Addor

An appreciation service for the Rev. Charles McKnight will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church. Lunch will be served after the 11 a.m. worship service. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Everyone in the community is invited to attend New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., and worship is at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

The 21st Century after-school program is continuing at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church. It operates Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Applications are now available. Please contact the Rev. McKnight, the church pastor, at (910) 639-1893.

The quarterly class leader workshop for the Sanford District will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church.

Addor Community Center board members need your support both in person and financially. The board is asking all of the churches in the community to assist by making a monthly allocation. Donations will help restore utilities to the building and begin using it to help revitalize the community.

Please make checks payable to the Addor Community Center and mail them to P.O. Box 775, Pinebluff, NC 28373. Anyone with questions or needing more information can call (910) 281-0384.

Birthday wishes go out to Brandon "B.J." Thompson (Oct. 18), Louise Wilson (Oct. 19) and to all who are celebrating this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Rose Lee Waddell is in the hospital. Sarah F. McMillian and Betty J. Ellerbe are in rehab. Doris Monroe is home from the hospital. Effie J. Smith, Betty L. Moses, Louise Jones and Nora Smith are among the homebound. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Marie Berry, Lewis Swan and Sampson Blue 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, 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.

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

Synagogue of Christ in Carthage thanks everyone who helped make its annual ushers day Sunday such a success,

St. Ruth in West End thanks everyone who came out to celebrate its church anniversary last week.

The St. Peters Y.P.H.A. department thanks all of the youth who came out last Saturday in different jerseys in support of the team for Christ.

St. Peters will not hold a worship service Sunday. Members will be attending the pastoral anniversary celebration for Bishop Larry Brown and first lady Elise Brown at the House of Prayer in Taylortown.

St. Peters has Bible study on Tuesday after the first and third Sunday each month. Prayer meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday.

Brian and Creshenda McKinney will celebrate their wedding anniversary this week.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Brianna Alston, Myrtle McCrimmon and Brittney Saunders (Oct. 19).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Michael McLean, Charles Jackson, Joe Jackson, Hoover Brown, Cornelia Adkins, Evelyn Clegg, Minister Wrencher, Carolyn Swinnie, Mary Russell, Margret Thompson and Alma Jones.

- Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Bible study is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Macedonia and at 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel. Pleasant Hill holds Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pleasant Hill is asking all missionaries to come celebrate Missionary Day at 5 p.m. Oct. 30. The speaker will be Doretha Jefferson, of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

The Home Union will be held Oct. 30 at Fletcher's Chapel. The Rev. R.L. Dockery is in charge.

Pleasant Hill will celebrate Women's Day at 5 p.m. Oct. 30. Doretha Jefferson will be the guest speaker.

A community meeting will be held Nov. 7 at the Hoffman Parks and Recreation Center. All residents are urged to attend.

Birthday wishes go out to Jackie Sloan (Oct. 18), Davon Brown (Oct. 21) and Renita Kelly (Oct. 27).

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins, Frank Smith, Lany Harrison, Cathy Harrington, Lula Smith, Ernest Gilmore, Juanita Gilmore, Leana McRae, Arlene McRae, Thelma McKoy, Dan McKoy, Eugene Martin, Johnny King, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Mary Jamison and Bernice Dalton.

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

- Bea Little

Little River

This past week and weekend were very busy for the entire congregation of Mount Pleasant Church.

The church held its annual harvest supper and auction Saturday. The church thanks everyone who came out to make this year's event so successful.

The new country store was a big hit, with many handmade items, such as pot scrubbers, bonnets, shopping bags candies, cakes and pies.

Steve Lane won the special cake made by Mildred Seagroves and raffled off by the country store. The quilts that were raffled off were won by Anna Maness and Brenda Ivy.

Mildred Seagroves had personally created a quilt and did all the stitching on it herself. This quilt was one of the highest-priced auctioned items, and the church thanks her for creating and donating it. Congratulations to Jimmy and Patricia Hennings for being the high bidders on this quilt.

Something new this year was a "King of the Cake" contest in which 13 men took the challenge from the pastor. The brave men were able to create cakes that ranged from chocolate, carrot, rum, coconut, Italian cream and, the most unique and original cake ever, a "fish cake" created by Hal Abshire, using angel food cake, Jell-o and red gummy fish.

The winners of the contest were: Most orignal - Hal Abshire, fish cake; best looking, Wayne Parker, coconut cake, Walt Perine, first runner-up, and Art Hill, second runner-up; cake; best tasting cakes - Greg Poplin, first runner-up, and Dan Peavey, second runner-up. The "King of all Cakes" was take by Tommy McKenzie for his Hershey bar cake. He received the royal crown and will reign as king of the cakes until the church holds another contest, or as some of the men like to call it, "cooking" the cakes. This was a wonderful and fun fellowship for the church.

With shorter days and cooler weather, Cypress Church will suspend its early worship service during the winter months, starting Nov. 6. It will consider including the early service again as summer approaches next year. The church invited everyone in the community to attend worship at 11 a.m. each Sunday.

The Christian Education Committee at Cypress is still accepting spiritually oriented books, magazines, videotapes, and/or audiotapes for the lending library. Please call the church at (910) 245-4731 if you have donations to make.

Cypress is participating again this year in the BackPack Pals program in the Moore County school system. Forty-eight individual-size boxes of cereal per month are needed. Please leave your donations in the basket in the vestibule.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 29, and plan to take your children to the community trunk or treat at First Baptist Church in Vass. A hot dog supper will be served outside at 5:30 p.m., and trunk or treat will begin at 6 p.m. Children, accompanied by a responsible adult, may dress up and bring a bag for treats.

Mount Pleasant Church will again be one of the collection places for Bikes for Wright. It's not too early to start turning in those bikes so "Santa" can get started on those repairs.

If you need someone to come and pick up a bike, please call Sunny at (910) 245-4747 to arrange for pickup.

Please remember, with positive thoughts and prayers, all of our soldiers and their families, whether here in the States or abroad.

"Keep the Tatas Safe" by remembering that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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

- "Sunny" Sidley

Shawtown

The choir of First Missionary will celebrate its anniversary Sunday, Nov. 6. The pastor, the Rev. Lincoln Blanding, invites everyone to attend.

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.

If anyone has an announcement for the Shawtown news, please submit it a week before publication. My new email address is adamsminnie29@yahoo.com, or call me at (910) 783-7822.

- Irene Ray

Taylortown

Nick Lacy and his twin sister, Natoya, sang the national anthem at a recent Pinecrest High School football game. Everyone enjoyed the brother-sister musical duo.

Nick is a varsity football player. The twins are active in many activities at Pinecrest and excel in their academic studies. Their parents are Bill and Gloria Lacy. Their grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Ellerbe.

Special thanks to those who attended the 105th anniversary celebration at Providence Presbyterian Church. Pastor Edward N. Williams thanks all who participated. The speaker was Pastor Carolyn Mitchell, of Victory Temple Ministries.

Peggy Huff thanks everyone who attended her birthday dinner last Saturday at Spaulding Chapel. The celebration was coordinated by the Rev. Carolyn Radcliff.

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will have a "Joy Night" musical program at 6 p.m. this Saturday. Enjoy an evening of praise, worship and thanksgiving through song with soloists, duos and choirs. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Allen, invites everyone to attend. For more information, contact Joann Faulkner at (910) 295-0423.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will have its senior choir anniversary at 4 p.m. this Sunday. Marlene Pittman is the chairperson. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites all to attend

Kathy Murphy invites everyone to the "shoe rally" at Jordan Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church at 11 a.m. this Sunday. The sponsor is Earldine Marshall. Give a donation according to your shoe size. The pastor is the Rev. Dr. Shirley Baggett. Everyone is invited.

The Rev. Angela Headen Davis invites everyone to the ushers' appreciation service at Long Leaf AME Zion Church this Sunday at 3 p.m. Thank you in advance for your support.

Veteran Job Fair information will be featured on the "Town Talk" television show this week through the first week in November. Mark Adkins, the veteran representative at the Employment Security Commission, is the featured guest. The show airs daily at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3. The host is Rose Highland-Sharpe.

Pinecrest High School football games pre-empt "Town Talk" on some evenings. Thanks for your support of the youths on the football team, including Daequan Barrett, Reco Cain and Travis Scales.

The Moore County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will have its annual banquet at 4 p.m. Saturday at Whispering Pines Country Club. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

The speaker will be attorney Herman Thompson. The theme is "Forward Together, Not One Step Backward." The event will spotlight and honor the first African-Americans in Moore County.

Donations are $30 for adults and $15 for youths. For more information, call (910) 947-1422. O'Linda W. Gillis is the branch president.

Thank you to the ladies who continue to help with MANNA! at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Some of the helpers include Melba Bostic, Esther McNeill, Hulene Morrison and Kathy Murphy. Pastor John Roberts is the day-to-day operations manager for MANNA!. The pastor at Spaulding Chapel is the Rev. Charles Allen.

Michael Robinson thanks all the musicians for coming to the Taylor House on Saturdays for the "jam sessions." The gathering has been very productive and creative in bringing local talent in one arena to entertain and inspire.

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

You are 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.

Musicians are still needed at some local churches. Call Minister James McNeill at (910) 384-4369 (Word of Life Ministries) and Pastor Shirley Gillis at (910) 692-5185 (Outreach Ministries for Jesus). Also, contact Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe regarding other pianist-organist opportunities at rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

Thank you to those who continue to pray for and support Tim and Nicole Mason and also Edward and Sharonda Wilson. Both families continue to need your help due to on-going health concerns.

Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ has a prayer service every Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. 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."

Join St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 198 Gaines St. in Jackson Hamlet, for weekly services. Sunday School is held at 10 a.m. Worship begins at 11 a.m. Prayer meeting and Bible study are held at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. The pastor is the Rev. Elgett Floyd.

Thanks for listening to "Good News Inspiration" on WEEB-990 AM from 6 to 11 a.m. on Sundays. Send your church and community announcements to the Sunday program director/announcer, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or email rosesharpe37@gmail.com. Other WEEB gospel family members include veteran announcer Felton J. Capel, substitute announcer Niniji Lloyd, and new trainees Pastor Ren Lee and Ken Capel.

There's still time to enroll in Pathways to C.N.A. at Sandhills Community College. This is a transition program to the certified nursing assistant course. The classes include GED, basic skills, and occupational courses. Those who earn their GED are eligible for a scholarship for the C.N.A. program. Call Twana McKnight at S.C.C. at (910) 695-3782.

Job opportunities are available at Smithfield's meat packing plant in Tar Heel, N.C. As part of the application process, register for pre-employment skills classes in the human resources development program at Sandhills Community College. The classes are free to those who qualify. Call Jenny Troyer at (910) 695-3926.

Career development, basic skills and GED classes are available at the Westmoore Center in Robbins and at the Day Reporting Center in Carthage. Other basic skills and GED classes are offered at Aberdeen Elementary School and in Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College. Call the recruiter for basic skills education at SCC, Rose Highland-Sharpe, at (910) 695-3783.

The 21st Century 2011-2012 after-school program is accepting applications for youths in kindergarten through 12th grade. Leave a message at (910) 295-5813. The program is held at Christ Way Deliverance Church in Eastwood and New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Addor. Pastor and Mrs. E. Nathaniel Jackson are the directors. Special thanks to Pastor Charles McKnight Sr. and his wife, Barbara, at New Zion in Addor.

The October sick and shut-in list includes Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Carol Blackmon, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Geneva Goins, Phyllis Goins, Cathy Harrington, Alice Jackson, Pauline Levine, Tim Mason, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Vera Moses, Lolita Robinson, Mr. Shamberger and Johnnie Stanford.

Please remember all the sick and shut-ins, the widowed, orphans, bereaved, incarcerated, homeless, youths and the United States military in your prayers and good deeds.

If you have any questions, comments and community news, please respond to R. Highland-Sharpe at P.O. Box 4653, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or at rosesharpe37@gmail. com. Send announcements at least two weeks in advance.

- Rose Highland-Sharpe

Vass

Evangelist Betty Ray was the speaker at God's House of Prayer Ministry Sunday. Her message was titled "Conscious: Prayful Clarity." Her scripture came from Psalm 4:1.

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will be the guest speaker at 7:30 p.m. Friday at New Faith Ministry in Cameron Village. She will also speak at 3 p.m. Sunday at Ministry of Deliverance Church in Aberdeen for its Women in Red program. She will speak on the letter "e."

Pastor Mary Kelly will be the guest speaker for the 11 a.m. service Oct. 23 at Rock of Salvation in Fayetteville.

Minister Frederick Kelly and Deacon Freddie Kelly Jr. will be guest speakers at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at Tabernacle of Praise Ministry in High Point for its "12 Tribes" program.

Holy Night will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at God's House of Prayer Ministry.

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.

Fryes Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will sponsor a Community Partnership from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday). Represent-atives of BB&T and First Bank in Vass to talk to the community about today's economy and some of their banking practices.

The mayor of Vass is also expected to attend. Someone from the NAACP will be there for its membership drive.

If you have not registered to vote, someone will be there to get you registered. Also, representatives from the Moore County tax department will be their to talk about Homestead taxes. The church invites everyone in the community to attend.

The Rev. Walter Cotton will celebrate his pastoral anniversary at Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church during the 11 a.m. service Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Ronnie Gilmore. Music will be provided by a guest choir. Everyone is invited to attend.

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.

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

-- Anita Finch