John Bunyan’s allegory “Pilgrim’s Progress” comes to Southern Pines Friday, April 23, when students at Sandhills Classical Christian School present a stage adaptation.

“Pilgrim’s Progress” is widely considered one of the most significant works in the English literature, and as a religious piece, it has been a valuable study for SCCS students.

The show begins at 7 p.m. at Sandhills Presbyterian Church at 650 Pee Dee Road in Southern Pines. In addition to the show, patrons are invited to a special pre-show dinner at Wolcott’s.

The dinner and show combination is $50 per person. Tickets to the show are $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. Tickets may be purchased in the school office at Sandhills Presbyterian Church.

SCCS is a nondenominational Christian school applying the Classical methodology to foster young minds to think clearly, listen carefully, reason logically and articulate persuasively. The school offers a full curriculum for preschool through eighth grade, including art, music and sports activities. Latin studies are introduced beginning in third grade. SCCS incorporates a comprehensive study of the Bible throughout students’ education.

Learn more by calling the school at (910) 695-1874 or by visiting the school website at www.sandhillsccs.org.

Recital

Dr. Hyun Jung Park, organist and assistant music director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines, will give an organ recital at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines at 7 p.m Friday, April 30.

The repertoire of the recital will include organ works by J. S. Bach, C. M. Widor, Pamela Decker and Dan Locklair.

Park has served as an organist at Meongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea, and Central Christian Church, Indianapolis Ind.

She recently received her doctorate in organ from Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

The recital is open to the public.

Plate Sale

Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold a chicken and barbecue plate sale to benefit Michael Ellis, a lung cancer victim, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at the church, located at 632 McCrimmon Road, just off U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

Plate,s which are by donation, include baked beans, slaw, roll and dessert.

For information, call (919) 774-0509.

Revival

Cameron Baptist Church will hold revival at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 2, and Monday, May 3, through Wednesday, May 5, at 7 p.m.

The Rev. J. Scott Yow Jr., pastor of Beaver Creek Baptist Church and president and founder of LifeLine Recovery Ministries Inc., will be the guest speaker.

There will be special music for each service.

For information, call Dr. Wayne Greene at (910) 245-7222.

Concert

The Talley Trio will be in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, April 30, at Crossroads Community Church.

Admission is free.

The church is located at the Whispering Pines intersection of Vass-Carthage and Niagara-Carthage  roads, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 949-3971.

Homecoming

Elise Presbyterian Church and Elise Academy alumni will hold a homecoming service Sunday, April 25. Worship service is at 11 a.m., with dinner immediately following.

“Please bring a dish to share,” says a spokesman.

Gospel Singing

Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold a gospel singing at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 25, featuring the Taylors.

The church is located at 632 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 947-4736.

Plate Sale

Harmony Baptist Church will hold a plate sale Saturday, May 1, from noon to 6 p.m.

Chicken grilled or barbecued, baked beans, slaw, dessert and drink (if eating there) will be $7.

The church is located at 3624 N.C. 73 East, West End.

For information, call (910) 944-3905.

Silver City Cemetery

The Hoke County Silver City Community Cemetery Committee will host the annual church services to raise awareness and public support at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 22, and Friday, April 23.

Presiding Elder Louise K. Thomas will be the speaker on Thursday and the Rev. Bruce Hurst will be the speaker on Friday night. The host church is McLaughlin Chapel on N.C. 20, Raeford.

“The public is invited,” says a spokesman. “Donations to pay for the cemetery's lawn care services are greatly needed.”

Silver City Community Cemetery is located beside Upchurch School on Turnpike Road.

The Annual Balloon Release and Memorial Brunch is scheduled for May 29. To become a sponsor or for more information contact Joyce Stewart by calling (910) 875-7643.

Spring Tea

The Women’s Ministry of The Village Chapel will sponsor its second annual spring tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, in Chapel Hall.

“The area will be fitted out for the festivities with tables of beautiful flowers and china,” says a spokesman. “Also, women who come to the tea may, as an option, decide to add fancy hats or bonnets to their outfits for the afternoon.”

For the program this year, Nancy Wetmore, who chairs the Chapel’s Prayer Ministry, will speak on the topic “Blooming Where You Are Planted” and reflect on various aspects of prayer. A key scripture for the program is Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Inspirational music and song will also be part of the program.

Cost is $15 for the tea, tea sandwiches and sweet treats, which will be catered by Elliott’s. Reservations to the tea can be made through the church office at (910) 295-6003. Payment is due prior to the event, with the cutoff date being Thursday, May 6.

Operation Inasmuch

Operation Inasmuch will be held at First Baptist Church of Southern Pines on Saturday, May 1.

Willing participants will be involved in a variety of community projects in the Southern Pines area such as: a food drive; rummage sale; random acts of kindness; knitting chemo hats; neighborhood beautification; and Camp Duncan development.

There are also support projects that are necessary for the success of the community projects including child care, lunch preparation, photography, transportation and prayer teams.

“If you aren’t going to be available May 1, you can still help with the project by bringing any of the following items to the church ahead of time,” says a spokesman. “Needed are laundry soap, dryer sheets, bleach, soft yarn, prepackaged snack food, plastic grocery bags and travel-size toiletries.”

Yard sale items, with the exception of clothes, are also needed.

These can be brought to the church Thursday, April 29, or Friday, April 30.

If assistance is needed with transporting any yard sale items, contact Larry Weeks at (910) 215-0739.

Acoustic Music Circle

The Acoustic Music Circle meets from 4 to 6 p.m. every third Sunday of the month in the fellowship hall at McDonalds Chapel on Foxfire Road, two miles from Pinehurst and 1½ miles from Foxfire Village.

“This music circle is open to everyone who would like to join in and share their musical talents,” says a spokesman. “Those who would like to come and listen in the audience are also welcomed. The atmosphere is friendly with toe-tapping music for those that enjoy playing music together.”

Light refreshments are served.

For more information contact Jayne Cummings at (910) 295-5220.

Revival

Pineywood Baptist Church will hold revival at 7:30 p.m. through Friday, April 23.

The guest speaker will be the Rev. Eddie Powers, pastor of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, Monroe. There will be special singing each night.

The church is located in Cameron. For information, call (910) 245-7351.

VBS Fundraiser

Page Memorial United Methodist Church’s Children’s Ministry will host its annual VBS Yard Sale Fundraiser Saturday April 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

The yard sale will include furniture, household items, clothing, toys, books and more.

All profits benefit VBS 2010.

The church is located in downtown Aberdeen at the intersection of Main and Poplar streets. For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1093.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold its Old Country Fair Saturday, April 24, beginning at 10 a.m.

Hot dog plates are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and barbecue plates from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The finale will be a free concert by The Marksman Quartet at 6 p.m. There will be music, games, demonstrations, auctions, crafts and antique displays of cars and farm equipment along with a lot of food throughout the day for the entire family.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

Gospel Singing

Candor Baptist Church will hold its fifth annual gospel singing Saturday, May 1 beginning at 2 p.m.

“Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a blessing,” says a spokesman. “We will be enjoying music from The Gospel Winds, Blue Horizon, Eddie Ingram and Family, The Thickety Creek Band and others.”

There will be food for sale and an auction.

Plate Sale

Greater Harvest House of Prayer Ministries, located at 760 Midway Road, Aberdeen, will be having a plate sale Saturday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We will offer a choice of fish or chicken, drink and dessert for $7,” says a spokesman.

On April 30, at 7 p.m., the church will be having an appreciation service for the pastor’s wife, Jennifer Thomas. The speaker will be Eldress Mary Davis, from Prayer Deliverance in Raeford.

Stone Chapel

The Sisterhood of Stone Chapel will be having its annual Women’s Conference Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15.

The Friday night service will begin at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Pastor Mary Adkinson, of Great Hope, in Raeford.

Services will continue Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with Pastor Gloria Downs, of Marsh Chapel A.M.E. Zion, in Jackson Springs, and will conclude Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Angela Davis of Long Leaf A.M.E. Zion in Robbins.

Life and Faith Tour

In its debut year, the Life and Faith Tour will kick off in a big way by giving back to local communities in three cities this summer, including Rockingham, on July 10.

Other cities are Richmond, Va., and Atlanta, Ga.

The diverse lineup for the event includes six-time Grammy Award-winner Amy Grant, multi-platinum selling band MercyMe, CMA Award-winners Diamond Rio, Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary, The Nelons and Triumphant Quartet, as well as ventriloquists and comedians, authors, speakers and more.

The Life and Faith Tour is a music festival with a major fundraising component to benefit the local community, born out of the simple desire to give back and leave a community in better shape than it was when they arrived.

Created years ago by former fireman Ronnie Jackson, as an initial fundraiser for the local fire department in Kenbridge, Va., what started out as a cookout with local entertainment grew into a major fundraising event with headlining acts such as Travis Tritt and Alabama.

“What sets it apart from other festivals is how it presents an opportunity for organizations to raise funds,” says a spokesman. “This is done by simply spreading the word.”

Tickets are available now for $47.50 and $10 of that automatically goes to a local organization.

“If the ticket buyer doesn’t choose a beneficiary, a default organization in each city will benefit, ensuring that the community benefits from every ticket sold,” says a spokesman. “Organizations will range from local companies to the YMCA, Red Cross and other worthy civic groups.”

“This is truly an effortless act; all organizations have to do is talk about the show, and then when a patron goes to buy a ticket, that organization gets $10 just for the referral,” Jackson explains. “However, the churches and organizations must be registered on the tour’s website to become a beneficiary. When purchasing a ticket, patrons will be able to choose an organization where their ticket proceeds will go. Each venue can hold 70,000 people so a sellout crowd would leave that community with $700,000 as the tour buses pull out of town. It is truly a remarkable way to give back to the community.”

Compassion International is just one of the many sponsors that have climbed on board to help make this event possible. As a beneficiary for the tour, it is an opportunity that not only raises funds for their own organization, but it also benefits others in the surrounding communities as well. For every 70,000 people who attend, the tour will provide the funds to build a Habitat of Humanity home in that state.

For organizations to register to become a beneficiary, view the full all-star lineup, purchase tickets and find more information visit www.lifeandfaithtour.com.

Retreat

The Village Chapel’s Women’s Ministry sponsors its Women’s Spring Retreat, Saturday, April 24. This year’s theme is “While You Wait for God.”

Speaker Van Walton will address “Wait Management: What Can Be Done While We Wait for God to Change the Circumstances in Our Lives.” Walton is the director of Spanish ministries for the Proverbs 31 organization, a nondenominational, nonprofit Christian ministry. She is the author of “From the Pound to the Palace” and “Little Halos.”

The retreat takes place Saturday, April 24, at the Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost to attend is $20 per person, which includes a lunch buffet. Guests are welcome. Child care services will be available at the church. Reservations and payment must be in to the church office no later than Tuesday, April 20. Call (910) 295-6003 for information.

‘Answers in Genesis’

“Answers in Genesis” will be hosted by Ashley Heights Baptist Church, Sunday, April 25, and Monday, April 26.

This is a free conference suggested for ages 11 and up.

James Gardner will present five seminars: “Dinosaurs and Dragons: Fact or Myth” (9:45 a.m. Sunday, April 25), “Consequences of the Path You Choose” (11 a.m.), “Why Question Biblical Authority?” (6 p.m.) “What is Truth?” (7 p.m.) and “The Mystery of Ancient Man” (7 p.m. Monday, April 26).

“Answers in Genesis” is an apologetics (i.e., Christianity-defending) ministry, dedicated to enabling Christians to defend their faith and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively.

The church is located south of Aberdeen on N.C. 211. A nursery is provided, but conference seating is limited.

For more information call the church office at (910) 944-1952 or (910) 875-5408 or visit the website at answersingenesis.org.

‘Wee Learn’

First Baptist Church of Aberdeen is accepting applications for its “Wee Learn” program for summer and fall.

The eligibility ages are 12 months through pre-kindergarten. Applications are being taken to be placed on a waiting list for the summer program scheduled for June and July.

“Tuition rates are very reasonable,” says a spokesman.

The curriculum will be a balance of learning activities including age appropriate skill development and a Bible lesson. The atmosphere will be a loving, child-centered environment.

The church is located at 700 N. Sandhills Boulevard, U.S. 1 in Aberdeen.

Call (910) 944-1421 today to schedule a visit or request an application.

Dial-A-Meditation

Need encouragement and inspiration for these troublesome times? Call Dial-A-Meditation at (910) 947-2002 to hear a message sponsored by Community Friends Church, in Carthage.

New Ministry

New Hope Christian Ministry holds Sunday School each Sunday at 10 a.m., with morning prayer at 10:30 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m. Bible study is held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and minister’s study at 6 p.m. Tuesdays. A women’s fellowship meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The ministry meets in Room 610 of the Country Hearth Inn on U.S. 1, Aberdeen.

Lunch ’n Learn

The Village Chapel of Pinehurst hosts a Lunch ’n Learn program from noon to 1 p.m. on Fridays with Dr. Larry Ellis, senior pastor.

He will answer questions and provide insight into the scripture readings each week.

“You can send your questions to info@TheVillageChapel.net,” says a spokesman. “We will be meeting in Chapel Hall and don’t forget your lunch.”

For information, call (910) 295-6003.

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.

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 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.

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.