On Sunday, Oct. 14, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Carthage, will celebrate the honor of being the oldest active church in the Sandhills Baptist Association.

The church was established in 1834. The homecoming service will begin at 10 a.m. Dr. J. Billy Graham will speak, and the choir will provide special music.

A break will occur from 10:45 to 11 a.m. At the 11 a.m. service, the special guest speaker is Jim Edminson, who has worked with the N.C. Baptist Children's Homes for many years. He is currently with the staff of NCBAM. Special music will be part of the celebration.

Pastor James Cagle will open both of the homecoming services.

A covered-dish meal will follow in the fellowship hall .

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold homecoming services at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, followed by food and fellowship in the Family Life Center.

At 6 p.m., the Dennis Family, hosted by the church's cancer support ministry, performs. A love offering will be taken to go toward the ministry.

Revival is scheduled at 7 p.m. Oct. 8-11, with the Rev. Michael Whitson, from First Baptist Church, Indian Trail, as speaker.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

For information, call (800) 681-8602 or (919) 499-9632.

World Communion Sunday

McDonald's Chapel Presbyterian Church will take part in World Communion Sunday on Oct. 7 in observance of the unity and interconnection of Christians throughout the world.

McDonald's Chapel will observe this event during its regular Sunday service at 11 a.m., and the service will end with a special benediction and prayer for world peace outside in the church's Peace Garden.

McDonald's 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.

Gospel Music Fest

Deep Creek Baptist Church, 1995 Linden Road, Pinehurst, will host its annual Fall Gospel Music Festival Saturday, Oct. 13, from noon to 4 p.m.

The Greens and Sandhill Teen Challenge will be performing during the afternoon. There will be chicken and dumplings, pinto beans, hot dogs and desserts served starting at noon. There will also be hayrides and cake walks.

"Bring a chair," says a spokesman.

For more information, call Dianne Edwards at (910) 255-0671.

West End UMC

Bread of Life Ministry at West End United Methodist Church meets every Thursday from 11 a.m.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.

The Welcome Home Bible Study will be held Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

The United Methodist Women will host their annual harvest dinner Friday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Tickets are $8 each, which includes buffet, dessert and tea. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the various missions of the West End United Methodist Women. >Call Anneliese Feggeler at (910) 673-3734 to purchase tickets.

The Men at West End United Methodist Church will meet and enjoy a home-cooked breakfast and a time of fellowship at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. After breakfast, there is a brief devotional, and the men discuss projects to assist both the church and the community. Any man of the church or the community is welcome to attend.

'Holy Smoke' Festival

First United Methodist Church of Rockingham hosts the "Holy Smoke" Barbecue and Music Festival Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This family fun day features a variety of live music, barbecue and hot dogs, bounce house and kids' games. Admission is free.

"Bring a lawn chair and stay all day," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 410 E. Washington St., Rockingham. For information, call (910) 895-4027.

Clemmer Preaches

As part of Our Saviour's 50th Anniversary celebration, the Rev. Palmer D. Clemmer returns to preach Sunday, Oct. 7. He served as pastor of the congregation from 1987 to 1993.

During his pastorate, the congregation built and dedicated the present sanctuary (1990) and more than doubled in membership - from 300 to 650 baptized members.

"Kids of all ages may best remember Pastor Clemmer for his standard children's sermon closing: Smile every chance you get!" says a spokesman.

A native of Gastonia, he graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College (now University) in Hickory and received his M.Div. degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C.

Ordained by the N.C. Synod of the ELCA in 1978, he has served six other parishes that ranged from about 200 to more than 1,200 members and were located in four states and three synods.

In 2008, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he retired after 30 years of full-time pastoral ministry but stays as active as possible preaching and conducting weddings and other special functions. He and Cindi, his wife of 37 years, currently live outside of Nashville, Tenn., but plan to move back to their native Tar Heel State in the near future.

A reception will be held at 9:45 a.m.

Southern Pines UMC

Members and friends are encouraged to visit the Southern Pines United Methodist Church booth at Autumnfest in downtown Southern Pines on Saturday, Oct. 6. "Please come by and visit with us and learn about the exciting things happening at our church," says a church spokesperson.

The deadline for returning the Harvest of Love grocery bags is Sunday, Oct. 7. Food collected from this event will be sorted and delivered to the Coalition for Human Care by the youth of the church.

The SPUMC Senior Adult Fellowship will meet at the Table on the Green restaurant for lunch and a program Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. Bob Themme of the Southern Pines Police Department will share strategies on how to avoid falling victim to scam artists. Call Ed Morrison at (910) 245-2492 for reservations.

To learn more about the programs and ministries of Southern Pines United Methodist Church, contact the church office at (910) 692-3518 or visit the website www.southernpinesumc.org.

SPUMC is located at 175 Midland Road in Southern Pines.

Wee-Learn

Wee-Learn Weekday Ministries, Aberdeen First Baptist Church, offers an excellent learning environment with low tuition rates.

"We currently have three open slots in the 4-year-old Pre-K class and two open slots in the 3-year-old class starting in December," says a spokesman.

The 3-year-old class meets Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. There are two options available for the 4-year-old Pre-K class: five-day program Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon or three-day program Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

"Open slots fill quickly," says the spokesman. Visit the websitewww.aberdeenfbc. org or call (910) 944-1421, extension 215, for more information.

Congregational Church Of Pinehurst

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC celebrates World Communion Sunday by decorating the Communion table with fabric from many countries and hearing more than one language calling us to the table. Communion Sunday is also the time when members offer their contributions of food donated to the Coalition. The children of the congregation bring the food to the front of the church to be blessed by the congregation. Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the Butterfly Room by member volunteers although children of all ages are welcome to attend services.

On Friday, the Silver Belles will pack lunches for MANNA!

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet this Monday to knit simple shawls to be blessed by the congregation and given to anyone in need of a reminder of our love. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation, knitter or not. Call the church office for information.

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

The Drum Circle meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m.

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 fun for all and everyone is welcome regardless of experience or age. Discounts on green fees are often provided to the group.

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 www.youarewelcome here.org.

Sandy Grove

Sandy Grove Bible Church of God will host a special service featuring Elder Tolher at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

Pastor Elwood Hooker will be head speaker at homecoming Sunday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m.

Harvest Festival

Culdee Presbyterian Church will hold its annual harvest festival beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. There will be crafts and baked goods for sale. A hot dog lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a silent auction from noon to 2 p.m., a live auction from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a chicken and dumpling supper from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For information, call (910) 295-6685.

Willimon Speaks

Dr. William H. Willimon, a preacher, author, former dean of Duke University Chapel and a Methodist bishop, will preach at Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst Sunday, Oct 7.

Willimon will preach at both the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services. He will then provide a inspirational talk in the evening at 6:30. This event is free and open to the public.

Willimon is currently serving as professor of the practice of Christian ministry at The Divinity School, Duke University. He is recently retired after serving as bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, where he led the 157,000 Methodists and 792 pastors in North Alabama.

For 20 years he served as dean of the chapel and professor of Christian ministry at Duke University.

For more information about the upcoming worship services and evening program, contact Community Presbyterian Church, 125 Everette Road, Pinehurst, at (910) 295-6848.

Tag Sale

Community Presbyterian Church will hold its fifth annual tag sale in the church fellowship hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This past year, the proceeds from the sale provided funding to 35 young people as they spent the summer at youth conferences and doing mission work. The mission work took the youth to Asheville, where they did some inner city work, to Haiti, where they shared Vacation Bible School, and a week at home, where they spent time in Moore County working with those who just needed an extra hand.

Community Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Everette Road and Kelly Road in Pinehurst.

Concert

Jesse Davis, music director of First Baptist Church, Pinehurst, will perform a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the church, located at 7373 N.C. 211. Davis, a North Carolina native, regularly performs as a soloist with orchestras and gives numerous recitals in the U.S. and Europe. The pianist is the winner of national and international awards.

Anniversary

Doubs Chapel United Methodist Church will celebrate its 125 anniversary with a Founders Day on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m., followed by a covered-dish meal in the fellowship hall.

The Rev. Robert Ray, a former pastor, will bring the message.

That evening at 7 p.m., Ray will open the revival, which continues through Wednesday, Oct. 8, with services at 7 p.m., led by the Rev. Ray Gooch.

Seasons Rally

Spaulding Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 8254 Main St., Taylortown, will host a "Seasons Rally" Sunday, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m.

The Rev. Zack Rogers and the St. John Holiness Church of Laurinburg will participate. Events leading up to the rally are plate sales Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and a gospel festival Saturday, Oct 6, at 6 p.m. Also on this date, two drawings from donation tickets will be held.

Interfaith Worship Service

National Alliance on Mental Illness-Moore County (NAMI-MC) is hosting an interfaith worship service Sunday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Sandhills Alliance Chapel, 425 Magnolia Drive, Pinehurst.

Additionally, the special service in observance of National Mental Illness Awareness Week was planned by members of several local congregations in an effort to increase public awareness and education of mental illness. It is free and open to all.

The featured guest speaker for this service is Pete Earley, an investigative journalist and the author of the highly-acclaimed "Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness."

Earley is the recipient of many journalism awards, including the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for General Nonfiction for "Crazy" and the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Social Justice.

For more information, visit www.nami-moorecounty.org., or www.linden lodgenc.org., or call (910) 295-1053 .

Appreciation Day

Pastor Appreciation services for Bishop Roy A. McKoy and co-pastor Costella R. McKoy, of The Worship Center, 150 Eastman Road, Southern Pines, will be held Sunday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pastor Kent L. McMillian, Fryes Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.

Bible Study

This year, Community Bible Study will cover the "Servants of God," which encourages participants to recognize God's power and availability not only in ancient times, but throughout history. The course covers the period from Joshua's leadership through King David's rule in Israel by exploring the books of Joshua, Ruth, and 1 and 2 Samuel.

Open to all men and women, Community Bible Study is an interdenominational Bible study and welcomes people from all backgrounds and levels of Bible knowledge.

The expanded weekly schedule has times on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

For further information and locations, contact Merle Lewis at (910) 255-6179 or (605) 321-6353; email mlewis27330@nc.rr.com; or Roy Longhta at (910) 215-8717 or email rlonghta @nc.rr.com.

Pinebluff UMC

Pinebluff United Methodist Curch will hold homecoming Sunday, Oct. 14, with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Gregory Minnick will be the speaker. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service.

The church is located at 275 E Philadelphia Ave. in Pinebluff.

For information, call (910) 281-3468.

Auction, Plate Sale

A World Mission auction and plate sale will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Crossroads Community Church, Carthage.

The event takes place in the church fellowship hall. Items to be auctioned include furniture, appliances, exercise equipment, home decor and more.

Barbecue or fried chicken plates, with all the trimmings, will be available for $7, furnished by Talbert's Catering.

The church is located at the intersection of Vass-Carthage and Niagara-Carthage roads, in Carthage.

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

Luncheon Event

Dr. Rex Rogers, president of SAT-7 USA, will discuss the Middle East during a complimentary information luncheon, "Cry for Hope," Tuesday, Oct. 2, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Homewood Suites, 250 Central Park Ave., Pinehurst.

SAT-7 is a Middle East-based satellite television broadcast ministry with more than 15 million daily viewers.

SAT-7 broadcasts on two satellite systems with five channels in Arabic, Farsi and Turk 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Uniquely, SAT-7 Kids channel is the only Christian satellite television channel for kids in the Arabic speaking world.

The luncheon is free to all who register. The briefing is not a fundraiser.

RSVP by registering at www.sat7nc.event brite.com.

For further information call toll-free (866) 744-7287 or visit www.sat7usa.org.

Prayer Service

Each Wednesday at 11 a.m., First Baptist Church Southern Pines will celebrate a service of prayers, the Lord's Supper and healing (first Wednesday of the month).

The church is located at 200 East New York Ave.

Music Circle

McDonald's Chapel Presbyterian Church welcomes traditional musicians and listeners to a monthly music circle. It is held the third Sunday of each month, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, located at 1374 Foxfire Road, Aberdeen.

Any interested acoustic musicians are invited to participate in a casual jam session of a variety of traditional music. For more information, call Jill McCloy at (910) 692-5094.

Market Place Ministries

Market Place Ministries meets the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at Russell's Seafood.

All denominations are welcome. For more information, call Dwight at (910) 639-4084 .

Rummage Sale

The Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines is holding its annual rummage sale Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Old West End Gym.

"If you have items you would like to donate, call either Butch Allen at (910) 673-3312, or Don Truesdell at (910) 673-1970," says a spokesman.

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. 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.

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. Rose 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. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m.).

Those who would like to be on the program or who have church and community announcements should contact Highland-Sharpe at rosesharpe37 @gmail.com, or call (910) 295-0013.