Page Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown Aberdeen will observe Holy Week with the following services:

Maundy Thursday Communion Service April 1, at 7 p.m., Good Friday Tenebrae Service, April 2 at 7 p.m. and Easter Sunday worship with communion April 4, at 11 a.m.

“We will not have our regular 8:30 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday but will have Sunday School for all ages beginning at 9:45 a.m.,” says a spokesman.

A butterfly release on the church lawn will follow worship on Easter Sunday.

For directions or more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1093.

Roseland Speaker

The Rev. Janet Buffaloe, of Marston, spoke at a recent Wednesday Lenten Lunch at Roseland United Methodist Church.

Melinda Rindfleisch, lay leader for Roseland UMC, introduced Buffaloe, who served 13 years as a UMC pastor before traveling for the last five years as a “general evangelist” with the interdenominational Father’s Heart Ministries International.

The Rev. Nancy Willard serves as pastor of the church located at 181 Rose Ridge Road in Aberdeen.

Camp Meeting

Crossroads Community Church will hold its annual Easter Camp Meeting at 7 p.m. Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, with a sunrise service at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 4, followed by a 10 a.m. service.

Friday night’s featured singer is Charles Scarlette, of Madison. Heart 2 Heart, from Stanley, will perform Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Food will be served at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the fellowship hall.

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

For more information or directions call (910) 949-3971.

Sandhills Circuit

The Sandhills Circuit United Methodist Churches announce their Holy Week schedule:

March 28, Palm Sunday, 9 a.m., Pleasant Hill; 10 a.m., Eagle Springs; 11:15 a.m., Marcus.

April 1 (Maundy Thursday), 7 p.m., Pleasant Hill.

April 4, sunrise service and breakfast, 7 a.m. Marcus; Easter worship, 8:30 a.m., Marcus Church School, 9:45 a.m. Marcus; sunrise breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Pleasant Hill/Eagle Springs; Pleasant Hill worship, 9 a.m.; Eagle Springs worship, 10 a.m.

Eagle Springs UMC is located at 640 Eagle Branch Road in Eagle Springs.

Pleasant Hill UMC is located at 732 Morganton Road in Jackson Springs.

Marcus UMC is located at 2081 Windblow Road in Jackson Springs.

The Revs. Myron and Barbara Dice, co-pastors, will be leading the Holy Week services.

Gospel Music

A gospel music event featuring The Hoppers, Brian Free and Assurance, the Anchormen and Ivan Parker, as well as the Greenes, who are hosting the concert, will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Asheboro High School Auditorium, Asheboro. Doors open at 5 p.m.

All seats are $20 and are general admission. Tickets are available by calling (828) 773-5997.

Proceeds will be contributed to Jim’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to special needs children and adults. In the early 1980s, Jim Bullins founded Jim’s Kids, and throughout the past three decades has hosted events each year and surprised many kids with necessary handicap devices to make their lives better.

The school is located at 1221 South Park St. in Asheboro

Visit the Web site www.thegreenesgospel.com for more information about the event.

Cheerful Chimers

Pinebluff United Methodist Church opens enrollment for its Cheerful Chimers beginners handbell choir, which meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m.

All ages are welcome.

Call (910) 281-3854 for information. The church is located at 275 E. Philadelphia Ave., Pinebluff.

Concert

Emmanuel Baptist Church presents a concert featuring Paid in Fall at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at 632 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 947-4736.

Drama

Faith Baptist Church, 2180 Carthage Road, will hold its annual outdoor Easter drama at 8 p.m. Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3.

McDonalds Chapel

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church will hold Easter morning worship services at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., led by the Rev. Don Welch and the Rev. Fran Stark.

Weather permitting, the 7 a.m. sunrise service will be held in the church cemetery, in the pines behind the chapel building, followed by a covered dish breakfast in the fellowship hall.

“Please bring a flowering branch or stem to mark the celebration of the resurrection with a flowering of the cross,” says a spokesman.

The 11 a.m. service will be held in the sanctuary.

McDonalds Chapel is located on Foxfire Road 2 miles from Pinehurst and 1 1/2 miles from Foxfire Village.

“The chapel is a member of the PCUSA and welcomes worshippers of all faith backgrounds to meaningful worship in a spiritual setting,” says a spokesman.

Mercy’s Well

Christian vocal group Mercy’s Well will perform at Smyrna United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 28, at 6 p.m.

The church is located near Robbins, and the concert will be open to the public.

Mercy’s Well is based in Greensboro. The group performs regularly throughout the nation.

Formed originally as a duo in 1998, Mercy’s Well is now a blending of three musical voices. Tenor Brad Strider, the founder of the group, is a native North Carolinian who brings with him a lifelong interest in music. He is joined by baritone Greg Gainer and lead singer Jon Azzarello.

This concert continues Smyrna United Methodist Church’s efforts to bring gospel groups to the Robbins area, to make Christian music and its message available and easily accessible to everyone.

There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be taken. The concert will begin at 6 p.m., with hot dogs, drinks and desserts available throughout.

This year the Mercy’s Well Concert will also function as the area-wide Easter service for Robbins Area Christian Ministries (RACM).

RACM is a nonprofit organization, which helps community members with power bill assistance, heating bill assistance, food and occasional other needs. Their food bank provides emergency food for many individuals and families.

In these tough economic times, RACM has faced unprecedented demand for help. The love offering taken at this concert will go to RACM, to help with community assistance.

Concert attendees are also invited to bring nonperishable food items for the RACM food bank.

Mercy’s Well had originally been scheduled to perform at Smyrna Church in January, but the concert had to be canceled due to bad weather and was rescheduled for this month.

To reach Smyrna United Methodist Church, take N.C. 705, which runs between Robbins and Seagrove. Turn onto North Howard Mill Road. Go about two miles, then turn left on Smyrna Church Road. The church will be located a few miles down that road, on the right, at 1924 Smyrna Church Road.

For more information, contact Pam Hussey at (910) 464-3407, Sandy Hussey at (910) 464-2154, or Jarius Garner at (910) 464-1290.

Passover Week

The Sandhills Jewish Congregation will celebrate Passover week beginning Monday, March 29, with a congregational Seder.

This special meal recalls the liberation of ancient Jewish slaves from Egypt and commemorates the beginnings of the Jewish nation.

The Seder meal is filled with rituals that include reading through the Haggadah, a short book that details the Exodus from Egypt, the biblical story of the Lord’s acts of intervention on the behalf of the Israelites — the 10 plagues, the killing of the firstborn and the parting of the Red Sea. This is the story of Moses leading the Israelites to freedom.

For more information, call (910) 673-5224.

Pinebluff Churches

Pinebluff United Methodist Church and Ives Memorial Baptist Church will join together for services at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 28 (Pinebluff UMC); Wednesday, March 31 (Ives Baptist); Thursday, April 1 (Pinebluff UMC); and Friday, April 2 (Ives Baptist).

Pinebluff UMC will hold an “Easter Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt” Saturday, April 3, at 10 a.m.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at Pinebluff Cemetery at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast refreshments, hosted by Ives Memorial Baptist Church.

“Seeds of Joy,” a children’s Easter play, will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 4, at Pinebluff UMC, with the traditional service at 11 a.m.

Piney Grove

Piney Grove Church, Windblow Community, Ellerbe, will host its annual usher anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 4.

The message will be delivered by Pastor Benny Kemp. Kemp will be accompanied by his choir and congregation of Lovely Hill.

Seder Feast

On Wednesday, March 31, beginning at 6 p.m., Christ Fellowship Church (located at 1425 Midland Road, Southern Pines) will offer its annual Seder and Passover feast.

This is a time for gathering as a family in Christ; feasting, and gaining an understanding of this special holiday from the Hebrew faith under the direction of Joel and Sally Clary.

The public is invited for fine food and a teaching of the Seder and its relevance to the Christian today.

If interested, call (910) 692-5155 or (910) 215-9628 for reservations by Friday, March 26, to be sure of a place at the table.

Holy Week Services

St. James Lutheran Church, in Southern Pines, and St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Pinehurst, both pastored by the Rev. Rick Schliepsiek, announce joint Holy Week services:

March 28, Palm Sunday, procession with palms (St. James); Maundy Thursday, April 1 , with communion (St. Paul) at 7 p.m.; Good Friday, at 7 p.m. (St. James), 11 a.m. Easter Sunday, (St. James).

Gospel Duo

The West Montgomery Lions Club presents Jeff and Sheri Easter, who performed on Bill Gaither’s videos, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at James Garner Center, 210 Burnette St., Troy.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $15 at the door. For information, call (704) 985-6987 or e-mail jbranch205@windstream.net.

Workshop

A free workshop about coping with addiction, presented by Bonnie Corcoran and Marilyn Rasnick, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27.

To register, call (910)-295-0727.

Musical Celebration

First Baptist Church, Robbins, will present the Easter musical “He’s Alive!”  at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 28.

The church is located at 651 E. Hemp St.

For information, call (910) 948-2768.

Operation Inasmuch

Members of Ives Memorial Baptist Church in Pinebluff are preparing for their third year of ministry through Operation Inasmuch Saturday, April 17.

Participants will meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. to receive assignments.

“Operation Inasmuch is Christians doing the work of the church instead of church work,” says coordinator Craig Baggett.

It is a one-day mission blitz where Christians go outside the walls of the church building to share God’s love through acts of service.

“What might happen if we could mobilize significant numbers of church members to go into the community and minister to the hurts and hopes of our neighbors?” Baggett asks. “Our hope is that Operation Inasmuch will connect faith with service, church with community, and neighbors with each other through acts of service in the name of Jesus.”

Operation Inasmuch began at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville in 1995 and has grown to be a popular interdenominational event. It has been adopted as a major community emphasis by about 500 churches across the nation, as well as England and Canada.

Those who would like to participate or want more information should call the church at (910) 281-3082.

The church is located at 125 S. Grape St., Pinebluff.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Village Chapel in Pinehurst will hold an Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3.

“Gather through the rear doors of the chapel hall for an Easter message, games, egg hunt and a visit and photo with the Easter Bunny,” says a spokesman. “Bring a basket.”

For information, call (910) 295- 6003.

Easter Services

Carthage First Presbyterian will hold a Maundy Thursday service on April 1 at 7 p.m. and host a Community Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 4, with breakfast served immediately following the service in the fellowship hall.

The church is located at 110 Ray St., Carthage.

Program

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will sponsor a trustee and steward program Sunday, March 28, at 3 p.m.

For information, call Irene Sellars, coordinator, at (910) 947-3613.

The church is located at 584 Bryant Road, Carthage.

Passover Re-Created

Jesus’ Last Supper was actually a Jewish Passover. Lynn McCoy of Jews for Jesus will re-create the traditional Passover service and explain how it foreshadowed Jesus’ death and resurrection in a presentation called “Christ in the Passover” at Southern Pines United Methodist Church Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m.

Lynn McCoy will set a table with items traditionally used at the Passover meal and detail their spiritual significance. She will also explain the connection between the events of the first Passover in Egypt and the redemption that Jesus accomplished, as well as the deep bond between the ancient Passover feast and the Christian communion celebration today.

Jews for Jesus has presented “Christ in the Passover” at more than 38,000 churches. It has been enthusiastically received by Christians who appreciate learning more about the Jewish backgrounds of their faith.

Moishe Rosen, who founded Jews for Jesus in 1973, has also co-written the book “Christ in the Passover” with his wife, Ceil. This work includes a look at Passover in ancient times and how it is observed today. It will available after the presentation. Also available will be a DVD of the Christ in the Passover presentation with David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus, officiating.

Lynn McCoy will be happy to answer questions after the presentation.

For more information, call Southern Pines UMC office at (910) 692-3518.

Chapel’s Services

The Village Chapel, an interdenominational Christian community, will conduct three services on Palm Sunday, March 28.

A liturgical communion service will be held at 8:30 a.m. At the 9:30 a.m. family service, Chapel youth will process with palm branches and provide special music.

Additional music will be provided by “A Joyful Noise,” the family service choir. The Chapel Choir will provide special music at the Chapel’s traditional service at 11 a.m. Dr. Al Hill will speak at both the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services.

The Village Chapel and the Carolina Hotel are jointly sponsoring an Easter sunrise service at the hotel at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4. The Chapel Choir, under the direction of John W. Shannon, will be singing, and Dr. Al Hill will present a meditation.

The times for worship services at The Village Chapel will be changed for Easter.

The communion service will begin at 8 a.m. The family service will begin at 9:15 a.m. and include special music by “A Joyful Noise.” The traditional service will meet at 11 a.m. as usual, and will have music provided by the Chapel Choir. Dr. Al Hill will give the meditation at 8 a.m. and Dr. Larry Ellis will deliver the messages at the 9:15 and 11 a.m. Easter services.

The Village Chapel, located on the Village Green in Pinehurst, is handicapped accessible and visitor-friendly. Audio receivers are available for the hearing impaired. For more information, call (910) 295-6003.

Revival

Pleasant View Friends Church will hold revival Sunday, April 11, with services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The speaker is Clarence Garner.

The church is located at 13942 N.C. 24-27, Robbins.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold a Youth Crusade Sunday, April 11, through Wednesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. The guest speaker is Adrian Despres, of Kingdom Building Ministries, Columbia, S.C.

The Old Country Fair will be held 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. There will be games, demonstrations, auctions, crafts and antique displays of cars and farm equipment throughout the day.

A free concert featuring the Marksman Quartet ends the day at 6 p.m.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron. For information, call (919) 499-9632.

Palm Sunday Cantata

The Cypress Presbyterian Church Choir will present the cantata “Calvary’s Mountain” at the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, March 28 (Palm Sunday).

The 2010 “Equipping the Saints” workshop, which was canceled on Feb. 13 due to the snow, has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 27, at Highland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The keynote address will be “Stewardship is Not a Season: God’s Call and Christian Living,” by the Rev. Tim Beach-Verhey. The workshops promote Christian education and stewardship. Registration forms and workshop descriptions are available in the vestibule at Cypress Church for anyone who would like to attend.

For further information on these and other events, call (910) 245-4731. Cypress Presbyterian Church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road seven miles east of Vass.

‘Answers in Genesis’

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

James Gardner will present five seminars: “Dinosaurs and Dragons: Fact or Myth,” “Consequences of the Path You Choose,” “Why Question Biblical Authority?” “What is Truth?” and “The Mystery of Ancient Man.”

“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 Web site at answersingenesis.org.

Lenten Schedule

The Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst will hold a communion and worship service on Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

A Good Friday/Tenebrae — Service of Darkness will be held on April 2 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Easter services will be held at the Pinecrest High School Auditorium Sunday, April 4.

At 9:30 a.m., there will be a music prelude and the worship service will begin at 10 a.m.

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

For further information, call the church office at (910) 295-6848.

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

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

Wellness Class

West End United Methodist Church will host a “Mind, Body, and Spirit” wellness class beginning Wednesday, April 12, and continuing every Wednesday for six weeks until May 17.

The classes will be taught by the Rev. Janet Balasko. Before becoming a United Methodist Church minister, Balasko spent more than seven years as an exercise physiologist in Wilmington. She has a master’s degree in exercise physiology and is currently working on getting her personal training certificate.

The class will meet for six weeks from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Participants will learn nutritional information, exercise techniques and hear devotions. The cost of the program is $30.

For information, call Balasko at (919) 258-3743.

Lenten Lunches

Page Memorial United Methodist in downtown Aberdeen will host its annual Lenten Lunches each Wednesday at noon through March 31.

The cost is $5 per person and includes a delicious home-cooked meal, tea, coffee, dessert and a time of ministry and fellowship.

Guest speakers:

March 24: the Rev. Mike Branscome, Aberdeen First Baptist Church.

March 31: the Rev. Jane Leechford, Page Memorial UMC.

For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1093.

Reading Room

Since 2010 is the 30th anniversary of National Women’s History Month, the Christian Science Reading Room in Southern Pines is featuring biographies of and books written by Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science.

The theme of the 2010 celebration is “Writing Women Back into History.”

In 1980, “National Women’s History Week” was established by presidential proclamation by President Jimmy Carter; in 1987 Congress expanded the week into the month of March, “National Women’s History Month.”

The theme in 2009 was “Women Taking the Lead to Save the Planet.”

Many of the issues facing women today were challenges to Mary Baker Eddy: She was a single parent, concerned with child care; she had financial challenges; suffered poor health; and rejection because she was a woman. But she persevered and in overcoming these challenges emerged as a powerful voice for individual rights, making a lasting mark as author, publisher, healer, teacher and journalist.

To read more about Mary Baker Eddy visit the Christian Science Reading Room at at 173 NE Broad St. to review the many old and recent biographies and the news media of her day as well as the many books written by her.

For more information call (910) 692-7759.

Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual fish fry from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, in the parish hall of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 320 N. Ashe St., Southern Pines.

Dinner includes fried or baked fish, hush puppies, french fries, green beans, cole slaw and fruit salad. Also included are soft drinks, iced tea, coffee and water.

The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 12 and free for 6 and under.

Take-out plates are available.

Lenten Schedule

West End United Methodist Church announces its Lenten season services.

A Lenten Wednesday supper will be held at 6 p.m. March 24, followed by a Lenten devotional service at 7 p.m.

There will be a Palm Sunday service March 28, followed by an April 1 Maundy Thursday service at 8 p.m., which features the drama of The Last Supper

Good Friday services are at 8 p.m. April 1, and a special Easter service will be held April 4.

Adult Academy

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.

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 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.

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.