Aberdeen

Prophet Duane White will be the guest speaker Jan. 23-25 at 7:30 nightly at Turning Point Worship Center, at 16433 U.S. 15-501 South in Aberdeen.

Turning Point Worship Center, located at 16433 U.S. 15-501 south of Aberdeen, holds worship services at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. Bible classes are held at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

For the month of January, Turning Point will hold corporate prayer night at 6:30 each Sunday.

Anyone needing more information on worship and prayer events for January at Turning Point, call (910) 281-2055.

Birthday wishes go out to Alaiya Covington (Jan. 16), Ora James (Jan. 18) and Charlotte Kelly.

To submit items for the Aberdeen news, please email shelbiperson@emnbarqmail.com.

- Shelbi Person

Addor

The first checkup for the Central North Carolina Conference of A.M.E. Zion churches will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Greenville.

The eighth E.N.C.E.D. convocation and ordination will be held Friday and Saturday in Greenville.

Some sad news to report. The heating and air conditioning unit at the Community Center has been taken. This is very shameful. If anyone in the community has any information about the theft, please contact the proper authorities.

The center is also reaching out to the community for monetary donations. Anyone who can help is asked to send a check made out to the Addor Community Center to P.O. Box 775, Pinebluff, NC 28373. The center would appreciate your support.

Sympathy and prayers are extended to the family of the late Catherine Murphy, especially to Linda and all of the children. The funeral was held Saturday at Jordan Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

Everyone in the community is invited to attend New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church each Sunday, with Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.

The 21st Century after-school program at New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church operates Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Snacks are provided. Please contact the Rev. Charles McKnight, the church pastor, at (910) 639-1893. They thank everyone for their support.

If anyone is in need of food, heating assistance and shelter, please contact 211, the United Way of Moore County.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Donald McMillian (Jan. 18), Edna McCrimmon (Jan. 19), Allisan McNeill (Jan. 20), Claretha Horton (Jan. 21), Rachel Hill (Jan. 22) and to all others who are celebrating.

In memoriam: Deacon Wade Kirkpatrick (Jan. 19).

Sick and shut-ins: Sarah F. McMillian is in rehab. Betty J. Ellerbe, Betty L. Moses, Phillip McMillian, Lousie Jones and Nora Smith are among the homebound. Stella Gillispie, Connie L. Covington, Diana Brown, Portia Smith, Sampson Blue 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.

We wish everyone in the community a Happy New Year.

- 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 family of Hoover Brown thanks everyone for the kindness shown during their time of bereavement.

The St. Peters choir will have a practice at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday).

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.

The quarterly union will convene Jan. 28-29 in Greensboro.

Birthday wishes go to Cedric Threadgill (Jan. 22) and James McCrimmon (Jan. 24).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Michael McLean, Charles Jackson, Joe Jackson, Cornelia Adkins, Evelyn Clegg, Minister Wrencher, Carolyn Swinnie, Conrad Dailey, 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 10 a.m. Saturday.

The three churches will hold a joint Bible study at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, before the fifth Sunday home union Jan. 29 at Pleasant Hill. The Rev. Taylor will host a dinner at 7 p.m. The Rev. Charles Bethea is in charge of the home union service. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., and worship is at 11 a.m. The host pastor is the Rev. C.E. Cunningham.

The Red Hat Club is planning a singing program at 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Fletcher's Chapel.

A Sweethearts Tea will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Fletcher's Chapel. Jessie Spell is in charge.

Birthday wishes go out to all who are celebrating this week.

Sick and shut-ins: Charlene Berts, Ellen Hart, Earnest Gilmore, Beulah Jones, Joe Jones, Letha Isaac, Nancy Hayes, Flossie Hagins, Frank Smith, Lang Harrison, Albert Hailey, Lacy Jackson, Mattie White, Cathy Harrington, Lula Smith, Juanita Gilmore, Leana McRae, Arlene McRae, Thelma McKoy, Dan McKoy, Eugene Martin, Johnny King, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Bunie Ellerbe, Jimmy Ellerbe, Rebecca Utley, Cynthia Royster and Robert Wadkins are among the homebound.

Please continue to pray for the sick and shut-ins, church leaders, our children, government and one another.

- Bea Little

Little River

This past Sunday at Mount Pleasant Church, the choir presented a wonderful anthem titled "Redeemed." The church also welcomed Sergio and Lisa Godoy and family as new members.

The church family was saddened by the death of Norma Nance, who passed away in a Chapel Hill hospital after a long sickness. The funeral service was held Tuesday, and she was laid to rest beside her husband, Ted, who died in June 2010.

The senior youth group leaders, Sonya Smith and Sherry Harrison, invite all the area high school-aged students to take part in the youth ministry of the church. The group will meet at 6:30 p.m. every other Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend or contact the leaders for more information.

In the near future, several special ministries will be offered at the church. A men's group is planned along with a study on financial freedom - a Biblical perspective and a Bible study on one of the Gospels.

Cypress Presbyterian Church will host a spaghetti supper Saturday, Jan. 28, to dedicate the renovated fellowship hall kitchen. Cypress Gospel Boys will provide the entertainment. Contributions of dessert and tea are appreciated. Please join the church for this special occasion.

During the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, Jan. 29, the ordination and installation of elders will be conducted.

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

Minister John Ray, of Body of Christ Outreach Ministry on Lemon Springs Road in Sanford, will speak at Synagogue of Christ, where the Pastor is Louise Kiniel, on Friday, April 13.

Please pray for the entire world, our president and all leaders, sick, bereaved shut-ins and caregivers.

- Irene Ray

Taylortown

A number of community members participated in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. festivities in Moore County.

A missionary candlelight worship service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Allen, invites everyone to attend.

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will have its Founders Day program at 3:30 p.m. Sunday Feb. 19. This will be the 107th year celebration.

Anyone who would like to make a donation for an advertisement or honorary acknowledgement in the commemorative booklet is asked to contact LaFaye Ellerbe at (910) 420-2995, Connie Raye at (910) 295-7381 or Doris Lee at (910) 295-4353. All inclusions for the booklet must be received by Feb. 10. Join Spaulding Chapel's members and the pastor, the Rev. Charles Allen, for this wonderful reunion.

The Rev. Charles Nabors will celebrate his sixth pastoral anniversary at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Sunday. The morning speaker will be the Rev. Pernell McQueen. The Rev. Elgett Floyd, of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, will be the afternoon speaker. All are invited to attend.

Gladys Garris, Brigitte Little and Stephanie Stevens are planning a Rainbow Tea as part of a pre-anniversary program for Overseer Nathaniel Malloy, the pastor of Word of Life Ministries. The event will be held Feb. 18 at Bostick Recreation Center in Candor. Music will be provided by Dennis Hardison, of New Creation Ministries in South Carolina.

A donation of $25 includes the meal and entertainment. The colors are purple, red, white and blue. The donations for the tickets need to be received by Feb. 4. Call Garris at (910) 255-3132, Little at (910) 691-5979 or Stevens at (910) 315-7837.

The community extends condolences to the families of Hoover Brown, Dotsy Covington Dowdy, Catherine Hargrove Murphy, and Velma Portia Powell. Please continue to pray for these families.

Thanks for supporting the "Hill Top Shops" this year. They include Not "Jus" Any Bag, Bono Abstract Clothing, Sew What?, 360 Creations Beauty Salon and New 2 U Everyday Rummage. Fresh Discipleship Center, with Pastor Cora Murphy, resides on "the Hill."

There is also an outreach ministry with household goods and clothing for those in need on "the Hill." It serves many throughout the county and is owned and managed by Minister Gerald and Tia Brown.

Thanks for your support of MANNA!, which is at 11 a.m. each Tuesday at at Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Special thanks to the preparers and hostesses, including Melba Bostic, Esther McNeill, Hulene Morrison, Kathy Murphy and others from Spaulding Chapel and the community. Pastor John Roberts is the day-to-day operations manager for MANNA. The pastor at Spaulding Chapel is the Rev. Charles Allen.

The Taylortown Ministerial Alliance meets monthly at one of the local churches The president is the Rev. Kenneth Stewart. Thank you to the alliance for their prayers and services to those in need.

An information session for a free job program through Sandhills Community College called Pathways to C.N.A. (certified nursing assistant) in the basic skills education department will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Classes start Jan. 30. Call Twana McKnight at (910) 695-3782 or Rose Highland-Sharpe at (910) 695-3783.

The program offers students the opportunity to earn a GED (or to review math and reading) and to study occupational lessons to prepare for transitioning to the C.N.A. class. GED graduates will be eligible for a scholarship to pay for the C.N.A. program.

Job-seeking skills/career, basic skills and GED classes are available at the Westmoore Center in Robbins and at the Day Reporting Center in Carthage. Basic skills and GED classes are available at the Northern Moore Family Resource Center in Robbins, 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.

Jobs are available at Smithfield's meat packing company 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.

Job-ministry positions as keyboardists are available at some local churches in Moore County. For more information, call (910) 295-0013 (Rev. R. Highland-Sharpe).

Learn how to play the guitar with Michael Robinson, the Taylortown "Music Man." Call (910) 691-9283. Michael also conducts "Taylortown Jams," which are music sessions open to experienced musicians from noon to 6 p.m. every Saturday at the Taylor House on Main Street. If you have a passion for playing any musical instrument, please join this lively "jam session." There is no charge for the jam session or music classes. The classes are open to all ages.

The United Way of Moore County thanks the many local churches, ministries and faith-based organizations for considering making a donation in 2012. The United Way supports many nonprofits, including those that provide programs for youths, victims of abuse and those recovering from substance abuse.

For more information, call United Way at (910) 692-2413. Linda Mills Pearson is the executive director.

The Rev. Rose Highland-Sharpe is a board member. Call her at (910) 295-0013.

Many thanks for your continued prayers and support of Edward and Sharonda Wilson.

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.

"Good News Inspiration" on WEEB-990 AM airs from 6 until 11 a.m. each Sunday. 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. WEEB Gospel family members include veteran announcer Felton J. Capel and substitute announcers Pastor Ren Lee and Niniji Lloyd.

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.

This week's prayer list includes Patrick Walker, Cathy Brown, Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Carol Blackmon, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Phyllis Goins, Cathy Harrington, Alice Jackson, Pauline Levine, Rosa Mills, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Vera Moses, 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

A talent show will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday at at God's House of Prayer Ministry. It is sponsored by Minister Freddie Kelly, Sr.

Evangelist Jacqueline Harvin will be the guest speaker at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at New Birth Church in Lemon Springs.

Minister Frederick Kelly will be the guest speaker for the "Bringing in the New Year With Jesus" program at 11 a.m. Jan. 29 at God's House of Prayer Ministry. The program is sponsored by Anita Finch.

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. Pastor Mary Kelly is the pastor.

Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church in Vass will have a Valentine Ball at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Vass Community Center.

A donation of $15 a couple and $8 for singles is required. Everyone is invited to attend. Please dress up and come out and hear beautiful music. Food also will be served. For tickets, call (910) 215-2902, (910) 528-1707 or (910) 245-7946.

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.

Raekwon Smith celebrated his 12th birthday Tuesday with a party at home with family and friends.

Birthday wishes go out to Nickee McKendall (Jan. 16), Belinda Smith (Jan. 19) and Christopher Smith (Jan. 23).

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