Addor

Everyone in the community is invited to join New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church for Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. each Sunday.

The pastor is the Rev. Charles McKnight. Please notify the pastor if you are sick or in need of prayer. That is for both members and nonmembers. The phone number is (910) 639-1893.

The 21st Century after-school program is going on at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church. It is held from 3 to 6 p.m. and provides help with homework. To enroll your child, contact the Rev. Charles McKnight at (910) 639-1893.

Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Cameron will conduct the quarterly class leader workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2. Everyone is welcome to attend. Dr. Ocie Brown is in charge.

The community was saddened to learn of the death of Thelma Thomas last week. The funeral was held Tuesday at Sandhill United Christian Church in Aberdeen. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Birthday wishes go out to Thaddeus Brown (April 2), Colon "Butcher" Boles (April 3) and all who are celebrating.

Sick and shut-ins: Betty J. Ellerbe is in the hospital. Marie Berry is still in rehab. Effie Jane Smith, Betty Lou Moses, Evelyn Crawford and Sarah and Philip McMillian are among the shut-ins. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Gladys Core Giles, Portia Smith, Charles Wilkerson and Louis 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 such as birthdays, 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.

The Rev. Fred Goins Sr., pastor of Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church, will speak at the first pastor's aid program at 4 p.m. April 11.

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.

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 community was saddened to learn of the death of Oppie Alston Johnson. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Piney Grove Church in Jackson Springs will have its ushers anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

St. Mark in Sanford will have its ushers anniversary at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 10.

The St. Peters Church family thanks everyone who came out Saturday for the workshop with Pastor Alvin Harris, a renowned teacher of the word.

The St. John Church family thanks everyone who came out to help celebrate the first pastoral anniversary of Pastor Charlveston Hester and first lady Angela Hester.

St. Peters has prayer meetings at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday. Bible study is held at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Jackie Covington (March 30), Ann Brown, Darryl Jackson and Matyia Alston (March 31), Benjamin Harris and Vanessa McKinney (April 1) and Charlene Hollinsworth and John Brown (April 5).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Sam Kelly, Ralph McLean, Michael McLean, Hoover Brown, Carolyn Swinnie, Joe Jackson, Evelyn Clegg, Cornelia Adkins, Minister Wrencher, 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.

The Hart family (the late Chester Sr. and Evelyn Hart) will hold its family celebration at noon Sunday, April 3, at the Guest House. Family members are asked to bring a covered dish to share. Those planning to attend are asked to call (910) 281-3417 by today (Wednesday).

Birthday wishes go out to Clara P. Gibson (April 3), George Little (April 7), Robert Hart (April 8), Cora Kelly and the Rev. Mongo McRae (April 11) and all others who are celebrating this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Henry Isaac, Nancy Hayes, Barbara Brower, Flossie Hagins, Rosa Harrison, Lang Harrison, Cathy Harrington, Retha Sloan, Antoyal Ratliff, Frank Smith, Victoria Smith, Lula Smith, Mattie White, Thelma McCoy, Dan McCoy, Albert Hailey, Arlene McRae, Lena McRae, Juanita Gilmore, Ernest Gilmore, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Nancy Ellerbe, Bessie Little, Henretta Little, Rebecca Utley, Shadeed Hart, James Anderson, Lacy Jackson, Lonnie Swann, Eugene Martin, Mamie Martin, Johnny King, Latoya Ratliff and Bernice Dodins.

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

• Bea Little

Little River

Beginning Friday, April 1, and continuing until 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, the Cypress Presbyterian Church youth group will be participating in a 30-hour fast to raise money for those suffering in Japan.

The youth will begin arriving at Cypress about 3 p.m. that Friday and stay overnight. The money raised will be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Please consider supporting the youth by making a donation. If you would like to write a check, please make it out to Cypress Presbyterian Church and note that it is for Youth-Japan Relief. You can mail it to Cypress Church, P.O. Box 7, Cameron, NC 28326. Any amount is needed and appreciated.

Please note there has been a change for prayers for the church. It will now be held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the sanctuary instead of during the day on the first Tuesday. This is in response to those who have asked for an evening time to accommodate work schedules. Prayers on the third Tuesday will continue to be at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.

The women's circle groups will meet on Monday, April 4. The afternoon circle meets at 1 o'clock, and the evening circle meets 7 o'clock in the fellowship hall.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join Cypress for special Easter events. Palm Sunday will be observed April 17. Maundy Thursday will consist of a covered-dish supper, a celebration of the Lord's Supper, a Tenebrae service and shrouding of the cross on April 21. A community Good Friday service will be held at noon April 22 at Cypress Church.

The senior youth of Mount Pleasant Church held a hot dog lunch Sunday to raise money for the youth group. The event was well attended, and many delicious desserts were donated for the event by the members of the church.

On Sunday, April 3, the church will celebrate Holy Communion. All Christians are invited to share in this special ordinance.

A baby shower will be given in the fellowship hall at 2 p.m. April 3 for Crystal Joyner, who is expecting a baby girl in May.

A parent-child dedication service is scheduled for April 10. This service will include special music by the adult choir, which will be joined by the children's choir in a very special medley of songs, each titled "Jesus Loves the Little Children."

The children's choir and the younger youth are practicing their parts each Wednesday evening at 6:30. The junior youth group also meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday to share a special hour of music, ministry and fun.

Plans are being made for Holy Week services for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. A sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. at the cross in the cemetery. Breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall followed by early worship. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday.

Mount Pleasant Church extends sympathy to the family of Rosa Cummings.

Almost every member was able to attend the Garnet Lobelias' meeting Thursday at Squire's Pub to celebrate Deb Jepson's birthday. If anyone is interested in joining, please call Queen Sunny at (910) 245-4747.

Please remember members of the military and their families in these trying times. Whether at home or away, our military and their families can use our support with prayers and positive thoughts. Many active and retired members of the military live in our community.

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

• "Sunny" Sidley

Shawtown

Stoney Hill Free Will Baptist Church will hold a benefit gospel music program Saturday, April 2, at Carthage Elementary School on Rockingham Street. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the program begins at 5 p.m.

Performers include the Gospel Mellowtones, of Vass; Zaire Curry, of Raeford; the Fellowship House of God gospel choir, of Carthage; Vocational Optional Praise Team, of Hoke County; the Succeed handbell choir, from Sandhills Community College; Gospel Voices of Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Chuch, of Jackson Springs; the Divine Spirituals, of Carthage; Alexander Carson Brower III, of Sanford; and the Stoney Hill Free Will Baptist Church choir.

Tickets are a $5 donation. Children are free of charge. There will also be a 50/50 raffle drawing.

Body of Outreach Ministry on Lemon Springs Road, where the pastor is Larry Ray, has changed the date of its Family and Friends Day to Sunday, April 17. It will begin at 3 p.m.

The church 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.

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.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

• Irene Ray

Taylortown

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance extends prayer and sympathy to the Rev. Carliss Johnson on the death of his wife, Oppie Johnson. The Rev. Johnson is a founding member of the alliance, and his wife was a great supporter of the group.

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance will meet at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Rev. Larry Alford is the president. The Rev. Kenneth Stewart is the vice president. The Rev. Edward N. Williams is the treasurer, and the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff is the secretary.

Elder Jerry Chesney will have prayer service from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday, beginning Monday, April 4, at Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ, where he is the pastor. He invites everyone in the community to "come as you are" at any time during the informal service or call in your prayer request at (910) 295-0071.

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance meets at one of the local churches at 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month.

St. James Lutheran Church invites everyone to its yard sale this Saturday morning. For more information, call Michael Hall at (910) 528-7514.

Piney Grove Church invites everyone to its usher board anniversary at 3 p.m. this Sunday. The speaker will be Pastor Benny Kemp, of Lovely Hill. Music will be provided by his choir. The usher board president is Clara Williams. The pastor at Piney Grove is Elder Robert McArthur.

The Moore County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will have its general membership meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. The guest speaker will be Jessica N. Holmes, redistricting organizer from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice in Durham.

The meeting will be held at the community building at 801 S. Mechanic St. in Southern Pines. The president, O'Linda W. Gillis, invites everyone to attend. For more information, call (910) 947-1422.

The United Way of Moore County needs volunteers to conduct community assessments from late April until June 1. The purpose of the assessment is to determine community needs that are not being met by charitable organizations and civic groups. Training will be provided.

For more information, call (910) 692-2413 or e-mail unitedway@pinehurst.net. Linda M. Pearson is the executive director.

Local senior citizens, age 55 and older, are invited to the "Silver Arts" Senior Games of the Pines. The categories include visual, heritage, literary and performing arts. Entries are accepted through this Friday. For more information, call Ryan Gordon at (910) 944-7275.

Local choirs are invited to the first annual Sandhills Choir Festival Saturday, April 16, at the Aberdeen Elementary School Auditorium. Several prizes will be awarded for the most tickets sold by each choir.

Proceeds benefit the North Carolina Center for Arts Education and the American Red Cross for relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Registration runs through April 4. Go to the website www.ncartseducation.com or call (910) 315-2965.

Holy Week services will be held April 18-20. The schedule and speakers are as follows: Monday, House of Prayer Holy Church of God in Christ, the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff (alternate-Elder Timothy Worthy); Tuesday, Victory Temple Ministries, the Rev. Angus Wade (alternate-the Rev. Charles Nabors);

Wednesday, Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ, the Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe (alternate-Bishop Larry Brown); Thursday, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Carolyn Mitchell, speaker (alternate-the Rev. Janice Cooper); and Friday, Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Minister Dianne Watkins (alternate-the Rev. Edward Nebraska Williams).

Communion will be served during the Thursday service, and all ministers are asked to wear their robes. All services begin at 7 p.m.

A sunrise service will be held at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 24, at Providence Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be Elder Jerry Chesney (alternate-the Rev. Kenneth Stewart).

These services are coordinated by the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance. The Rev. Larry Alford is the president.

The United Way of Moore County will have the "Trike de Tour" tricycle race at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in downtown Southern Pines. Adult riders and sponsors are needed. For more information, call (910) 692-2413.

The Moore County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is accepting nominations for its annual Mother of the Year contest. The deadline is April 25. For more information and to make a nomination, call O'Linda W. Gillis at (910) 947-1422 or e-mail her at odw3220@embarq.com.

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

See highlights of a recent concert at Sandhills Community College featuring Livingstone College Concert Choir on "Town Talk" television show. The program will air daily, this week at 11:30 a.m. and at 6:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3.

Greater Glory Family Worship Ministries is offering Bible study classes for college students at 6 p.m. each Tuesday. Bring your own Bible. Singled Out Campus International Ministries (SOCIM) is the sponsor. Andrea Cattle is the founder and president of SOCIM.

The pastor is Shepherdess Bessie Dixon. The overseer is Apostle Michael S. Dixon. Greater Glory is at 156 Westgate Drive, Taylortown (off N.C. 211 near State Farm Insurance).

Minister Jason Hackett and Christopher Lacy will be interns this winter for WEEB's Sunday gospel radio program from 6 to 11 a.m. Chris is the son of Bill and Gloria (Ellerbe) Lacy, an honor student and excellent football player at Pinecrest. He is working on his senior project in communications. Jason is an associate minister at Solid Rock Holiness Church, a mental health professional, motivational speaker and Bible teacher. He is furthering his college studies in psychology.

The Rev. Angus Wade will continue his exhaustive study of the Book of Revelation at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church this winter. Bible study begins at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. Prayer service begins at 6:45 p.m. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

Applications for this semester are being accepted at the 21st Century after-school program at Christ Way Deliverance Church. This is a free program for youths in kindergarten through 12th grade. Certified teachers are on staff to tutor the children. For more information, contact the Rev. Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 295-5813.

Free music classes are available for all ages at the Taylor House on Main Street. For more information, contact Michael Robinson at (910) 725-1582.

Free career development, basic skills and GED classes are offered at several sites in Moore County through Sandhills Community College. For more information, call (910) 695-3783 (basic skills/GED) and (910) 695-3926 (career development-HRD).

The Pinecrest High School Class of 1971 is planning its 40th reunion for July 29-31, 2011. Addresses and phone numbers are needed for class members. Contact Lottie Alford Mason at (910) 603-7931 or Diane Waddell Monroe at (910) 295-7455.

The community extends condolences to the family of the late Oppie Johnson and Thelma Williams Thomas. Please continue to reach out to these families with your prayers and support.

The sick and shut-in list includes Katrina Morrison, Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Cathy Harrington, Alice Jackson, the Rev. Nathaniel McNeill, Pauline Levine, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Vera Moses, Kathy Murphy, Howard Ray and Lolita Robinson.

Please remember the widowed, orphans, sick and shut-ins, bereaved, incarcerated, homeless, youths and members of the U.S. military in your prayers and good deeds.

Thank you to local churches, nursing homes and youth groups for inviting Rose Highland-Sharpe, storyteller, to your recent Black History programs. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Send your community news, questions or comments to Rose Highland-Sharpe at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374; or by e-mail at rosesharpe37@gmail. com at least two weeks in advance.

• Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

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.

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 e-mail to anitafinch38@yahoo.com or mail items at least one week in advance to P.O. Box 176, Vass, NC 28394.

• Anita Finch