Addor

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.

The Sanford District Sons of Varick and the male chorus anniversary will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Taylortown. Every is welcome to attend.

Homecoming will be held this Sunday at Sandhill United Christian Church in Aberdeen. Come as you are. The worship service will begin at 11 a.m. followed by an old-fashioned cookout for lunch. The Rev. Jamal Brown, from Raleigh, is the pastor. He says everyone is welcome.

The church will hold revival services Aug. 17-19 at 7:30 nightly. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church will hold revival services Aug. 17-19. The Rev. Bruce Hurst, pastor of Leach Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Raeford, will be the guest preacher

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

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

The community was saddened to learn of the death of Dolly Mae Covington. She was the youngest daughter of the late Tom and Sally Convington. She lived for many years in New York. She also lived in Addor for some time. Most of her family is from the Derby area. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Leslie Anthony Cushionbery (Aug. 13) and President Obama (Aug. 14).

In memoriam: James "Hawk" Horton (Aug. 9) and Jeffery Little (Aug. 15).

Sick and shut-ins: Carl McRae is still in rehab. Jesse McNeill is in the hospital. 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 Lee and Helen Chavis family reunion will be held this Friday and Saturday "on the hill" at 289 Pinehill Road in Eastwood. A karaoke/talent night will be held 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.

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.

Tiffany Wall will start her freshman year at Meredith College in Raleigh this week. Tolisha Covington will start her junior year at Winston-Salem State University this week, and Shaunna Breedin will start her senior year at Fayetteville State University this week.

Billy and Gloria Lacy will celebrate their wedding anniversary Aug. 15

Birthday wishes go out this week to Monchello Marsh (Aug. 11), Laura Caddell (Aug. 13), Kelly Stancil, Elizabeth Dailey and Malika Dailey (Aug. 15) and Todd Curry (Aug. 16).

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

Homecoming will be held Sunday, Aug. 21, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

The Kelly family reunion was held this past weekend. The Claybrook family will hold their reunion this Saturday and Sunday in Madison, N.C.

The Hart family, of Camden, S.C., will hold their reunion Sunday at Wateree Recreation Center in Camden. They will attend worship at Mount Zion Methodist Church.

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.

Bea Little is celebrating her 97th birthday today. Happy birthday to Annel Little (Aug. 12), Dr. Reginald Little (Aug. 14), Della Kelly (Aug. 21), Darian Isaac (Aug. 17), Iris A. Little and Marcela McKoy (Aug. 30).

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

Cypress Presbyterian Church will celebrate Holy Communion this Sunday during both worship services.

Also, this Sunday, the younger youth group planning meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. and the Session will meet at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

A change has been made in the date for the Presbyterian Women's fall joint meeting. To avoid conflicts with the Labor Day weekend, the meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 12. All women of the church are encouraged to attend.

On Sunday, the entire congregation took part in "Shake It Up," the theme for this year's Vacation Bible School. The morning was filled with the excitement and enthusiasm of the children who shared about the weeklong school, which focused on God's receipt for our lives. More than 200 people filled the church as the children lined up to march in and share the songs, Bible verse they had memorized and experiences of the week.

Tina Thompson, Beth Evans and Sherry Chatfield are to be commended on their hard work, as they planned and executed this wonderful cooking theme. Attendance averaged 108 each night, with more than 60 children and almost 50 adults present to make this fantastic week so memorable.

The church thanks the parents and grandparents who shared their children during this special week and to the workers of the VBS for all the hours of work.

Soldier David Little has returned from deployment. He and his wife, Monica Joyner Little, were present with their son, Eric, for the worship service Sunday. Eric is not quite 2 weeks old, and this was the first Sunday the family has worshiped together since David's deployment.

Regular schedules resume this week, with choir at 6:30 p.m. and Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend these special ministries of the church as well as the regular Sunday worship services.

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

The Little River community expresses its deep sorrow over the deaths of the soldiers this past week in Afghanistan. Our prayers and positive thoughts remain with these families.

Please remember, with positive thoughts and prayers, all of 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

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

Tickets are available for the talent showcase and fashion show, dinner and dance for Taylortown Day, which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2. The event will be held at the Little River Resort from 7 p.m. until midnight.

A social hour is scheduled from 5:30 until 6:45 p.m. Get your tickets by calling Apostle Andria Weekes at (910) 528-7328, Carolyn Mitchell at (910) 315-8856, Marvin and Tara Taylor at (910) 215-9783, Charlotte Worthy at (910) 295-3836, Adelita Taylor Young at (910) 295-3008, James Lattimore Thompson at (910) 295-5978, Josephine Faulk at (910) 295-3378 and Joann Faulkner at (910) 295-0423.

An old-fashioned parade, games and picnic lunch will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3. The parade begins at 11 a.m. The picnic lunch includes hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw, chips and drink. Residents are welcome to contact the committee regarding donations of picnic goodies. The picnic will be held at the Johnny Boler Municipal Park, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and continuing until 3:30 p.m.

For tee times at the Elks Country Club, golfers should call Sheldon Mooney at (910) 315-9784. Also, those wanting to be in the parade must register and follow specified guidelines. For those staying overnight, accommodations can be secured by calling Ring the Pines at (866) 994-7682. Come out and enjoy the festivities!

Community Fellowship in the Park and Back-to-School Day sponsored by the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, the Johnny Boler Municipal Park, beginning at 11 a.m. until mid-afternoon. A cookout will be held, and back-to-school supplies will be given to the children.

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

"Town Talk" will feature the 21st Century summer enrichment camp end-of-the-year musical program in two segments this month. The first segment will run this week through next week. The show airs on Time Warner Cable channel 3 daily at 11 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

The 21st Century 2011-2012 after-school program is accepting applications for youths in kindergarten through 12th grade. 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 and Mrs. E. Nathaniel Jackson are the directors. Special thanks to Pastor Charles McKnight Sr. and his wife, Barbara, at New Zion in Addor.

Keyboardists, pianists or organists are needed by several churches. 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 for other opportunities.

Only two weeks are left for Back Pack Snacks for Kids. Many thanks to Adelita Taylor Young for picking up and distributing the snacks every Thursday. Thanks also to Tashauna Seally for assisting. The snacks are for elementary-aged children and are provided by the Sandhills Food Bank. Thanks to Michael Cotton, Linda Hubbard (Sandhills Food Bank) and Rose Highland-Sharpe for implementing this nutrition program for our youths.

The community expresses sympathy to the family of the late Ted Louis McRae. He died at FirstHealth Moore Regional last Friday. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Family members are receiving friends at the old homeplace of Emma Lee McRae on Juniper Lake Road. Please continue to pray for the family.

Condolences are extended to the Chesney family of the Sanford area. Please remember Elder and Mrs. Jerry Chesney and their family in your prayers and good deeds.

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. 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

God's House of Prayer Ministry had Sunday school and a worship service Sunday. The message was titled "I'm Fighting Temptation." The scripture came from 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will be the speaker at 11 a.m. Sunday 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.

Pastor Mary Kelly and the Gospel Mellowtones will travel to Tabernacle of Praise Ministry in High Point for a program at 4 p.m. Aug. 28.

Birthday wishes go out to Anita Finch and Michael Harris (Aug. 2).

Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church will have a plate sale starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. 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 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