Ashley Heights Baptist Church will be having a two-day prayer conference with Dr. Chris Schofield, director of the Office of Prayer for Evangelization and Spiritual Awakening of the N.C. Baptist State Convention.

Schofield's speaking topics include "Praying Toward His Passion, Biblical Blueprints for Evangelistic Prayer," and "Biblical Prayer Prompts for Revival and Awakening."

Conference meeting times are Sunday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Monday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.

Admission is free, and a nursery is provided.

Ashley Heights Baptist Church is located on N.C. 211, five miles south of Aberdeen.

For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1952 or go to the church website at www.Ashley HeightsBaptistChurch.org.

CCP

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst welcomes the new year and celebrates Holy Communion Sunday, Jan. 1, and the first Sunday of each month at its regular service at 10 a.m.

This is also the day the children bring offerings of food for the ministry of Sandhills Coalition to the front of the church to be blessed.

On Monday, "A Course in Miracles" will be led by Mathew Bahr in the Butterfly Room, preceded by a brief period of meditation in the Hearth Room.

Bahr leads the popular Drum Circle group on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., and the church provides the drums. Call him at (910) 639-0439 for information about these activities.

The Titanium Whistles Fellowship golf group continues to meet on Tuesdays to play a different course each week.

Contact Roger Nekton (910) 245-7304 for time and place.

In order to raise awareness about issues of racism, the Mission, Peace and Justice Team invites all interested persons to join us for a workshop called "Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations Through Friendships." >The workshop will be held at United Church of Chapel Hill on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The workshop leader is Deborah Plummer, Ph.D., a nationally recognized psychologist and diversity solutions thought leader.

"We'll be traveling together from the church," says a spokesman. "If you have interest or questions, or need transportation, please contact John Arnold at (910) 295-7454. Everyone is welcome to join us."

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 the website at youarewelcomehere.org.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold a special song celebration at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

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

Harmony Baptist

Harmony Baptist Church will host a gospel singing Sunday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m., featuring the Potter's Wheel.

The church is located at 3624 N.C. 73 East, West End.

For information, call (910) 947-2551.

New Church

"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.

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.

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.

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.