Ken Medema, a composer, lyricist and pianist who has been blind since birth, will be in concert Sunday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m., sharing songs and stories of his life and faith.

Gifted in improvisational skills, Medema has a master's degree in music therapy from Michigan State and began his performing career because he wrote songs to connect with and help his patients. Today, Medema performs in a wide variety of venues from local congregations to corporate conventions. His unique gift of music and his positive approach to life's challenges enable him to identify with audiences of all ages.

One Voice, the 50-member youth choir of First Baptist will also sing one of his compositions during the concert, while he accompanies them.

"This event is a must-see, must-hear concert," says the Rev. Benny Edwards, minister of music. "Admission is free."

Congregational Church of Pinehurst

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst UCC will hold a workshop led by Tom Nutt-Powell on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. A city planner specializing in re-development and active with the Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light Council, he will speak on his work performing assessments for faith communities to reduce their carbon footprint. This informative, hands-on workshop will give participants the tools and knowledge to evaluate the essential areas of the energy use and costs in their church.

The event is cosponsored by the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ and North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light. Each congregation is asked to contribute $20 for as many attendees who wish to come to be donated to NCIPL to help offset the meeting's carbon footprint. Nutt-Powell will explain how a faith community can save substantial money and be good stewards of the environment with simple changes, as well as present major alterations that pay back over time. Call the church office at (910) 295-2243 for registration information.

Sunday school for children will be held this Sunday and the second and fourth Sunday of each month, with two classes for children, one for those 3 to 5 years old and another for those 6 to 8. Nursery is provided every Sunday in the Butterfly Room.

The Bible Basics group will meet Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Hearth Room with a study of "Uppity Women of the Bible." All are welcome to join in the guided study and discussion. Call the church office at (910) 295-2243 for information and the reading suggestion for the week.

The Buddhist Sangha of the Pines will meet at 4 p.m. on Sunday for weekly ongoing mindfulness practice. Everyone is welcome. Call (910) 949-2623 for information. Also on Sunday, the community read and discussion group meets at 7 p.m. to continue the open exchange of ideas centered on "Saving Jesus from the Church" by Robin Meyers.

"Living the Questions," a singles and family-friendly discussion group, will hold its first monthly meeting this Friday from 6 to p.m. The group will share a pot luck supper, watch a short program about spiritual practices and suggestions for social justice engagements, and talk informally about their own spiritual ideas and questions. Children are welcome to join in the meal and play while the grownups talk. Guests are welcome to share the food and fellowship. Call the Rev. Brent Bissette at (910) 295-2243 or Lauren Beecher at (910) 688-3331 for directions to the hosting home.

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.

Homecoming

First Wesleyan Church of Robbins announces homecoming Sunday, Sept. 25. The guest speaker is the Rev. Barry Miller, from Galax, Va. Miller and his wife, Yvonne, formerly of Robbins, will be the guest musicians for the day. A carry-in lunch will follow the service. Sunday school meets from 10 to 10:30 a.m., with worship from 10:35 a.m. to noon.

"All members, former members and friends are encouraged to join us for this special day," says a spokesman.

The church is located at the corner of N.C. 705 and East Moore Street in Robbins. For more information, call (910) 948-2332.

Appreciation Service

St. Joseph A.M.E. Zion Church will honor Minister Linda Fowler with a musical appreciation service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Aberdeen Elementary School, U.S. 1, Aberdeen.

Family Festival

The Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a Columbus Day Family Festival to be held on Saturday Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst. It is open to all with a $5 admission fee paid at the gate for the entire family.

There will be live music featuring the McKenzie Brothers and entertainment by clowns. Food will be sold, with a menu of barbecue sandwiches, sausages, hot dogs, funnel cakes, drinks and ice cream treats.

Games for all ages will include bowling, redneck golf, duck pond game, fishing, bocce and basketball free throw. Games are free with the admission price, and kids' prizes will be awarded at the games. There will also be a silent auction with valuables including watches and gift certificates, to name a few items.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Heavenly Pines Fine Jewelry in Pinehurst.

Fruit of the Spirit Service

Piney Grove OFWB Church will be the setting for a benefit program for Doretha Mayhue, whose home was destroyed by a fire recently.

The event takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Featured guests include St. Luke No. 1 Adult Praise Team for praise and worship as well as the Gospel Voices and other musical groups.

Preachers for the event include Minister Fred Canty, Pastor Robert Ingram, Pastor Margaret Wilson, Dr. Keefe Howell and Pastor Darrel Harris.

The church is located at 2560 Windblow Road, Ellerbe.

For more information, call Franklin McQueen at (910) 582-1263.

Musical Evening

Tabernacle United Methodist Church, in Robbins, will host a concert by Voices of the Heart, a group made up of young women between the ages of 12 and 16, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

Refreshments will follow, and love offering will be taken.

The church is located at 251 N.C. 705 North, Robbins.

Yard Sale

A yard sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, at Stone Chapel Church beginning at 7 a.m. Clothes, household items, other goodies, and sweets of all kinds will be available.

The church is located on U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

Revival

Faith on Fire Deliverance Ministries will hold revival Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Friday, Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

The guest speaker is Bishop T.R. Harrington, of Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church, Rockingham. There will be special music and singing each night.

The church is located at 235 Esther Road, West End.

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.

Pastor's Anniversary

Shady Grove Holiness Church will celebrate the 11th anniversary of Pastor Melvin Chambers with services Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Friday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 25.

Weeknight services are at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday service at 10 a.m.

The deaconesses and pastor's aide committee are in charge of Wednesday night's service. Evangelist Debbie Thomas, the assistant pastor, and the Sunday School are in church Thursday; and on Friday night, the missionary and mother's board will be in charge.

The church is located two miles east of Aberdeen on N.C. 211.

For further information, call Mable L. Graham at (910) 944-1267.

Harvest Sale

Center United Methodist Church will hold its annual harvest sale Saturday, Sept. 24.

A lunch of chicken stew or barbecue will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with dinner from 5 to 7 p.m., for a $7 donation.

An auction will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The church is located at 4141 South Plank Road, Sanford.

'Celebrating Uniqueness'

On Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., women throughout the Sandhills area are invited to attend a special day of inspiration and encouragement as the "Ordinary Women on an Extraordinary Journey" group will present its fourth annual program, this year titled "Celebrating Our Uniqueness," with keynote speaker Robin Vurbeff.

Vurbeff is a nationally recognized and engaging speaker, who has given a message of encouragement to wives of congressmen, senators and women of all walks of life from coast to coast.

Vurbeff and her late husband, Eugene, worked with the Christian Embassy in Washington, D.C. She is the mother of three and grandmother of nine.

The program will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Aberdeen (behind Starbucks on U.S. 15-501). The cost is only $28 and includes lunch.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Barbara Weeks at (910) 215-0426. This is a nonprofit event.

New Ministry

The Sonshine Sisters, the women's group at Beulah Hill Baptist Church, will host a prayer shawl ministry at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, in the church fellowship hall. The church is located at 7400 Beulah Hill Church Road, West End.

"Please bring yarn and needles," says a spokesman. "If you've never learned to knit or crochet, we'd love to teach you."

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.

Plate Sale

The Usher Board of Stone Chapel will be sponsoring a fish and chicken plate sale Saturday, Oct. 1, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church. Plates include two sides, dessert and a drink for $6. The church is located on U.S. 15-501 in Carthage.

Homecoming

The 84th homecoming service at the historic Old Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen will be held Sunday, Sept. 25, at 11:15 a.m. An intergenerational Sunday school class begins at 10 a.m., led by Dr. Larry and Nancy Arnold.

Constructed in 1860-1862, the church was founded by early Scottish settlers who immigrated to North Carolina after the Battle of Culloden, the last fight between the Highland Scots and the House of Hanover, the ruling family of England. Bethesda means "House of Mercy, House of Grace or House of Loving Kindness." Homecoming is a celebration of regional Scottish heritage, Celtic church customs and hospitality.

The Rev. Jonathan Wallace, pastor of Bethesda, will preside at the worship hour. Dr. Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary, will be the guest minister. The service will include bagpiper Bill Caudill, from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, beadle Rick Noyes and banner carrier Ashtyn Clark. Special choral music will be directed by Nancy Arnold.

Following the service, dinner on the grounds will be served in the grove beside the church. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish or dessert to share.

"The annual youth auction will be on Nov. 12, and we are accepting donations," says a spokesman. "Please call the church office, and we will pick up your clean, gently used items. Auction proceeds support international youth missions."

Bethesda Presbyterian Church is located at 1002 N. Sandhills Blvd., in Aberdeen. If you have any questions, please call the church office at (910) 944-1319.

Spirituality of U2

Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines invites adults in the Moore County community to go on a spiritual journey with the popular Irish band U2. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 25, the chapel will offer an eight-week program that will lead the participants through a discussion of spirituality in the music of U2 and how these song lyrics apply to our daily lives.

"We will listen to God's hidden voice in the songs that millions around the world have come to love," says a spokesman.

Pastor Don Welch will lead the sessions, which will be held at the chapel from 6 to 7 p.m. each Sunday evening. One need not commit to attending all eight sessions, and no prior registration or fee is required.

"Parents with children from 4-12 are especially invited to bring them to a special creative children's program that will be held simultaneously," says the spokesman. "Persons of all faith traditions or none at all encouraged to come."

For more information, call (910) 400-5396.

Jewish Congregation

Rabbi Ken Brickman will lead high holiday services at Temple Beth Shalom beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, with the Erev Rosh Hashana services on Rosh Hashana morning, Sept. 29, children's services at 9 a.m., and adult services at 10 a.m.

Kol Nidre services will be held Friday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. On Yom Kippur morning, children's services are at 9 a.m., with adult services at 10 a.m., and Yizkor and Ne'ilah at 5 p.m. A "Break the Fast" dinner is at 6:30 p.m. (reservations required).

Guests and nonmembers wishing to attend holiday services are requested to call (910) 673-5224 to make arrangements to attend.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at the corner of Jackson Springs and Hoffman roads in Foxfire Village. For more information, contact the Sandhills Jewish Congregation at (910) 673-5224.

Talley Trio

The Talley Trio will be in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 632 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 947-4736.

Missionary Conference

Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Ministry will observe its annual missionary conference Thursday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 25.

Minister Mary Brunson, an associate of the New Life Holiness Church, in Raeford, will speak Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Friday night's speaker is Minister Vonda Hampton, associate of Now Faith Ministry, in Addor, also at 7:30 p.m., and presiding prelate Apostle Michael S. Dixon will give the message at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. The conference will conclude at 6 p.m. Sunday with the guest speaker Prophetess Cynthia Carter, of Christ Miracle Temple Deliverance Church, in Eden.

There will be no Saturday session. This event will be hosted at the Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Family Worship Center, which is located at 1000 W. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines. Shepherdess Bessie Dixon is the host Pastor.

Apostle Michael S.Dixon will be the guest speaker at the Courtyard of Heaven Church, Monday Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. on their revival service. The church is located off West Wisconsin Avenue in Southern Pines. Pastor John Penny is the host pastor.

Dixon and the JCECA outfield ministry team will be ministering at the New Birth Deliverance Center, in Coats, Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. for its pastor's anniversary celebration.

Contact Evangelist Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369 for more information.

Blood Drive

Cameron Baptist Church is hosting a blood drive Friday, Sept. 23, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Register to give by calling the church at (910) 245-7222. Also, Cameron Baptist will be having a Cameron community yard sale Saturday, Sept. 24, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds will go to help fund the Sunday School building expansion.

"So, come out, treasure hunt and bargain shop, and help out a worthy cause," says a spokesman. "Come early; we'll have the coffee on."

The church is located at 593 Carthage St., Cameron.

American Heritage

"Join members of Christ Fellowship Church each Wednesday night as we experience the true untold story of our nation's godly heritage in the American Heritage series," says a spokesman.

From the separation of church and state to the civil rights movement, from the courage of the Founding Fathers to the building of the nation's monuments, historian David Barton explores the spiritual, educational, judicial and cultural influences that molded America's Judeo-Christian values.

Dinner is at 6 p.m., followed by the video study and discussion at 7 p.m.

The church is located at 1425 Midland Road, Southern Pines.

For more information, call Pastor Jim Thyne at (910) 690-6302.

In Concert

Ed O'Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys, along with the Amazing Grace Quartet, will be in concert at Concord United Methodist Church, in Coleridge, Sunday, Sept. 25, at 4:30 p.m. The church is located 10 miles north of High Falls, on N.C. 22. A love offering will be received.

For more information, call (336) 879-6094.

Study of James

St. Paul Lutheran Church is hosting an in-depth study of the Epistle of James through Nov. 1 each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

The Rev. Denton White will facilitate the study.

"Everyone is encouraged to come and bring a friend," says the spokesman.

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 church will be having a special homecoming celebration Sunday, Sept. 25, with Dr. Reginald Ponder, the new district superintendent, as guest speaker, along with special music. Following the 11 a.m. service, there will be a covered dish lunch.

The United Methodist Women will host their annual Harvest Dinner on Friday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall at West End United Methodist Church. Tickets are $8 each, which includes buffet, dessert, and tea. > Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the various missions of the West End United Methodist Women. > Call Anneliese Feggeler at (910) 673-3734 to purchase tickets.

Beaver Creek

The Women on Mission of Beaver Creek Baptist Church is hosting a women's conference, "Unhindered and Unrestricted," on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church.

The conference is open to all women and all denominations. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

The main speaker will be Betty Sue McNeill, and the testimonial speaker will be Dr. Gael Hogan.

In the morning, there will be eight speakers doing different breakout sessions with attendees able to attend two of them. The cost is $20. Go to beavercreekchurch.org and click on the registration form to print out the brochure.

For further information, call Jeanette Sellars at (910) 986-3986 or email bcbcwmu@windstream.net.

The Baptist Men will hold their second annual golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Quail Ridge Golf Course. Registration is at 8 a.m. There will be food, gifts, and rewards, along with a lot of fun. The cost is $50 per player with four-man super-ball/captain's choice and sign sponsorship for $100 per hole available for business and individuals.

Pastor John Brown from Open Arms Church will be the guest speaker for homecoming celebration Sunday, Oct. 2, at the 11 a.m. service followed by a pot luck lunch in the Family Life Center.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

Culdee Presbyterian

"The Gathering" will be held at the home of Larry and Beverly Furr Saturday, Sept. 24, starting at 11:30 a.m. Call (910) 673-7190 for more information or directions.

The Culdee Presbyterian men's club will meet Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. Wade Garner and Norman Harris will provide the meal. Harvest Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, The day includes crafts, food, an auction and the chicken dumpling supper, which begins at 5 p.m.

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.

Angel Food Ministries

Culdee Presbyterian Church, located on 916 N.C. 73, West End, is now an "Angel Food Ministries" distribution center.

"You may place your order online or call the office at (910) 295-6685," says a spokesman. "If you have questions, please call Dannie Jackson at (910) 692-7969."

"Every month Angel Food creates a tasty menu," says a spokesman. "A family of four can be fed for approximately $30 for the week or a single person for a month. Anyone can place an order."

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.

Town Talk

"Town Talk" airs at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day on Time Warner Cable 3 of Southern Pines.

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

Call (910) 295-0013 or email rosesharpe37@gmail.com.

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 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

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 the Pinehurst United Methodist Church, Airport Road, Pinehurst.

Inquiries may be -directed to (910) 295-1577.

Friends and Family

Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, in Southern Pines, will hold Friends and Family Day Sunday, Sept. 25.

The celebration begins at 9:45 a.m. with Sunday school. The theme is "Leaving a Legacy of Faith, Hope and Wisdom for Our Family and Friends."

The speaker for the 11 a.m. worship service is Minister Robert Lee Corbett. A Burlington native, he is married to Melody Marks Corbee and is the son-in-law of Major and JoAnn Marks.

Corbett is a trainer for Ford Direct Marketing for field agents. His background includes real estate training. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from UNC Greensboro.

Corbett is an elder in his church. He has written many instructional packets on soul-winning, outreach and strategies. He is president of the Outreach Ministry and conducting food and clothing giveaways.

Corbett is CEO of Melody 212 Handbags, and co-founder of College Bound Kids Tutorial Program, a nonprofit that trains students in supplemental reading, math and writing.

Corbett became a Christian in 1988, during his college years, and soon after became a minister.

His hobbies include golf, basketball, fishing, couponing with his wife and playing drums.

Following the morning service, dinner will be in t he fellowship hall.