The Village Chapel will hold its annual Thanksgiving worship service Wednesday evening, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m.

"Everyone in the community, including visiting family and friends, are invited to participate," says a spokesman. "This special event will focus on recognition and appreciation for our many bountiful gifts from God, especially our faith, family and country. As part of sharing our plenty, a nonperishable food donation for the Interfaith Food Pantry in Aberdeen is requested in lieu of other offerings. This community-wide food bank provides thousands of meals each month to the less fortunate. Canned goods, peanut butter and baby care items are always in short supply."

Contact The Village Chapel at (910) 295-6003 for more information.

Flapjack Fundraiser

First Missionary Baptist Church will hold a flapjack fundraiser Saturday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 10 a.m. at Applebee's, 1403 N. Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen. Tickets are $7.

Rededication

The Word of Life HCOGIC, 107 Spring St., Aberdeen, will hold a rededication service of its newly renovated sanctuary at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. The speaker is Bishop Larry Brown, of House of Prayer HCOGIC.

There will be celebration services the preceding Wednesday through Friday nights at 7 p.m. Wednesday's speaker is Bishop Willie Gilmore, of Fellowship House of God; Pastor Victor Blue, of Jesus Is Lord Deliverance Center, will speak Thursday; and Apostle Hoover Benymon, of Crusade for Christ Deliverance Center, speaks on Friday.

There will be special music Friday night from Pastor Mike Collins and his choir, of Collins Revival Center.

The church pastor is Overseer Nathaniel Malloy.

Nativity Display

The Jessie Loving Circle of Cameron Baptist Church will be hosting a display of nativities in the fellowship hall Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

The church is located at 593 Carthage St., Cameron.

Revival

Community Friends Church, 3879 U.S. 15-501, Carthage, will hold revival Thursday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m., with a Thanksgiving meal following the service.

Evangelist Kenny Greenway will be the speaker.

For information, call (910) 947-2002.

Family and Friends Day

Love Grove FWB Church in the Jackson Hamlet community will be having a Family and Friends Day celebration Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. with Pastor John Pennie, from Harrington Chapel, and Sunday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., with Virginia King, of Jesus is King of Deliverance.

For information, contact Sharon Williams at (910) 797-8862.

Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will host a community Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. This meal is free, but those who would like to attend are asked to call the church at (910) 692-0992 to make a reservation.

The church is located at 2237 Camp Easter Road, Carthage.

Plate Sale

Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church will sell $7 plates of chicken tenders, potato salad, cole slaw, roll and cookie to support its local community mission fund "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" Thursday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1444 Doubs Chapel Road, West End.

For delivery options, call Bill at (910) 783-8288.

'Free-for-All'

Ives Memorial Baptist Church will hold its eighth annal "Free-for-All" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, in the church fellowship hall.

The church is located on the corner of Philadelphia Avenue and Grape Street in Pinebluff.

"It's like a yard sale without prices," says a spokesman. "If you see things that you need, or that you can give to someone else who needs them, feel free to take them. Payment is not necessary. If you are able to make a donation, it will be gladly accepted, and in turn donated to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. If you cannot make a donation, please accept whatever you need in the name of Jesus, and with his blessings."

Soup and sandwiches will be available.

If you have questions, leave a message for Betty Hardy at the church office at (910) 281-3247, and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Church office hours are 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Interfaith Thanksgiving

Five congregations in the Foxfire/West End area are joining hands, hearts and voices in an Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. at this year's host site, Temple Beth Shalom, which is located at the corner of Hoffman and Jackson Springs roads in Foxfire Village.

This fifth annual Thanksgiving gathering is sponsored jointly by the Sandhills Jewish Congregation, the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC, Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church and Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines. Representatives from each congregation designed the service to invite neighbors into a worship setting in which various faith traditions express their gratitude for the blessings of this shared community, nation and world. Everyone in the community is welcome and participants are invited to linger for refreshments following the service to enjoy getting to know their neighbors.

Using familiar hymns of the church and synagogue, sharing words from the Psalms and the prophets, praying in Hebrew and English will offer worshippers an opportunity to share their common faith traditions and give thanks together for their many blessings. This year's Thanksgiving sermon will be given by the Rev. Don Welch. The service will feature a community choir lead by Chris Boveroux with members from each of the congregations, and acoustic music by Allen Ashdown, Matthew Bahr, David McDonald and Sharon McDonald.

Worshippers are asked to bring canned goods or desperately needed winter items such as coats, new undergarments and blankets as a Thanksgiving offering, to be donated to the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care.

Fresh Fire Revival

The Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center will observe its annual Fresh Fire Fall Revival Thursday, Nov. 18, and Friday, Nov. 19. The speaker for Thursday night will be Elder Clarence Taylor, an associate of The New Direction Outreach Ministry, Vass. The keynote speaker for Friday night will be Evangelist Nevada Banks, an associate of the St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, Angier. Service time is 7:30 p.m.

Apostle Michael Dixon will be the keynote speaker at the Abundant Life Outreach Deliverance Church, in Asheboro Sunday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. There will be no night service at Greater Glory.

The annual Thanks and Praise Family and Friends Fellowship Service will be held Sunday, Nov. 28, at Greater Glory. The 11 a.m. keynote speaker will be Apostle Michael S. Dixon. It will conclude with a 6 p.m. evening service with speaker co-pastor Terry Norfleet, of Rocky Mount.

The Judah Commander ECA Ministries will present the annual Singles Conference 2010 Thursday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center.

The Greater Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center is located at 156 Westgate Drive off N.C. 211 in Pinehurst. Visit www.JudahCommanderECA.net or contact Evangelist Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369 for more information on upcoming events.

Women's Retreat

Brown's Chapel Christian Church, in Robbins, is having a Women's Prayer and Praise Retreat Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Gina Gravesand. Breakfast and lunch will be served. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call Pastor Michael Parenti at (910) 948-2729.

Ending Hunger

The Rev. Elizabeth Coleman is regional director of Bread For The World, a collective Christian voice urging the nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. She visited Congregational Church of Pinehurst UCC for Sunday worship on Oct. 25 and delivered a Minute for Mission in which she stated that hunger among U.S. children is "a solvable problem."

Following the church service, Coleman guided church members through a letter-writing campaign to local Congress people asking them to support renewal of the Earned Income Tax Credit program, which expires Dec. 31. More than 5 million working families have been lifted above the poverty line by this program; more than 3.6 million children are no longer hungry.

The congregation of CCP responded with 31 handwritten letters that were blessed by Pastor Bissette during the Nov. 1 church service and then mailed individually to members of Congress.

Congregational Church of Pinehurst UCC is located at 895 Linden Road, across from Elliott's restaurant. For further information, call (910) 295-2243 or visit www.youare welcomehere.org.

Community Thanksgiving

The Eagle Springs annual Community Thanksgiving Service will be held Sunday evening, Nov. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. at Eagle Springs United Methodist Church, 640 Eagle Branch Road, in Eagle Springs.

The following clergy and laity from the area will be worship leaders: the Rev. Wes Brandon, pastor, Bensalem Presbyterian; the Rev. Todd Moore, pastor, Eagles Springs Baptist; the Revs. Myron and Barbara Dice, co-pastors of Eagle Springs, Marcus and Pleasant Hill United Methodist Churches; Rosalie McNeill, organist, Eagle Springs; Ethel Freeman, pianist, Eagle Springs; and the Bensalem Chancel Choir.

Persons attending are asked to bring staples and canned goods as their Thanksgiving offering. All food will be donated to the West End United Methodist Food Pantry. This pantry was started in 1992 and currently serves approximately 225-250 qualifying families every other Wednesday between the hours of 8 and 11 a.m. Each box of food provides canned goods, meats, packaged food, dairy products, produce, breads and desserts.

The Rev. Myron Dice will share the Thanksgiving meditation titled "From Darkness to Gratitude."

Merry Market

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church of Seven Lakes will host its popular Merry Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. The Merry Market this year will feature wonderful jewelry, festive candles, baskets and a host of other items made by area crafters. Home-baked cakes, cookies and other treats will also be available.

St. Mary Magdalene is located at 1145 Seven Lakes Drive.

Celebration

Kingdom Vision Worship Center Ministry will celebrate the 101st birthday of Mother Carrie Bell Fisher during the morning worship service Sunday, Nov. 21. At 6 p .m., a celebration will be held at the Douglass Center in Southern Pines for Pastor Dock Kelly III/ The speaker is Pastor Ronald Dixon, of Greensboro.

Quartet in Concert

The Mark Trammell Quartet will be in concert at Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Carthage, Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

The Mark Trammell Quartet is a full-time Southern gospel group based out of Gadsden, Ala. The group travels more than 200 dates a year across the United States, Canada and abroad. Their style of music is largely influenced by Mark's early days with groups such as the Cathedrals, Greater Vision and Gold City. Mark has been described as one of the best baritone singers in the business and a master at orchestrating the group's tight four-part harmony.

The quartet plans to sing a few Christmas songs during the concert. They'll sing "old" favorites (gospel) as well as brand new songs, so there should be something for everyone.

There is no admission charge, but an offering will be taken to support Moore County Schools' BackPack Pals. There are also plans for a silent cake auction. All donations will go to support Moore County Schools BackPack Pals.

For information, call (910) 947-4736 or (910) 692-7360.

Calvary Baptist

Saturday, Nov. 20, Calvary Baptist Church, Plank Road, Carthage, is having a chicken stew supper and gospel singing. The supper will start at 5 p.m., followed by the singing by the Harvesters at 6 p.m.

Then a Thanksgiving revival will begin Sunday, Nov. 21, and run through Tuesday, Nov. 23. Guest speaker will be Pastor Brad Harrison from Edgewood Baptist Church, in Mebane. Sunday night service will begin at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday nights services will begin at 7 p.m.

Calvary Baptist Church, Old Plank Road, Robbins, will perform the play "Wings of Christmas" Friday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m.

Anniversary

Piney Grove Church, in the Windblow community, Ellerbe, will host the Calvary Gospel Singers at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, as they celebrate their anniversary. Several guest groups will participate.

For information, call (910) 652-5946.

Bible Study

The Pinehurst Evening Community Bible Study will start a new study on Dec. 7 of the Apostle Paul's letters to the Church of Thessalonica. This important study gives the Christian believer God's plan for the events surrounding the second coming of Christ. It will be a six-week study with a holiday recess, ending in January and conducted at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings. Guest night is Dec. 7, with classes available for singles and couples. Material for the study will be supplied. For more information, call Merle Lewis at (910) 255-6179 or mlewis27330@nc.rr.com.

Celebration

The Restoration House Praise, Worship and Deliverance Ministries, with founders Pastor Andre Alston and Prophetess Anna Alston, will celebrate its third year in the ministry, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.

Guest speaker will be Pastor John Milton, from McLeansville, where he is the founder and senior pastor over Full Gospel Christian Center.

The location is N.C. 211, 149 Woodlawn St., West End (behind the post office).

For further information, call (910) 673-1950 or e-mail anna@therestoration-house.com.

Thanksgiving Events

The Christian Science Reading Room, 173 N.E. Broad St., Southern Pines, will celebrate the special November events relating to Thanksgiving and National Bible Week.

Saturday, Nov. 20, the "Gratitude Tree" will be on the sidewalk in front of the Reading Room. Passers-by will be invited to write a few words showing they are grateful for the good already received, and to place the little card on the tree. No donation will be sought.

A Thanksgiving Day Service will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Nov. 25, at the Christian Science Church around the corner at 240 E. New Hampshire Ave.

National Bible Week is always celebrated during the week of Thanksgiving. There will be Bibles, Bible study aids, commentaries and Bible computer resources available, as always. The Reading Room is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and a librarian is on hand to share ideas relating to the Bible's guidance for everyday living. The Room also provides a place for quiet meditation and prayer.

For further information, call (910) 692-7759.

Learning Center

The 21st Century Community Learning Center is now in session on the campus of Christ Way Deliverance Church in Eastwood. The church is hosting kindergarten through 12th grade.

The after-school program is held Mondays through Thursdays, from 3 to 6 p.m. Homework assistance is offered in math, reading and science as well as with special school projects.

"We have partnered with the Moore County office of the N.C. Cooperative Extension 4-H," says a spokesman. "Linda Gore and Agnes Evans will be involved with the students, presenting a variety of fun activities for 12 weeks starting January. We have also scheduled Martrina McDonald for a couple of sessions. McDonald works through the Communities In Schools of Moore County and does a wonderful job teaching about health eating and exercise for youngsters. Working to improve academic skills for our students in Moore County is our main goal. However,we will also have a variety of activities for parents of our students or parents in the community who may be interested in living a better life, spiritually, financially, emotionally and physically."

Information on parent involvement will be given at a later date.

An additional site of the 21st CCLC will be held at Union Pines High School that will serve grades seven through 12. For additional information for the UPHS site, call Renee Portfilio, school counselor, at (910) 947-5511. For Christ Way Deliverance, call Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 235-3715 or (910) 295-5813. Spaces are still available at both sites.

Harvesters Sing

The Harvesters Quartet will sing at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Bensalem Presbyterian Church, 2891 Bensalem Church Road, Eagle Springs.

There will be no charge; however, a love offering will be taken.

For information, call (910) 673-8078.

Special Service

On Sunday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m. Pastor Burgess, from Solid Rock, will speak, and the WonderLand singers will perform at Sandy Grove Bible Church of God.

The church is located in Vass.

Building Blocks

The Creative Learning Center of Moore County, a private nonprofit organization, is enrolling students in grades 4-8 in the Building Blocks After School Program. This free program is funded by a 21st Century grant. It is located at First Missionary Baptist Church, 315 S. Gaines St., Southern Pines.

The program consists of homework help, math and reading tutoring, and enhancement activities that will include money management, public speaking, yoga and etiquette.

For information, contact L'Tanya Haire, program director, at (910) 315-2699 or Vera Burks, program coordinator, at (910) 992-1529.

Beaver Creek Baptist

The church will host a free Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in the Family Life Center. The menu consists of ham, green beans with potatoes, candied yams, rolls, beverages and dessert.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron. For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

West End UMC

West End United Methodist Church will host a community Thanksgiving service Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. Dr. Larry Lyon, of West End Presbyterian, will deliver the message, and special music will be provided during this Thanksgiving service. Light refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following the service.

Acoustic Music Circle

The Acoustic Music Circle at McDonalds Chapel, which meets the third Sunday of each month, is canceled for the month of November. The members will be attending the fifth annual Interfaith Worship Service, which is being held on Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. The December session will be held Sunday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Martha's Place

Martha's Place, a soup kitchen sponsored by Page Memorial United Methodist Church, offers free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

Calvary Chapel is now assisting by cooking and serving on two Tuesdays a month.

Martha's Place is in the fellowship hall of Page Memorial United Methodist Church in Aberdeen.

Reading Room

At the bookstore/library Christian Science Reading Room, 173 NE Broad St., in Southern Pines, are Bible study guides in printed and audio versions for study each week. The librarian is always ready to share in its exploration.

References are from the King James Bible and correlative ideas are from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. On the Sunday following the weekly study, the lesson is read aloud by lay readers in the Christian Science Church service. Visitors are welcome to read the lesson in the Reading Room and/or hear it read on Sunday at the Christian Science Church, 240 E. New Hampshire Ave., at 10 a.m.

For further information, call (910) 692-7759.

Military Spouse Support Group

The Village Chapel, in Pinehurst, has started a military spouse support group that meets the fourth Friday of every month. The group will meet at the Care Cottage of the Chapel from 9 to 11 a.m. and child care is provided. The program provides fellowship, teaching, outreach and support.

Call the church office at (910) 295-6003.

Caregivers

The Village Chapel Caregivers meet the fourth Thursday of each month. The group is open to the public. For information, call June Vetter at (910) 295-8026.

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.

Inquiries for wellness -information and programs may be -directed to (910) 295-1577.