Grace Church at Seven Lakes plans a "grand opening" celebration at 10 a.m., April 8 (Easter Sunday), at 145 West Plaza Drive, Suite A and B, located in Seven Lakes Plaza in front of the Peking Wok.

Jimmy Coxe, of Pinehurst, who has served as an elder for 21 years at Grace Church in Southern Pines, is the church's "campus pastor."

"We'll have a worship team led by Brandon DiBianca and a full children's ministry," says Coxe, who also works as lab manager for the Campbell's Soup processing plant in Maxton.

Cox and his wife, Joanna, grew up in Red Springs and have three children. She serves as the full-time children's director for Grace Church in Southern Pines and will also direct the children's ministry for Grace Church at Seven Lakes. Children will follow the same curriculum on both campuses.

"We want to reach people who wish to experience the life-giving power of Jesus," Coxe says. "About 50 people already attend, and we have 170 chairs and plenty of parking. When this takes off, we plan to go to two services."

Coxe says he wants the fledgling church "to serve" the Seven Lakes community.

"We want people from all socioeconomic groups to feel they can come and worship," he says. "It's 'come as you are.' If you want to dress up, that's OK. If you feel more comfortable in jeans, that's fine as well."

Grace Church at Seven Lakes services will feature live worship, a full children's ministry and a "video-streamed live message" from Grace Church in Southern Pines, where Randy Thornton serves as senior pastor.

For more information, call (910) 692-6711.

Women's Day

Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church will hold its annual Women's Day celebration Sunday, April 15.

The speaker for the worship service will be Blanchie Carter, a retired educator and active church and civic leader.

This year' theme is "A Portrait of the 21st Century Christian Woman."

Born and reared in Carthage, Carter graduated from Pinckney High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Fayetteville State University, a master's degree in education from UNC Pembroke, and her education administration certification from UNC-Chapel Hill.

After 18 years as a primary and elementary school teacher, she became principal of Academy Heights Elementary and later Southern Pines Primary School. During the last few years, she has taught in the early childhood department at Sandhills Community College.

She has been a member of the Moore County Board of Education and the Omicron Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. A longtime member of Mount Olive A.M.E. Zion Church in Carthage, she is chairman of its Christian education department, and is a deaconess and a Sunday school teacher.

Honors include Moore County Teacher of the Year, Moore County Principal of the Year and Southeastern Region of N.C. Principal of the Year. She received an honorary doctor of law degree from Sandhills Community College and was inducted into the Moore County Graduates Hall of Fame by the Education Foundation of Moore County.

She and her husband, Nathaniel P. Carter Jr., who is also an educator and coach, have two children.

Another feature of this year's program will be a service award presentation to Nancy Coor and her mother, Ernestine Wooten, for their service to Trinity and the community.

There will be a dinner in the fellowship hall immediately following the morning service.

Cypress Presbyterian

Cypress Presbyterian Church will celebrate Easter with special services this week.

Maundy Thursday will be observed on Thursday, April 5, with a covered dish supper at 6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, followed by worship at 7:30 p.m., including the Lord's Supper, Tenebrae service and Shrouding the Cross.

Cypress members will participate in the Community Good Friday service Friday, April 6, at noon, at Vass First Baptist Church.

An Easter sunrise service will be held Easter Sunday, April 8, at 6:30 a.m. at the Oates House in Woodlake, followed by an 11 a.m. worship service at Cypress.

To learn more about these events and other programs, visit the Cypress website at www.cypress.org or call the church office at (910) 245-4731.

Church Women United

Church Women United will meet Thursday, April 12, at St. Anthony's Church, located at the corner of Vermont Avenue and Ashe Street in Southern Pines.

Discussion will center around the upcoming Friendship Day to be held at Spaulding Chapel, in Taylortown.

"We are planning a trip to do a prison match Friday, June 1," says a spokesman. "Those who are interested should be prepared to submit their Social Security and driver's license numbers as well as date of birth."

Camp Meeting

Crossroads Community Church, in Carthage, will host an Easter camp meeting Friday, April 6, Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, at the church.

Friday night's service is at 7 p.m. and features Charles Scarlette, from Madison, along with the church choir.

On Saturday night, Heart 2 Heart, from Stanley, will perform at 7 p.m. Charles Scarlette will also speak at this service.

The 10 a.m. Sunday service features Scarlette, Heart 2 Heart and the church choir.

Food will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall each night for a modest price.

For more information or directions, call (910) 949-3971.

McDonalds Chapel

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church will hold both a special 7 a.m. sunrise service and its regular 11 a.m. service on Easter morning, Sunday, April 8.

Weather permitting, the sunrise service will be held outside in the church's cemetery, as it has been for many years. This event is preceded by a procession of the congregation, who bring flowers to place on a specially erected cross. After the service, all are invited to a covered dish breakfast in the fellowship hall.

The regularly scheduled service will be held inside the chapel.

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church is located near Foxfire, at 1374 Foxfire Road, Aberdeen (out from Linden Road in Pinehurst).

For more information, call Jill McCloy at (910) 692-5094.

Trinity Broadcasts

On Easter Sunday, April 8, Trinity Christian Fellowship will begin broadcasting its family and traditional worship service over a seven-county area.

Radio listeners in the Aberdeen, Pinehurst and Southern Pines area, as well as those in Asheboro, Fayetteville, Rockingham, Raleigh, Sanford and Siler City, will be able to hear the worship service.

The broadcast will be aired at 9:30 a.m. on WLHC-FM, Life 103.1. Each week, listeners will hear the previous Sunday's service.

Trinity's popular family and traditional service is also available on its website, www.trinitycf.net, and can be accessed using the Message tab and then the Sermons tab. The audio version on the website includes the full service.

Most of the sermons from the pastors' 2012 "Preaching through the Bible" series can be accessed in audio form, as well as fully searchable transcripts of every sermon preached at Trinity since its founding last year.

"We are very excited to be sharing the Trinity worship experience with our neighbors in the listening area," said Dr. Al Hill, one of Trinity's co-pastors. "We see these new radio broadcasts as visits with our homebound members, encouragement for our Christian friends in other churches, and invitations to those who want to be part of a loving Christian fellowship where the Word of God is explained and applied to real life needs."

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church announces its Holy Week services.

The church will not have Wednesday night Bible study this week, but instead will offer Communion Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in remembrance of Maundy Thursday.

The Easter Sunday schedule will begin with sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday school will start at 8:45 a.m., followed by worship service at 10 a.m. There will be no evening service.

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

Concert

The Kingsmen Quartet and Amazing Grace Quartet will be in concert at Concord United Methodist Church of Coleridge on Sunday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m.

The church is located 10 north of High Falls on N.C. 22. A love offering will be taken.

For more information, call (336) 879-6094 or email steve011379@gmail.com.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God, in Vass, will have Pastor Humes, of Sanford, for a special service Sunday, April 22.

West End UMC

West End United Methodist Church announces its Holy Week services.

A Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m., with a Good Friday service, Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m., when the service of Tenebrae will be presented.

An Easter sunrise service, held Sunday, April 8, at 6:45 a.m. at the West End Cemetery, will be followed by breakfast at WE UMC at 7:30 a.m.

The church will also have its regular services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

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.

Bethlehem Baptist

The Bethlehem Baptist Church services for Easter Sunday will be as follows: Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. in the flower garden; breakfast in the fellowship hall at 7:45 a.m.; Sunday School at 8:30 a.m.; and the worship service at 9:30 a.m.

For additional information, contact the Rev. James Cagle at (910) 948-3744.

Concert

The Dixie Melody Boys will be at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Saturday, April 7, at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but a love offering will be taken.

Easter services are as follows: sunrise service, 7 a.m.; breakfast at 7:30 a.m.; Sunday School at 8:30 a.m. with an Easter cantata at the 9:30 a.m. worship service.

Southern Pines UMC

Southern Pines United Methodist Church will continue the celebration of Holy Week with a Service of Healing (Wednesday, April 4), Maundy Thursday Communion Service (Thursday, April 5), and Tenebrae Service of Darkness (Friday, April 6). All services will begin at 7 p.m., and child care will be provided.

On Good Friday (April 6), the SPUMC sanctuary will be open for prayer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Easter Sunday (April 8) at SPUMC will begin with a sunrise service at 6:45 a.m. The traditional Easter Service (one service only) is scheduled for 10 a.m. The church office will be closed on Easter Monday (April 9).

For more information, contact the church office at (910) 692-3518. The church is located at 175 Midland Road in Southern Pines.

Visit the website www.southernpinesumc.org.

CCP

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC, will hold a Maundy Thursday service on April 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the Hearth Room, to share a simple meal, hymn-singing and Holy Communion.

The Easter celebration begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 8, in the Memorial Garden. Members will decorate the cross with fresh-cut flowers. There will be children's church during the service, and the children will be doing a special craft that day.

A highlight of the Easter celebration is the egg hunt for children of all ages on the church lawn at 11 a.m. after worship, followed by gathering in Hearth Room. Nursery is always provided, although children of all ages are welcome in services.

The Silver Belles will meet Friday morning at 9 a.m. to pack lunches for MANNA!

The Community Film Series will not be shown this Sunday but will resume next Sunday, April 15, at 7 p.m., with discussion to follow. "The One Percent" deals with another current issue of social justice that confronts the nation. Call the church office at (910) 295-2243, or contact John Arnold at (910) 295-7456 or by email at jarno@nc.rr.com.

The church 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 youarewelcomehere.org.

Bethesda Presbyterian

Bethesda Presbyterian church will hold the following services during Holy Week: a Maundy Thursday service and a Good Friday service will both be held at 7 p.m. The Easter service will be at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jonathan Wallace officiating.

"Managing Your Money God's Way," by Crown Financial Ministries, will begin on April 10. This biblical financial study will meet each Tuesday at 7 p.m. for eight weeks. Call the church for more information.

A "Backyard Barbecue and Craft Fair" will be held Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be crafts and artist tables galore, barbecue plates, a "sauce-off" competition, bake sale and a silent auction. Admission is free. This is a fundraising event to benefit the Moore Free Clinic, the Aberdeen Elementary School Partnership and other mission projects.

Local crafters are invited to participate and set up their tables, but there are a limited number of spaces.

Call the church office at (910) 944-1319 for additional information and for an application.

Bethesda Church is located on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen.

Auction and Dinner

Fairview Baptist Church will hold a silent auction and spaghetti dinner Friday, April 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dinner (donations accepted) will be from 6 to 8 p.m., with the auction from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The winners of bids will be announced by 9 p.m.

Music will be provided by Fairview Baptist "S.O.S" Choir and Brad Marona and family singing gospel bluegrass.

The church is located at 1580 Carthage Road, West End.

For information, call (910) 947-3260.

Spring Fling

Ashley Heights Baptist Church will be having a "Spring Fling" on Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m.

Several events are planned.

"Bring your Easter basket," says a spokesman.

An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 8, in the grassy area behind the sanctuary, followed by Sunday School at 8:30 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. There will be no evening service.

The church is located on N.C. 211, south of Aberdeen.

For more information, call the church office at (910) 944-1952.

Culdee Presbyterian

Culdee Presbyterian Church will hold a Maundy Thursday Communion and service at 7 p.m. April 5.

Pastor Joseph Washburn will lead a Good Friday service at noon April 6.

A sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday (April 8), followed by a breakfast. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m., with worship at 11 a.m.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel will observe Holy Week with a service of Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 5, beginning at 5 p.m. and a Good Friday service, April 6, beginning at noon.

An Easter egg hunt for the children of The Village Chapel and the community is on Saturday, April 7, beginning at 1 p.m. Children are asked to bring their own baskets. There will be other activities in the chapel hall after the hunt.

The Village Chapel and the Carolina Hotel will jointly sponsor the Easter sunrise service beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the gazebo (if there is inclement weather, the service will be in the Cardinal Ballroom). The Village Chapel choir will present the music, and Pastor Ashley Smith will give the Easter message.

Other Easter services at The Village Chapel begin with the 8:15 a.m. service of Holy Communion with meditation by Pastor Glenn Miller. The family service begins at 9:30 for families with children. The Traditional Easter service begins at 11 a.m. with Dr. Miller delivering the sermon.

Call (910) 295-6003 for information.

West End Presbyterian

West End Presbyterian will offer a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, and a Good Friday worship service at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 6. Easter Sunday's worship service will begin at 11 a.m. on April 8.

The Lord's Supper will be served during the Maundy Thursday service.

West End Presbyterian is affiliated with the PC (USA). The church is located on Knox Lane, one block from N.C. 211 in West End.

St. James Lutheran

St. James Lutheran Church will hold a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6.

On Sunday April 8, worship service will be at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Denton White is pastor of St. James.

Spaghetti Plate Sale

On Friday, April 6, Fletcher's Chapel will hold a spaghetti or fish plate sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spaghetti plates are $7; fish plates are $8. They are available for dine-in or take-out.

The church will deliver for orders of five or more meals. Call ahead at (910) 281-5735

The church is located on U.S. 1, in Hoffman.

Lenten Schedule

The Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst, located at the corner of Everette and Kelly roads, Pinehurst, announces its Lenten worship schedule:

On April 5, Maundy Thursday worship service will be held at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

On April 6, Good Friday worship service will be held at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.

On April 8, Easter service will be held at the Pinecrest High School Auditorium. At 9:30 a.m., there will be a music prelude and the worship service will begin at 10 a.m.

For further information, call the church office at (910) 295-6848 or visit www. communitypres.com.

Special Services

Several Carthage churches will host a series of special services continuing through Friday, April 6, and Sunday, April 8.

The Rev. Betty Lee will speak Wednesday at First Baptist, the Rev. Freeman Brooks Thursday at Stony Hill, and the Rev. Michael Jackson Friday at St. Mary's.

These services are at 7:30 p.m.

The Sunday sunrise service is at 6 a.m. at John Hall Presbyterian, with the Rev. Susan Brooks as speaker. The Rev. Lincoln Blanding will be the celebrant for Communion. Breakfast will be served after the service.

Stone Chapel

The Sisterhood of Stone Chapel will hold its annual Women's Conference May 4-6.

Speakers include the Rev. Angela Davis, of Longleaf A.M.E. Zion Church, Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.

Co-pastor Diane McNair, of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist, West End, Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.

Evangelist Francis Benymon, of Crusade for Christ Deliverance, Southern Pines, Sunday, May 6, 3:30 p.m.

Lenten Lunches

The final Lenten lunches at Page Memorial United Methodist Church will be held at noon Wednesday, April 4, in the fellowship hall.

The cost is $5 per person and includes a home-cooked meal, tea, coffee, dessert and a time of ministry and fellowship.

The Rev. Thomas Simpson, of Goldston United Methodist Church, will be the speaker. The menu includes chicken salad and fresh fruit, macaroni salad, rolls and dessert.

Our Saviour Lutheran

Our Saviour Lutheran church will hold two services every Wednesday during Lent. Psalm 23 will be the central theme at both the noon and 7 p.m. services. Members of the Our Saviour congregation will be sharing short testimonies of grace that relate to the different sections of this most familiar psalm.

The 7 p.m. service will also use "Holden Evening Prayer," a contemporary setting of the Vespers service.

For more information, call the church at (910) 692-2662.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church is located at 1517 Luther Way in Southern Pines.