"The Carolina Philharmonic invites you to prepare your hearts for Holy Week through a musical depiction of the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, accompanied by readings from the Gospels," says a spokesman.

Maestro David Michael Wolff leads the Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and chorus as well as guest soloists in works by Bach, Mozart, Puccini, Durufle and Tchaikovsky.

"Music inspires passions and ennobles the soul," says Wolff, "which is one of the reasons last year's Holy Week concert resonated so deeply with the standing-room-only audience - it was more of a communion and a celebration than a concert."

Two performances are scheduled: Wednesday, April 13, at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at Sacred Heart Church; and Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m., at SCC's Owens Auditorium. Tickets are available at The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, Given Book Store at Olmsted Village, Heavenly Pines Fine Jewelry (across from the main post office off N.C. 5) and by calling the CP box office at (910) 687-4746 or (910) 687-0287.

Revival

Brown's Chapel Christian Church, in Robbins, will have revival services Wednesday, April 20, through Sunday, April 24, with the Rev. Alvin Christensen, from Hemet, Calif. Services will be held each night at 7 p.m. and Easter Sunday morning at 11. There will also be special music at each service. Brown's Chapel Christian Church will also have an Easter sunrise service on Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

For more information, call (910) 948-2729.

Aide Service

Now Faith Ministry Inc., 3520 Ashemont Road, Aberdeen, will be having a pastor's aide service Friday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. The guest preacher will be Pastor Betsy Dixon, of Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Church, Pinehurst.

Rainbow Tea

Jesus Is Lord Family Worship Center will hold its annual Rainbow Tea Saturday, April 16, at 3 p.m. Pastor Marvin Leak will be the guest speaker

Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and up, and $7.50 for ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Call (910) 220-6792 or (910) 638-3155 for more details.

Easter Boxes

The Mighty Military Warriors of Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst prepared Easter boxes to send to deployed military personnel.

Church members donated reading materials, many kinds of snacks, drink mixes and toiletries. They also wrote personal notes to church members in military service.

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

Cypress Presbyterian

"The community is cordially invited to attend special services celebrating Easter at Cypress Presbyterian Church," says a spokesman.

Palm Sunday will be observed on April 17 and will include the ordination and installation of elders at the 11 a.m. worship service. On April 21, Maundy Thursday will be observed, beginning with a covered dish supper at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall followed by a worship service at 7 p.m. This service will include the celebration of the Lord's Supper, Tenebrae and Shrouding of the Cross. A community Good Friday service will be held on April 22, at noon at Cypress Church. The Rev. Bill Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Vass, will deliver the message.

An Easter sunrise service at Woodlake on Easter Sunday, April 24, will begin at 6:30 a.m. and, weather permitting, will be held outside at the Oates House. Communion will be observed at the 11 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday. There will not be an 8:30 worship service on Easter.

Cypress Presbyterian Church celebrates Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road, seven miles east of Vass.

Spring Fling

Ashley Heights Baptist Church will be having a "Spring Fling" on Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will include an egg hunt, lunch, the Easter story, candy and prizes.

Ashley Heights Baptist Church is located on N.C. 211, south of Aberdeen. For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1952.

Gospel Singing

The Tim Greene Trio will be at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Friday, April 8, at 7 p.m.

Tim Greene sang for 21 years with his family as a part of The Greenes and now, after a four-year battle with toxic black mold disease, he felt led to form a new group. For more information, call (910) 692-0992 or (910) 695-1826.

Revival services will be held during Holy Week at 7 p.m. each evening. Speakers are the Rev. David Reynolds, of Pleasant Hill Baptist, Monday, April 18; the Rev. Eugene Ussery, of Victory Baptist, Tuesday, April 19; the Rev. Mike Garner, of Emmanuel Baptist, Wednesday, April 20; the Rev. Gregg Newton, of Cornerstone Baptist, Thursday, April 21; and the Rev. Bucky Hendrix, of Middle Cross Baptist, Friday, April 22.

First Wesleyan

First Wesleyan Church, in Robbins, announces revival services will be held Sunday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 13. The evangelist will be the Rev. Ron Hamilton, senior pastor at Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church, in Asheboro. The music will be led by Bobby Marsh of The Pioneers.

Service times are Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday services will be at 7 p.m.

The church is located at the corner of N.C. 705 and E. Moore Street in Robbins.

For directions or more information, call Pastor Sam Swinney at (910) 948-2332.

Family and Friends Day

Fletcher's Chapel United Methodist Church in Hoffman will hold its annual Family and Friends Day on Sunday, April 10.

Services begin with morning worship at 11 a.m. Pastor Charles Bethea will bring the morning message. Lunch will be served immediately after service.

The day concludes with a musical concert at 4 p.m. Together-N-Unity, under the musical direction of Roderick Brower, will be in concert. Other special guests include the Ebony Gospel Chorale, of Greensboro, and the Willing Workers Choir, Cheraw, S.C.

The church is located on U.S. 1 in Hoffman. For more information, contact Rod Brower at (910) 944-1404 or e-mail at rod.brower@yahoo.com.

Plate Sale

Deep Creek Baptist Church, 1995 Linden Road, will hold its barbecue and barbecue chicken plate sale Friday, April 8. All plates are $7, and are available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The sale is sponsored by the men's and ladies' groups of the church. Proceeds will be used for missions within the community.

Plates will be sold at the corner of Linden Road and N.C. 5. Tickets may be purchased from any church member. Sales of 10 or more plates will be delivered by request. Contact Robert Edwards at (910) 255-0671 or (910) 695-5609 or Jason Morgan at (910) 638-4022

New Faces

Congregational Church of Pinehurst is seeing a host of new faces this spring. The Healing Springs of the Pines Sangha, a Buddhist community, is now holding weekly meditation in the Hearth Room at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

"We welcome them to our space, and they welcome us to join them for meditation whenever we desire," says a spokesman. "Meanwhile, our United Church of Christ congregation continues to grow. On Sunday, Feb. 27, we officially received three new members: Rebecca Amedy, Richard Kirkwood and Richard Teeples. Then, just four weeks later on March 27, we received six more: Janet Cunningham, Gail Harrell and Deborah Main, Kathleen Russo, Sally Perry and Jacque Salisbury. All are long-term residents of the Sandhills area but new to this congregation."

Special music for the welcome service on March 27 was provided by Glissando, the talented string quartet composed of Pinecrest High School seniors Myles Yang, Madison Struhs, Dillon Taylor and Robert Edens, son of George Edens and Carolyn Edge, of this congregation.

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

Yard Sale

New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will hold a yard sale at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 9. The church is located on N.C. 705, Robbins.

Spring Concert

Together in Unity, a combination of Fletcher's Chapel Choir and Love Grove FWB ensemble, will host a spring concert at Love Grove FWB Church in the Jackson Hamlet community on April 16, at 6 p.m.

Gospel Voices

The Gospel Voices will celebrate their anniversary Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m. at Piney Grove Church, in the Windblow community, Ellerbe. Several groups are expected.

For additional information, call Leonard Mayhue at (910) 974-4274.

Women's Conference

The Sisterhood of Stone Chapel will be having its annual Women's Conference May 13-15. The service for Friday night begins at 7:30 p.m., and the guest preacher will be Pastor Glenda Farmer, of Shady Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Spring Lake. Services will continue on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. with guest preacher Eldress Brenda Sutton, of McLean Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Bunnlevel. The conference will conclude Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with guest preacher Minister Gail Bennet, of Synagogue of Christ in Carthage.

Youth Fundraiser

The youth group of St. James Lutheran Church will hold a fish plate/sandwich sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday April 9, in the parking lot at Pine City Barber Shop, corner of West Pennsylvania Avenue and North Gaines St.

Fish plates are $7 and include two large pieces of fish, choice of two vegetables, coleslaw, baked beans or green beans and a dessert and drink. Sandwiches are $3, which includes a drink.

Operation Inasmuch

On Saturday, April 16, more than 200 members of First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, will be participating in Operation Inasmuch, an interdenominational day of service and community outreach. Operation Inasmuch strives to demonstrate God's compassion and love in practical ways.

"Church members of all ages will use their gifts and interests to serve those in need within the community," said coordinator Tina Finkelstein. Gardeners and those who enjoy working with their hands will participate in community beautification and construction projects; knitters will craft caps for chemotherapy patients; scrapbookers will make "Life Books" for children in the foster care system; even preschoolers will be involved, making cards for children in the hospital.

A church-wide rummage sale will also be held that day from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, benefiting Friend to Friend, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

"We are pleased to support Friend to Friend and the help they give women and children in a time of crisis," said Finkelstein. "It is especially timely coming so soon after the shelter was damaged by fire."

Free blood pressure checks will be offered at Mac's Breakfast Anytime in Aberdeen, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Bo's Foods in Southern Pines, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Chick-fil-A, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Baptist Church is located at 200 E. New York Ave. in Southern Pines. For more information, contact 692-8750.

Revival

Ashley Heights Baptist Church will be having a spring revival Sunday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 13, with the Rev. Mike Snellgrove as guest speaker. Services are Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. A nursery is provided.

Ashley Heights Baptist Church is located on N.C. 211 south of Aberdeen. For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1952.

Beaver Creek Baptist

The Old Country Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Beaver Creek Baptist Church.

There will be a silent auction, antique car show, live music, vendors from the community and more. All children's activities and games are free. Barbecue plates will be sold for $7 and hot dog plates for $3, along with homemade cakes and pies.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

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

Crossroads Community

Crossroads Community Church Services can now be seen on Dish Network, Directv and antenna on Channel 22, Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The church is a nondenominational church and is located at 780 Bibey Road in Carthage.

For more information, call (910) 949-3971.

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 seniors (widows, widowers and the elderly). It is a time of fellowship and devotion with a home cooked meal provided at a charge of $5 per person.

A Lenten supper and devotional will be held Wednesday, April 6. The meal begins at 6 p.m., followed by the service at 7 p.m. For families with young children, a nursery will be available during the service. For information, contact Don Allen at (910) 295-0460 or the church office at (910) 673-1371.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Friday, April 8, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the church. Contact Annaliese Feggeler at (910) 673-3734 to schedule an appointment.

There will be a Palm Sunday Easter cantata Sunday, April 17, at the 11 a.m. service. There will be a presentation by the Chancel Choir titled "Tapestry of Darkness."

First Baptist Auction

The youth of First Baptist, Southern Pines, will hold their annual auction Saturday, April 9, in the fellowship hall. The money raised supports youth missions. Dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the auction starts at 6:30 p.m. Some auction items include beach and mountain vacations, jewelry, tickets to sporting events, golf packages, restaurants and other great gifts.

Special Services

Synagogue of Christ Church will host special services during April.

On Sunday, April 10, Pastor Mary Kelly will speak at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17, at 3 p.m., the Synagogue of Christ Choir will celebrate its anniversary.

Pastor Louise Kiniel will be in a three-night revival Wednesday, April 20, through Friday, April 22, at Shady Grove Church, in Raeford.

The church is located at 373 Stage Road, Carthage.

Shady Grove

Shady Grove Holiness Church, two miles east of Aberdeen, on N.C. 211, will be celebrating its 79th anniversary with services from through Friday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. A different guest speaker is scheduled each night.

"We invite the public to come out and help us celebrate this milestone," Pastor Melvin Chambers said.

For further details concerning guests speakers, etc., contact Mable L. Graham at (910) 944-1267.

UMM Barbecue

Pinehurst United Methodist Men will sponsor their annual benefit barbecue Friday, April 15, at the church, 4111 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner will be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The $7 per plate meal includes barbecue or fried chicken, baked beans, slaw, roll, iced tea and brownies. Food may be eaten at the church or carried out. Orders of 10 plates or more can be delivered. (Note: Drinks are not included with delivery orders.)

Tickets may be purchased from any member of Pinehurst United Methodist Men or at the church during the week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit church projects.

Cantata

The Sanctuary Choir of Cameron Presbyterian Church will present an Easter cantata, "Footprints in the Sands," by Joseph M. Martin on Sunday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m.

This choral work will portray a journey of faith through the dusty roads of Galilee, the ancient streets of Jerusalem, and along the path that leads to Calvary.

Guest musicians for the evening include: Marie Riedesel, flute; Chris Dunn, trumpet; Jason Wolonick, trumpet; David Seiberling, trombone; and Michael Callicutt, trombone. Rose Cooper will serve as soloist. Narrators will be Matthew Cooper and Char Wojcik.

A time of gathering and fellowship will be held on the lawn of the church at 6 p.m. Members of the congregation cordially invite you to join them in tracing "Footprints in the Sand."

Mary Rush is director of music at the church, which is located on N. C. 24-27 in historic Cameron. Additional information is available by visiting www.cameronpresbyterian.com, or by contacting Alice Austin, worship chairman, at abaustins@gmail.com or (919) 498-6957.

Yard Sale

The Susanna Wesley Circle of Southern Pines United Methodist Church will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the fellowship hall of the church, 175 Midland Road, Southern Pines. Profits from table sales will support mission projects.

"The cost is $10 if providing your own table, or $20 for an eight-foot table provided by the church," says a spokesman.

Set-up will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 15.

"All items that do not sell must be removed immediately after the sale by the seller," says the spokesman.

Those wishing to reserve a space may call Juanita Boros at (910) 315-4425.

Divorce Recovery

A divorce recovery program will begin Wednesday, April 6, at Community Presbyterian Church and will run for six weeks.

Sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and run approximately an hour and a half, with child care available.

The sessions will feature a professional speaker for the first half hour, a question-and-answer period, refreshments and a time for facilitated discussion. There will be a psychologist, therapist, lawyer, financial adviser and pastor from the community contributing their expertise at different sessions. Wide-ranging topics will be examined, such as balance after divorce, overcoming depression, anger issues, parenting alone, helping children through divorce, living with loneliness, managing with less income, property rights, legal documents and many more.

There will be a $25 charge for the program. To register call Community Presbyterian Church at (910) 295-6848. The church is located at Kelly and Everette roads, Pinehurst.

Now Faith Ministry

Now Faith Ministry, 3520 Ashemont Road, Raeford, announces the following upcoming events:

A special service, April 10, at 4 p.m., with Pastor Thomas Hampton Jr., from New Beginning Collins Revival Church, Rockingham; Fellowship Service, April 17, at 4 p.m., with Pastor William McPhaul, New Beginning Worship Center, Raeford; Youth Program, May 6, at 7 p.m., with Youth Pastor Annie Coble, of Harvest Ministries, Wadesboro; Fellowship Service, May 15, at 3 p.m., with Pastor Ricky Smith, of St. Peter's Deliverance, Southern Pines; and Pastor's Aide Service, June 12, at 4 p.m. with Pastor Serenda Allen, of Vision Baptist Worship Ministry, Raeford.

Anniversary

Crossroads Community Church and David Bibey Ministries celebrates its 20th anniversary at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, with the "He's Alive Gospel Singing." Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall after the event.

The church is located at 780 Bibey Road, Carthage. For more information or directions, call (910) 949-3971.

Lenten Services

First Baptist Church of Southern Pines will hold Maundy Thursday services, which will begin with a healing service and communion at noon and service of The Shadows of the Cross at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday worship services will be held at 8:45 and 11 a.m. All services will be held in the sanctuary, 200 E. New York Ave., Southern Pines.

Fish Fry

The Knights of Columbus are holding their annual fish fry fundraiser from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays, April 8, and 15. The event will be held at St. Anthony of Padua parish hall, 320 N. Ashe St., Southern Pines.

Dinner includes fried or baked fish, hush puppies, french fries, green beans, coleslaw and fruit salad as well as drinks. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 12 and free for ages 6 and under. Take-out plates are available.

Preschool

Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center is currently taking registrations for preschool for the 2011-2012 school year. The center is located at 300 Dundee Road, Pinehurst.

The class for 3-year-olds meets Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and the class for 4-year-olds meets Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Call Stephanie at (910) 295-3514 to register or for more information.

Lenten Lunches

Page Memorial United Methodist Church, in Aberdeen, will hold its annual Lenten lunches on Wednesdays through April 20, at noon, at a cost of $5.

April 6 - The speaker is the Rev. Bob Bundy, a retired Methodist minister. The menu includes chicken casserole, butter beans, Waldorf salad, rolls and dessert.

April 13 - The speaker is the Rev. Mike Branscome, First Baptist Church, Aberdeen. The menu includes beef stew, rice, buttered carrots, green beans, rolls and dessert.

April 20 - The speaker is the Rev. Jane Leechford, Page Memorial United Methodist. The menu includes chicken salad, fresh fruit, potato salad, muffin and dessert.

McDonald's Chapel

McDonald's Chapel will hold a sunrise service at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday (April 24). The sunrise service is a long-standing tradition. The service is held in the cemetery directly behind the church.

"Bring a flowering branch to help decorate the cross and stay to enjoy the covered dish breakfast," says the spokesman.

McDonalds Chapel is located on Foxfire Road, two miles from Pinehurst and 1 ? miles from Foxfire Village.

Reading Room

Since 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible, and since Christian Science is a Bible-based religion, it is no surprise that the Christian Science Reading Room at 173 NE Broad St. in Southern Pines is featuring a selection of Bibles and Bible materials both on the Reading Room Resource website and in the store.

Visitors will find titles such as "Biblical Healing Possible Today" and "Unlock the Treasures of the Bible," as well as commentaries, Bible dictionaries and concordances.

Here, too, may be found the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Christian Science Monitor Weekly and other periodicals and books (including the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy) all available for reading, borrowing or purchasing.

The Reading Room is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and further information may be obtained by calling (910) 692-7759.

Angel Food Ministries

Angel Food Ministries provides 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 principle 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 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.

Call for information and orders, (910) 315-4655 or (910) 673-4656, or order online at www.angelfoodministries.com.

Payment is by cash, money order or food stamps.

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.

Both Calvary Chapel, of Aberdeen, and Pinehurst United Methodist Church now assist by each serving two Tuesdays per month.

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

Military Spouse Support Group

The Village Chapel, in Pinehurst, has started a military spouse support group that meets Fridays at the Care Cottage of the Chapel from 9 to 11 a.m. the fourth Friday of each month, 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 is held the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. 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 may be -directed to (910) 295-1577.