The Rev. Michael J. Garber, minister emeritus of the Community Congregational Church of Southern Pines, will deliver a patriotic Independence Day presentation, “I Am the Flag of This Great Nation, at the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday, July 4.

This is only the second time Garber has returned since his retirement in 2002 to present this original piece, which he wrote 44 years ago. During his 26-year ministry at the Community Congregational Church, it became a traditional part of the church’s special July 4th observance each year. Although the basic theme of the piece remains unchanged, a few milestones in American history have been added over the years.

Garber served as senior pastor of Community Congregational Church from 1976-2002, the longest pastorate in the church’s 115-year history. A graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, he began his ministry at the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, N.Y., where he served for 10 years prior to coming to Southern Pines.

“All are welcome to attend worship service and celebrate the 234th anniversary of the birth of our nation,” says a spokesman.

Community Congregational Church is located at 141 North Bennett St. in Southern Pines.

For further information, call (910) 692-8468 or visit www.communitycongregational.org.

Concert

Community Presbyterian Church will host a concert at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10.

“A Celebration of Life Through Song” will be presented by sophomore students of the East Carolina University School of Music and benefits the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care.

Musicians include Brenton O’Hara, of Pinehurst, baritone; Brooke Haney, of Charlotte, mezzo soprano; Cera Finney, of Havelock, mezzo soprano; Todd Barnhill, of Tabor City, tenor; Joy Simpson, of New Bern, piano; Laura Turkal, of Wilmington, clarinet; Meredith Magnuson, of Raleigh, flute; and Michael Partin, of Edenton, saxophone.

Local pianist Mari Jo Brown will also be an accompanist.

Anniversary

Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church, Old Wire Road, Wagram, is celebrating 150 years of ministry with an anniversary banquet Friday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. at Unionville Baptist Church Banquet Hall.

Dr. Gregory K. Moss Sr., president of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, will be guest speaker for this event. Ticket donation is $20.

For more information, call (910) 369-2877.

Patriotic Service

Our Saviour Lutheran Church will celebrate patriotism at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 4, worship service.

The choir will sing a patriotic anthem, and Robin Homesley will sign a song for the hearing impaired.

Military service men and women will be acknowledged and are asked to wear their uniforms.

There will be a covered dish social after the service.

The church is located at 1517 Luther Way.

Soup Kitchen

Page Memorial United Methodist Church, of Aberdeen, “The Church That Serves,” operates a soup kitchen every Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

MANNA! also serves lunch there every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A contemporary worship service begins each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m. The fellowship hall is located between U.S. 1 and Poplar Street.

The traditional worship service begins at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary.

Revival

Mission of Hope Independent Church, 522 John Garner Road, Sanford, will hold revival at 7 p.m. Friday, July 9, 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and 11 a.m. Sunday, July 11.

The minister for Friday and Saturday will be the Rev. Brenda Whitaker, of Moore County. The minister for Sunday will be church pastor Bishop Ted Lane.

For information, call Hubert Stacker at (919) 258-5074.

Beaver Creek

The Widows, Widowers and Singles group of Beaver Creek Baptist Church will meet for fellowship at a Dutch treat meal at the Sanford Dairy Bar at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30.

The Single Adult Ministry meets at 7 p.m. Fridays for Bible study and fellowship. For details, call Amy Heat at (919) 770-6812.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

Bible Study

Community Bible Study, an international study with classes held throughout the United States and more than 120 countries, is now taking enrollment for the 2010-11 season in the Sandhills for women, which will begin Sept. 7.

Nondenominational classes meet each Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines. This year, women representing 17 local churches attended, attesting to the unity of the Christian message. Next fall members will be studying the book of Genesis.

Women meet together for a short program with singing and special music or testimony. They then proceed into small groups where answers to printed lessons that had been distributed the week before are shared. Love, caring and prayer are emphasized, and lasting friendships are often forged through participation. There are classes for preschool children with crafts and Bible stories, classes for home-schooled children and a nursery for babies; young mothers are welcomed.

There is a small charge to cover materials, with scholarships for those who cannot afford the fee. Anyone interested in registration or more information about Community Bible Study should call Noel Roberts at (910) 235-5271 or Betty Rossi at (910) 295-0489.

Culdee Program

On Sunday, July 4, at 10 a.m., the Culdee Presbyterian Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gail Meeks, will present the patriotic musical “Land of the Free.”

“Bring your picnic basket and join us for a picnic-style luncheon following the service,” says a spokesman. “We invite the community to attend these events.”

During the summer months, Sunday school will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the worship service at 10 a.m.

The Rev. Tom Spence is serving as the interim pastor.

Culdee Presbyterian Church is located on N.C. 73 in the Eastwood area.

Special Service

Gary McKenzie will be speaking at the 11 a.m. service Sunday, July 4, at Christ Church, which meets in the Southern Pines Civic Club at the corner of Ashe Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Southern Pines.

Gary McKenzie is a communicator. He hosts his own national radio talk program and is a former CBS Radio Network anchor but says his most important job is spreading the “good news” to a world desperately in need. McKenzie is associate pastor of Christ Church.

“His sermon ‘One Nation Under God’ will honor America’s great Christian history and the importance of preserving it through a strong Christian walk,” says a spokesman.

Overflow Ministries

“The Overflow Ministries will like to invite everyone to their services,” says a spokesman.

The church is located at 203 Saunders St. in Carthage, the former Holy Temple Church.

Services will be held on second and fourth Sundays at 5 p.m. with Bible study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

For more information, call (910) 528-7620 or e-mail mdelah12@yahoo.com.

Caregivers

Christian Caregivers meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, from 2 to 3:15 p.m., at The Village Chapel, Pinehurst.

The group is open to the public. For information, call June Vetter at (910) 295-8026.

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.

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.

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.

The church is located at 7681 U.S. 15-501, Pinehurst.

For information, call Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 235-3715.

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.