The 14th annual White Elephant Sale and Raffle, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, of Sacred Heart Church, will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The sale will be in Founders Hall, adjacent to the church, located at N.C. 211 and Dundee Road in Pinehurst.

On Friday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 6 p.m., there will be a pre-sale of furniture and outdoor items only.

On Saturday, household items, electronics, tools, jewelry, books, toys and recreational items will be offered at reasonable prices. The bake sale will offer cakes, pies, cookies, breads and many other goodies to take home.

Raffle tickets will be available at a cost of $2 each or three for $5. Among the 100 raffle prices are weekend hotel stays, golf certificates, gift baskets, home accessories and service certificates. Winners need not be present at the drawing.

All raffle proceeds are donated to local charities and sale proceeds go to church and local charities .

For more information or to donate items, call (910) 255-0785, (910) 695-0886 or (910) 215-5967.

Fun and Games

Kingdom Connections Church will hold a day of fun and games featuring a pie eating contest, bean bag toss, face painting and more.

The event is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. The church is located at 134 Mill Road, Rockingham.

For more information, call (910) 817-7003.

Gospel Singing

There will be a gospel singing at Brown's Chapel Christian Church in Robbins Sunday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m.

The featured group will be Paid For, a Southern gospel group from Winston-Salem.

There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be taken.

For more information, call Pastor Michael Parenti at (910) 464-3697.

Fall Festival

A community fall festival, sponsored by First Missionary Baptist Church. St. Peter's Deliverance Church of God and the West Southern Pines Citizens for Change, will be held from3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Pool Park (Clay Hole), in Southern Pines.

There will be games, inflatables, food, candy and prizes.

Trunk or Treat

West End Presbyterian Church will be hosting its annual "Trunk or Treat" on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.

There will be games for kids, a hot dog and chili dinner and plenty of trunks for trunk-or-treating.

The church is located at 275 Knox Lane in West End, just off of N.C. 73 and N.C. 211.

Free Concert

Sandhills Assembly will host a free concert featuring Marty Goetz at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.

The church is located at 6481 U.S. 1, Southern Pines.

For information, call (910) 692-2403

This event is sponsored by area churches and fellowships. "

Divorce Care

Bethesda Presbyterian Church will host a divorce care seminar titled "Surviving the Holidays" Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

This is a warm, encouraging and helpful event featuring video instruction and group discussion that help participants deal with the intense pain of separation and divorce during the holiday season.

Local churches around the world sponsor these seminars, which last approximately two hours. Participants will also receive a personal "Holiday Survival Guide."

The cost is $10, and the workshop will be led by Paula McKenzie, Tina Hobgood and Terry Dalton.

The church will also host a 13-week Divorce Care Event that will start on Jan. 5. This cost for this program is $25. Scholarships are available.

The church is located on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen. Call (910) 944-1319 to register.

Congregational Church Of Pinehurst, UCC

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC will offer an information session after worship Sunday, Oct. 23, for those who wish to know more about the congregation and denomination's participation in its mission to promote love and justice in the world and community.

The Rev. Brent Bissette will share a short DVD presentation and provide materials about the United Church of Christ, making this an opportune time for recent visitors and friends to ask questions regarding the church.

A membership Sunday is planned for Nov. 13 to welcome and receive those joining the congregation.

Sunday school classes for children will be held this Sunday and the second and fourth Sunday of every month, with two classes for children 3-5 and 6-8 years of age. Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the Butterfly Room by member volunteers, though children of all ages are welcome at services.

The monthly social gathering at Manor Care Nursing Home will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19. Ladies of the church play bingo and share refreshments with the residents. Call Nadine Wokas (910) 235-0899 for information.

The weekly discussion of Robin Meyer's book "Saving Jesus From the Church" continues on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. Call Mary Scott Arnold at (910) 295-7456 for information about the current chapter under discussion.

The fall Bible Basics Class "Uppity Women of the Bible" is held on Thursdays at 10 a.m. This guided study group uses a DVD series to examine the books of Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs and Judith. Call the church office for the current reading assignment.

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 www.youarewelcomehere.org.

Jacobson Speaks

Author Vivian R. Jacobson will speak at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 340 S. Ridge St., Southern Pines, Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. on "The Christ Configuration of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in the Art Work of Marc Chagall."

Jacobson's PowerPoint presentation will include readings from the New and Old Testaments, including the Hebraic interpretation of "The Prince of Peace - Jesus and The Prophet of Peace - Isaiah. "

The lecture will focus on Chagall's messages of hope, peace, reconciliation and love. It will conclude with a review of the visuals accompanied by Elvis Presley's version of "Amazing Grace."

A 15-minute question-and-answer period will follow the 50-minute presentation. The cost is $5 per person.

The lecture will be preceded by a 6:30 p.m. dessert reception in the church's parish hall, and Jacobson will sign copies of her book, "Sharing Chagall: A Memoir," both before and after her presentation. The $16 cost of the book includes tax.

For more information, contact Laurie Holden at (910) 692-3171.

Fall Festival

Eagle Springs Baptist Church will hold a fall festival Sunday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m.

There will be games, prizes, a cake walk and more.

The church is located at 460 Eagle Springs Road, Eagle Springs.

St. Anthony

Of Padua Guild

Col. Don Goulet, U.S. Army (ret.), a 24-year Army officer and graduate of the Naval War College, will be the guest speaker at the St. Anthony Guild Luncheon on Monday, Nov. 14.

Goulet has served numerous years on the board of directors of the Braxton Bragg Chapter of the Association of U.S. Army and is a past president of the Sandhills Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. Active in that chapter, he has served as the "Personal Affairs Chairman" and is very knowledgeable of the help needed for active military families, retirees, veterans, and spouses of deceased military.

For information, call (910) 944-8124.

Oktoberfest

Bethesda Presbyterian Church will host its annual "Oktoberfest" on Friday, Oct. 21. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at Old Bethesda Church. There will be fun for all ages and activities include pumpkin carving, hayrides, roasting hot dogs and s'mores over the campfire, music, games and "Trunk or Treat."

"Come dressed in your costume and bring a pumpkin and enjoy this family-oriented event," says a spokesman.

Call (910) 944-1319 for more information.

Royal Lights

The Royal Lights, of Dillon, S.C., will appear in concert at Love Grove Freewill Baptist Church at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

The church is located at 293 Dawkins St., Jackson Hamlet.

Fundraiser

St. James Lutheran Church will hold a Friends, Family, Fun Day. Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m.

There will be inspirational music and speakers along with games and contests, a bounce castle, face painting, a cake walk and more.

The church is located at 983 W. New Hampshire, Southern Pines.

For information, call (910) 692-2515.

Greater Glory

There will be a pre-Holy Convocation service held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. The service will be hosted at Greater Glory.

The Pentecostal Deliverance Ministries Inc. will observe its 10th annual Holy Covocation services Sunday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 29. It will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday with the Presiding Prelate Apostle Michael Dixon bringing the morning message. That evening at 6 p.m., the special guest will be Pastor Dedrick Howard and congregation from the Mount Carmel Pentecostal Holiness Church, in Sanford. Services will be nightly at 7:30 p.m., and the featured guests include: Shepherdess Bessie Dixon, Greater Glory PD Family Worship Center, Southern Pines (Monday); Pastor Tony Fairly, House of Refuge of Deliverance Church, Addor, and Hartsville, S.C. (Tuesday); Pastor Maxine Beards, Blessed Assurance Deliverance Ministry, Bennettsville, S.C. (Wednesday); Pastor Charlotte Bryant, Praise Tabernacle Deliverance Ministry, Siler City (Thursday and Friday).

Saturday at 4 p.m. there will be a fellowship dinner held in the church fellowship hall, and at 7 p.m., an evening service will be held with featured guest Bishop Raymond Carter, Christ Miracle Temple Deliverance Church, Eden. It will conclude on Sunday morning with Executive Chief Apostle Michael Dixon bringing the closing message. Services will be held in the Sanctuary of the Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Temple, located at 1000 W. New Hampshire Ave. in Southern Pines.

Contact Evangelist Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369 for more information on these and other upcoming events.

Beaver Creek Baptist

Join members of Beaver Creek Baptist Church for a prayer rally at Cameron Park in Cameron on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m.

Fall Fest will be held Monday, Oct. 31, at 6:30 p.m. as an alternative family fun event with a free hot dog dinner, games, prizes and trunk-or-treat.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron. For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602.

First Baptist Classes

First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, will offer a series of classes based on "Making Sense of God's Will," a new DVD series by Adam Hamilton. The classes will meet at 6:30 p.m., in room 213, on Wednesdays, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 30.

The church is located at 200 East New York Ave., Southern Pines.

The series is open to the public and is being led by Dr. David Helms, senior minister.

Sandy Mashburn will lead a class in centering prayer, a method of praying that seeks to facilitate a deeper relationship with God. "You are invited to join others in nurturing the bonds of friendship and love as we discover this new, yet ancient method of praying," says Mashburn. "Please bring a Bible each week."

The College and Career Cafe (C3) Sunday School class is meant for those ages 18 to 25 years old. The class meets on the lower level of the new wing of the church and will be taught by Barbi Smith and Barry Leonard.

The church is located at 200 East New York Ave., Southern Pines.

West End UMC

Bread of Life Ministry at West End United Methodist Church meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This ministry is for seniors (widows, widowers and the elderly). It is a time of fellowship and devotion with a home cooked meal provided at a charge of $5 per person.

The youth at West End United Methodist Church will sponsor their annual yard sale and bake sale Saturday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. There will be items for everyone as well as drinks, popcorn and baked items. All proceeds will support youth and children's ministries.

The Mission Outreach Committee will present information on the recent mission field trip to Peru Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

"We will begin the evening with pizza (donation of $5 for pizza), and the presentation will follow immediately after," says a spokesman. "You will see the pictures of the people of Ciudad de Dios and the Bello Horizonte area of the Moche Valley, the medical clinic that is under construction, and the other projects that the WEUMC Peru group worked on this summer." Reservations should be made by Monday, Oct. 24. Call or email Jennifer Foresman at (910) 673-3409 or rjforsman2@aol.com or Carmela Chase at (910) 673-2635 or cschase2@embarqmail.com.

A fall festival will be held Sunday, Oct. 30, at the West End Scout Lodge (3164 Carthage Road, just outside Seven Lakes). There will be food, games, crafts, a cake walk, bingo, a campfire and much more. Costumes for children and adults are welcome (please not too scary).

Prison Ministry

Help the prison ministry without going to the prison by baking homemade chocolate chip cookies, which are distributed by the Kairos Ministry team as it visits inmates and staff at Scotland Correctional Institution, in Laurinburg.

"Our next three-day weekend at the prison starts on Nov. 3," says a spokesman. "Several thousand cookies are needed to support this form of Agape in SCI. So the Kairos Team is asking the Sandhills Community to help us in baking chocolate chip cookies and delivering them to one of the following drop points: The Village Chapel, Pinehurst (rear atrium entrance); First Baptist Southern Pines (rear entrance); and Bethesda Presbyterian, Aberdeen (rear entrance).

"Cookies may be made from scratch or ready-made dough (keep them small, 2 1/2 inches max so they'll fit into a quart size sealable plastic bag)," says a spokesman. "DO NOT add nuts, sugar, or any toppings - keep them plain. Package one dozen cookies in a quart-size sealable plastic bag (note: sliding zip-lock bags are not allowed in the prison). Allow enough time for the cookies to cool completely before packaging so they don't break into crumbs. Deliver the cookies in cardboard boxes to one of the following drop points on Nov. 1 or 2, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m."

For information, contact Gus Brown at (910) 691-1371.

Fryes Chapel

Fryes Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will be sponsoring a community partnership event about today's economy from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.

There will be someone representing BB&T and First Bank, both of Vass, who will discuss the economy. The mayor of Vass will speak, and the NAACP will host a membership drive. There will be a representative to assist with voter registration as well as a representative from the Moore County Tax Department.

The event is free, and refreshments will be served.

Appreciation Service

The Worship Center, located at 397 Eastman Road, Southern Pines, will hold a Pastors' Appreciation Service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, for Bishop Roy A. McKoy and Pastor Costella McKoy. The guest speaker will be Bishop James E. McKinnon, pastor of Saint James Apostolic Church, 701 Bart St., Raleigh. Contact the church office at (910) 692-3574 for directions or inquiries.

Yard Sale

First Baptist Church, Pinehurst, will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 22, at the church, located on N.C. 211 across from Pinewild.

All proceeds benefit the Acteens missions projects.

Plate Sale

A plate sale, featuring barbecue and grilled chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, roll and dessert, will be held Friday, Oct. 28, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2237 Camp Easter Road, Southern Pines.

Proceeds will benefit the Ellington family.

Plates are $7, and are available for delivery or pickup only during lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for eat-in or pick up during the hours of 5 to 8 p.m.

Donations for the family made by made at any branch of the State Employees Credit Union.

For information, call (910) 692-0992 or email benefit@phbcsp.org

Homecoming

Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1838 Bethlehem Church Road, will hold revival services Sunday, Oct. 23, through Thursday, Oct. 27. The Sunday morning service will be at 11 a.m., and the evening services at 7 p.m. The services, "Good News Chalk Talks," will be presented by the Rev. Dwight Haynes.

For information call (910) 947-2835 or visit www.ChalkTalks.net.

Cornerstone Baptist

Cornerstone Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming at the 11 a.m. service Sunday, Oct. 23.

The Rev. David Bullard will be the featured speaker.

The church will hold trunk or treat from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

Fall Festival

First Baptist Church in Aberdeen will hold a fall festival Saturday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m.

There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, popcorn, a cake walk, bounce house, face painting and crafts as well many other activities.

The church is located at 700 Sandhills Blvd.

Appreciation Banquet

An appreciation banquet in honor of Elder Kevin D. Mayhue will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Jackson Springs Community Center, 447 Mill Road, Jackson Springs.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. They must be purchased by Oct. 15. Contact Jamie Green at (336) 303-6956, Andrea Green at (336) 327-1577, Natasha Brower at natashabrower@hotmail.com or Renee Wilson at naturalchic_24@yahoo.com.

Homecoming

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will hold revival Oct. 19-21, with Bishop Harry Lee, of Lumberton, as guest speaker.

The church is located at 158 Sellar St., Vass.

Youth Auction

The youth of Bethesda Presbyterian Church on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen will hold their annual youth auction on Saturday, Nov. 12. The yard sale begins at 7 a.m., and activities will be provided for the kids while the adults view the yard sale items. Coffee, doughnuts and juice will be served.

Dinner begins at 4 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and the Clark family's famous barbecue will be served along with baked beans and coleslaw. The cost is $3 to $5 per plate. Musician Steve McKenzie will entertain from 4 to 5 p.m.

The auction begins at 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

"We have many items up for bid," says auctioneer Jim Ransdell, "including TVs, appliances, tools, electronics, household goods and collectibles. All auction items are donations from local businesses and residents who support our youth."

The proceeds support youth missions and 10 percent of our proceeds will be given to local charities. Next summer, the youth and advisers will travel to Belize to work in the construction of a children's orphanage and/or the construction of a church, says youth director Tracey Call.

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. until 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.

Merry Market

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church of Seven Lakes will host its popular Merry Market Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Merry Market this year will feature wonderful jewelry, festive candles, baskets and a host of other items made by more than 20 area crafters. Home baked cakes, cookies and other treats will also be available.

"Plan to fill your freezer for the holidays," says a spokesman.

St. Mary Magdalene is located at 1145 Seven Lakes Drive.

New Church

Berean Baptist Church meets at the American Legion Building in Aberdeen at 10 a.m. for Sunday School and 11 a.m. for worship. Wednesday night Bible study is 7 p.m.

The church pastor is Tom Lovely.

For information, call Pat Kelly at (910) 638-2115.

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 Rays 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 about this progressive religion, 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.