Addor

Elizabeth Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will hold its annual "100 Men in Black" program at 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, contact Greg Savanah. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The annual McCain reunion banquet will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. this Friday at the Days Inn in Southern Pines. Tickets are $25. Everyone is invited to attend.

Birthday wishes go out to John Bright (Dec. 2), Joshua Brown (Dec. 4), Dawana Brown and Jane McPherson (Dec. 7) and all who are celebrating this week.

In memoriam: Georgina Chavis (Dec. 2) and Dorothy Little (Dec. 6).

Sick and shut-ins: The Rev. Thelma Martin is in the hospital. Marie Berry is in rehab in Charlotte. Betty J. Ellerbe, Mother Nettie Benymon, Effie Jane Smith, Betty Lou Moses and Sarah and Philip McMillian are among the shut-ins. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Gladys Core Giles, Portia Smith, Charles Wilkerson, James Morris and Louis Swan 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 at 160 Ridgeline Road off N.C. 5, just behind the Habitat for Humanity store.

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 8 a.m. every Saturday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Minister's study is held every second Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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, where the pastor is the Rev. Henry R. Davis, will be holding Sunday services at Aberdeen Elementary School. Bible study is held at 6 p.m. at the Aberdeen Community Center.

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.

The Word of Life Holy Church of God in Christ, at 107 Spring St., where the pastor is Overseer Nathaniel Malloy, holds Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month. Bible study is held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

Word of Life will hold a rededication service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, for its newly renovated sanctuary. The speaker will be Bishop Larry Brown, of House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ.

Celebration serves will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Dec. 8-10). The Wednesday speaker will be Bishop Willie Gilmore, of Fellowship House of God. The speaker Thursday will be Pastor Victor Blue, of Jesus Is Lord Deliverance Center, and the Friday speaker will be Apostle Hoover Benymon, of Crusade for Christ Deliverance Center. Special music will be provided for the Friday night service by Pastor Mike Collins and his choir from Collins Revival Center.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

Continue to pray 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

All members of Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church are asked to come the meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the fellowship hall.

The Jessie Loving Circle of the Cameron Baptist Church invites everyone to start the Christmas season off by sharing its numerous nativity displays, including a Lottie Moon Christmas offering display.

This event will take place in the fellowship hall this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. There is no charge for this event, and refreshments will be served.

Please continue to support the Phillips Memorial Park.

Please submit information at least seven days in advance by e-mail to Blackrose21666@ aol.com or by calling (910) 245-9932.

• Carol Frye-Davis

Eastwood

St. Peters will have its Christmas program Sunday, Dec. 19, during the morning worship service. Everyone is invited to attend.

Practice for the Christmas program will be held at 6:30 p.m. today.

Darrell Person was home from Durham to visit his family on Thanksgiving. Laura Williams was home from Maryland to visit her family for the week during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Robin and Marcus Dowdy will celebrate their wedding anniversary this week.

Christopher McLean Jr. celebrated his birthday with his family on Thanksgiving. Birthday wishes go out this week to Sandy McRae and Dwight Brown (Dec. 1), Princess Wilson (Dec. 2), Trayevon Cotton (Dec. 4), Linda Gillespie Brenda Brown and Chelsi Shamburger (Dec. 5) and Princess McFarley (Dec. 7).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Sam Kelly, Ralph McLean, Michael McLean, Joe Jackson, Bishop Lynn Kiniel, 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. Pleasant Hill holds Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The usher board of Macedonia will celebrate its 57th Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. this Sunday.

Hoffman will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at the Hoffman Recreation Center at 106 Thompson St. Free refreshments will be served, and entertainment will be provided. Everyone is invited to attend this festive event.

The Red Hat Club will meet at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at 311 Little Chris guesthouse. The president is asking all members to attend and to bring a gift for a needy family at Christmas.

"Women in Red" will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Fletcher's Chapel. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Barbara Covington. Ernestine McRae is the coordinator.

Birthday wishes go out to Barbara Brower (Nov. 29), Carreasa Jasper and Shalanda Smith (Dec. 4), Zyquavia Gibson (Dec. 8), Carl Hagins (Dec. 10) and all others who celebrate this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins, Rosa Harrison, Lang Harrison, Cathy Harrison, E.C. McFayden, Frank Smith, Lula Smith, Mattie White, Thelma McCoy, Dan McCoy, Albert Hailey, Arlene McRae, Lena McRae, Juanita Gilmore, Ernest Gilmore, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Nancy Ellerbe, Bessie Little, Henretta Little, Rebecca Utley, Cynthia Royster, Lacy Jackson, Lonnie Swann, Eugene Martin, Johnny King.

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

• Bea Little

Little River

The Southern Pines Christmas parade is at 1 p.m. this Saturday, and the Garnet Lobelias hope to see you there. Bring your biggest smiles and come on out and enjoy all the festivities!

The Garnet Lobelias have a pajama party coming up in January, so if you are interested in participating, please call Princess Peanut at (910) 245-4741 or Queen Sunny at (910) 245-4747 for more information on how to join in the fun.

This past Sunday at Mount Pleasant was a very special day. It was the first Sunday of Advent. The first candle was lit in the Advent wreath, illuminated as the light of hope. Dr. Poplin reminded members of the congregation that the light of hope is something many in our community need today.

During the sermon, Dr. Poplin urged everyone who gives Christmas presents this year to remember that Christ that is the reason for Christmas.

On Sunday afternoon, the newly formed congregation of Maranatha Fellowship from the Anderson Creek area gathered at Mount Pleasant to celebrate the service and ordinance of baptism. Five members of the new church were baptized. The Rev. Joey Harrell, a former member of Mount Pleasant, is the pastor of the new church.

This coming Sunday, the middle adult Sunday School class will host the senior adults of the church and their friends for the annual Christmas dinner at 4 p.m. It will begin with a special Christmas program by the children and a few of the youths and young adults. That same group of children, youth and young adults will also present the annual Christmas program at 6 p.m. Dec. 19.

Also next Sunday and continuing each Sunday in December, the pastor will present the Angels Unaware Award. This award is given by the pastor each year to four persons, couples or families who have been nominated by the congregation for their service to others and for touching the person or persons nominating them in a special way that has left them feeling like their lives have been touched by an angel.

The Mount Pleasant choir continues to work on its Christmas musical, and the children's Christmas program practice is also under way. Everyone is invited to come join the church for these special events and be a part of this year's Christmas celebration.

The Rev. Barbara Hedin started this past Sunday as the new interim pastor at Cypress Presbyterian Church.

The Cypress choir will present its Christmas Cantata during the 11 a.m. worship service Dec. 19. Cypress will have its annual church Christmas party at 5:30 p.m. Anyone interested in Christmas caroling is cordially invited to join Cypress on Dec. 20 for this enjoyable event.

The economy is affecting the collection of bikes and donations for Project Santa Claus/Wrights bikes. Earl Wright is very concerned he may not be able to meet the great need this year. He has fewer bikes this year than last.

If you cannot bring your donations to a collection point, someone can come pick it up. Collection points are at Bill Smith Ford in Southern Pines, 291 S. Mechanic St. in Southern Pines or in Vass at 217 West Wind Drive. Bikes - old and new - parts and cash donations are all accepted. Earl also provides basketballs and other toys for children in need in the Moore County community.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to help or direct you to the proper person. To arrange for a pickup of bikes or donations, please call me at (910) 245-4747.

At this time of year particularly, separation from loved ones is very difficult. 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

Shawtown

Pastor Brenda Whitaker thanks all of the volunteers who helped her prepare and deliver her Thanksgiving meal. It was a great success. All meals were home cooked.

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry on Lemon Springs Road thanks all who came out to help celebrate the 33rd pastoral anniversary of Pastors Larry and Mellaine Ray.

Continue to pray for our president, our troops, residents of group homes and rest homes, hospital patients, prison inmates, the homebound and each other.

John and Irene Ray celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Nov. 22.

Happy birthday to everyone who is celebrating this week.

• Irene Ray
  

Taylortown

"Christmas Taylortown Style" will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Little River Resort. The social hour is 5:30 until 6:45 p.m. The program, dinner, dance and fashion show will begin at 7 p.m. and end at midnight.

Golfers should contact Sheldon Mooney at (910) 315-9784 regarding tee times. For more information and for tickets, contact Diane Barrett at (910) 295-5469, Josephine Faulk at (910) 295-3378, Joann Faulkner at (910) 295-0423, Jacqueline McSwain at (910) 528-2443, Carolyn Mitchell at (910) 315-8856 and Nadine Moody at 724-3991.

Taylortown Day pictures are featured in the November issue of the PineStraw magazine. This is a free publication by The Pilot. Copies are available at The Pilot office and at various businesses throughout Moore County. Special thanks to Tenaya Barrett for submitting the beautiful pictures.

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance will assist needy families this holiday season. Community ministers are invited to be a part of this alliance.The Rev. Larry Alford is the president. Other members include the Rev. Kenneth Stewart (vice president), the Rev. Edward Williams (treasurer), the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff (secretary), Bishop Larry Brown, the Rev. Carolyn Mitchell, Minister Cynthia D. Watkins, the Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe, the Rev. David Levine, the Rev. Angus Wade, Elder Timothy Worthy, Elder Chesney and Pastor Cora Murphy.

Greater Works Church of Deliverance Ministries Inc. will have its annual "Candlelight March" at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Refreshments will be served after the service. The pastor, Apostle Andria U. Weekes, invites everyone to attend this festive occasion.

The Rev. Angus Wade will lead a series of Bible studies on the Book of Revelation through this winter at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Bible study is held each Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. Prayer service begins at 6:45 p.m. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

Free music classes are available at the Taylor House on Main Street. All ages are welcome. Alice Jackson, retired educator and longtime piano teacher, has classes at 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Michael Robinson, longtime musician, teaches bass guitar at 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Call Mrs. Jackson at (910) 295-6051 for more information.

Permission forms for transportation for youths in grades kindergarten through 12 are available at the 21st Century after-school program at Christ Way Deliverance Ministries. The program is free. For information about the application process, contact the Rev. Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 295-5813.

Register for spring classes in adult basic education and GED at Sandhills Community College. Free classes are available on the main campus in Pinehurst and in Aberdeen, Carthage, and Robbins. Contact Mike Andrews at (910) 695-3998 to register for the assessment and orientation, or for more information, call the recruiter for basic skills, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at (910) 695-3783.

The Pinecrest High School Class of 1971 is planning its 40th reunion for July 29-31, 2011. Addresses and phone numbers are needed for class members. Contact Lottie Alford Mason at (910) 603-7931 or Diane Waddell Monroe at (910) 295-7455. Thanks for your support!

Brief radio interviews will air on some Sundays at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., or at 10:45 a.m. on WEEB- 990 AM. The program spotlights individuals who have overcome life's adversities and nonprofit agencies that provide services to children and adults. For more information, call (910) 295-0013.

"Good News Inspiration" airs from 6 to 11 a.m. each Sunday WEEB-990 AM. It spotlights community and church announcements. This is a free service to the community. Rose Highland-Sharpe is the Sunday program director and announcer. She is celebrating 19 years at WEEB and 25 years in radio this fall.

Felton J. Capel will feature special selections from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Niniji Lloyd is a substitute announcer for Highland-Sharpe.

The sick and shut-in list includes Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Althea Gaddy, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Cathy Harrington, the Rev. Nathaniel McNeill, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Vera Moses, Howard Ray and Lolita Robinson. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Please remember the widowed, orphans, sick and shut-ins, bereaved, incarcerated, homeless, youths 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; or by e-mail at rosesharpe37@gmail. com at least two weeks in advance.

• Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

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 located at 205 Pats Road in Vass. Everyone is welcome to attend all services.

God's House of Prayer Ministry had a Deacon Day program Sunday morning after Sunday School. Minister Frederick Kelly was the speaker. His message was titled "Rely on God, He's Got Everything You Need." His scripture came from Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Carolyn Wilkins will be ordained as a mother Sunday at God's House of Prayer Ministry after the worship service.

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will speak at 11 a.m. Dec. 12 at the church for its building fund program.

A Christmas program will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the church. The program is sponsored by Deaconness Catherine McKeithen.

Birthday wishes go out to Rasheda Kelly (Dec. 5) and Julius Morrison and Betty Lambert (Dec. 7).

The Vass Area Library will have a Christmas Open House at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Children can come visit with Santa. Refreshments will be served. A special drawing will be held. The Vass Lakeview Elementary chorus will perform.

New Direction Outreach Ministries in Vass has worship services every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., except any fifth Sunday. Bible study is held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. It is led by Elder C. Taylor.

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.

Continue to pray for all the sick and shut-ins, including all in the hospital and in rest homes, 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 mail items at least one week in advance to P.O. Box 176, Vass, NC 28394.

• Anita Finch

West End

First Baptist Church in West End has Sunday School every Sunday from 10 to 11 a.m. The worship service is held at 11 a.m. Worship is also held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Sunday. The pastor is Pastor John Terry. The church is at 5205 N.C. 211. For more information, contact (910) 673-1866.

West End Presbyterian Church holds worship services at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The pastor is Pastor Larry Lyon, and the associate pastor is Pastor Chip Pope. The church has an after-school program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Transportation is provided from West End Elementary School. Children will experience games, crafts, music and other activities. For more information, call the church at (910) 673-4341 or download the form at www.westendpres.org.

Cedar Grove Baptist Church, at 4449 N.C. 211, has Sunday school and worship service every Sunday. Bible study is held every Wednesday. The pastor is Pastor McNair. For more information, call (910) 673-7473.

Beulah Hill Baptist Church has services every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Bible study is at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Dr. Curtis Barbery is the church pastor. The church is at 7400 Beulah Hill Church Road.

The church also has full-service child care and children and youth programs. For more information, call (910) 295-6323.

If anyone has announcements, special events, birthdays or anniversaries, you can e-mail me at anitafinch38@yahoo.com or mail it to P.O. Box 176, Vass, NC 28394.

• Anita Finch