Addor

Congratulations to Shangra La Toria Shaw and Jamarius Remone Ware, who will be married at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Elizabeth Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Jamarius is the son of Bridget McKoy.

The Sanford District Rainbow Tea will be held at 4 p.m. this Saturday at Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Carthage.

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. every Sunday.

Please notify the pastor, the Rev. Charles McKnight, if you are sick or in need of prayer. The phone number is (910) 639-1893.

If you know of anyone who is in need of food, housing or other emergency assistance, please have them call 211 (the United Way).

Birthday wishes go out to this week to Philip McMillian III (May 18) and Louise Jones (May 23).

In memoriam: James C. Morris (May 19).

Sick and shut-ins: Betty J. Ellerbe, Marie Berry, Dr. Louise Cox Jones and Nora Smith are in rehab. Effie Jane Smith, Betty Lou Moses 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, will hold a revival May 25-27 at 7:30 nightly. The speaker will be Marty Marsh.

New Hope 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 hold its Men's Day program at 4 p.m. May 22. All are welcome to attend.

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

Greater Faith in Biscoe will hold a revival today (Wednesday) through Friday, at 7:30 nightly. Evangelist Emma Curry will be the guest speaker.

St. Peters will honor its graduates Sunday, June 5.

The Northern District convention will be held June 8-12 in Union, N.J.

St. Peters has a prayer meeting 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 Rakeez McNeill (May 19), Devonte Wilson (May 20), Braxton Alford and Alkino Monroe (May 22) and Alexis Dailey (May 24).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Sam Kelly, 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 Macedonia missionary circle meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Fletcher's Chapel will celebrate its pastor's anniversary at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hoffman community building on Thompson Street.

The Home Union will be held Sunday, May 29, at Pleasant Hill. The Rev. Charles Bethea is in charge.

All three churches will come together at 7 p.m. Wednesday for a Bible study at Macedonia.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, a cleanup day will be held from 7 a.m. until noon at Evergreen Cemetery A cookout will follow. Please bring your own tools, as well as something to drink and something for the grill.

The Hoffman Red Hat Club will attend worship services at Macedonia at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 5.

Birthday wishes go out to Frank Smith, Daniel Kelly and all others who are celebrating this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins, Rosa Harrison, Lany Harrison, Cathy Harrington, Leroy Jackson, Frank Smith, Lula Smith, Thelma McCoy, Dan McCoy, Arlene McRae, Leana McRae, Juanita Gilmore, Ernest Gilmore, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Nancy Ellerbe, Lacy Jackson, Eugene Martin, Johnny King, Bernice Dodins, Janet Little, Nancy Hayes, Henrietta Little, Rebecca Utley, Mattie White, Cynthia Roysthe, Mamie Martin, Bessie Little, A.B. Little, Henry Isaac, Barbara Brower and Moyra Ratliff.

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 is reminding everyone to mark their calendars for this year's community Bible School, which will be held June 20-24 at Vass Presbyterian Church. Details will be announced later.

Activities at Cypress this week include prayers for the church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, choir practice at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Rev. Hedin will be out of town this Thursday through Sunday. Cypress welcomes the Rev. Tom Williams, who will preach at both worship services Sunday.

Members began arriving early this past Sunday at Mount Pleasant Church to kick off the celebration of the church's 125th anniversary. Many were dressed in their Sunday best from the style of 1886. Even the pastor was sporting his bib overalls, starched button-up, long-sleeve white shirt, pocket watch and red handkerchief.

Many of the members made their period dress, with a number of friends and family showing up to share in the celebrations.

The first order of business was to gather for the annual memorial service, where the youth led the congregation in a remembrance of all those who have died in the past year since the last homecoming.

The youth did an outstanding job incorporating the history of the church from the early days, citing the cost of the first building, which was $180 - and it took a year for the building to be constructed. They shared information about how pastors were called to serve the church in the early days and were paid as much as $50 a year. They even remembered the outdoor facilities and how wonderful many of the modern-day conveniences are.

The congregation then moved to the cemetery, where those with loved ones buried there laid flowers at the graves. Moving from the prayer at the cemetery, members then gathered at the flagpoles and raised three new flags - the American flag, reminding everyone that we are one nation under God; the North Carolina state flag, a reminder that North Carolina is the church's mission field; and the Christian flag, reminding members that they are banner of the Lord of the community, state and nation.

The 11 a.m. service began as usual with prayers, praise and singing. The children's sermon Sunday was titled "Lessons from the Hen House!"

Then Sister Doris, Sister Janet and Brother Poplin presented a play about the first 50 years of the church's existence. Information was shared about the Mount Pleasant school that stood close to where B&L Auto is now located and that it was the first official meeting place of the church.

They discussed some of the first pastors called to serve. They shared that the oldest grave in the Wright Cemetery is from 1894, is that of Sarah Thaggard, and the oldest grave in the cemetery beside the church is that of N.T. Autry from 1902 who, by the way, is the great uncle of the current choir director, Janell Howington.

The choir then presented a special piece called "Amazing Grace," and many in the church remarked that the choir had never been so inspiring and uplifting as it was that day. The song featured Sherry Floyd and Cynthia Hohman doing a duet on the first verse.

Pastor Poplin delivered the message in the fiery style of late 19th century pulpiteers, titled "What's in Hell that Needs to Be in the Church?

After the service, lunch was served. Following much fellowship and way too much food, about 20 members made the journey to the Wright Cemetery to hold the afternoon memorial service for the forefathers of the church.

It was truly a wonderful day at Mount Pleasant and a great kickoff to the 125th anniversary celebrations.

Please remember with prayers and special thoughts those who are serving our country and their families.

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

- "Sunny" Sidley

Shawtown

Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will have a benefit pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Applebee's in Aberdeen.

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry, at 6061 Lemon Springs Road, will have a two-night revival June 12 and 13 at 7:30 nightly. The speaker will be the national Bishop Earl Goins, of Dillon, S.C.

Body of 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. The church pastor is Pastor Larry Ray.

St. Ruth United Church of God in West End, where the Pastor is Eldress Lillian Kearns, will have its annual Rainbow Tea at 4 p.m. Friday, July 21, at the former Pinetree building in West End.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

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

Greater Works Church of Deliverance will have its annual Women's Day Conference, titled "The Deborah Generation, Women of Power Making a Difference," tonight (Wednesday) through Friday. Services begin at 7:30 p.m.

The speakers include Co-Pastor Diane McNair, of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and Pastor Samantha Dowdy, of Higher Dimensions Worship Center. Apostle Andria U. Weekes, pastor of Greater Works, will speak at the closing service at 4 p.m. Sunday. Everyone is invited to hear these dynamic women.

Turning Point Worship Center will have Community Unity Day from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. this Saturday. Enjoy a day of fun, food and activities. Some residents of our community are members of this ministry.

A food sale fundraiser for Tim Mason will be held Saturday at the home of Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., 274 Richmond St. Fish or chicken plates with slaw and baked beans will be offered. Hot dogs will be available as well. Toiletry items will also be for sale.

For more information, contact Tim's mother, Lottie A. Mason, at (910) 603-7931. Tim was recently at Duke Hospital and is home with his family. He and his wife, Nikki, thank everyone for their prayers and support!

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will have its annual Family and Friends Day during the 11 a.m. worship service this Sunday. There will be four groups of families giving presentations of readings or musical selections.

Refreshments will be served after the program. Proceeds will benefit the building fund. The chairpersons are Josephine Faulk and Adelita Young. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

Hats off to Elder Marie Brown, assistant pastor at Full Gospel Holiness Church and family manager-site director of Taylortown Head Start! She was given an appreciation service at her church last Sunday. Many family members, Moore County Head Start staff and community and church leaders attended.

Elder Brown will speak this Sunday at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. The pastor, the Rev. Elgett Floyd, invites everyone to attend.

Free GED, basic skills and career development classes are offered this summer at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. Some of the classes are held in other areas of Moore County, including Carthage, Westmoore and Aberdeen. For more information, call the recruiter, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at (910) 659-3783.

The community extends condolences and prayers to the family of the late Anthony Terry from our neighboring community of Jackson Hamlet. Please continue to pray for the family.

The West Pine Middle School African drum ensemble, Marcie Houseman, Dr. E.V. Griffin, president of Halifax Community College, the Sandhills Community College gospel choir and the Devoted Praise Mime Team, of Hope Mills, will be featured this month on "Town Talk." The show airs at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day on Time Warner Cable channel 3.

"Town Talk" is back to its 30-minute format and spotlights local inspirational performances, faith-based programs and individuals with triumphant stories of overcoming hardships. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

The United Way of Moore County needs volunteers to assist in conducting a community assessment June 4. Please call the United Way of Moore County at (910) 692-2413 or e-mail unitedway@pinehurst.net. Training will be provided. The purpose of the assessment is to determine community needs that are not fully being met by charitable agencies or civic organizations.

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church has a prayer meeting from noon until 1 p.m. and Bible study from 1 to 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Church school is held at 9:45 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. each Sunday. The Rev. Janice Cooper welcomes everyone to all services. She can be reached at (910) 295-3579.

Spruill Temple will have a prayer service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. You can call in your prayer request at (910) 295-0071. The pastor, Elder Jerry Chesney, welcomes everyone to drop in at any time during this informal prayer time and "to come as you are."

"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.

Everyone is 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 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).

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.

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

The community extends condolences to the McLean family. Please remember the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue to reach out to those who suffered losses from the destruction of tornadoes.

The sick and shut-in list includes Tim Mason (Duke Hospital), Ruth Morrison, Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Phyllis 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, Lolita Robinson and Johnnie Stanford at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital (Rose Stanford Harris' brother).

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.

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

A pastor aid program for Pastor Kelly will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the church. The guest speaker will be Rev. Tinsley. The program is sponsored by Deaconess Catherine McKeithan.

Minister Frederick Kelly will speak Sunday at Ministry of Deliverance in Aberdeen. Elder Leak is the church pastor. The time of the program will be announced at a later time.

Evangelist Hicks will be the guest speaker at 6 p.m. May 28 at the God's House of Prayer Ministry for Pastor Mary Kelly's pre-anniversary program.

The program is sponsored by Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin. Everyone is invited to attend.

Pastor Kelly will celebrate her 11th pastorial anniversary at 5 p.m. June 5 at the Douglass Community Center in Southern Pines. Pastor Brown will be the guest speaker. Dinner will be served after the service. Everyone is invited to come out and help this powerful woman of God celebrate this special occasion.

For more information, contact Carolyn Wilkins at (910) 245-7813, Deaconess Catherine McKeithan at (910) 245-44750 or (910) 603-7729 or Anita Finch at (910) 693-1512 or (910) 724-4174.

God's House of Prayer Ministry will have a car show June 11 at Vass Park in Vass to benefit the church building. There will be a showcase of cars and food.

For more information, please call (910) 245-3263.

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