The Community Congregational Church of Southern Pines will celebrate its 115th anniversary Sunday, May 23, with a special worship service at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch and a presentation of “The History Of Congregationalism.”

The First Congregational Church, as it was then known, was established in 1895 by local residents and seasonal visitors from the North. It would be one of only four churches in Southern Pines for the next 37 years and advertised that it accepted people of all denominations. William Stuart, who died in 1956, was the last of the 37 founding members still active.

The original church building was on Page Street, but a new church was quickly built at the present location on North Bennett Street for the sum of $2,420. This second church building was severely damaged by fire on April 13, 1923. The present church structure was completed in early 1927 at the cost of $30,000.

At the same time the church’s name was changed to The Church of Wide Fellowship (Congregational). The present church building has now served the congregation and community for more than 80 years. Another fire in 1950 caused considerable damage, but the sanctuary was saved and a new education building wing was constructed.

The Church of Wide Fellowship joined the United Church of Christ shortly after its formation in 1957. During the early 1960s, an open-door policy was made public that the church was open to all people regardless of race. This joined the open denomination policy that had been in operation since the church’s beginnings.

Today the Community Congregational Church, the name adopted in 1990, continues to serve the Sandhills and offers a place for people of all types and beliefs to worship and continue their journeys of faith.

“We warmly extend an invitation to attend the celebration of our founding Sunday, May 23, at 11 a.m. and then enjoy lunch with us as well,” says Dr. David Bowling.

‘Bring a Friend’

Bethesda Presbyterian Church, located on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen, will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, May 23, at the 11 a.m. worship service.

Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and other followers of Jesus.

“After this remarkable occurrence, thousands became converts to the Christian faith,” says a spokesman. “This is why Pentecost is sometimes described as ‘the birthday of the church.’ As we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will also celebrate ‘bring a friend to church’ day.”

Cake and lemonade will be served on the lawn after the worship service.

Flapjack Fundraiser

Macedonia Baptist Church, in Aberdeen, will hold a flapjack fundraiser beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 22, at Applebee’s, in Aberdeen.

All proceeds raised will directly benefit the church’s women’s group.

“Applebee’s continues to take great strides to be an active member in the community,” said Michael Olander, president and CEO of the Apple Gold Group. “The Apple Gold Group is delighted to host a flapjack fundraiser for Macedonia Baptist Church, and we believe that it will be a great success.”

Tickets for the flapjack fundraiser are $7 and can be purchased by calling Vinessa Burtis at (910) 603-5620. Breakfast includes a short stack of pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee.

“Applebee’s is proud to partner with any local nonprofit organization as a way to raise money for their cause,” said Olander. From ticket sales to event-day staff, the breakfasts are managed by the nonprofit organization with the assistance of Applebee’s employee volunteers. Breakfasts can be held on any Saturday or Sunday morning, and cost the organization around $2 a meal. The Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraisers represent the restaurant chain’s latest efforts to remain active within its local neighborhood. To request a flapjack fundraiser to benefit your nonprofit organization, visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.”

Revival

Harmony Baptist Church will hold revival at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, June 6, and 7 p.m. Monday, June 7, through Wednesday, June 9.

Evangelist George Pierce, of Kentucky, will speak and sing

The church is located at 3624 N.C. 73 East, West End

For information, call (910) 944-0544.

Appreciation Service

Holy Temple Church will hold an appreciation service for Pastor Allen Moore at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 30.

Bishop Ronnie Moore will be singing and preaching. The choir will also provide music.

The church is located at 205 Anderson St., Carthage.

Dinner

On Thursday, June 3, the women of Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst will hold a birthday celebration dinner for the benefit of children of the R.I.S.E Project of Peach Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Ky., and the Kindergarten and Childcare Center in Kirkuk, Iraq, whose work carries out the mission theme of “Train children in the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray.”

Rachel Yates, R.N., CFM, the owner of Hope Cottage, a shop dedicated to women in treatment or recovery from cancer, will be the guest speaker and will share her message of hope, courage and strength.

Guests are encouraged to bring a donation of canned, bottled or packaged food for the benefit of the Interfaith Food Pantry in Aberdeen.

“Invite your friends and enjoy the food, fun and fellowship,” says a spokesman.

The 6 p.m. dinner will be held in fellowship hall. Reservations should be sent to the church office at 125 Everette Road, Pinehurst, by May 30. Include your name and number of guests.

For further information, call (910) 295-6848.

Plate Sale

The youth group at St. James Lutheran Church will hold a fish fry plate and sandwich sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 22.

Fish plates include a choice of two sides — coleslaw, baked beans or green beans — with a selection of desserts and a drink. Plates are $7, and sandwiches are $3.50.

Plate orders of two or more will be delivered, and pre-orders are being accepted.

The church is located at 983 W. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines. Call (910) 692-2515.

Rummage Sale

Love Grove Freewill Baptist Church will have a rummage sale Saturday, June 12, beginning at 8 a.m., in the Jackson Hamlet community off N.C. 5 in Pinehurst.

The sale will feature many items, including clothes.

For information, call Sharon Williams at (910) 797-8862 or (910) 281-5512.

Conference

Pastors Charles and Deborah Bloom, along with Kingdom-Minded Ministries International Inc., will host its 2010 Men’s and Women’s Conference May 22-23, at the Southern Pines Primary School Auditorium, 1250 W. New York Ave., Southern Pines.

The conference theme is “The Art of Strategic Prayer and Spiritual Warfare.”

On Saturday, May 22, the conference will begin at 9 a.m. The guest speakers will be Apostle Francesca Stubbs, Sure Word of Deliverance Apostolic Church, Spring Lake (9:30 a.m.); Pastor Karen McNair, Deliverance Evangelistic Worship Center, Fayetteville (10:30 a.m.); and Bishop Marvin Smith, City of the Great King, Fayetteville (1 p.m.). Lunch will be served at noon.

On Sunday, May 23, Deborah Bloom, co-pastor, will be closing the conference out at the 10 a.m. worship experience.

Admission is free.

For more information, send an e-mail to kingdommindedministry@centurylink.net or call (910) 235-3877.

Fundraiser

There will be a yard sale, plate sale and car wash held at Stone Chapel Church in Carthage Saturday, May 22.

The yard sale will begin at 8 a.m. There will be many items to choose from, including gift baskets.

The plate sale will begin at 11 a.m. with a choice of fish or chicken.

Revival

The Kingdom Connections Church will hold revival from Wednesday, May 19, through Friday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m.

The speakers will be Bishop Ronnie Moore and Bishop James Wiley, of Shelby.

For more information contact Michele at mdelah12@yahoo.com or at (910) 528-7620.

The church is located at 134 Mill Road in Rockingham.

Camp Quest 2010

New Covenant Fellowship in Carthage (located between Union Pines High School and New Century Middle) announces that it will hold seven week-long summer day camps from June 14 through through July 31.

The cost is $85 per week and includes field trips, snacks and crafts.

Call (910) 947-1412 for more information.

Greater Glory

The Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center will host youth fellowship outreach service Friday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m.

The Pentecostal Deliverance Ministries will observe its annual Dominion Weekend Fellowship Saturday, May 29, with a high noon day service and 7 p.m. evening deliverance service. The event will climax Sunday, May 30, at 11 a.m., with Executive Chief Apostle Michael S. Dixon presiding.

The church is located at 156 Westgate Drive, Pinehurst. Services are held every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. A Bible study and intercessory prayer service is held Wednesdays at noon, with a 7 p.m. outreach service.

Visit the website at www.greaterglorypdmin.com.

‘Women of Praise’

Greater Harvest House of Prayer Ministries, located at 760 Midway Road, Aberdeen, will be hosting “Women of Praise” services over the next several weeks.

Minister Mona Ratliff will speak on Friday, May 21. Services will be held at 7 p.m.

Greater Harvest will hold a Women’s Day program at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 23. The speaker will be Eldress Tina Harris, from Endtime Harvest, in Carthage.

Elder Walter O. Thomas is the pastor.

Ladies in White

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will host Eldress Cynthia Goldston, of Christian Life Center, Sanford, Sunday, May 23, at 3 p.m.

The church is located in Vass.

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.

“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.

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.