The following special services are scheduled at Cypress Presbyterian Church to celebrate Easter:

n Maundy Thursday, April 1, the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated and shrouding of the cross at 7 p.m. at the church.

n Friday, April 2, at noon, Cypress Church will participate in a community Good Friday Service to be held at Vass Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Bob Whitehouse will deliver the sermon.

n Easter Sunday, April 4, a sunrise service will be held in the Carolina Room at Woodlake Country Club at 6:30 a.m. At the 11 a.m. worship service, everyone is asked to bring flowers for the cross. There will not be a worship service at 8:30 a.m.

For additional information regarding these events, call Cypress Presbyterian Church at (910) 245-4731.

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

Cantata

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will present its annual Easter cantata Sunday, April 4, at 9:30 a.m.

Preceding the cantata will be sunrise service at 7 a.m., breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and Sunday school at 8:30 a.m.

Culdee Presbyterian

On April 1, there will be a Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. at Culdee Presbyterian Church. This will be a communion service.

The Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. in the Culdee Cemetery. Following the service, breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall.

At the 11 a.m. service, the Culdee Presbyterian Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gail Meeks, will present the Easter cantata, “I Know My Redeemer Lives.”

“We invite the community to attend these services and activities,” says a spokesman.

Our Saviour Services

Our Saviour Lutheran Church announces the following events:

n Wednesday, March 31, 5:30 p.m., Seder meal.

n Holy Thursday, noon and 6:15 p.m., Holy Communion and washing of the feet.

n Good Friday, 6:15 p.m., “The 7 Words from the Cross” in word and music.

n Easter Sunday, 7, 8:30 and 11 a.m., Holy Communion (breakfast will be served between the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services).

The church is located at 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines.

Call (910) 692-2262 for information.

West End Services

West End Presbyterian Church will offer worship services on Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday morning in observance of this weekend’s Easter celebrations.

On Thursday night, the church will offer its annual Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. This service remembers the Last Supper, and the “mandate” Jesus gave his disciples on that evening, the commandment to love God and to love one another. The Lord’s Supper will be served.

On Friday night, the church will offer its annual Good Friday worship service. The church choir will present the tenebrae worship service written by Hal Hopson. Special instrumentalists will be part of the service, which also begins at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

On Easter Sunday, April 4, West End will hold its annual Easter morning service, at 11 a.m. Among the hymn offerings will be “I Danced in the Morning.”

West End Presbyterian Church is located on Knox Lane in West End, one block off N.C. 211. It is a PC(USA) church.

Dedication

Wells Tabernacle Church of God in Christ will hold a dedication service at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 4.

Bishop Leroy Jackson Woolard, presiding prelate of the Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ, and interim pastor of the church, will conduct the service.

The church is located at 450 S. Stephens St., Southern Pines.

CCDC Sisters’ Club

Summer is rapidly approaching, which means the Sisters’ Club is just a couple of months away from its opening.

In order to prepare for the fun-filled summer, there will be an orientation day during the public school spring break.

On Wednesday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., any girls interested in joining will gather on the CCDC Campus, 145 Waterman Way, Carthage, to meet and have a fun day preparing for summer.

Painting projects will begin, decorations will be put up in the clubhouse, friends will be made and more.

“Those who are interested in the Sisters’ Club for a summer program should come to orientation day,” says a spokesman. “There is no commitment just by coming, but the girls won’t want to miss out during the summer! There is no fee for the day, just fun to be had. Bring a bag lunch.”

For information, call (910) 947-3935.

Holy Week Services

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.

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:

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.

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.

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 two 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.

Pinebluff Churches

Pinebluff United Methodist Church and Ives Memorial Baptist Church will join together for services at 7 p.m. 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:

Maundy Thursday, April 1 , with communion (St. Paul) at 7 p.m.; Good Friday, at 7 p.m. (St. James), Easter Sunday, 9 a.m. (St. Paul) and 11 a.m. (St. James).

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.

This 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.

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.

Chapel’s 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

There will be no evening service Wednesday, March 31, at Beaver Creek Baptist Church, but Maundy service Thursday, April 1, at 7 p.m.

The Widows/Widowers and Singles Ministry welcomes anyone who would like to dine in fellowship at The Firehouse Sub in Sanford Friday, April 2, at 5:30 p.m.

On Easter Sunday, the sunrise service begins at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday school will begin at 8:15 a.m. then the choir will present an Easter cantata for the morning worship service. There will be no evening service Sunday.

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.

‘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 Monday, April 12, and continuing every Monday 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 hosts the last of its annual Lenten Lunches Wednesday, March 31, at noon. The cost is $5 per person and includes a delicious home-cooked meal, tea, coffee, dessert and a time of ministry and fellowship. The speaker is 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.

Lenten Schedule

West End United Methodist Church announces it will hold a Maundy Thursday service April 1 at 8 p.m., which features the drama of “The Last Supper.”

Good Friday services are at 8 p.m. April 2, and a special Easter sunrise service will be held at 6:45 a.m. April 4, at West End Cemetery. Dr. James Gibson, interim pastor of First Baptist Church, West End, will be the speaker. In case of rain, the service will be at West End United Methodist Church.

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 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.