Addor

The youth and children Christian education meeting will be held at 10 a.m. April 17 at Love Grove A.M.E. Zion Church. Everyone is welcome.

The community was saddened to learn of the death of Lena Page McNair Martin last week. The funeral was held Tuesday at Cool Springs Methodist Church in Scotland County. Please keep the family in your prayers

Birthday wishes go out to Orrinn Bright (April 6), Evelyn Lena Boles (April 8), Vivian McMillian (April 9), Ruth Holmes (April 10) and to all who are celebrating this week.

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

Please continue to pray for all the sick and shut-ins.

If anyone has church or other community news such as birthdays, please contact me at (910) 281-3385.

- Lorine McCants

Berkley

New Hope Christian Ministries, where the pastor is Elder Brenda Brown, holds services in room 610 of the Country Hearth Inn behind Applebee's.

Sunday School is at 10 a.m. every week, and regular worship services are held at 11 a.m. on the first through fourth Sundays. Morning prayer is held at 10:30 a.m. on the first through fourth Sundays.

A prayer meeting is held at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, followed by Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Women's fellowship meeting is held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. Minister's study is held every second Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The New Hope Christian Ministries Outreach will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. April 17. Come join them.

St. John Missionary 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 are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

St. Joseph A.M.E. Church, 309 Keyser St., where the pastor is the Rev. Henry R. Davis, will celebrate the the fifth annual pastor's appreciation service at 3 p.m. this Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend.

The church 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.

Are you interested in singing or being a musician with a male chorus and are 18 years old or older? Contact Ralph Daniel at (910) 255-0352 or (910) 944-3365.

Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church, at 206 Keyser St., where the pastor is the Rev. Fred Goins Jr., holds Sunday School every week at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. every first and third Sunday. Bible study is held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

Sandhill Christian Church, on Keyser Street, where the pastor is the Rev. Anna L. Byrd, holds Sunday School every Sunday at 10 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

Continue to pray for healing, peace and strength for everyone.

Please submit church, community and personal announcements (such as birthdays and anniversaries) by 7 p.m. Sunday by calling (910) 528-4782.

- Rachel Hill

Cameron

The Men of Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church invites everybody to an "Afternoon of Music" at 3 p.m. this Sunday. If you have any questions regarding this program, contact the Rev. Lee at (919) 770-2045.

Kathy Peterson hosted a going-away dinner March 21 for her son, Matthew, who left for basic training in the U.S. Army.

On April 17, the Christian Education Department of the Sanford District will host its annual Youth and Children Day Program at 10 a.m. April 17 at Love Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in West End. For more information, please call Kathy Peterson at (910) 528-6870.

The Missionary Department of Hood Chapel Church will host its annual candlelight service at 6 p.m. April 18. All missionaries are invited to wear white and participate in the march. The Rev. Gloria Downs will be the speaker.

The youth of Hood Chapel will have a fish/chicken plate sale Saturday, May 1. Please support them in this effort. Contact Kathy Peterson at (910) 528-6870 for more information.

- Carol F. Davis

Eastwood

St. Peters Church family thanks everyone who attended worship Easter Sunday. The church invited everyone in the community to attend worship any time.

St. Peters will have its Missionary Prayer and Praise revival Monday, April 19, through Wednesday, April 21. All are invited to attend.

Apostle Leonard Williams and Mother Mahalia Williams hold Bible study every Tuesday from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at SpringHill Suites across from Pinecrest High School on U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines. All are welcome to attend.

St. Peters holds a prayer meeting at 7:30 every Thursday night.

Lib Brown will be going back to her home in Virginia this week.

Gloria and Robbie Person had Easter dinner at their home Sunday. The McKinneys had Easter dinner at the Mervels on Sunday

Adrienee, Bonee, Tonya, Penni, Jackie and several other ladies from the community went to Jamaica for vacation.

Birthday wishes go this week to Artelious Lett and Melvin Jones (April 7) and Gracie Russell (April 8).

Bishop Lynn Kiniel was in the hospital last week

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

- Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Bible study is held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Macedonia and at 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel.

The Macedonia Missionary Circle will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Rise Star Chapter No. 583 of the Order of the Eastern Star meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month.

The Hoffman Red Hat Club will meet at 1 p.m. April 17.

A great free giveaway and food sale will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Beaver Dam Community Center.

The Rev. Eddie C. Thomas Jr. and members of his congregation will be the special guests at Macedonia on Sunday, April 25.

Macedonia will hold its quarterly church meeting at 7 p.m. April 16. Officers are asked to be there at 6:30 p.m.

The Rev. Dennis Drake, from Virginia, was the guest speaker Sunday at Macedonia. His family also worshiped at Macedonia

Birthday wishes go out to Clara Gibson (April 3), Royce Hart (April 6), George D. Little (April 7), Robert Hart (April 8), Tori Jones (April 13), Cora Kelly and the Rev. Mingo McRae (April 14).

Sick and shut-ins: Dorine Chavis, Flossie Hagins, Rosa Harrison, Albert Hailey, Martha Ingram, Darius Hart, E.C. McFayden, Leanne McRae, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Mattie White, Michael Stroam, Lomuel Stroman, Cathy Harrington, Letha Isaac, Beulah Jones, Retha Sloan, Nancy Hayes, Martha Ingram, Mattie White, Henrietta Little, Eugene Martin, Johnny King, Thelma McKoy, Juanita Gilmore, First Lady Bethea, First Lady Eva Cunningham, Huston Gatewood, T. Rollins, J.J. Jones and Annette B. Dalton.

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

- Bea Little

Little River

Little River residents and Cypress Presbyterian Church rejoice with Jason and Kara Briggs on the birth of their daughter, Finley Casper Briggs, on March 31. Congratulations to all!

Cypress also rejoices in the baptism Easter Sunday of George Holderfield, Lauren Voss and Madeline Voss. In addition, the church welcomed Pam and Sam Higdon, Chad and Julia Holderfield, Evelyn Mead and Christine Passero as new members.

The Rev. Laura Lupton will be the guest minister at Cypress Church this Sunday, and the Rev. Christopher Bobo will be the guest minister on Sunday, April 18.

The Thursday night Bible Study will resume April 22. It will be studying Dr. Bill Carl's book on the Lord's Prayer. Since the group is starting a new book, this is a great opportunity for others to join in a very good Bible study. Please call the church to reserve a book.

Easter Sunday was a wonderful day at Mount Pleasant Church. The day began with the sunrise service at the cross in the cemetery of the church. Easter lilies were placed around the cross in the cemetery that Henry Davis built for the church.

After the service, about 115 worshipers were invited to stay for a breakfast of country ham, sausage, biscuits, doughnuts, fruit, and danishes with coffee, juice and milk for all to enjoy.

After breakfast, the church celebrated Easter Sunday worship at 8:30 a.m.. The congregation was treated to special music from the choir, which presented the song "Love Grew Where the Blood Fell!" Special music was also offered by two of the church's youth, as Cynthia Hohman and John Floyd shared their talents on the violin and cello.

After worship, children up to the age of 10 were treated to a special Easter egg hunt that the youth had set up for them. Eggs, gifts and treats were given to each child. Mary McCleney had also prepared special Easter treats for all the children in attendance.

Quilting continues at the home of Mildred Seagroves at noon on Wednesdays. Choir practice is held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with Bible Study at 7 p.m.

The Stillwater Quartet will provide a musical worship service at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 11. This service is open to the community, and all are invited to share a time of refreshments and fellowship after the service.

April 11 is also the Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust. The thoughts and prayers of the community are with those whose families were affected by this historic period of time.

The Golden Age group that meets at the church each month is planning a trip to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. The bus will pick up the group at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 22 at the church and will return about 4 p.m. The cost of the bus ride will be $20 per person if the bus is filled. There are 43 people already signed up to go, and the bus holds 54 people.

This trip is open to anyone in the community on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Joan Hennings at (910) 245-7407 if you would like more information on this trip. Lunch is not included in the transportation cost.

Please remember our military and their families whether here or abroad with your positive thoughts and prayers as they serve our country.

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

- "Sunny" Sidley

Taylortown

Taylortown Day is being planned for Sept. 3- 4. The events include a program, dinner, dance and fashion show from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 3, at Little River Resort.

The events Saturday begin at 10 a.m. and include the old-fashioned Taylortown parade, games and a picnic at the Johnny Boler Municipal Park. Golfers should contact Sheldon Mooney for tee times at (910) 315-9784. Call Little River Resort for accommodations at (910) 949-4600.

For other information, call these committee members: Diane Stewart at (910) 295-4398, Josephine Faulk at (910) 295-3378, Adelita Young at (910) 295-3008, Jacqueline McSwain at (910) 528-2443 or Joann Faulkner at (910) 295-0423.

The Moore County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will sponsor a social event at the National Guard Armory in Southern Pines at 6 p.m. this Saturday. Music will be provided by Ramon Huggins, swing master, from Fayetteville. For ticket information, call (910) 947-1422.

The Moore County NAACP is seeking nomination for its 2010 Mother of the Year. Please submit a one-page typed nomination letter that includes information about the nominee's community involvement and accomplishments.

Mail them to Moore County NAACP Mother of the Year Committee, P.O. Box 1351, Southern Pines, NC 28388. The entry fee is a donation of $10. Letters most be postmarked by April 20.

The winner will be crowned April 25 at a location to be announced later. The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the state NAACP Women of Excellence/Mother of the Year Coronation in Winston-Salem and two tickets to the local NAACP banquet.

Call O'Linda Williams, branch president, at (910) 947-1422 for more information.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will have its 96th anniversary at 3 p.m. this Sunday. The speaker will be the Rev. C. L. Wall, of Candor. The chairpersons are Mary Lloyd and Deacon Glen Lebby. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

Congratulations to Margie and Tilmon Lloyd on their 50th wedding anniversary. Many family and friends helped the couple celebrate last Saturday at the Little River Resort. Special presentations and musical selections were given by family members. The happy couple thanks everyone for their well wishes, cards, phone calls and gifts.

Thanks to the Town Council for providing the Easter egg hunt event for the children of the community at the Boler Park. Councilwoman Charlotte Worthy spearheaded the event. All the youths had a great time.

Special thanks to the Rev. Larry Alford and the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance for a wonderful, spirit-filled Holy Week. The Rev. Alford is the president of the organization. The group usually meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Saturday at one of the local community churches.

The sick and shut-in list includes Carol Sue Taylor, Evelyn Clegg, Pauline Morrison Levine and Minister Cynthia Diane Watkins.

Thank you for remembering the bereaved, sick and shut-ins, incarcerated, needy, youths, senior citizens and 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, call (910) 295-0013 or send an e-mail to rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

- Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

Pastor Mary Kelly, of God's House of Prayer Ministry, was the guest speaker at Frye's Chapel Church at 6 a.m. Sunday for its Easter sunrise service.

Sunday School and a worship service were held at God's House of Prayer Ministry. Pastor Kelly's message was titled "Power of the Blood." Her scripture came from Exodus 12:21.

God's House of Prayer Ministry holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. every week. Worship services are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11 a.m. Bible study is held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and 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 Gospel Mellowtones will perform at 3 p.m. this Sunday at First Baptist Church in Cameron for the anniversary celebration for its pastor and first lady

Pastor Mary Kelly will be the guest speaker at 6 p.m. April 17 at Johnsonville Community Center in Johnsonville for its Resurrection Dinner. The Gospel Mellowtones will perform at at 3 p.m. April 18 at Synagogue of Christ in Carthage for its choir anniversary.

At 4 p.m. April 24, Pastor Mary Kelly will speak at Fellowship House of God in Carthage for its Green Tea program.

God's Vision of Praise Ministry has a worship service every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. except when a fifth Sunday occurs. Bible study is every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Ruby Shepherd is the church pastor.

On the prayer list are Cecil Goins, Mitchell Goins, Helen Covington-McIvery, Carolyn Covington-McIvery, Wilma Jennis, Charlie Malloy, Ernestine Goins, Phyllis Goins, Bula Little, James Terry, Patricia Malloy, Johnny Murchison and Thaddeus Wilburn. To have your name added to the prayer list, call (910) 783-9783.

God's Vision of Praise Ministry will have a food and yard sale Saturday. The yard sale will start at 7 a.m., and the food sale will start at 11 a.m.

Pastor Ruby Shepherd will be the guest speaker at 10 a.m. April 17 at the Chapel of Jesus Christ in Raeford for a Women's Conference. Pastor Ruby Shepherd will have pre-anniversary programs at 7:30 p.m. April 22-23.

A 2010 Revival Explosion will be held April 27-30 at God's Vision of Praise Ministry. Each night will have different speakers.

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. Children's church is held at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

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

The church now has a bus ministry for those who need a ride to and from church on Sunday mornings. Anyone who needs a ride can call (910) 695-0494.

A Saturday night prayer meeting is held from 7 to 7:30. Come if you have a special need or would like others to pray with you. Or you can call the prayer line at (910) 693-PRAY.

Birthday wishes go out to Josyia Smith (April 7), Wenona Thomas (April 10) and Betty Ray (April 12).

Continue to pray for all the sick and shut-ins, including John Bandy, who is a patient at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, each other, and our U.S. troops in Iraq and worldwide.

To have your news included in the Vass section, send an e-mail to anitafinch38@yahoo.com or leave a message at (910) 603-6254, or mail items at least one week in advance to P.O. Box 1364, Vass, NC 28394.

- Anita Finch