Don Welch, pastor of the Chapel in the Pines and McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church, will offer a course on the Book of Amos from the Hebrew Scriptures on the first four Thursdays of March at 10 a.m.

Each of the four sessions will last one hour and will be held in the sanctuary of the Chapel in the Pines.

Participants will study the meaning of Amos’ words addressed to the small Middle Eastern nation of Israel in the eighth century B.C. and then see how well they apply to the U.S. in the 21st century A.D.

Welch has taught courses in the Bible at Wofford and Berea Colleges and the Divinity School of Duke University. Over the past 50 years he has conducted retreats and seminars across the country.

The course is presented by the Adult Academy for Religious Studies of West End Presbyterian Church and the Chapel in the Pines and is open to interested persons from all faith traditions. No prior registration is required.

Participants should bring a modern translation of the Bible and read the first three chapters of Amos before the first session on March 3.

Dr. Larry Lyon, pastor of West End Presbyterian Church, will teach a four-week course on theology and literature beginning Tuesday, April 6, and concluding Tuesday, April 27.

The course is based on writings by North Carolina authors, and sign-ups will be necessary to order the book that attendees will be studying. There will be a minimal charge to cover the cost of the book.

The course will be held at West End Presbyterian at 7 p.m., and child care will be provided.

As is true of all Adult Academy programs, the public is invited to attend. Reservations for this program can be made by calling West End Presbyterian Church at (910) 673-4341.

Winter Picnic

Community Presbyterian Church will host a “winter picnic” Friday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Come thaw out at a winter picnic with fun for all ages,” says a spokesman. “With a polar bear plunge, seal relay and a snowball fight, it’s a night that will get the whole family warmed up.”

The event is in the fellowship hall of Community Presbyterian Church located at the corner of Kelly and Everette roads in Pinehurst.

“To help us plan for food, RSVP to the church office at (910) 295-6948,” says the spokesman.

Cypress Presbyterian

The 2010 “Equipping the Saints” workshop will be held Saturday, Feb. 13, at Highland Presbyterian church in Fayetteville.

Brochure/registration forms and workshop descriptions are available locally in the vestibule at Cypress Presbyterian Church.

The community is invited to attend Cypress’ Ash Wednesday service Wednesday, Feb. 17. There will be a pancake dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

After dinner, there will be a worship service in the sanctuary featuring the imposition of ashes and special music presented by the Succeed bell choir.

Call (910) 245-7024 for further information regarding these events.

The church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road, seven miles east of Vass.

For information on other programs at Cypress, visit their Web site at www.cypresspres.org.

Doubs  Chapel UMC

Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church will hold a Valentine’s outing for adults Friday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Beefeater’s in Southern Pines

A church clean-up day will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13.

An Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 17, and a chicken dumpling supper will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20.

Fletcher’s Chapel

Fletcher’s Chapel will celebrate its black history program at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, with guest speaker Gereson Yongo, from Kenya, Africa.

Earl Johnson, of Raleigh, will pay tribute to heritage through African dance.

All ladies are asked to wear a caftan. Prizes will be given to the most unique. Men asked to wear African attire.

The program is sponsored by Jackie Sloan. Church pastor is the Rev. Charles Bethea

The church is located on U.S. 1, Hoffman

Seminars

Great Lakes Church of God will present seminars on Bible prophecy at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Whispering Pines Country Club, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Building, U.S. 1

The speaker is Pastor John J. Blanchard

Empowerment Services

The Kingdom Connections Church International will hold empowerment services Friday, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, and March 5.

Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. with different speakers each night.

The church is located at 134 Mill Road, Rockingham.

For more information or directions, call (910) 528-7620.

Rescheduled

Helen Little, a member of Horne Memorial United Methodist Church, in Clayton, was on her 43rd mission trip to Haiti when that Caribbean nation was devastated by an earthquake Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Little, 77, was with a Mission to Haiti team out of Miami, Fla., which was outside Port-au-Prince, near the airport. That team included medical personnel, who provided all the assistance they could with the supplies available to them.

Little will be giving presentations Sunday, Feb. 14, at at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Hill UMC in Montgomery County, 10 a.m. at Eagle Springs UMC and at 11:15 a.m. at Marcus UMC in Montgomery County.

Donations can be made to assist Haiti through designated contributions at any United Methodist Church. Write Haiti on the memo line or write Advance No. 418325. Online donations can be made at new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor or by calling the Advance office at (212) 870-3790.

Piney Grove

On Saturday, Feb. 27, and Sunday, Feb. 28, at Piney Grove Church, Windblow Community, Ellerbe, Pastor Robert and Gloria McArthur will be honored with an anniversary celebration.

On Saturday night, Feb. 27, the service will begin at 6 p.m. Bishop David Brown, of Christ Memorial, Elder Allen Sutton, of St. Luke No. 2, Elder Kevin Henry, of St. Luke No. 1, and Elder Coleman Elliot, of Lillington Grove, will be speaking words of encouragement.

Music will be provided by these pastors’ church choirs and others.

On Sunday morning, Feb. 28, worship service will be begin at 11:15 a.m. Bishop Alan Smith will deliver the message. Rendering music will be Star of Hope Choir. Dinner will be served after morning worship.

Temple Beth Shalom

Shabbat services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26; a Torah study at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27; and services at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 27, conducted by Rabbi Floyd Herman.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at 131 Jackson Springs Road, Jackson Springs.

For information, call (910) 673-5524.

‘Twice Is Nice’

The Northwood Temple Church MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) have opened volunteer and consignor registration for the “Twice Is Nice” children’s consignment sale.

The sale will open to the public Saturday, March 20, at the Northwood Temple Family Life Center, 4200 Ramsey St., Fayetteville. The sale will run from 7 to 11 a.m. and will reopen from noon to 3 p.m. for a 50-percent-off clearance sale.

“Twice Is Nice” is a semiannual event and specializes in gently used toys, equipment, furniture, décor, educational supplies and children’s clothing, sized newborn to 16. Shoppers will also find maternity clothing and nursing accessories.

With the help of more than 100 volunteers, organizers transform the Family Life Center into a department store, carefully sorting and displaying the more than 35,000 items received so that shoppers can easily find what they need.

Consignors find “Twice Is Nice” to be a convenient way to clean out closets and playrooms, while recovering some of the investment they’ve made into their children’s wardrobes, furniture and playthings.

Registered consignors and volunteers also earn the benefit of shopping before the general public, Friday, March 19. First-time parents, foster parents and grandparents are also invited to shop during special preview hours.

“Twice Is Nice” attracts shoppers and consignors from all over the Cape Fear region. Due to the troubled economy, organizers have seen an increase in the number of savvy shoppers attending the sale. Environmental concerns have also inspired shoppers to buy used items for their children, keeping more retail packaging out of our landfills.

More details about consigning, volunteering and shopping can be found by visiting the “Twice Is Nice” Website www.northwoodmops.com.

Proceeds from the sale support the Northwood Temple Church MOPS and TeenMOPS chapters, and unsold donated merchandise is distributed to local pregnancy crisis support agencies and other charities.

MOPS is an international organization made up of local support groups for mothers with children from birth to kindergarten. More information about MOPS can be found at www.mops.org.

Lenten Services

St. James Lutheran Church, in Southern Pines, will begin Lenten services Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.

The combined choirs of St. James and St. Paul Lutheran churches will participate in these services.

The Rev. Rick Schliepsick is pastor of both churches.

‘Arkeology’

The Village Chapel presents a musical of the familiar Bible story of Noah’s Ark.

Under the direction of Sandy Tremblay, it will be told from the animals’ perspective and include songs such as “Crocodile Crawl,” “We’re All in the Same Boat” and “What Did Noah Know?”

The musical will be performed by the youngsters Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Chapel Hall beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m.

It is open to the public, but seats are limited. Call the church office at (910) 295-6003 for reservations.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Beaver Creek  Baptist Church will hold its annual Old Country Fair Saturday, April 24.

The Single Adult Ministry meets each Friday at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center for Bible study, support and fellowship.

Call (919) 499-9632 for information.

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.

Black History Program

Greater Harvest House of Prayer Ministries, located at 760 Midway Road, Aberdeen, will host a black history program at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21.

Elder Walter O. Thomas is the pastor.

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.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, Pastor Breand Brown, pastor of New Hope, will speak at 3 p.m. at New Zion A.M.E. Church in Addor.

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 in advance 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.

Valentine Party

The annual Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines outreach ministry Valentine party will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the North Club House, located on the North side in the Seven Lakes Community.

“The Chapel invites anyone who would like to come, especially those that are alone, to come and join in the celebration,” says a spokesman.

There will be special entertainment.

If you would like to attend but need further information, contact Fran Stark at (910) 673-5493.

Preschool Registration

First Baptist Church of Aberdeen is accepting applications for fall 2010-2011 year. The eligibility ages are 12 months through pre-kindergarten.

The schedule will be Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon, September through May. Monthly tuition rates are very reasonable.

The school 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 on 700 N. Sandhills Boulevard, U.S. 1 in Aberdeen.

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

New Times

New Covenant Fellowship announces that it will now offer services at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

New Covenant is a nondenominational church located on Union Church Road between Union Pines High School and New Century Middle School in Carthage

For additional information, call (910) 947-1412 or visit www.newcovenantfellowship-nc.com.

Auction and Dinner

A silent auction and spaghetti plate dinner will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines.

The event is sponsored by the Missionaries of Jesus Is King of Deliverance Ministries.

Valentine’s Day Ball

First Missionary Baptist Church will sponsor a Valentine’s Day Ball — an evening of fun, food, music and dance — at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Days Inn, Southern Pines

Tickets for the semiformal event are $55 for couples and $30 for singles.

Tickets are available at First Missionary Baptist Church, 315 S. Gaines St., Southern Pines.

For information, call (910) 692-2022.

Sweetheart Ball

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, 584 Bryant Road, Carthage, will host its first Sweetheart Ball Saturday, Feb. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The theme is “Romance Under Candlelight.” There will be prizes, games, food and more. Tickets are $5 for singles and $8 for couples

Tickets can be purchased from any member of the church or at the door.

Any church wishing to use the fellowship hall and kitchen facilities at Mt. Zion should contact Irene Sellars at (910) 947-3613.

Valentine Luncheon

The Women of Sacred Heart will sponsor a Valentine luncheon with spouses, gentlemen guests and good friends Thursday, Feb. 11, at Table on the Green at Midland Country Club, 2205 Midland Drive, Pinehurst.

Entertainment will be provided by Ken Loyd on the piano. There will be a cash bar at noon, and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person.

The menu will feature barbecue ribs with fries and cole slaw or Chicken Florentine, served with a garden salad, rolls and butter, mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Coffee or tea and dessert are included.

Call Ann McLoughlin at (910) 673-5400 for reservations and dinner choices.

Service

First Missionary Baptist Church holds Sunday School from 9 to 10:10 a.m., with a breakfast snack served at 9 a.m.

Transportation is available. The church is located at 315 South Gaines St., Southern Pines. For information, call (910) 692-2022.

Bible School

Are you struggling to be a preacher, teacher or simply a witness for Christ?

“Come and join us at New Hope Church of God in Christ Bible School, where we systematically study the Word of God,” says a spokesman.

Classes began Monday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. at New Hope Church of God in Christ, 204 Raeford Road (N.C. 211), Aberdeen.

Call (910) 944-2577 or (910) 944- 8806 for details.

New Covenant

New Covenant Fellowship, 1305 Hulsey Road, Carthage, hosts an afterschool program for sixth-through-eighth graders.

“We pick up your child from New Century Middle School,” says Pastor Adam Love. “Our program offers tutoring, devotions and structured activities in a safe, friendly environment.”

The cost is $30 per week, or pay daily for drop-ins.

For more details, call Love at (910) 947-1412.

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 Elder 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.

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 teachings of Mary Baker Eddy.

Here too, ­technology offers opportunities to study and research online and the ­possibility of listening to ­lectures or topical articles at www.spirituality.com

The Reading Room is located at 173A NE Broad St., Southern Pines, and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

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.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Church of God, in Vass, will hold its Ladies in Red day at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. The speaker will be Annie McMillian. The church is located at 158 Sellar St.