"Ignite Church exists to reach people far from God with the gospel of Jesus Christ," says Stuart Richardson, pastor of the new church, which will hold its next service Saturday, Dec. 31, at 6 p.m. at Aberdeen Elementary School's auditorium. "It is our mission to make Jesus famous one life at a time. "Although our approach is anything but traditional, we believe in and maintain a conservative theological position. At our church, there are no perfect people allowed. We are a church that does not focus on where you've been, but where you're going."

For information about this new church email ignitechurchinfo@yahoo.com, see the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ignitechurchonline or visit the pastor's blog at http://pastorstuart.wordpress.com.

Shady Grove

Members of Shady Grove Holiness Church will host their annual Christmas program Friday, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m.

Those in charge of the event are Pastor Melvin Chambers, Evangelist Debbie Douglas, assistant pastor, and Evangelist Aggie Jackson.

The church is located two miles east of Aberdeen on N.C. 211.

For information, contact Mable L. Graham at (910) 944-1267.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold its Christmas Candlelight service at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. The church will hold an 11 a.m. worship service on Christmas Day.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

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

Candlelight Service

Ives Memorial Baptist Church will hold its annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

The church is located at 365 East Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff.

CCP

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst UCC invites all neighbors, friends and visitors attend its Longest Night service Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 p.m. This meditative, reflective service speaks to the feelings of sadness and questioning that the culture of the season doesn't address. Although it is especially for those who are sad or grieving and need a healing message, it is also for those who are not hurting, but may find joy in comforting those who are.

On Christmas Eve at 5 p.m., a candlelight and communion celebration will be held. The collection will be donated to Friend to Friend, a nonprofit organization that offers help to all persons affected by interpersonal violence. After worship, everyone will gather in the Hearth Room to share fellowship, cookies and refreshments.

On Christmas Day at 11 a.m. there will be an informal Christmas hymn sing-along for young and young-at-heart.

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

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel, an interdenominational Christian community, hosts AWANA Club for nursery to sixth grade each Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon and the AWANA youth program for sixth to 12th grades Sunday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m.

This is a no-cost Christian discipleship program. Contact Pastor Ashley Smith at ashleyneilsmith@aol.com or (910) 295-6003.

West End UMC

West End UMC will hold a Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Communion will be served.

Children's Play

The Sunday School children of St. James Lutheran Church will present their Christmas play on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 25, Sunday School and Bible study will be at 10 a.m., with the regular worship services at 11 a.m.

St. James is located at 983 W. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines.

Prayer Services

Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen will hold a series of prayer services during the season of Advent on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the chapel. There will be singing, Scripture reading, prayer and the lighting of the Advent wreath. The community is invited to attend this special prayer service.

A candlelight communion worship service will be held at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve, and an 11 a.m. worship service will be held on Christmas Day.

Divorce Care

Bethesda Presbyterian Church will host a 13-week divorce care program beginning on Jan. 5 on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is a warm, encouraging and helpful program that helps participants deal with the pain of separation and divorce. It is a video-based program followed by group discussion.

The cost is $25. Scholar-ships are available. Child care will be provided.

Call (910) 944-1319 for more information.

Community Breakfast

As an outreach ministry, First Baptist Church, of Carthage, will host its fourth annual free community breakfast Saturday, Dec. 31, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

The event includes prayer, food, music and fellowship.

For information, call (910) 947-2456.

'Blue Christmas'

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died, or it may be a time that has always been difficult.

The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had.

The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concerns; we need to know that we are not alone.

For these reasons and more, The Chapel in the Pines will host a special "Blue Christmas: A Service of Tidings of Comfort and Hope" service Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Fran Stark at (910) 673-5493.

Bible Talks

A series of nondenominational Bible talks will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Train House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines.

For information, call (828) 442-2928.

Community Shows

The Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe's inspirational television and radio shows include "Town Talk" on Time Warner Cable 3 and "Good News Inspiration" on 990 AM-WEEB of Southern Pines (990 is on the Internet, too).

"Town Talk" is a service to the community spotlighting faith-based programs, nonprofit agencies and individuals with overcoming testimonies. Highland-Sharpe is the producer and host. The show airs daily at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Pinecrest football pre-empts some evening programs.)

"Good News Inspiration" offers gospel music, preaching, church information and other public service announcements. Occasional guest DJs are welcome. Felton Capel is a veteran announcer. Other Sunday staff members are Minister Jason Hackett, Niniji Lloyd and Pastor Ren Lee. Highland-Sharpe is the Sunday program director and lead announcer. The show airs Sundays from 6 to 11 a.m. (other services air 11 a.m. - noon and 1-2:30 p.m.).

Those interested in being a guest or who have church and community announcements to share should contact Highland-Sharpe at rosesharpe37@gmail.com, or call (910) 295-0013.

Reading Room

The Christian Science Reading Room, located at 173 NE Broad St., welcomes visitors weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here Christian Science periodicals, including the Christian Science Monitor and books and CDs, are available for purchase or borrowing.

For further information, call (910) 692-7759.

UUC of Sandhills

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills (UUCS) has moved to its new location, at the Whispering Pines Community Building, 1320 Ray's Bridge Road (behind the WP Rescue Squad Building). Services are held at 10 a.m. every second and fourth Sunday.

The UUCS was established five years ago and is an emerging member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and a member of the Universalist Convention of North Carolina.

To learn more, visit www.uucsandhills.org or www.uua.org.

Food Wagon

David Bibey Ministries will have its world mission food wagon set up across from Matthews Market, at the intersection of Carthage-Vass and Niagara-Carthage roads, each Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., selling barbecue plates, with slaw, baked beans and roll, as well as barbecue sandwiches and hot dogs. "We hope that you will stop by and support our efforts," says a spokesman.

For information, call (910) 949-3971.

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.

Martha's Place

Martha's Place, a soup kitchen sponsored by Page Memorial United Methodist Church, offers a free hot lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

Martha's Place is now accepting only new or gently used, clean winter coats, blankets and winter shoes/boots until further notice.

In addition to volunteers from Page Memorial UMC, there are now volunteers from Calvary Chapel, The Village Chapel, Pinehurst UMC, Aberdeen First Baptist, West End UMC, Bethesda Presbyterian, and First Baptist of Southern Pines. Currently, more than 80 people are representing these churches.

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 Pinehurst United Methodist Church, Airport Road, Pinehurst.

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