NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) - Moore County is hosting an interfaith worship service on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m. at Sandhills Alliance Church, 425 Magnolia Drive, Pinehurst.

This special service in observance of National Mental Illness Awareness Week was planned by members of several local congregations in an effort to increase public awareness of brain illnesses and is open to all in the community. The featured speaker for this service is Anthony Pugh, of Asheboro. Raised by his mother after the death of his father at a very early age, Pugh became an ordained minister, as are his three brothers.

Pugh experienced his first mental health crisis in 1979 which resulted in his losing his wife, his daughter, his career and his health. Pugh will share his inspirational story of recovery from his devastating illness and offer faith, courage and hope to individuals, families and friends who also suffer with a serious mental illness.

For additional information, call (910) 295-1053 or visit www.nami-moorecounty.org.

Concert

On Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m., Our Saviour Lutheran church will present a concert of traditional and contemporary piano and organ works, played by Sophia Pavlenko and Paul Chandley. The program will include works by Bach, Mussorgsky, Pavlenko and Purvis, and will feature Sophia Pavlenko playing the Rachmaninoff "Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor."

Admission will be by donation at the door. Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church is located at 1517 Luther Way in Southern Pines (parallel to U.S. 1). For more information and directions, call the church at (910) 692-2662, extension 102 or visit oslcsp.org.

Harvest Sale

Cypress Presbyterian Church will hold its 59th annual Harvest Sale and Supper on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Supper will be served (eat-in or take-out) from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu consists of fried chicken with rice and gravy or country ham with grits and red-eye gravy. Both choices include rolls, candied yams, seasoned green beans, beverage and homemade dessert. The price is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. An old-time auction begins at 7 p.m., and this year will include handmade jewelry, decorative wreaths, quilts, Christmas decorations, a hand-crafted wooden bench, cakes, pies and much more.

Proceeds will go to the fellowship hall kitchen fund, with a 10 percent tithe to Home Missions.

Cypress Church is located at 1220 Cypress Church Road, six miles east of Vass.

First Fall Festival

New Life Tabernacle will hold its first fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15.

This event is for the whole community.

"We will have food, games, raffles, silent auction, yard sale, a giant bounce house, face painting, cake walk, bake sale and praise and worship music," says a spokesman. "Everyone entering the event will receive three blue tickets. These tickets will allow you to get food, or play games. Extra tickets will be available for 50 cents each. We want to get to know our neighbors and let them get to know us."

Pastor Dennis Patterson leads this United Pentecostal Church, which is located at the corner of Pine and Maple streets in Aberdeen.

For more information or to rent yard sale space, contact Dwight Young at (910) 639-4084.

Revival

Red Branch Baptist Church will hold revival Sunday Oct. 2, through Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.

The speaker is Pastor Terry Pleasants.

The church is located at 1748 Old River Road, Carthage.

For information, call Pastor Scott McInnis at (910) 783-4059.

Congregational Church of Pinehurst

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst will celebrate World Communion Sunday, Oct. 2, by taking part in Neighbors in Need, one of four special plate offerings of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Communion Sunday is also when contributions of food collected for the Coalition are blessed for the nourishment of our neighbors in our community.

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC will hold a workshop led by Tom Nutt-Powell on Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. 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 churches. 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.

The Buddhist Sangha of the Pines will meet at 4 p.m. Sunday for weekly ongoing mindfulness practice. 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. All are welcome to join in this ongoing discussion. Call Mary Scott Arnold at (910) 295-7456 for the chapter of the week.

At 1 p.m. each Monday, "A Course in Miracles" is lead by Mathew Bahr following silent meditation at 12:30. Both of these activities take place in the Butterfly Room. Bahr leads the popular Drum Circle group on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in the Hearth Room.

The Titanium Whistles Fellowship golf group meets on Tuesdays to play a different course each week. Contact Roger Nekton at (910) 245-7304 for time and place. The Bible Basics group continues to meet on 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 Congregational Church of Pinehurst, United Church of Christ, is located at 895 Linden Road across from Elliott's restaurant.

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.

Barbecue Dinner

The Roseland United Methodist Men are having their annual barbecue dinner Thursday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Roseland United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 181 Rose Ridge Road, Aberdeen.

The money will go for special mission projects.

The plates are $7 each; chicken or barbecue with homemade desserts. Take-out and delivery plates will also be available.

Homemade items also will be for sale.

Homecoming

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will hold homecoming at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Revival will be held Oct. 19-21, with Bishop Harry Lee, of Lumberton, as guest speaker.

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

Singing

Harmony Baptist Church will host a gospel singing by Redeemed, a group from Virginia, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2.

The church is located at 3624 N.C. 73 East, West End.

Page Memorial United Methodist Church in Aberdeen will celebrate Homecoming at the 11 a.m. worship service on Oct. 9. Former pastor Beth Hood will be the speaker.

All former members and guests are invited to join us for the worship service and the covered dish luncheon that will follow in the fellowship hall.

The church is located at the corner of Poplar and Main in downtown Aberdeen.

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 cole slaw. 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 preempts 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.

Music Festival

Deep Creek Baptist Church will hold its annual fall gospel music festival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Billy Elkins and Pat Bullard, the Millers and Glimpse of Glory will perform, along with other groups.

Chicken stew, pintos, hot dogs and all the fixings will be served beginning at noon. There will be a cake walk and hayrides during the day.

For information, call Dianne Edwards at (910) 255-0671.

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.

Fall Festival

Cool Springs United Methodist Church will hold its fall festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, followed by a community barbecue.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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. The chapel will offer a 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 the 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.

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.

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.

There will be a flu shot clinic at the church on Oct. 2, from noon to 3 p.m. Quality Care Pharmacy will be administering flu shots for people 14 years old and above.

Quality Care Pharmacy will donate $10 from every flu shot administered to the West End UMC Boy Scouting program. The cost for the vaccination is $25. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and BCBS cover this vaccination with no out-of-pocket expense. Quality Care Pharmacy will file your insurance for you.

"With your insurance covering the vaccination, you will be making a $10 donation to support your local scouting program without spending a dime out of pocket," says a spokesman.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Correction

Due to an editing error, the name of an organizer for the Shady Grove Holiness Church of God's pastoral church, was incorrect. Evangelist Debbie Douglas is the assistant pastor. She and the Sunday School board were in charge of Thursday night's service. The Pilot is happy to set the record.