 people.

Advance tickets (to cover the cost of the band) will be sold at the parish office off Ridge Street at $5 per person and $20 per family.

For more information, call 692-3171.

Bible Drill

Bible Drill will kick off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Ashley Heights Baptist Church using the King James Version of the Bible.

Children learn 25 verses and 10 key Bible passages on Wednesday nights. Church, association, and state level drills are available.

For more information contact Linda Lospinuso at 695-5655.

High Holy Days

Sandhills Jewish Congregation will usher in the High Holy Days, the most solemn days, in September.

This year all services will be held at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, because Temple Beth Shalom in Foxfire Village is undergoing major repairs due to serious water damage.

"The Sandhills Jewish Congregation wishes to thank the Bethesda Presbyterian Church for graciously offering the use of their facilities," says a spokesman.

The September worship schedule is Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Shabbat services; Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. Torah study; Sunday; Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Erev Yom Kippur, and Monday, Sept. 28, Yom Kippur, 9 a.m. children's service and 10 a.m. adult services; 5 p.m. Yizkor and Ne'ilah service followed by 6:30 p.m. Break the Fast meal.

For more information about the services, Break the Fast Reservations and the High Holiday ticket policy, visit Temple Beth Shalom's Web page at www.sandhillsjewish.org or call (910) 673-5224.

Donations Sought

The Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines rummage sale is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Old West End Gym, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All proceeds will be utilized by the Community Christmas Fund to purchase gifts for needy families in Moore County and food vouchers for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter meals.

The church needs donations of housewares, jewelry, sporting goods, computers, televisions, toys, etc. Clothing items must be cleaned and sized. Trucks will be available to pick up large items or furniture.

"Please deliver all donations to the Old West End Gym on Friday, Oct. 16, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and noon," says a spokesman.

Call Butch Allen at (910) 673-3312 or Don Truesdell at (910) 673-1509 with any questions about donations or to volunteer.

Enrollment Open

Sonlight Child Care Center is currently enrolling children for the coming year. The center uses the ABeka Curriculum, which prepares children for school.

"Our caring teachers are well trained in the child care field and some have degrees in elementary education," says a spokesman. "We offer a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive and learn. Sonlight Child Care is a church-sponsored center and is committed to the development of the whole child. This includes spiritual, social, physical, emotional, and intellectual development."

For information, call (910) 215-5522.

Study of Genesis

This local CBS nondenominational Bible study group will open its 17th year with a study of the book of Genesis. This Old Testament book begins with God's creation of the universe and mankind and reveals the history of man from Adam to Joseph.

Community Bible Study is an international organization with 30 years' experience in developing and leading Bible study groups. This program is open to all Christian singles and couples that are interested in an in-depth study of God's word. Lesson material is provided with commentary and questions that require some written homework and study time. Classes will be formed for men, women and couples. The program includes opening fellowship, small group discussion and a short summation by the teaching director.

The study continues through April 27, with breaks for the holidays. The group will meet every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. All meetings are held at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. There is a charge for study materials with scholarships available if needed. All workers and leaders are volunteers. To register, call or e-mail Walt Randolph at 215-0850, wrandolph@nc.rr.com or Bill Bryant at 692-8358, bill@bryant. com.

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 Street, Southern Pines.

For information, call Judy at 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 teaching 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 on www.spirituality.com

The Reading Room is located at 173A North East Broad Street in Southern Pines and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

Bible Study

Community Bible Study, an international study with classes held throughout the United States and more than 120 countries, is now taking enrollment for the 2009-10 class for women in the Sandhills, which will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. This year, Community Bible Study is also offering a curriculum for home schoolers of all ages.

Nondenominational classes meet each Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines.

This year, women representing 17 local churches attended, attesting to the unity of the Christian message.

Next fall, members will be studying the book of Acts.

Women meet together for a short program with singing and special music or testimony, then proceed into small groups.

There are classes for preschool children with crafts and Bible stories, and a nursery for babies. Young mothers are welcome.

There is a small charge to cover materials, with scholarships for those who cannot afford the fee.

Anyone interested in registration or more information about Community Bible Study should call Noel Roberts at 235-5271 or Betty Rossi at 295-0489.

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 295-1577.

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.