Addor

The community was saddened to learn of the death of the Rev. James McKinnon, pastor of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. Funeral services were held Saturday in Laurinburg

If you have not had the chance to meet the new pastor at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, the members welcome you to attend at 11 a.m. this Sunday.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church will hold its Christmas banquet at 4 p.m. this Saturday. All are welcome to attend.

Birthday wishes go out to Dawana Brown and Jane McPherson (Dec. 7), Ethel Little (Dec. 8) and all who are celebrating this week.

In memoriam: Frederick Little (Dec. 12).

Sick and shut-ins: Marie Berry is still in rehab. 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.

New Hope will hold its Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Everyone is invited to attend.

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.

Shiloh will hold its Christmas program at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. The church will hold a Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to bring in the new year. Everyone is invited to attend.

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. this Sunday for its newly renovated sanctuary. The speaker will be Bishop Larry Brown, of House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ.

Celebration services will be held at 7 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday. The speaker tonight 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

The members of Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church were honored by the presence of Dr. and Mrs. Otis McMillian on Sunday morning. Dr. McMillian is a director of evangelism of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church denomination.

The Sanford District Christian Education department will be hosting its annual Christmas social at 1 p.m. this Saturday at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Cumnock. All are invited to attend.

The Christian Education department of Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will host a Christmas brunch at 10 a.m. this Sunday. Sunday School will be held at 9 a.m. Worship will begin at 11 a.m.

Happy anniversary to Henry and Anita Frye-DeLaine, who are celebrating three years of marriage.

Please continue to support the Phillips Memorial Park. It is a great asset to the Cameron community.

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. Dinner will be served afterward.

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

St. Peters has prayer meetings at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday. Bible study is held at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday.

The community was saddened by the death of Mamie Williams.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Aaron Dixon (Dec. 10), Carolyn McRae (Dec. 11), Rose Ann Stanback (Dec. 12), and Mary Diggs and Lottie Mason (Dec. 14).

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, 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 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. this Sunday, at Fletcher's Chapel. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Barbara Covington. Ernestine McRae is the coordinator.

Birthday wishes go out to 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

This past Saturday, the Garnet Lobelias participated in the annual Southern Pines Christmas parade. Being queen, I can say we have had every kind of weather over the years, but this year was the best! When we first arrived to do our decorating, we were blessed with snow.

We'd like to thank Carolina Carriage, of Pinehurst, for allowing us to use its equipment - one street-legal cart and a regular cart. After the parade, the ladies and some of their spouses went to Squire's Pub for a late lunch.

The Garnet Lobelias will gather Dec. 18 at The Oaks in Woodlake for its annual Christmas dinner. The husbands are invited to attend. If anyone would like more information on this group, please call Sunny at (910) 245-4747 or Princess Peanut at (910) 245-4741.

Again this year, Hal Abshire coordinated the collection of "Shoe Boxes for the Soldiers." Mount Pleasant was the sponsoring church in this area for this special ministry to the soldiers.

The congregation filled more than 100 shoe boxes with items that had been requested by the soldiers. Some of the items filling the boxes were candy, powered drink mixes, tea bags, chewing gum, nail clippers, AA batteries and many other items.

The residents of Woodlake and members of the Southern Pines-Pinehurst Area Association of Realtors donated 120 boxes of cookies this year. A number of churches in Sanford donated numerous items as well.

A very special thank-you to Hal Abshire for coordinating this ministry and to the youth of the church for taking on the task of packing and taking the boxes to be shipped. All those involved in this ministry wish the many soldiers serving away from home a safe, happy and blessed Christmas.

This past Sunday also was the first of Mount Pleasant's Angels Unaware Awards, with the Angel of Joy presented to Joan and Dan Peavey for unselfishly giving of themselves to family and community, for their contagious smiles and their willingness to undertake the "Seniors on the Go for God" ministry. They plan monthly programs, trips and activities for senior members of the church and the community. They are truly angels unaware in all they do.

This past Sunday, the middle adult Sunday School class sponsored its annual Christmas dinner for about 50 people, including Mount Pleasant's seniors and many friends of the church. The children of the church presented the nativity for the group, with Joel Norton singing "O Holy Night" and a choir of angels singing "Silent Night" for the senior citizens. The group was directed by Jean Lane, with Dr. Linda Scott playing for the service.

Cypress Presbyterian Church celebrated communion last Sunday. The church is are planning several events during the Christmas season.

All ladies are invited to a coffee in honor of the Rev. Barbara Hedin from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the home of Ann Myers. Welcome Rev. Hedin to our community!

The men of the church will have a breakfast at the church at 8 a.m. this Sunday. Come and enjoy the wonderful food and fellowship.

The combined adult choirs of Cypress and Vass Presbyterian churches will present a Christmas cantata at the 11 a.m. worship service at Cypress on Dec. 19. Everyone in the community is cordially invited to attend.

Also, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Cypress will celebrate the season with its annual church Christmas party. Music will be presented by the Cypress Gospel Boys.

Cypress will hold Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Dec. 24. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend these services.

As an outreach to several families in the area, Cypress will be collecting canned goods and other nonperishable foods until Dec. 19. Please place your contributions in the basket that has been used for BackPack Pals cereal.

If you can help with Project Santa Claus/Wright's Bikes, drop your donations off at Bill Smith Ford in Southern Pines or give me a call at (910) 245-4747, and I will connect you with the correct person.

The economy is affecting the collection of bikes and donations for Project Santa Claus/Wright's 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. The time is drawing near for the give away.

If you cannot bring you donations to a pickup point, there are drivers who will come it up. Max Sidley picked up a load of bikes donated by the employees of Pfizer this Tuesday, and if there is a need, he will repeat this again the following Tuesday.

Bikes, old and new, parts and cash donations are all accepted. Santa Claus and his elfs have not given up hope yet and are hopeful they will be able to fulfill each child's needs this year.

At this time of year particularly, separation from loved ones is very difficult. Please remember members of the military and their families, whether here or abroad, with your positive thoughts and prayers as they serve our country.

Chanukah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. We hope the lights of Chanukah have brightened your heart and home, and you will be blessed with warmth and good fortune.

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

• "Sunny" Sidley

Taylortown

Please get your tickets by Thursday for "Christmas Taylortown Style," which will be held this Saturday 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.

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.

Melvin, Cynthia and the Cheatham family, formerly of Taylortown, survived a house fire a few weeks ago, but no one was hurt. They had been living in the Eagle Springs area the past year. They are thankful to the Red Cross for its assistance. If you'd like to help, contact the Rev. Larry Alford with the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will have its annual "Candlelight Service" at 5 p.m. this Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Alberta Jones. Susie Alford is the president of the missionary department. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

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

Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center will host the 2010 annual singles' conference, "Single and Processed," Thursday through Sunday. There will be several different speakers, including Chief Executive Apostle Michael S. Dixon.

For more information, contact Evangelist Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369.

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.

There will not be any music classes at the Taylor House on Main Street this month. Classes will resume Jan. 3. All ages are welcome. Alice Jackson, retired educator and longtime piano teacher, has classes from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Michael Robin-son, longtime musician, teaches bass guitar classes from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Call (910) 295-6051 or (910) 725-1582 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.

Pathways to C.N.A. is a free program offered by Sandhills Community College that provides academic and occupational skills, GED preparation and an opportunity for placement in the certified nursing assistant program. Spring classes will begin in January. Call Twana McKnight at (910) 695-3782.

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. If you would like an opportunity to be a substitute Sunday announcer, please contact Rose Highland-Sharpe at (910) 295-0013.

The "Town Talk" television show will have highlights of the Southern Pines Christmas parade this month. The show airs daily at 11:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

The community extends sympathy to the family of the late Althea Gaines Gaddy. Services were held at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church last week. "Miss Al" was a faithful missionary, diligent worker in the community, wonderful mother and loving friend. Please remember the family in your thoughts and prayers.

The community was saddened to hear of the death of Superintendent John E. Spruill Sr. He was the pastor at Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ for an amazing 57 years and was well-respected and loved by many. Services were held Nov. 29 at Southern Pines Primary School. Continue to pray for the family.

Condolences are extended to the family of the late Dorothea "Mamie" McKinney Williams. Please remember the family in your prayers and good deeds.

The sick and shut-in list includes Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Cathy Harrington, 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 had Sunday School and a worship service Sunday. Pastor Mary Kelly's message was titled "His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful." Her scripture came from Isaiah 9:6-7.

Congratulations to Carolyn Wilkins, who was ordained a mother of the church Sunday after worship service.

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.

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday 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 Betty Lambert and Julius Morrison (Dec. 7), Angela Jefferson (Dec. 10), Beatrice Perez (Dec. 13) and Charlotte Ann Goins (Dec. 14).

Belinda Smith, Teresa Harris and Anita Finch wish their mother, Norma Finch, a happy 59th birthday.

The Vass Area Library will have a Christmas Open House at 3:30 p.m. this Thursday. 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 at 10 .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