Addor

The Rev. Charles McKnight, pastor of New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, thanks everyone in the community from the different churches who attended the fifth Sunday community worship service Sunday at New Zion.

Family and Friends Day will be celebrated Aug. 14 at New Zion. Lunch will be served after the morning service. The Rev. Iris Jordan and choir from Fair Promise A.M.E. Zion Church will be the special guests for the 3 p.m. service. Everyone is welcome to attend.

If you know of anyone who needs food, housing or other emergency assistance, tell them to dial 211.

The community was saddened to learn of the death of Howard Troutman. He grew up in the community. He and his parents were great farmers. Sympathy is extended to the family.

A musical appreciation service in honor of Deacon Ozzie Adams will be held at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Sarah F. McMillian (Aug. 5) and Laneva Brown (Aug. 7).

Sick and shut-ins: Carl McRae is still in rehab. Betty J. Ellerbe, Effie J. Smith, Betty L. Moses, Sarah and Philip McMillian, Nora Smith and Dr. Louise Jones are among the homebound. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Marie Berry and Lewis Swan are in nursing homes or assisted living homes.

Please continue to pray for all the sick and shut-ins.

If anyone has church or other community news, please contact me at (910) 281-3385.

- Lorine McCants

Berkley

New Hope Christian Ministries, where the pastor is Elder Brenda Brown, holds services at 160 Ridgeline Road off N.C. 5, just behind the Habitat for Humanity store. Sunday School is at 10 a.m. every week, and regular worship services are held at 11 a.m. on the first through fourth Sundays.

Morning prayer is held at 8 a.m. every Saturday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Minister's study is held every second Tuesday at 6 p.m.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church, at 703 Harris St., where the pastor is the Rev. Jimmy Gilchrist, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. every Sunday. Prayer meeting and Bible study are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

St. Joseph A.M.E. Church, where the pastor is the Rev. Henry R. Davis, will be holding Sunday services at Aberdeen Elementary School. Bible study is held at 6 p.m. at the Aberdeen Community Center.

Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church, at 206 Keyser St., where the pastor is the Rev. Fred Goins Jr., holds Sunday School every week at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. every first and third Sunday. Bible study is held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

Shiloh will have its homecoming at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. The speaker will be Bishop Charles Cameron, of Covenant Christian Church in Vass. Revival services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 24-26. The speakers will be Pastor Dorothy Burgess, of Solid Rock Holiness Church in Aberdeen, on Aug. 24; the Rev. James McKinnon, pastor of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Addor, on Aug. 25; and the Rev. Paul G. Murphy, pastor of Franklin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Laurinburg, on Aug 26.

Sandhill Christian Church, on Keyser Street, has a new pastor, Jamal Brown. The church holds Sunday School every Sunday at 10 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

The Word of Life Holy Church of God in Christ, at 107 Spring St., where the pastor is Overseer Nathaniel Malloy, holds Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. every Sunday. Bible study is held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

Continue to pray for everyone.

Please submit church, community and personal announcements (such as birthdays and anniversaries) by 7 p.m. Sunday by calling (910) 528-4782.

- Rachel Hill

Eastwood

The United Church of God General Conference in Greensboro last week was a success. The theme was "Be Ye Steadfast, Unmovable, Always Abounding in the Work of the Lord."

Bishop Ronnie Moore will hold revival services at St. Peters Monday, Aug. 23, through Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 7:30 nightly. Everyone is welcome.

St. Peters has Bible study on Tuesday after the first and third Sunday each month. Prayer meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday.

The Lee and Helen Chavis family reunion will be held Aug. 12-13 "on the hill" at 289 Pinehill Road in Eastwood. A karaoke/talent night will be held that Friday. The festivities will continue at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Special Occasions, 228 Hurricane Drive in Candor. You must register to participate. For more information, contact Benda Ivy at (910) 944-3681.

Takina Alston and Devonte Wilson were the two battalion sponsors Friday at St. Peters.

Lewis McLaughlin celebrated his birthday with his daughter, Rochelle. Mother Marian Stanback celebrated her birthday with her daughters.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Joyce Alston and Benjamin Harris Jr. (Aug. 3), Latoya Alston and James Alston (Aug. 5), Rico McRae and Derrick McRae (Aug. 6) and Jeremy Hargrove and Troy Bailey (Aug. 9).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Sam Kelly, Michael McLean, Charles Jackson, Joe Jackson, Hoover Brown, Cornelia Adkins, Evelyn Clegg, Minister Wrencher, Carolyn Swinnie, Mary Russell, Margret Thompson and Alma Jones.

- Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Bible study is held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Macedonia and at 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel. Pleasant Hill holds Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Vacation Bible School is being held this week through Friday at 7 p.m. at the Hoffman Recreation Building. Everyone is invited to participate.

Happy birthday to Jerome Davis, Annie B. Lucky, Helen Isaac, James Brown, Cynthia Hart, Carl Isaac Jr., and to all others who are celebrating this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins, Lany Harrison, Cathy Harrington, Eugene Martin, Johnny King, Leann McRae, Arlene McRae, Thelma McKoy, Dan McKoy, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Jackie Stroman, Albert Hailey, Nancy Hayes, Lacy Jackson, Mattie White, Bernice Doddins, Rebecca Utley, Latoya Ratliff, Cynthia Royster, Lonnie Blyther, Shadeed Hart, Bessie Little, Heneretta Little, Frank Smith, Lula Smith, Henry Isaac Jr., Ernest Gilmore, Juanita Gilmore, Joe Jones, Iris Little and Cynthia Little.

Please continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins, church leaders, our children, government and one another.

- Bea Little

Little River

Vacation Bible School will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 1-5. The theme this year is "Shake It Up!"

Kids will explore the Bible as an exciting cookbook filled with recipes for living out God's word. The aim for this year will be to teach the children that anyone can be a new creature in Christ. Everyone ages 3 and up is invited to share this special ministry of the church.

During the worship service Sunday at Mount Pleasant Church, a ladies quintet shared a beautiful patriotic melody. Janet Chilton, Doris Marks, Martha Blue, Katie Hienold and Cynthia Hohman were the ladies in the group. Their song was beautiful and very inspirational.

Sunday afternoon was a flurry of activity as the many people leading in this year's Vacation Bible School were busy taking care of setting up the different classrooms and getting the church ready. The theme this year is "Shake It Up Cafe." Everyone ages 3 and up is invited to join in. Meals will be provided, and many exciting things will be happening during the week. It is held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through Friday.

Just a reminder, make sure your bird baths are clean. The birds appreciate it, and this will help keep down the mosquito count.

A lot of the natural food sources for birds have dried up with the hot temperatures, so don't forget to supplement their food, especially during the heat of summer.

The Crane's Creek Fire Department bingo games will start back up again in the fall.

Please remember, with positive thoughts and prayers, our soldiers and their families, whether here in the States or abroad.

If you have any information you'd like to share with our community, please call me at (910) 245-4747.

- "Sunny" Sidley

Shawtown

Minister John Ray did his initial sermon before a packed church Sunday, July 24, at Body of Christ Outreach Ministry. His daughter came from Indiana to support him, along with his brothers and sisters, their spouses, his daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchild and many friends. He thanks everyone who came out to support him.

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry on Lemon Springs Road, where the pastor is the Rev. Larry Ray, will have its second annual candlelight march at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20. The speaker will be Minister Mary Ray, of St. Ruth in West End.

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry has Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11:15 a.m. every Sunday. Prayer and Bible study are held at 6 p.m. every Wednesday.

Holy Temple will have its pastor's anniversary Aug. 24-26 at 7:30 nightly. On Aug. 24, the speaker will be Elder Chesney, of Spruill Temple. Bishop Harley, of Action for Christ, will be the speaker Aug. 25, and Pastor Louise Keniel, of Synagogue of Christ, will speak Aug. 26.

Please pray for those in rest homes and assisted living facilities, hospital patients, the homebound, caregivers, our president and our other leaders, our troops and each other.

- Irene Ray

Taylortown

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will have a musical workshop service at 7 p.m. this Friday. Everyone is invited to share their musical talent for an exciting time of praise and worship. Please RSVP to Katrina Chaffin at (910) 255-3179.

Taylortown Day will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3. A wonderful evening will include a talent showcase, dinner and dance from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Little River Resort. Social hour will be from 5:30 until 6:45 p.m.

A traditional, old-fashioned parade, games and picnic lunch will be held Saturday. The lunch includes hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw, chips and drink.

Golfers should call Sheldon Mooney at (910) 315-9784 for tee times at Little River Resort. Residents are welcome to contact the committee regarding donations of picnic "goodies." Also, those wanting to be in the parade must register and follow specified guidelines.

For more information on how you can be a part of this great community celebration, call Marvin and Tara Taylor at (910) 215-9783, James Lattimore Thompson at (910) 295-5978, Adelita Taylor Young at (910) 295-3008, Charlotte A. Worthy at (910) 295-3836, Josephine Faulk at (910) 295-3378, Joann Faulkner at (910) 295-0423 or Pastor Carolyn Mitchell at (910) 315-8855. Come out and enjoy the festivities!

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance will sponsor Community Fellowship in the Park and Back-to-School Day on Saturday, Aug. 20. There will be a cookout for everyone. Back-to-school supplies will be distributed to the children.

The Rev. Larry Alford is the president of the Ministerial Alliance. The Revs. Kenneth Stewart, Edward Williams and Carolyn Radcliff also are officers of the organization. Many other community pastors and ministers are part of this organization.

The 21st Century summer enrichment camp end-of-the-year musical program will be featured on "Town Talk" beginning next week. Twana McKnight, coordinator for Pathways to C.N.A./retention specialist at Sandhills Community College, will be the featured guest this week. The show airs daily at 11 a.m. 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

To register your child for the 21st Century 2011-2012 school year, leave a message at (910) 295-5813. The program is held at Christ Way Deliverance Church in Eastwood and New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Addor. Pastor Nathaniel Jackson and his wife are the directors.

If you are a keyboardist, pianist or organist, there are several churches that need your assistance and talent. Call Minister James McNeill at (910) 384-4369 (Word of Life Ministries) and Pastor Shirley Gillis at (910) 692-5185 (Outreach Ministries for Jesus). Also, email rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

Hats off to the Morrison family for having a great family reunion last weekend! Many family and friends from North Carolina and out of state gathered at the Boler Park for a weekend of fun games, swimming, cookouts and fellowship. Ruth Morrison was one of the local hosts for the event.

Thanks to Tashauna Seally and Adelita Taylor Young, who pack Back Pack Snacks for Kids for elementary-aged youths every Thursday during the summer. The snacks are provided by the Sandhills Food Bank. Thank you to Linda Hubbard and Michael Cotton (Sandhills Food Bank) for coordinating this effort with Rose Highland-Sharpe.

Thanks to everyone for their continued prayers and support for Tim and Nicole Mason and also Edward and Sharonda Wilson. Both families still need your help due to on-going health concerns.

Thank you from the "Hill Top Shops" for your support. They include Not "Jus" Any Bag, Bono Abstract Clothing, Sew What?, 360 Creations Beauty Salon and New 2 U Everyday Rummage. Fresh Discipleship Center (Pastor Cora Murphy) is "on the Hill." Minister Gerald and Tia Brown's outreach ministry, also "on the Hill" as well, continues to serve the community.

Register for the free employment preparation program, Pathways to C.N.A., at Sandhills Community College. An information session will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 in Van Dusen Hall. Basic skills, occupational (medical terminology), and GED classes will be offered in this program. Classes begin this fall semester.

Students will be prepared to enter the certified nursing assistant program for the spring semester, and eligible students will be awarded a scholarship. Contact Twana McKnight, the coordinator, at (910) 695-3782 for more information. The recruiter for basic skills education at SCC is Rose Highland-Sharpe. Her number is (910) 695-3783.

Enroll in the upcoming fall classes offered in basic skills and career development-human resources development (career classes are free to those who are unemployed or underemployed) through Sandhills Community College.

Classes are held on the main campus in Pinehurst and in Carthage, Westmoore, Raeford, and Aberdeen (only basic skills classes are available in Aberdeen). For more information, call the recruiter, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at (910) 695-3783.

"Taylortown Jams" are music sessions open to experienced musicians Saturdays from noon until 6 p.m. at the Taylor House on Main Street. If you have a passion for playing any musical instrument, please join this lively "jam session" every Saturday. There is no charge. Contact Michael Robinson at (910) 725-1582 for more information.

You are invited to participate in free music classes at the Taylor House on Main Street. The classes are open to all ages. For more information, contact Michael Robinson at (910) 725-1582.

Greater Glory Family Worship Ministries is offering Bible study classes for college students. Classes are held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Bring your own Bible. Singled Out Campus International Ministries is the sponsor.

Andrea Cattle is the founder and president of S.O.C.I.M. The pastor is Shepherdess Bessie Dixon. The overseer is Apostle Michael S. Dixon. Greater Glory is located at 156 Westgate Drive, Taylortown (off N.C. 211 near State Farm Insurance).

Tune in to "Good News Inspiration" on WEEB, 990-AM on Sundays, 6 until 11 a.m. Send your church and community announcements to the Sunday program director/announcer, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or email rosesharpe37@gmail. com. Other Gospel DJs include veteran announcer Felton J. Capel and new announcer Minister Jason Hackett.

The sick and shut-in list includes Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Joann Bennett, Carol Blackmon, Garry Brown, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Phyllis Goins, Cathy Harrington, Alice Jackson, Tamara Jackson, the Rev. Nathaniel McNeill, Pauline Levine, Tim Mason, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Vera Moses, Howard Ray, Lolita Robinson, Mr. Shamberger and Johnnie Stanford.

Please remember all the sick and shut-ins, the widowed, orphans, bereaved, incarcerated, homeless, youths and the United States military in your prayers and good deeds.

If you have any questions, comments and community news, please respond to R. Highland-Sharpe at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or at rosesharpe37@gmail. com. Send announcements at least two weeks in advance.

- Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will be the speaker at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at God's House of Prayer Ministry for a Love program at the church.

God's House of Prayer Ministry holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. every week. Worship services are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11 a.m.

Bible study is held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and intercessory prayer is held every Saturday at 8 a.m.

Pastor Mary Kelly is the church pastor. The church is located at 205 Pats Road in Vass. Everyone is welcome to attend all services.

The Gospel Mellowtones will celebrate its 11th choir anniversary at 3 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Douglass Community Center in Southern Pines. (Note the change in location from Southern Pines Primary School.) The choir invites all groups to come out and celebrate this special occasion. For more information, contact Carolyn Wilkins at (910) 245-7813 or Minister Freddie Kelly Sr. at (910) 245-3263.

Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church will have a plate sale starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. The menu will be chicken, fish and all the trimmings. The church is at 491 J-Burns Road in Vass.

Fryes Chapel Church Shared Ministry Ensemble will be have it choir anniversary at 5 p.m. Saturday Aug. 20.

The New View Allstars will have its 12th choir anniversary at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Carthage Elementary School, 312 Rockingham St. For more information, contact June Frye, group manager, at (910) 721-0729 or (910) 947-3532.

Word of Truth Christian Center of Vass, where the pastors are Micheal and Cheryl Blue and Overseer Helen Spencer, has Bible study at 6 p.m. every Wednesday. Sunday School is held every Sunday at 10 a.m., and the worship service starts at 11:15 p.m.

New Direction Outreach Ministries, where the pastor is Pastor Linnie M. Saunders, has worship services every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., except any fifth Sunday. Bible study is held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. It is led by Elder C. Taylor.

The church is at 3623 North U.S. 1 Business in Vass across from the Vass Ball Park. For more information, call (910) 638-8441.

Highland Baptist Church on U.S. 1 holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every Sunday. Services are also held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The church has a bus ministry for those who need a ride on Sunday mornings. Anyone who needs a ride can call (910) 695-0494.

Continue to pray for all the sick and shut-ins, including all in the hospital and in rest homes, each other and our U.S. troops in Iraq and worldwide.

To have your news included in the Vass section, send an email to anitafinch38@ yahoo.com or mail items at least one week in advance to P.O. Box 176, Vass, NC 28394.

-- Anita Finch