Congregational Church of Pinehurst UCC began Easter week worship outside on the patio. As members gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, the Rev. Brent Bissette began the special service that retells "the old, old story of Jesus and his love as he entered Jerusalem and walked toward a cross."

The church family gathers next to observe Maundy Thursday on April 21, at 5 p.m. with a simple meal, worship, and hymn-sing in the Hearth Room. >Visitors are always welcome. >

The Easter Sunday celebration begins at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Garden. Members bring fresh cut flowers from their home gardens to decorate the Easter cross. The celebration begins with the traditional proclamation of the resurrection and our own. >Joined by family and friends, the congregation then processes into the sanctuary for a service featuring music led by music director Chris Boveroux, organist Donald Cox and the church choir.

A special part of the Easter celebration this Sunday will be an egg hunt for children of all ages on the church lawn immediately following the service.

Congregational Church of Pinehurst United Church of Christ is located at 895 Linden Road, across from Elliott's restaurant.

For information, call (910) 295-2243.

Gospel Concert

Archie Watkins and The Smoky Mountain Reunion and Amazing Grace Quartet will be in concert at Concord United Methodist Church of Coleridge on Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m.

The church is located 10 miles north of High Falls on N.C. 22. A love offering will be received.

For more information call (336) 879-6094 or e-mail steve011379@gmail.com.

Chapel Egg Hunt

A community Easter egg hunt will be held on the grounds of The Village Chapel in Pinehurst at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23. Children up to fifth grade are invited to participate.

Reading Room

"Let us sing of Easter gladness, That rejoices every day."

This hymn is the theme at the Christian Science Reading Room in Southern Pines this month.

Most Christian congregations celebrate the events leading up to the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

In the Christian Science Church, there are no special services. However, as in all churches, these momentous events are recognized in on going Bible study and individual renewed dedication to follow the example of Christ Jesus in daily life.

Easter Sunday Bible lesson sermon will focus on the words and works of the Master - his ministry, teachings about eternal life.

For more about Christian Science, visit the Reading Room at 173 NE Broad St or call (910) 692-7759 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Joint Services

Ives Memorial Baptist Church and Pinebluff United Methodist Church will hold community Holy Week services:

n Wednesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at Pinebluff United Methodist Church.

n Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m., a Maundy Thursday service at Ives Memorial Baptist Church.

n Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at Pinebluff United Methodist Church.

n Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, an Easter egg hunt at Ives Memorial Baptist Church.

n Sunday, April 24, a sunrise service at Pinebluff Cemetery, followed by a breakfast at Pinebluff United Methodist Church. (In case of rain, service will be at the Methodist Church.)

n Sunday, April 24, 11 a.m. a resurrection service at Ives Memorial Baptist Church.

Pinebluff United Methodist Church is located at 275 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff. Ives Memorial Baptist Church is located at 365 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff.

For further information call (910) 281-3247.

Trinity Christian

Trinity Christian Fellowship will hold an egg hunt at McFadden Farm on Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m.

For information, send an e-mail to trinitychristianfellowship@gmail.com.

Trinity Christian Fellowship will hold a service Easter Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Cardinal Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel. Dr. Al Hill, guest speaker, will present the message, "Hope, Grief, and Joy."

"We will sing traditional Easter hymns, songs of praise, and the newly formed Trinity Choir, under the direction of Margo Rhodes, will present seasonal anthems. Sandy Tremblay, our director of music, will provide instrumental accompaniment and inspirational piano solos," said a spokesperson. "All of our music will be God-centered, and every effort is being made to select music for all generations and traditions."

Nursery and children's Sunday School will be available during the worship service.

Visitors are invited to come at 10 a.m. for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Third Anniversary

Pastors Charles and Deborah Bloom, together with Kingdom Minded Ministries International Inc., will be celebrating their third church anniversary on Saturday, April 30, at 6 p.m.

The guest speaker will be Apostle Andria U. Weekes, Greater Works Church of Deliverance Ministries, Inc., West End. Services will conclude on Sunday, May 1, at 10 a.m., when the guest speaker will be Pastor Tyrant L. Davenport, of Family Fellowship Worship Church, Fayetteville.

Both services will be held at Southern Pines Primary School Auditorium, 1250 West New York Ave., Southern Pines.

For more information, please contact us at kingdommindedministry@centurylink.net or (910) 235-3877.

Special Services

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God has several special services planned for May.

On May 1, at 3 p.m., a Night in White event will be held. Pastor Thurman Smith, of Siler City, will be the special speaker on May 14 at 6 p.m., and Pastor Billy Billigir, of Raeford, will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. May 2 0.

'Town Talk'

"Town Talk," an inspirational, community-based television show, is airing at a new time - 7:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The show is back to its 30-minute format. The program spotlights inspirational performers, speakers and occasional interviews with people who have triumphant stories of overcoming obstacles. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

For more information, call (910) 295-0013 or e-mail rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel and the Carolina Hotel are jointly sponsoring an Easter sunrise service at the hotel at 6:30 a.m. on April 24. The Chapel Choir, under the direction of John W. Shannon, will perform, and Dr. Ashley Smith will present a meditation. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

The times for worship services at The Village Chapel will be changed for Easter Sunday. >The communion service will begin at 8 a.m. The family service begins at 9:15 a.m. and includes special music by "A Joyful Noise" choir. The traditional service will meet at 11 a.m. with special music provided by The Chapel Choir. > Dr. Glenn Miller will preach at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services and Dr. Ashley Smith at the 9:15 a.m. service.

The Village Chapel, an interdenominational church, is located on the Village Green in Pinehurst. The building is handicapped accessible, and audio receivers are available for the hearing impaired. >

For more information, call (910) 295-6003. >

Holy Week

Holy Week worship services at St. James and St. Paul Lutheran churches are scheduled as follows:

Maundy Thursday: 7 p.m., April 21, at St. James, Southern Pines.

Good Friday Service: 7 p.m. April 22, St. Paul Lutheran, Pinehurst.

Easter Sunday: April 24 worship service will be at both churches, St. Paul at 9 a.m. and St. James at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Denton White is pastor of both St. James and St. Paul.

Beaver Creek Baptist

There will be no church service Wednesday, April 20, at Beaver Creek Church, but a Maundy service will be held Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday will begin with a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast cooked by the Baptist Men. Sunday school will start at 8:45 a.m., which will include an egg hunt for the students. Worship service will follow at 10 a.m. There will be no evening service.

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

Youth Conference

Pentecostal Deliverance Ministries Inc. will observe its annual 2011 Youth Conference Celebration April 21-24. It will begin on Thursday night with a 7:30 p.m. fellowship service. The guest speaker will be Minister Ollie Baker, an associate of the Come As You Are Evangelistic Center, Aberdeen. It will continue on Friday at 7:30 p.m., with a special youth musical gospel showcase featuring many local and out-of-town choirs, youth talent and much more. The event continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a Youth Fun Fellowship Day at the Gateway Bowling Center in Greensboro.

The conference will continue on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. when Tajari Goins, an associate of the Greater Glory Pentecostal Family Worship Center, is the speaker. The conference will conclude at 6 p.m., with an evening fellowship service. The guest speaker will be Minister Brandon Whitfield, an associate of the Victory of Faith Fellowship Ministry, Rockingham. The event will be held at the Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center.

Greater Glory is located at 156 Westgate Drive in Pinehurst. Services are held every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday offers a noon prayer service, and Apostle Dixon's radio show is on from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays on WXKL 1209 AM. An outreach service and Bible study is held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

For more information on these and other upcoming events, call Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369 or visit the website at www.JudahCommanderECA.net.

Sandhills Circuit

The Sandhills Circuit United Methodist Churches announces the following Holy Week services:

April 21 - Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m., Pleasant Hill UMC, with special music by Dust and Ashes and the Marcus UMC Chancel Choir.

April 24 - Easter services, sunrise worship and breakfast, 7 a.m., Marcus UMC, with worship and church school following breakfast; 7 a.m., Pleasant Hill/Eagle Springs sunrise breakfast prepared by Pleasant Hill men, 7 a.m. at Eagle Springs.

The 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

Holy Week services will be led by Myron and Barbara Dice, co-pastors.

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. It is a time of fellowship and devotion with a wonderful home cooked meal provided at a charge of $5 per person.

A Maundy Thursday service takes place April 21, at 7 p.m., with a Good Friday service and drama presentation at 7 p.m. Friday. An Easter sunrise service will be held at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, April 24, at West End Cemetery, in conjunction with West End Baptist Church.

Easter services are at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Bethesda Presbyterian

On Thursday, April 21, Bethesda Presbyterian Church will hold a Maundy Thursday communion service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary, with the Rev. Jonathan Wallace officiating. The Chancel Choir will present "In Calvary's Shadow," a musical by Victor C. Johnson.

Under the direction of Nancy Arnold, the choir and soloists will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble of professional musicians from the church and community.

A Good Friday service will be held at noon, April 22, in the sanctuary, followed by a light lunch in the fellowship hall. On Easter Sunday, April 24, Old Bethesda Church on Bethesda Road is the site for the 7 a.m. Sunrise Service led by preachers from Bethesda, Page and Aberdeen First Baptist. Music is provided by Page United Methodist Church.

The regular service will be held at 11 a.m. back at the sanctuary in Aberdeen. The Moore Brass will accompany the Chancel Choir

Bethesda Church is located at 1002 N. Sandhills Blvd. (U.S. 1) in Aberdeen.

Taylortown Services

Holy Week services will be held April 18-20 in the Taylortown area as follows:

Monday, House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ, speaker, the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff; Tuesday, Victory Temple Ministries, speaker, the Rev. Angus Wade; Wednesday, Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ, speaker, the Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe; Thursday, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, speaker, the Rev. Carolyn Mitchell; communion will be served on Thursday night and all ministers are asked to wear their robes; Friday, Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, speaker, Minister Dianne Watkins.

Evening services begin at 7 p.m. A sunrise service will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 6 a.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be Elder Jerry Chesney (alternate, the Rev. Kenneth Stewart). These services are coordinated by the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance. The Rev. Larry Alford is the presiden t.

Garber Speaks

The Rev. Michael J. Garber, minister emeritus at the Community Congregational Church, 141 North Bennett St., Southern Pines, will be conducting the Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Service, at 7 p.m. April 21, and the Easter Sunday celebration service at 11 a.m. April 24.

Outdoor Drama

Faith Baptist Church is having its annual outdoor Easter drama Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m.

The church is located at 2180 Carthage Road, West End.

For information, call (910) 947-3797

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.

Cypress Presbyterian

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

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.

Revival

Revival services will be held during Holy Week at 7 p.m. each evening at various area Baptist churches.

Speakers are the Rev. David Reynolds, at Pleasant Hill Baptist, Monday, April 18; the Rev. Eugene Ussery, at Victory Baptist, Tuesday, April 19; the Rev. Mike Garner, at Emmanuel Baptist, Wednesday, April 20; the Rev. Gregg Newton, at Cornerstone Baptist, Thursday, April 21; and the Rev. Bucky Hendrix, at Middle Cross Baptist, Friday, April 22.

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.

Special Services

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.

Now Faith Ministry

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

A 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Inquiries may be -directed to (910) 295-1577.

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.

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.