Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen will offer a workshop on the making and use of prayer beads.

Prayer beads are not intended to be worn, but to be held in the hands and passed through the fingers. Christians have been using counted prayers as early as the third century.

The word "bead" means "prayer." The Anglican rosary evolved in the 1980s from an Episcopal congregation in Texas. Each of the 33 beads and the cross is assigned its own prayers. The workshop will look at how members of different denominations are crafting their own forms of prayer.

This hands-on event will be held in two sessions: Thursday night, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the parlor at Bethesda Presbyterian on U.S. 1. The following Thursday, Oct. 28, each participant will make a set of prayer beads. The cost of the workshop, led by Nancy Arnold, music director at Bethesda, will depend on the type of beads each participant chooses.

"The public is invited to this event," says a spokesman. "Please come and explore this step toward contemplative prayer."

Fall Festival

Ashley Heights Baptist Church will hold a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. There will be lunch, games and a costume contest (no scary costumes, says a spokesman).

The church is located on N.C. 211, south of Aberdeen.

Call (910) 944-1952 for more information.

Benefit

A benefit will be held for Eugene Davis of the Ether/Robbins area will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, at Brown's Chapel Christian Church in Robbins. Davis is a heart and back patient who needs help with his medical expenses.

There will be a barbecue plates for sale, an auction, and a 50/50 drawing. The benefit will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call (910) 948-3572.

Homecoming

Summer Hill Baptist Church, in Carthage, will hold homecoming, Sunday, Oct. 17. The guest speaker is Pastor John Woodley.

Revival will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, and at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, and Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Culdee Supper

Culdee Presbyterian Church will hold its annual chicken and dumpling supper Saturday, Oct. 16, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $7.

For the seventh year, the Culdee Quilters have finished a quilt to be raffled off at the dinner. This year's offering is a king-size quilt with matching pillow shams in the "Doves in the Window" pattern. Raffle ticket are available at the church office or may be purchased at the dinner.

The church is located at 916 N.C. 73.

Beaver Creek Baptist Church

The Beaver Creek Baptist Church Single Adult Ministry meets every Friday night at the church, located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron, for Bible study and fellowship. For more details, visit their website at singlesministry@windstream.net

The church will hold its Community Fall Festival Sunday, Oct. 31, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Creek. There will be games, prizes, a bonfire, trunk-or-treat, food and more at this free event.

For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

International Dinner

Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen will celebrate its annual International Dinner Saturday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Each "themed table" will represent a different country.

"Bring your favorite dish from around the world or around the corner and enjoy an evening of Christian fellowship," says a spokesman.

Contact Bethesda Presbyterian Church at (910) 944-1319 for more information.

Associate Degree

Those interested in obtaining a associate degree (60 credit hours) in Biblical studies, may want to look into this program offered by Living Stones Ministries, 5485 U.S. 1, Vass, across from Dunrovin Country Store.

This degree program is for working individuals with busy lives. It takes a few hours a week of study and class time. An associate degree in Biblical studies will be given upon completion of all five increments (trimesters). Registration begins Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 22. The first class is scheduled for Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m.

The first trimester classes are: "Foundations of the Faith," "Supernatural Living," "New Testament Survey," "Praise and Worship" and "Fear of the Lord."

There is a cost associated with this degree program. For details, contact April Oxendine, administrator, at (910) 315-4187.

Seven Lakes Baptist

Seven Lakes Baptist begins is Awana program for children ages 3 through fifth grade Sundays from 6:16 to 7:30 p.m. Children must be 3 years old by Oct. 15.

A ladies Bible study will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday nights, ending Nov. 15. The study is Beth Moore's "The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." The cost of the workbook is $16.

Providing food assistance to families across America, Angel Food ministries has no qualifiers and participation is open to anyone and everyone. It is a nonprofit, nondenominational food cooperative committed to providing food assistance to families across the United States. It was founded on the principal of helping neighbors and friends in times of need. Boxes are provided with high quality proteins and nutritional items at substantial savings. Every month Angel Food creates a tasty menu that consists of both fresh and frozen food items. A Signature Box will feed a family of four for a week, or a single person for a month, costing only around $ 30.

Seven Lakes Baptist Church in Seven Lakes is now a distribution Center for Angel Food. Orders must be received by Sunday, Oct. 19, and picked up at the church Saturday, Oct. 23, between 9 and 10 a.m.

Call (910) 315-4655 or (910) 673-4656 for information and orders or order online at www.Angelfoodministries.com. Payment is by cash, money order or food stamps.

Roseland Barbecue

Roseland United Methodist Men will hold their annual fundraising barbecue Thursday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $7, which includes barbecue chicken or barbecue pork with baked beans, slaw, a roll and a homemade dessert.

Plates are available for eating in at the fellowship hall or take-out.

The church is located at 181 Rose Ridge Road, Aberdeen.

For information, call (910) 281-4006 or visit www.roselandumc.org.

Singing

The Sensational Evening Five will be singing at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Holy Temple Church, 205 Anderson St.

For information, call (910) 295-4005.

Harvest Sale

Mt. Pleasant Church will hold a harvest sale and supper Saturday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring roast beef, barbecue and chicken dumplings, with all the fixings. The cost is $7 per plate.

An auction will begin at 7 p.m. and features quilts, crafts, cakes and more.

The church is located at 4460 Lobelia Road, Vass.

For information, call (910) 245-7405.

Youth Explosion

God's Vision of Praise will be having a Youth Explosion at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Douglass Center, Southern Pines.

The speaker will be Pastor Elijah Ellerbe.

Royal Lights

The Royal Lights, of Dillon, S.C., will appear at Love Grove Freewill Baptist Church at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.

The event is sponsored by the deacons and trustee board.

The church is located at 283 Dawkins St., Jackson Hamlet.

Fun Day

St. James Lutheran Church will hold its second annual Friends and Family Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.

There will be entertainment, inspirational speakers, gospel rap, praise music and dance and skits, along with games and food.

The church is located at 983 W. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines.

For information, call (910) 692-2515.

Fall Festival

Community Friends Church will hold its first fall festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the church, located at 3879 U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

There will be a spaghetti dinner and silent auction as well as a gospel singing featuring Four Heart Harmony, the Ingham Family, Laurinburg Gospel Quartet and others.

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.

'Modern Day Psalmist'

Christ Fellowship Church announces that Marty Goetz and his wife, Jennifer, will lead the congregation and guests in worship and share truths from scripture through song Friday, Nov. 5.

Marty Goetz is a singer-songwriter and pianist of Jewish background. Born in 1952, he soon developed a musical career and as half of "Bert & Marty," he sang at clubs and other venues around Pittsburgh, Pa. Moving to the Catskill Mountains, the duo gained critical acclaim in the so-called Borscht Belt as the most promising new act of 1974. Then, as an increasing number of people in his life became born-again Christians, Goetz was led to read the Bible and became convinced of its message as well, Marty became a Christian. His venue became churches and a new career was born.

Marty Goetz has been called by some a "modern-day psalmist." Using melodic and acoustical/classic arrangements with his piano playing and orchestral work, he draws also from a number of musical influences not least of which is his Hebraic background.

Over the years, Goetz has collaborated with Christian recording artist Debby Boone on a number of occasions, including on the lyrics to "Song of Deliverance," which appears on his album "Sanctuary."

Goetz has recorded music steadily since 1985. Now he lives near Nashville, Tenn. with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter Danyel Misha.

West End UMC

Bread of Life Ministry at West End United Methodist Church meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This ministry is for single seniors (widows and widowers). It is a time of fellowship and devotion and a meal is provided at a charge of $5 per person.

The annual smorgasboard sponsored by the West End United Methodist Women will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at the church.

Tickets are $8 each, which includes buffet, dessert and tea. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the various missions of the West End United Methodist Women.

Call Anneliese Feggeler at (910) 673-3734 to purchase tickets.

There will be a Local Service Worker's Recognition Sunday, Oct. 17, at the 11 a.m. service at West End United Methodist Church.

"Local EMS workers, firefighters, and law enforcement are invited to our church to be recognized for their service to our community," says a spokesman.

The West End UMC youth will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, in the church fellowship hall.

Various items, including clothes, household items and aerobic equipment are available for purchase and all proceeds will benefit the youth groups within the church.

Adult Academy

The Adult Academy for Religious Studies will offer a course on "The Stories of Genesis" taught by Don Welch, minister at the Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines.

The classes will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. and meet on successive Tuesdays for five weeks in the sanctuary of the Chapel.

The course will cover the mythic Middle Eastern stories of the creation in addition to the wonderfully human stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs of the three Abrahamic faiths of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Welch has been teaching the Bible for more than 50 years in colleges, universities and churches across the country.

Participants are asked to bring a "readable" Bible and should prepare for the first session by reading the first 11 chapters of Genesis.

The Adult Academy is a program of the West End Presbyterian Church and the Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines. There is no charge for the course and prior registration is not required.

Gospel Singing

The Ben Marley Family will host its 33rd annual gospel singing at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, at First Wesleyan Church, at the corner of N.C. 705 and Moore Street, Robbins.

There will be various groups participating.

For information, call (910) 948-2829.

Women's Workshop

New Direction Outreach Ministries, in Vass, will hold its monthly women's workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.

The topic is "Conversations Unveiling the Heart"

"All ladies from every church in the area are welcome to come and be a part of this service," says Pastor Linnie Saunders.

For information, call (910) 638-8442.

Red Branch Baptist

Red Branch Baptist Church will host a concert by George Hamilton IV at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.

The church is located at 1748 Old River Road, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 947-1974.

Annual Bazaar

Our Savior Lutheran Church will hold its annual bazaar Friday, Oct 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sale items include clothes, baby items, furniture, books, jewelry, crafts, baked goods, tools, sporting goods, toys and more.

All funds collected will go to help those in need in Moore County.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church is located at 1517 Luther Way in Southern Pines.

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.

"Bible reading lifts us to expect fresh creative ideas in overcoming problems, be they health, employment, supply, or relationship issues, and the rhythm of our day becomes more productive," says a spokesman.

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.

Blessing of Animals

First Baptist Church in Southern Pines will host the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 2:30 p.m.

"Bring your pet (on a leash or in a cage) and join us in the grassy area off New York Avenue as we thank God for the animals we love," says a spokesman.

Military Spouse Support Group

The Village Chapel, of 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.

"We welcome to all military spouses from our community," says a spokesman.

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

Music Circle

The Acoustic Music Circle meets every third Sunday of the month in the fellowship hall at McDonalds Chapel on Foxfire Road, two miles from Pinehurst and 1? miles from Foxfire Village.

"This music circle is open to everyone who would like to join in and share their musical talents," says a spokesman. "Those that would like to come and listen in the audience are also welcome. The atmosphere is friendly with toe-tapping music for those that enjoy playing music together."

Light refreshments are served. The events are held from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Jayne Cummings at (910) 295-5220.

Bible Study

The local Community Bible Study, a nondenominational Bible study group, will open its 18th year with a study of the prophetic books, Daniel, Thessalonians and Peter.

"This study of Old and New Testament scripture reveals God's plan for his people," says a spokesman.

Community Bible Study is an international organization with 30 years of experience in developing and leading Bible study groups. This program is open to all Christian singles and couples who are interested in an in-depth study of God's word. Lesson material is provided with commentary and questions which require some written homework and study time. Classes will be formed for men, women and couples. The program includes opening fellowship, small group discussion and a short summation by the teaching director.

The study continues through April with breaks for the holidays. Sessions will be held every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. All meetings are held at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. There is a charge for study materials, with scholarships available if needed. All workers and leaders are volunteers. To register, call Walt Randolph at (910) 215-0850 or e-mail him at wrandolph@nc.rr.com.

After-School Program

An after-school program for kindergarten through eighth-graders will be offered at New Covenant Fellowship in Carthage (located on Union Church Road between New Century and Union Pines schools).

Contact Adam Love at (910) 947-1412 for more information.

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.

Nondenominational classes meet each Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Southern Pines. 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.

There are classes for preschool children with crafts and Bible stories, classes for home-schooled children and a nursery for babies.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.