Pinehurst United Methodist Church is looking for a few good men - and women: community volunteers called into action.

A "Day of Service" in the community has been arranged for Saturday, May 19, and the Methodist congregation is looking for community folks to join them as they go out to various agencies on that day to serve in whatever way the agencies need help.

Some need yard and garden work, while others need carpentry work and painting. There are closets to clean and items to be organized.

Even children (ages 5 and older), accompanied by their parents, will have opportunities to help. Agencies that will be helped include Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills; El Camino United Methodist Church; Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills; Life Care Pregnancy Center; Linden Lodge Foundation; Moore/Sandhills Coalition for Human Care; Northern Moore Family Resource Center; Society of St. Andrews; and the Pinehurst United Methodist Church.

This day of service is in conjunction with the church's nationwide "Change the World Service Day."

"The local Pinehurst United Methodist Mission Team promises a day of good fun and hard work that will help our fellow residents in Moore County," says Ann Morse, chairwoman.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. at the church, located at 4111 Airport Road. From there work teams will go out to the various nonprofit agencies in the immediate area, for half-day and full-day projects (volunteers choose where and how long they wish to serve.)

There is even an all-day project at a Mission Church, El Camino UMC, in Siler City.

At the conclusion of the day, a free dinner will be provided at 5 p.m. for all the volunteers at the Airport Road church.

For more details, or to sign up to help on May 19, call the church office by May 15 and speak to Cindy, at (910) 215-4559.

Southern Pines UMC

The Southern Pines UMC's senior adult luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Midland Country Club's Table on the Green.

Lecturer and retired nurse practitioner Jimmie Butts will speak on the topic of "Life, Love and Laughter." Those interested in attending should contact Sandy Bryant at (910) 281-3041.

The church has recordings available of its 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services.

"Please contact the church office at (910) 692-3518 if someone you know is homebound and would enjoy receiving a CD recording of our weekly Sunday services," says a spokesman.

The Neighborhood Ice Cream Social scheduled for May 19 has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled later this year.

For more information about this church and its ministries, visit the website www.southernpinesums.org.

The church is located at 175 Midland Road in Southern Pines.

Women's Day

Greater Harvest House of Prayer Ministries, located at 760 Midway Road, Aberdeen, will be holding its Women's Day program on May 27, at 4 p.m.

The speaker will be Evangelist Francis Benymon, from Crusade For Christ Ministries, in Southern Pines.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will honor mothers during the 11 a.m. worship hour Sunday, May 13. There will be no evening service.

The church's cancer support ministry will have a booth at Relay for Life at the Sanford Fair Grounds beginning Friday, May 11, from 5 p.m. to noon Saturday, May 12.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron. For information, call (919) 499-9632 or (800) 681-8602, email bcbcoffice @windstream.net, or visit beavercreekchurch.org.

Church Anniversary >

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its becoming a particular Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 20, during its 11 a.m. worship service and immediately afterward at a covered-dish dinner in the fellowship hall.

Serving the Foxfire area community, the church was founded in the 1930s as an adjunct of Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst, holding Sunday school and church services with the help of that church's ministerial staff. >This relationship continued successfully for several decades, as membership in the church and construction of church buildings grew and prospered. >

Ten years ago, McDonalds Chapel had grown large enough to become an independent Presbyterian church, with its own ministerial staff and governing body. >

All who have connections with the church >or its history are invited to the event, says a spokesman.

"Please bring a covered dish; the church will supply chicken and drinks for all," says the spokesman.

McDonalds Chapel is located at 1374 Foxfire Road, Aberdeen.

The minister is the Rev. Robert Whitehouse. For more information, call the church office at (910) 295-0107 or Jill McCloy at (910) 692-5094.

CCP

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC welcomes the Rev. Susan Sherard, executive director of the Moore County Literacy Council, as its guest preacher on Mother's Day Sunday.

The MCLC is a major mission of the church, with many members providing support and tutoring.

Sunday school classes for children 3-5 and 6-8 years of age will be held this Sunday. Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the Butterfly Room by member volunteers, though children of all ages are always welcome at services.

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 p.m. followed by a Course in Miracles at 1 p.m. Contact him at (910) 639-0439 for information. The Drum Circle will meet in the Hearth Room on Tuesday at 4 p.m. No experience is necessary, and the church provides the drums.

On Wednesday, members of the church will play bingo and share refreshments with residents of Manor Care Nursing Home. Those interested should contact Nadine Wokas at (910) 235-0855.

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 welcomes anyone regardless of experience or age. Discounts on greens fees are often provided to the group.

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, United Church of Christ, "celebrates the human spirit by welcoming all regardless of race, sexual orientation, or disability to full participation in our family of faith," according to a spokesman.

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.

West End UMC

West End United Methodist Church will begin a Bible study class designed for the reverts who went to the church when they were young and strayed away or were not active in the church, then came back later to know God and seek the purpose of life. Dr. Won Namkoong will lead this session with the deep knowledge of the Scriptures and its daily applications. The text will be John 15: 9-17. This class, which begins Wednesday, May 9, will meet each Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Sunday, May 13, West End United Methodist Church will celebrate Women's Sunday. The 8:30 and 11 a.m. services will be lead by women. The speaker will be Jean Alfano, and ushers, greeters and choir will consist of only women.

The United Methodist Women will host their annual "Salad Supper" at the West End United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Friday, May 18, at 6 p.m. Tickets for this event are $8 each and can be purchased from Lou Anne Cline at (910) 673-5431.

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.

Christ Way

Dr. Aaron Spence, the new superintendent of Moore County Schools, will be present at Christ Way Deliverance on Sunday, May 13, at the noon service. Spence will talk to parents about educational concerns and take questions.

Spring Tea

Spring is here, and it's time to get ready for the fourth annual spring tea sponsored by the Women's Ministry of The Village Chapel.

All women of the Chapel and the community are invited to this time of Christian fellowship on Tuesday, May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m., in Chapel Hall. The area will be fitted out for the festivities with tables of beautiful flowers and china. Also, women who come to the tea may decide to add fancy hats or bonnets to their outfits for the afternoon.

For the program this year, the chapel's Betty Miller will speak on "A Life Full of Spontaneous, Joyful Uncertainty and Expectancy," aided by a box of surprises. Inspirational music and song will also be part of the program.

Cost is $15 for the tea, tea sandwiches and sweet treats, which will be catered by Elliott's. Reservations to the tea can be made through the church office at (910) 295-6003. Payment is due prior to the event, by Thursday, May 17.

The Village Chapel is located on the Village Green in Pinehurst.

Bethesda

A "Backyard Barbecue and Craft Fair" will be held on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church.

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 table, but there are a limited number of spaces. Call the church office at (910) 944-1319 for additional information and for an application.

The youth of Bethesda Presbyterian Church will hold their annual "Youth Sunday" service at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 13. This service, a combination of traditional and contemporary style of worship, is prepared entirely by middle school and senior high youth. They chose the theme, "Facing Our Giants," their own music, scripture passages, meditations and wrote their own Prayer of Confession and Affirmation of Faith. The children's message will feature a puppet show. Liturgical dancers will grace the sanctuary with inspirational music and dance.

"This service will take place on Mother's Day and is dedicated to all mothers, in gratitude for all they have done for us," says a spokesman.

Also, graduating high school seniors will give their "senior moment" speech, which is a Bethesda tradition. This year's seniors are Kelly Auman, Halie Cunningham, Ashleigh Welton, Whitney King and Savanna Fitzgerald.

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

Christian Science Church

"Churchalive newborn of Spirit - healing" is a focus of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of the church.

A number of members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Southern Pines, will be joining members and attendees of Christian Science churches in and around North Carolina for a two-day conference in mid-May in Charlotte. Anyone is welcome to attend, according to a spokesman. Reports from previous Churchalive meetings held in various cities throughout the world may be found at www.christianscience.com/church-alive, or by visiting the Christian Science Reading Room at 173 NE Broad St. in Southern Pines.

Spring Retreat

The WWTFC Women's Organization will sponsor a spring retreat May 17-19. It will be hosted at the Ocean View Retreat Center, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Those wishing to participate should contact Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-0369 or (910) 281-2023.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will hold a three-night revival, with Pastor Al Smith, of Rocky Mount, May 9-11.

The church is located at 158 Sellars St., Vass.

CALL Program

An English-speaking tutoring program for Hispanic mothers is conducted on Monday afternoons at the Sandhills Jewish Congregation.

The synagogue program is an extension service of the main program at the Community Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines.

After-school tutoring of Hispanic grade-school students, as well as their mothers, known as Community Assisting Learning Language (CALL), has been offered at the church for the past seven years.

The goal of CALL is to prepare Hispanic mothers for success in the work force, as well as to better enable them to help their children succeed in school and become responsible adults.

Child care for preschool children is provided during the tutoring sessions.

Prayer Service

Each month on the first Wednesday, at noon, First Baptist Southern Pines will celebrate a service of prayers, the Lord's Supper and healing.

"This is an opportunity for the people of Christ to gather, offer prayers for one another, the church and our community, break the bread and lift the cup of our Lord, and seek the wholeness of Christ in our lives and others," says a spokesman.

The church is located on New York Avenue.

Reading Room

The Christian Science Reading Room, 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.

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.

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 not accepting clothing until further notice.

Martha's Place is in the fellowship hall of Page Memorial United Methodist Church of Aberdeen. Please visit www.pagememorial umc.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.

UUC of Sandhills

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills (UUCS) meets 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.

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.

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.

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.

For information, call (910) 949-3971.

AWANA

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 by email at ashleyneilsmith@aol.com or call (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.

"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.