Marcus United Methodist Church will celebrate its 99th homecoming Sunday, May 1.

There will be a mission presentation at 9:45 a.m., and the Rev. Steve Taylor, outreach team coordinator for the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church, will speak at the 11 a.m. service

Taylor served as a commissioned missionary of the United Methodist Church, a church and community worker, and for six years worked at the Robeson County Church and Community Center in Lumberton, where he served as housing director and executive director.

Steve and his wife, Sheryl, have two children, Joy, 32, and Brett, 27, and three grandchildren: > Taylor, Mack and Kaylee.

There will be special music during the service. Dinner will follow in the fellowship hall.

"Bring a dish to share," says a spokesman.

Friendship Day

Moore County Church Women United will hold May Friendship Day Friday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m., at Pinehurst Congregational Church, 895 Linden Road.

Members are requested to bring a covered dish.

Music Circle

The Acoustic Music Circle will meet on Sunday, May 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. at McDonalds Chapel.

"Note the change in time," says a spokesman. "The circle will share music for the McDonalds Chapel Anniversary Sunday celebration."

This will also be the final music session of the season. The circle will take a break for the summer months. The Rev. Dudley Crawford will be the guest minister for the morning worship service at 11.

A covered dish lunch will follow worship and close with the music circle.

New Location

Pastors Charles and Deborah Bloom, of Kingdom Minded Ministries International Inc., announce that the church will have its first service in its new location Sunday, May 8. The new location is 180 Westgate Drive, Suite 2, Taylortown. KMMI's worship experience will begin at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the sanctuary. Bible study will be held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. (next door at the KMMI corporate headquarters).

For more information, call (910) 235-3877.

Rummage Sale

Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Church will host its third annual rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the church social hall.

Tables are available at $20 each or two for $30. Donations may be dropped off Friday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The church is located on Farmers Market Road, off N.C. 211, Candor.

For further information, call Doug at (910) 400-5176.

Spring Tea

The Village Chapel, of Pinehurst, will hold its third annual spring tea for all women in the community on Tuesday, May 24, from 2 to 4 p.m., in the chapel hall. The hall will be set up with tables of beautiful flowers and china. Women coming to the tea may decide to add fancy hats or bonnets to their outfits for the afternoon.

This year's speaker for the event is chapel member Carolyn Smith, who will talk on the theme of "spring cleaning" as it relates to homes as well as hearts. Inspirational music and song will also be part of this afternoon of Christian fellowship.

The cost is $15 for the tea, tea sandwiches and sweet treats, which will be catered by Elliott's. Door prizes will add to the festivities. Reservations to the tea can be made through the church office at (910) 295-6003. Payment is due prior to the event, with the cut-off date being Thursday, May 19.

The Women's Ministry of the Chapel is sponsoring the tea.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Beaver Creek Baptist Church welcomes Pastor Jack Phillips as its interim pastor.

Singles For Christ Ministry will meet for time of Bible study and fellowship Friday, April 29, at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Amy Hill at singles4christ@windstream.net.

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

Town Talk

"Town Talk" airs at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day on Time Warner Cable 3 of Southern Pines. The show is back to its 30-minute format and will feature local inspirational performances, faith-based programs, and individuals with triumphant stories of overcoming hardships. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

Call (910)295-0013 or e-mail her at rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

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.

The United Methodist Women's Salad Supper will be held Friday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased from Peggie Crouch at (910) 673-0611, Magda Sonderfan at (910) 673-1865 or Anneliese Feggeler at (910) 673-3734.

Pastor's Anniversary

Red Hill Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1160 Red Hill Road, Cameron, will celebrate Pastor Ken Headen's third pastoral anniversary Sunday, May 1. Pastor Eva Curtis, of Outreach Mission Church, Ramseur, will be the speaker at the 11 a.m. service, and the Rev. Frederick James, of Rocky River Baptist Church, Siler City, will be the speaker at 3:30 p.m.

Dinner will be served after the morning service.

Prayer Hour

St. James Lutheran Church, on the corner of Gaines Street and New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines, is holding a Saturday morning prayer hour each Saturday at 10 a.m.

For information, call (910) 295-6735,

Congregational Church, Pinehurst

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst celebrates Holy Communion this Sunday and the first Sunday of each month at its regular service at 10 a.m.

"This is also the day we bless and offer our collection of food to assist the ministry of Sandhills Coalition," says a spokesman. "Friends and visitors are always welcome to enjoy the beautiful music of our choir and to join us after worship for refreshments and fellowship in the Hearth Room."

Each second and fourth Sunday, the children are invited to an educational time just for them in the Butterfly Room.

The "This I Believe" discussion group convenes at 7 p.m. Sundays to hear and respond to an essay by a group member. No prior reading or preparation is necessary. For information, call Ron Sickenberger at (910) 673-2025.

On Mondays at 12:30 p.m., a small group gathering for 20 minutes of meditation and calming music is led by Matthew Bahr. Following meditation, Bahr also leads the "Course in Miracles," spiritual discussions based on ACIM self-study curriculum. For information, call Bahr at (910) 639-0439.

Have you ever played a box drum? Percussionist Matthew Bahr invites everyone to come join the fun, no prior experience required, and drums are provided. This group meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Hearth Room.

The men's golf fellowship, Titanium Whistles, welcomes players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy playing a different course each week. The group plays on Tuesdays. Contact Roger Nekton at (910) 245-7304 for time and place.

Congregational Church of Pinehurst, United Church of Christ, is located at 895 Linden Road across from Elliot's restaurant. For information call the church office at (910) 295-2243 or visit the website at youarewelcomehere.org.

Spring Fling

St. James Lutheran Church and Purcell Funeral Home will host a day of music, fun, food and fellowship Saturday, May 7, at the corner of West Pennsylvania Avenue and South Stephens Street, in Southern Pines.

A variety of foods will be available for purchase, including fish, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, snow cones, candy and drinks. Food sales begin at 11 a.m.

"Come out and enjoy a day of fellowship and gospel music," says a spokesman. "Bring a blanket and relax, although some seating will be available."

The West Pines Middle School African Drum Ensemble will perform at 1 p.m. Any funds raised will benefit that group in the purchase of needed equipment.

For information, call (910) 692-2515.

Anniversary

St. Joseph A.M.E. Church, in Aberdeen, will be celebrating the sixth anniversary of Pastor Henry R. Davis Sunday, May 1, at 2:30 p.m. at the Aberdeen Elementary School Auditorium.

Elder Dock Kelly III and Kingdom Vision Church will lead the services.

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.

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. 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 20.

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.

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.

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.

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.