The community of West Southern Pines has a long and proud history.

In 1923, the community was chartered as an incorporated town and is documented as being the first predominantly black town in North Carolina from 1923 to 1931.

Harrington Chapel United American Free Will Baptist Church, located on Carlisle Street in Southern Pines, will sponsor a community revival from Jan. 18-20, and on Jan. 22.

The theme of the event is "Unity Brings Success," which is based on Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

On Jan. 18, Bishop Ricky Smith, from St. Peters Deliverance Church of God, will be the featured speaker.

On Jan. 19, Elder Nelson Burroughs, St. Matthew United American Free Will Baptist Church, will be the featured speaker.

On Jan. 20, Pastor Stoney Locklear, Turning Point Worship Center, will be the featured speaker.

All of these services will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at Harrington Chapel United American Free Will Baptist Church.

The community revival will continue on Jan. 22, with an afternoon service at 3:30 p.m. The featured speaker will be Dr. Otis McMillan, general secretary director of the Bureau of Evangelism of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church International.

That service will be held at the Southern Pines Primary School located on Carlisle Street in Southern Pines.

Music for this event will be provided by choirs from various churches within the community.

"In line with the theme of our four-day event, we would like to recognize the descendants of the community leaders who put West Southern Pines in the history books as the first predominantly black town in North Carolina," says a spokesman.

Those leaders were mayors, the Rev. John Pleasant Himes and James Ellis Hasty; town board of commissioners, the Rev. Evander McIver, Keene Addison, Ben Jasmin Armstrong, James Bethea, the Rev. C. F. Martin, the Rev. J.C. Flowers, Walter Mitchell, Farley McNeil, William Street, Thomas McDonald, the Rev. S.P. Burton and William Douglass; town marshal, Danny Harrington; police officers, Dexter Terry, John F. Whiteman, Willie Harrington, Frank Waddell, Arthur Stuckey, F.A. McNeil, J.J. Marsh, Ivey Chalmers; town secretary, T. E. Terry; doctor, Dr. Scruggs; other leaders, Eb Terry, Charlie Boggan and James Henderson.

"If you are a descendant, please contact Elder Nathaniel Jackson at (910) 295-5813," says the spokesman.

Shabbat Services

Shabbat services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Temple Beth Shalom, led by Rabbi Ken Brickman.

Torah study will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, also led by Brickman.

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

Sportsman Dinner

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will hold its third annual sportsman dinner Saturday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.

There will be wild game meat for dinner and a time of fellowship.

For more information, contact the church at (910) 692-0992.

Fifth Sunday Sing

Fifth Sunday Night Sing at Putnam Friends Church will host a Fifth Sunday Sing at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.

Special guests are Corbin and Linda Whitaker, along with local singers.

CCP

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC will hold Sunday school classes for children 3-5 and 6-8 years of age Sunday, Jan. 22. Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the Butterfly Room by member volunteers, though children of all ages are always welcome at services.

On the third Sunday of the month, the Rev. Brent Bissette presents a children's sermon especially for young members. Children actively participate in services with music, helping to bring food donations to the front of the church for blessing, and assisting with special missions.

The Healing Springs of the Pines Sangha meets Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Hearth Room for ongoing mindfulness meditation. Call (910) 949-2623 for information.

On Monday, Matthew Bahr leads silent mediation at 12:30 followed by a Course in Miracles at 1 p.m. Contact Bahr at (910) 639-0439 for information.

The Drum Circle will meet on Tuesday at 4 p.m. No experience is necessary, and the church provides the drums.

The Titanium Whistles golf group meets on Tuesdays to play a different course each week. Consisting of 20 to 30 men from local churches, this informal outing is for all regardless of age and experience. Discounts on greens fees are often provided to the group. Call Roger Nekton at (910) 245-7304 for information on the week's course and tee time.

On Jan. 14, the Mission, Peace and Justice Team, along with other interested members, traveled to Chapel Hill for a workshop called "Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations Through Friendships." Deborah Plummer, Ph.D., a nationally recognized psychologist and diversity solutions-thought leader presented a rewarding and exciting workshop that will help us develop a new liaison with a local community of faith.

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 youarewelcomehere.org.

West End UMC

Bruce Stanley, president of Methodist Home for Children, will be a guest at West End UMC Sunday, Jan. 29.

He will preach at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services. During the Sunday School hour, members meet in the fellowship hall for a presentation on the ministry provided by the Methodist Home for Children, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Dr. Won Namkoong, of West End UMC, will lead a Bible study on lectionary readings every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Each session will last around one- and-a-half hours. This Bible study is about the texts that he will preach on each 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.

Fletcher's Chapel

The Hoffman Red Hat Club will present a musical evening Saturday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel Church. Musical guest groups include the R.L. Dockery Sanctuary choir, the Crystalaires, Brothers for Christ and the United Gospel Singers, just to list a few.

The church is located on U.S. 1.

Song Service

Middle Cross Baptist Church, 440 Lucas Road, West End, will host the Harvesters at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, for a song service during morning worship.

Gospel Singing

There will be a Gospel singing at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Crossroads Community Church, featuring Angelina McKeithen.

Angelina is the third generation of performers in the McKeithen family lineage. Her singing career started at the age of 3, and at the age of 7, she began playing drums for the group. When she was 9, her father showed her several chords on an acoustic guitar, and she began performing with the full band. At 13, she brought the harmonica to center stage for which she is nationally known. Then, at the age of 14, she began singing and playing full time with her family.

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

Pinto Bean Supper

First Wesleyan Church of Robbins is having its annual pinto bean supper Saturday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The meal will include pinto beans, slaw, cornbread, dessert, and tea or coffee. The cost of the meal is $5.50 per person. The event is a fundraiser for missions.

For more information, call (910) 948-2332. Tickets may be purchased in advance or are available at the door.

Inclement weather date will be Jan. 28.

The church is located on the corner of E. Moore Street and N.C. 705 in Robbin s.

Red Branch

Bruce Frye will perform and speak at Red Branch Baptist Church at the 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. services Sunday, Jan. 29.

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

For information, call (910) 947-1974.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will host Pastor Al Smith, of Rocky Mount, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15.

The church is located in Vass.

Bible College

Solid Rock Bible College, in Jackson Springs, begins its spring semester Saturday, Jan. 21.

Registration was Saturday, Jan. 14, from noon to 2 p.m.

For information, call (910) 585-8458 or (910) 690-3231.

Quartet Performs

The Arise Quartet will be in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 632 McCrimmon Road, Carthage.

For information, call (910) 947-4736.

Special Programs

Synagogue of Christ Church, 373 Stage Road, Carthage, will hold several special events during January.

There will be a holy gathering at Shady Grove, in Raeford, at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.

For information, call (910) 947-1911.

Village Chapel

The Village Chapel, an interdenominational Christian community, hosts AWANA Club for nursery to sixth grade each Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon and the AWANA youth program for sixth to 12th grades Sunday evenings from 4 to 6 p.m.

This is a no-cost Christian discipleship program. Contact Pastor Ashley Smith at ashleyneilsmith@aol.com or (910) 295-6003.

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 pre-empts 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. - 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.

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.

UUC of Sandhills

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills (UUCS) has moved to its new location, at the Whispering Pines Community Building, 1320 Ray's 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, visit www.uucsandhills.org or www.uua.org.

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 12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

Martha's Place is now accepting only new or gently used, clean winter coats, blankets and winter shoes/boots until further notice.

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. Please visit www.pagememorialumc.org for more information.

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 Pinehurst United Methodist Church, Airport Road, Pinehurst.

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

The deadline for religion news is 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for publication the following Wednesday.

Submissions should be emailed to fdasen@ thepilot.com, faxed to (910) 692-9382 or mailed to P.O. Box 58, Southern Pines, NC 28388.

For information, call (910) 693-2475.