Addor

The 21st Century after-school program at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church is off to a good start. 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.

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.

This Saturday will be the fourth and last checkup meeting for the N.C. Central Conference at 9 a.m. at Cameron Grove A.M.E. Church. Come and meet the bishop.

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 this week to Betty Taylor McKoy (Sept. 30), Jasmine Benymon (Oct. 3) and James Arnold (Oct. 5).

Sick and shut-ins: Betty J. Ellerbe and Freddie Smith are in the hospital. Effie J. Smith, Betty L. Moses, Sarah and Philip McMillian, Louise Jones and Nora Smith are among the homebound. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Marie Berry and Lewis 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, 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

The St. Peters missionaries thank everyone who came out for their candlelight service.

The St. Peters Church family thanks all of the visitors who attended Sunday and made it a glorious occasion. The church hopes all will come back.

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.

Alexis Monroe celebrated her birthday last Monday with her friends and family. Evelyn Person celebrated her birthday last Sunday with all of her grandchildren. Marion Seay's children cooked dinner for her and brought most of the gifts she requested for her birthday.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Freddie Harvin and Elsie Brown (Sept. 29), Laura Stancil and Keith Marsh (Oct. 2) and Terri Locklear (Oct. 4).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Sam Kelly, 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.

The Hart family will hold a reunion meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Red Hat Club will sit together at the 11 a.m. service Sunday at Pleasant Hill. It will meet at noon on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Beaver Dam Center.

Hoffman Day will be held this Saturday at the Parks and Recreation Building.

The Hoffman Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a family friendly professional wrestling event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 106 Thompson St.

There will be several bingo games, with prizes. There will also be an Xbox tournament, with the champion receiving a prize. The pro wrestling will begin at 7:30 p.m. The concession stand will open at 5:30 p.m.

The first 25 people who come through the door before 5:30 p.m.will receive a free bingo card or a chance to enter the Xbox tournament. Several attendees will also receive a special backstage pass to meet the wrestlers and get autographs.

The admission price before 5:30 p.m. is $5, which includes one free bingo card or Xbox tournament entry and the wrestling match. The price after 5:30 is also $5, which includes only the wrestling match. The fee for the bingo games is $2 per card and $2 a person per game for the Xbox tournament.

Birthday wishes go out to Flossie Hagins, who turns 93, on Oct. 11, and also to Jack Alston (Oct. 11).

Sick and shut-ins: Flossie Hagins and Frank Smith are at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. First lady Eve Cunningham is in the hospital in Chapel Hill. Lany Harrison has returned home. 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

Cypress Presbyterian Church, at 1220 Cypress Church Road in Cameron, will hold its 59th annual harvest sale and auction Saturday. You can eat in or take out supper from 4 to 7 p.m. and stay for the auction, starting at 7 p.m. Proceeds this year will go to renovation of the kitchen in the fellowship hall.

Mark your calendar for World Communion Sunday on Oct. 2 and homecoming on Oct. 16.

Please check out Cypress' recently updated website at www.cypresspres.org to learn more about Cypress Church and the exciting programs and events being offered.

Sunday was a very special day at Mount Pleasant Christian Church. The church celebrated its 125th anniversary. Mount Pleasant was established on Sept. 29, 1886, by 15 members of the Marks and Wright families, all from this community.

The day of celebration began at 9:30 a.m. with a coffee and Danish fellowship, with about 75 people in attendance. The services began at 10:30 a.m. to allow extra time for some very special events.

A part of the time was given to the history of the church, covering the entire 125 years.

Janet Chilton and Doris Marks, both descendants from the founding families, began with the history of the founding and building of the first church, which still stands and served as the main worship center for the church until the new sanctuary was built three years ago.

Pastor Greg Poplin and Weldon Chilton recalled the years during the great wars and how the church not only survived but also actually thrived as residents of this community drew closer to God and each other for support.

Tommy McKenzie and Darrell Kelly shared the historical events of the church in the 1960s and 1970s in a very entertaining and comical way. They said that during these years, it was a time for the church to build and update. The church built both the fellowship hall and the parsonage that once stood where the new sanctuary is today.

Finally, Pastor Poplin and three youths - Brent Godfrey, Kristen Godfrey and Lauren Lane - demonstrated how the church had come from the era of hand-written records to the computer age. Pastor Poplin encouraged the young people to use the tools of technology to keep accurate records for the coming generations to look back and learn from.

The music for Sunday was extremely uplifting, with many people sharing in the hard work. Lauren Lane sang the opening call to worship, as her sister, Amanda, performed it in sign language for the congregation. They were backed up by the choir.

Dr. Linda Scott played the piano beautifully in accompanying the great hymns of the church. The choir's special music, led by Janell Howington, was "We Are God's Church" and "Amazing Grace." Sherry Floyd sang the solo on the first verse of "Amazing Grace." Each choir song was accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation that was timed to the music.

Steven Lane and his family placed 125 roses on the altar of the church in loving memory of Lee Marks and in honor of the church's 125 years of ministry.

Pastor Poplin delivered an inspirational and challenging sermon, titled "We Are the Church - God's Church!" which included a challenge to begin today to be the church that God alone controls and leads into the future.

A bountiful covered-dish lunch was shared in the fellowship hall, with more desserts than the tables could hold. Dr. and Mrs. Poplin presented every person in attendance with a votive candlelight to take home that has inscribed on it "Mt. Pleasant Christian Church 1886-2011 A light for God in this Community for 125 years."

The founding families of the Marks Wright families will have their annual reunion Oct. 9. The reunion will be held at the church immediately following the morning worship that day.

Plans are also being finalized for the churches' annual harvest sale Oct. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m., with an auction beginning at 7 p.m. This year, the church will have a country store filled with many different items for purchase for those who can not stay for the auction.

A $1 dollar donation will get you a chance for two different quilts. Tickets are available from most church members or from Brenda Smith at B&L Auto.

The Garnet Lobelias, a Red Hat group, will meet at the courthouse in Carthage at 8 a.m. Saturday and then go on to STARworks Glass for its second annual Glass Pumpkin Patch. If you are interested in attending, please call Queen Sunny at (910) 245-4747 or Princess Peanut at (910) 245-4741.

The community would like to wish blessings and happiness to Dr. Greg Poplin as he celebrates his 55th birthday Thursday. Happy birthday Punkster!

Happy Rosh Hashanah, special blessings for a sweet New Year to those celebrating this holiday time.

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

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

- "Sunny" Sidley

Shawtown

Elder A.W. Moore, pastor of Holy Temple Church in Carthage, will have a tent revival in the West Southern Pines in the 200 block of Maple Avenue through Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 nightly. Everyone is invited.

Body of Christ Outreach Ministry on Lemon Springs Road in Sanford will have its Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. The pastor is Larry Ray. Everyone is invited.

Holy Temple in Carthage, where the pastor is Elder Allen Moore, is now holding worship services on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month instead of every Sunday.

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

Taylortown Day highlights are airing on the "Town Talk" television show through the second week in October. The parade, brief interviews (Sister Sandra, of Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ, and B.J. Bennett, of New 2 U Everyday Rummage) and Egypt band will be featured in segment one.

Segment two features Egypt Band and community folks enjoying the concert. The show airs daily at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3.

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.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will host the countywide missionary's "Old-Fashion Day" at 4 p.m. this Sunday. Susie Alford is one of the coordinators of this fun, inspirational event that promises to have great spiritual and physical food. The host pastor is the Rev. Charles Nabors.

A benefit program for Doretha Mayhue will be held at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church. The St. Luke No. 1 Adult Praise Team for Praise and Worship, the Gospel Voices and other singers will participate. Several preachers will be a part of the service, including Pastor Darrell Harris.

Mrs. Mayhue's home recently was destroyed by fire. Contact Franklin McQueen at (910) 582-1263 for more information. Thank you for your prayers and support.

The Moore County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will have its annual banquet at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 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.

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.

Please remember the Stanford family in your thoughts and prayers on their recent loss of a loved one.

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.

Special thanks to the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance for their continued support and prayers for those in need of assistance in our community.

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.

Thank you for remembering the victims of the recent tornadoes and hurricanes. Donations can be made through the Red Cross.

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.

Thank you from the "Hill Top Shops" for your support. They include Not "Jus" Any Bag, Bono Abstract Clothing, Sew What?, 360 Creations Beauty Salon and New 2 U Everyday Rummage. Fresh Discipleship Center (Pastor Cora Murphy) is "on the Hill." Minister Gerald and Tia Brown's outreach ministry, also "on the Hill" as well, continues to serve the community.

"Taylortown Jams" are music 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 Michael 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.

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

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.

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

-- Anita Finch