Aberdeen

Turning Point Worship Center, at 16433 U.S. 15-501, holds worship services every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Bible study is held at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday. All are welcome. The pastors are Stoney and Brenda Locklear. For more information about Turning Point, call (910) 281-2055.

To submit items for the Aberdeen section, email shelbi person@embarqmail. com.

- Shelbi Person

Addor

New Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will celebrate its 133rd anniversary this Sunday. There will be an all-day service. Lunch will be held after the morning services. Evening service will begin at 3 p.m., with special guest preacher presiding Elder Ricky Frazier. Everyone is welcome.

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. Please notify the pastor, the Rev. Charles McKnight, of a sickness or the need for prayer at (910) 639-1893.

Some of the teachers and children from the 21st Century program went to the Big Apple (New York). Ten students from New Zion went, along with the Rev. Charles McKnight and his wife, Barbara. They had a wonderful time.

Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church invites everyone to attend Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. each week. The pastor is the Rev. James McKinnon.

Birthday wishes go out this week to Montoria Hammon (June 21) and Gary Chavis and Jermaine Bright (June 23).

Prayers and sympathy are extended to the family of Diana Brown, who passed away Monday at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Elizabeth Chapel Free Will Baptist Church.

Sick and shut-ins: Betty Ellerbe is home from rehab. Sarah F. McMillian, Phillip McMillian, Betty Lou Moses, Carl McRae Jr. and Nora Smith are among the homebound. 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.

- 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 Southern District Auxiliary Convention in Greensboro last week turned out great.

St. Peters will travel to St. Ruth in West End at 7:30 p.m. Friday for Eldress Lillian Kearns' pastoral anniversary. St. Peters will go to Greater St. James on Sunday for Pastor Massey's pastoral anniversary.

Services will not be held this Sunday at St. Peters.

St. Peters will hold Vacation Bible School July 9-13 at 7:30 nightly.

St. Peters holds Bible study at 7:30 p.m. on the Tuesdays after the first and third Sundays of the month. Prayer meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday.

Plans are being made for the 25th reunion of the Pinecrest High School class of 1987 on Saturday, Oct. 6. Graduates are asked to look for updates on the Pinecrest Class of 1987 Facebook page. Email contact information to pinecrest 8725anniversary @yahoo or call (910) 688-3447.

Larry and Gracie Russell will celebrate their wedding anniversary Sunday.

Birthday wishes go out to Annette Alston (June 23), Larry Alford (June 25) and Bishop Ronnie Moore (June 26).

Sick and shut-ins: Lewis McLaughlin, Paula Neal, Michael McLean, Charles Jackson, Joe Jackson, Samuel Brisbon, Darlene Harris, Mary Russell, Ruth Rogers, Evelyn Clegg, Cornelia Adkins, Minister Wrencher, Margret Thompson and Alma Jones.

- Wilma Monroe

Hoffman

Bible study is held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Macedonia and at 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel. Pleasant Hill holds its Bible study at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The family of the late Willie Mae Hailey held a luncheon Saturday in Vass, hosted by grandson Gerry Hailey Jr.

Funeral services were held Sunday for Johnny King.

The Hart family reunion will be held on July 6 and 7. Call Tommy Hart at (910) 281-3898 for more information.

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

Sick and shut-ins: Earnest Gilmore, Beulah Jones, Joe Jones, Letha Isaac, Nancy Hayes, Flossie Hagins, Frank Smith, Albert Hailey, Lacy Jackson, Mattie White, Cathy Harrington, Lula Smith, Juanita Gilmore, Arlene McRae, Thelma McKoy, Dan McKoy, Eugene Martin, Nancy Ellerbe, Lillie Ellerbe, Jimmy Ellerbe, Rebecca Utley, Arnell Little, Mary Jamieson 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

The Cypress Presbyterian Church sanctuary is closed temporarily for painting and other improvements. Until further notice, all Cypress services, including Sunday worship, will be held in the fellowship hall.

For safety reasons, it is requested that no one visit the sanctuary because scaffolding, ladders and other materials will be in place. It is anticipated that all work will be completed in three to four weeks.

Because of Cypress' involvement in the community Bible School, choir practice and Bible School will not be held this week. Both events will resume next week.

Cypress Summer Enrichment, a free day camp for kids ages 6-13, will be held on Monday through Wednesdays, July 2-18, in the Cypress fellowship hall. (There will not be camp on July 4.)

Lunch and snacks will be provided each day. Registration forms may be obtained by calling (910) 245-7397.

Dr. Greg Poplin and his family were in attendance Sunday at Mount Pleasant after he received two stents at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on Monday, June 11. Dr. Poplin continues to recover at his home.

Father's Day and Men of God Day rang from the pulpit and throughout the congregation of Mount Pleasant Christian Church as it honored fathers, grandfathers, husbands and sons on Sunday.

Denise Morris Godfrey, director of Women's Day, led the congregation through some delightful presentations, including "neckties" made of chocolate that were presented to all the men of Mount Pleasant. The front of the church was filled with beautiful flowers given by Angel Marks and Heather Treadway, granddaughters, in memory of Rosa Davis.

Sherry Smith Chatfield welcomed members and guests. The lighting of the candles was performed by Kenzie Kramer, daughter of Tiffany McKenzie Kramer and Ryan Kramer, and granddaughter of Tommy and Treva McKenzie. Kenzie was carried by her father. Worship continued with the praise and prayer concerns addressed by Karen Hill. Edith Simpson Floyd led the congregational singing. Musicians were Dr. Linda Scott, piano, and Janet Chilton, organ. The choir was filled with beautiful ladies, whose voices rang through the congregation.

Bill Harrison was honored by Denise Morris Godfrey and Janet Chilton as he had "given his all" while singing "Father Abraham" with the children on the previous Sunday.

A Ladies Quartet composed of Katie Smith Heinold, Martha Blue, Doris Marks and Janet Chilton sang "He Touched Me," with Dr. Linda Scott, accompanist. Lily Janae Harrison conducted the children's sermon, based on God being one of our fathers who does miraculous things. She was surrounded by more than 20 children who sat at her feet and listened as she told of God's love for everyone, especially for children. She gave the children candy after concluding the sermon.

Brittany Boggs and Kristen Godfrey read a poem titled "F.A.T.H.E.R." Denise Morris Godfrey then presented each man with a necktie made from paper, which covered a chocolate bar. After this presentation, Mary McCleney presented each child a collectible gold coin, which she asked them to keep to remember Mount Pleasant.

Denise also asked all of the children to come forward to mention something about their father. Many came up and thanked their fathers, one saying, "My dad is the best dad," and another who said, "My dad rocks!"

Denise continued with her presentations of giving thanks for the positive influence of dads who spend time with their children at church, at sports, at school and at home.

Janet Chilton spoke next of the importance of cooperation among members of the church and asked that everyone begin to pray that God would speak to them about where they might serve in the church and to be prepared to accept when the nominating committee asks them to serve. She also shared some of the story of the life of a family living with a child who has cancer and some details of cancer research being conducted by St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Rhonda Smith Kelly offered the closing prayer, and Denise Morris Godfrey and Janet Chilton greeted members and guests at the back.

Memorial services were held for Rosa Rutherford Davis Sunday afternoon at Mount Pleasant Church. Family and friends remembered her by reading poems and sharing their memories of her.

Denise Morris Godfrey recognized the quilting ladies of Mount Pleasant Christian Church who have made a quilt, which will be given away to the ticket holder at the annual harvest sale. Tickets will be available soon.

Worship services are held at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Dr. Greg Poplin is the pastor. Everyone in the community is invited to attend services.

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

St. Ruth United Church of God in West End will celebrate Eldress Lillian Kearns' pastoral anniversary today (Wednesday) through Friday, with different speakers each night. It will conclude Sunday, June 24.

Holy Temple Church on Anderson Street, where the pastor is Elder Allen Moore, will begin having services every first and third Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend.

Happy birthday to all who are celebrating this week.

Please pray for our president and all leaders, the sick, bereaved, shut-ins and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities and caregivers.

If anyone has community news, please email me at aminnieirene@yahoo.com or call me at (910) 783-7822 (cell) or (910) 947-2208 (home) and leave a message at least one week in advance.

- Irene Ray

Taylortown

The community extends condolences to the family of the late Annie Odom. A visitation was held Monday, at Purcell Funeral Home. Her husband, Grady Odom, of the Pinesage area of Taylortown, thanks everyone for their many acts of kindness. Please continue to pray for the family.

Reco Cain (Pinecrest), Marcus Gaddy (Union Pines) and Brianna Taylor (Pinecrest) were honored at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church for their recent graduation from high school. Reco plans to further his education at N.C. State University in Raleigh. Brianna plans to attend Sandhills Community College this fall, and Marcus looks forward to a career in the U.S. armed forces. Congratulations to all graduates of the class of 2012!

Spruill Temple Church of God in Christ will have revival services tonight (Wednesday) through Friday. Services start at 7:15 p.m. The speaker will be Superintendent Garcia Morman, of Rockingham. Music will be rendered by visiting choirs. The pastor, Elder Jerry Chesney, invites everyone to attend.

Councilman Jeff Moody is implementing a summer camp for youths beginning this week (weekdays) from 8 a.m. until noon at the Taylor House on Main Street. Special thanks to Marvin Taylor and the Building Futures program's young adults for their assistance with this program.

Greater Works Church of Deliverance Ministries will have a "Platform Service: Women of Power" at 4 p.m. Sunday. The speakers include various ladies who will share stories of courage and faith of women of the Bible. Everyone is invited to attend. The pastor is Apostle Andria U. Weekes.

Women of God Outreach Ministries invite area choirs to a musical program at Word of Life Church at 4 p.m. this Sunday. The pastor, Overseer Nathaniel Malloy, and his wife, Mary Malloy, invite everyone to attend.

Vacation Bible School will be held at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church June 25-29 from 6 until 8 p.m. The theme is "Fishin' on a Mission with Jesus." The theme Bible verse is, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," from Matthew 4:19. All youths and adults are invited. The chairperson is Marlene Pittman. The pastor is Rev. Charles Nabors.

Pastors Charles and Deborah Bloom, of Kingdom Minded Ministries, will be featured on "Town Talk" television show this month. The show airs daily at 11 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 3 and is a service to the community by Rose Highland-Sharpe, producer and host.

Mobile computer lab classes are available for churches and agencies through human resources development at Sandhills Community College. Classes will be brought to various community groups. Call Jenny at (910) 695-3926 for more information.

Bishop Larry Brown thanks everyone for the visits, phone calls, cards and prayers during his time of illness.

Evangelist Carolyn Mitchell (our town clerk) invites everyone to listen to her broadcast, "Words of Life," on WEEB 990-AM, 10:30-10:45 a.m. Evangelist Mitchell has been providing this teaching ministry for many years at WEEB. Thanks for listening.

The Rev. Kenneth Stewart invites local ministers to attend the Taylortown Ministerial Alliance meeting on the second Saturday of each month at one of the local churches in the early afternoon. The Rev. Kenneth Stewart is the president.

The Pinecrest High School class of 1977 invites former students close to their age from our community (such as the classes of 1976 or 1974) to the 35th reunion June 30. Contact Ella B. McMillan at (910) 715-8149.

Galilee has changed its Bible study time to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays instead of 7 p.m. The Rev. A. Wade, one of the assistant pastors, usually teaches a series each season on specific subjects. An outline of the subject is distributed to the participants. The study is very thorough and interesting. The pastor, the Rev. Charles Nabors, invites everyone to attend.

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.

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 (the Rev. Rose 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 rose-sharpe37@gmail. com. WEEB Gospel family members include veteran announcer Felton J. Capel and substitute announcers Pastor Ren Lee and Niniji Lloyd.

Current sick and shut-ins include Deacon Leroy Alford Sr., Jaion Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Bishop Larry Brown, Evelyn Clegg, Christine Ellerbe, Sandy George Gaines, Gladys Garris, Phyllis Goins, Cathy Harrington, Alice Jackson, Pauline Levine, Rosa Mills, Willa B. Monroe, Catherine Morrison, Dorothy R. Morrison, Evelyn Morrison, Vera Moses, James Murphy (UNC Hospitals), Lolita Robinson, Mr. Shamberger, Johnnie Stanford and Patrice Taylor.

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

Minister Frederick Kelly will be the guest speaker at St. Mark Church in Vass at 2 p.m. Sunday for its Men's Day program.

Pastor Mary Kelly will celebrate her 12th pastoral anniversary at 5 p.m. June 30 at the Douglass Community Center in Southern Pines. She will also be ordained as an apostle.

God's House of Prayer Ministry has Sunday School at 10 a.m. every week. Worship services are held every first and third Sundays of the month at 11:30 a.m. and special programs or worship on second and fourth Sundays. Bible study is held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Intercessory prayer is held every Saturday at 8 a.m. Pastor Mary Kelly is the church pastor.

A car show will be held at 9 a.m. July 21 at the Vass Park. The event is sponsored by Minister Freddie Kelly Jr. and God's House of Prayer Ministry. More details will be announced at a later time.

Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church in Vass will have a Men's Day program at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Dr. J.C. White, pastor of Fair Promise Church in Sanford, will be the guest speaker. His choir and congregation will also accompany him.

Oakridge A.M.E. Zion Church holds worship services on the second and forth Sunday. The pastor is the Rev. Walter Cotton.

St. Marks has Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. and worship services at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday. Bible study is held at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday. The pastor is the Rev. Chester Little.

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.

Birthday wishes go out to Vanessa Kelly (June 16), Tony Taylor (June 19), Mary Frances Daniels and Felicia Utley (June 20), Shelia McMillian (June 21) and Andrew Thompson (June 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