McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church will hold its Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday, March 31.

The service will be held outdoors in the cemetery, weather permitting; if it rains, the service will move inside to the sanctuary.

A long-held tradition at the church, the service features a flowering of the cross, and a covered dish breakfast after the service.

The regular 11 a.m. worship service will also be held that day.

McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church is located at 1374 Foxfire Road, Aberdeen.

For more information, call Jill McCloy at (910) 692-5094.

Youth Revival

Belford Baptist Church will have its annual youth revival March 27-29 at 6 p.m.

Elder Sherri Allgood, of True Worship Ministries, Biscoe, will be the guest speaker. Visit www.Belford BaptistChurch.com for directions.

Two Easter Services

Community Presbyterian Church of Pinehurst will hold two Easter services this year at the church, located at the corner of Everette and Kelly roads. The service times are 9 and 11 a.m.

The adult choir will open Easter Sunday with an upbeat, blended anthem titled "Christ Arose" by Lloyd Larson as the prelude. The more traditional "Glad Easter Praises" will be the call to worship, with Gordon Bascom on trumpet. "He Rolled Away the Stone" by Tim Sharp will be the anthem. Phillips, Craig and Dean's popular worship song, "Revelation Song," will be the benediction response

Additional instrumentalists will be Karen Lewis on violin and Steve Lapping on guitar.

For additional information, call the church office at (910) 295-6848.

Congregational Church of Pinehurst

The Congregational Church of Pinehurst, UCC will present a children's moment especially for young members this Sunday.

"Please visit our space this Saturday at the community yard sale held at the Fair Barn," says a spokesman. "We will have something for everyone from antiques to collectibles as well as hand-crafted items."

The drum circle has resumed, under the direction of Matthew Bahr, in the Hearth Room of the church at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons. The church supplies the drums and no experience is necessary, only enthusiasm. Call (910) 639-4039 for information.

The Community of Mindful Living meets on Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Hearth Room for ongoing mindfulness meditation. On Thursdays at 4 p.m., QiQung instruction class is also offered. Call (910) 949-2623 for information.

The Manor Care Social will be held next Wednesday with games, bingo and refreshments. Call Nancy Kinney at (910) 400-3064 for information

From May 17-19, Dr. Robin Meyers will be speaking and conducting workshops at co-sponsoring churches, Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines and Congregational Church of Pinehurst. Call the church office for information.

The church is located at 895 Linden Road across from Elliott's restaurant. For information call the church office at (910) 295-2243, visit the website at youarewelcomehere.org, or see the Facebook page.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek Baptist Church will hold a prayer rally at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at Phillips Memorial Park, located on N.C. 24-27, Cameron.

The choir will perform a cantata at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24.

The church is located at 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron.

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

Rummage Sale

There will be a WMU spring rummage and hot dog sale Saturday, March 16, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the fellowship building next to First Baptist Church, West End, located at 5205 N.C. 211.

Proceeds will be used for missions

West End UMC

Each Monday evening, West End United Methodist Church will have a fellowship meal at 6 p.m., followed by a Lenten worship service at 7 p.m.

For more information, call the (910) 673-1371.

Bread of Life Ministry meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This ministry is for seniors and includes a time of fellowship and devotion with a home-cooked meal provided at a charge of $5 per person.

Welcome Home Bible Study will be held Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

The Mission Outreach Committee at West End United Methodist Church is having a spring flower sale to support their next mission trip to Peru. Spring flowers that will be available are: flats of begonias, vinca, and impatiens or six-inch potted geraniums. Flats contain 36 plants and are $13 each. Geraniums are $6.50 per plant.

To place an order, contact Mary Anne Lauer at (910) 281-0353 or lauere@hotmail.com or Jennifer Forsman at (910) 673-3409 or rjforsman2@aol.com. All orders are due by Monday, April 1, and payment is due upon pickup. Delivery of flats will be on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at the church.

Holy Week Services

March 24, Palm Sunday, Easter cantata by the Chancel Choir at the 11 a.m. service; March 25-27, at noon, worship service; March 28, Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. (during the Maundy Thursday service, members will gather for Holy Communion and be given the opportunity to participate in foot washing, as Jesus did with his disciples); March 29, noon Good Friday Service of Tenebrae; March 31, 6:45 a.m. sunrise service at West End Cemetery, followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at West End Baptist Church.

There will be 8:30 and 11 a.m. Easter services at West End UMC.

Living Word

The Living Word Ladies Bible Study meets every Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., at Yates Thagard Baptist Church, which is located at 3820 Vass-Carthage Road, Carthage.

This week's study is "Christ's Resurrection" and is taught by founder Katherine Caldwell. Nursery is provided.

Call (910) 949-3511 for information.

Ministerial Alliance

The Ministerial Alliance of Carthage is sponsoring Holy Week services at various churches March 25-28, at 7:30 p.m. Mount Olive A.M.E. Zion Church will host the Easter sunrise service at 6 a.m. The service will be led by the Rev. Valine Thompson or the Rev. Lincoln Blanding, and will be followed by breakfast.

On Monday, March 25, the Rev. Linwood Tuck will speak at Pleasant Hill Freewill Baptist Church; Tuesday, March 26, the Rev. Alice Kiney speaks at John Hall Presbyterian Church; Wednesday, March 27, the Rev. Susan K. Brooks speaks at Stoney Hill Freewill Baptist Church; and Thursday, March 28, the Rev. Joseph Thompson speaks at St. Mary Holiness Church.

Building Your Own

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills is offering a 10-session course titled "Building Your Own Theology" the fourth Sunday of each month from noon to 2 p.m., beginning March 24.

Based on the assumption that everyone is their own theologian, this classic UU adult education program invites participants to develop their own personal credos, the fundamental religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and direct the living of their lives.

You do not have to be a Unitarian Universalist to attend. Meeting location is at the Whispering Pines Community Building, located on Rays Bridge Road, Whispering Pines. The course is $18 for materials.

If interested, contact Liz Harry at liz_harry 12@yahoo.com.

West End Presbyterian

West End Presbyterian will be holding a yard sale Saturday, April 6, in the church's activities building, the Crawford Center.

Many items will be for sale, including clothing, furniture, toys and many other assorted items. Proceeds from the yard sale will go to help pay for the church sending a mission team to Mexico this summer.

The church has had a relationship with a sister church in Chetumal, Mexico, for more than a decade, and has sent a number of mission groups to Mexico to help with projects there and to build relationships. This year seven high school youth and a number of adults will travel to Mexico to do more mission work.

Passion/Palm Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, March 24, with worship beginning at 11 a.m. The church will offer a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. on March 28 and a Good Friday worship service at 7 p.m. on March 29. Easter Sunday worship will begin on March 31 at 11 a.m.

The new Presbyterian Men's group met for the first time over breakfast on Sunday morning, March 3, with nearly 20 men in attendance. The group is planning several mission projects later this year.

West End Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The church is located on Knox Lane, one block west of N.C. 211, in West End.

Southern Pines UMC

The Southern Pines United Methodist Church Jubilee Choir (sixth grade and older) will perform a Lenten cantata, accompanied by the Praise Band, at the 8:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 17.

The Adult Ensemble will present a traditional Lenten cantata titled "In His Hands" for the 11 a.m. service, also on March 17.

On Sunday, March 17, the SPUMC Susanna Wesley Circle will sponsor a BeadforLife sale. BeadforLife is a nonprofit organization that creates income-generating opportunities for Ugandan women living on a dollar a day. Jewelry will be available for purchase in the fellowship hall after the 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services.

"Please help us take a small step toward eradicating poverty among these women," says a church spokesperson.

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. southern pinesumc.org.

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

Culdee Presbyterian

On Sunday, March 17, Culdee Presbyterian Church will have a baked spaghetti dinner for missions.

Guest speaker will be McKenzie Bryson, a young lady who went to Africa last year to help missionaries at their compound. She is the granddaughter of Linda and Lionel Bryson

On Saturday, March 23, at 5 p.m., Haitian Pastor Sidor and Darrell Cheek, of Hands International, will give members a personal peek inside the hearts and lives of our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ. Sylvia and Nelson Pusser, who recently were in Haiti, will also be there to share their experiences.

For information or directions, call the church office (910) 295-6685.

Bible Lesson

"Substance" is the subject of the March 17 church service at 10 a.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 240 E. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines.

A printout of the Bible lesson is available from the Christian Science Reading Room or online through subscription. The Reading Room is at 173-A NE Broad St. It is close to the Southern Pines Railroad station and open weekdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Call (910) 692-7759.

Yard Sale

There will be a "free yard sale Saturday, March 16, from 8 to 10 a.m. at New Covenant Fellowship, 1305 Hulsey Road, Carthage.

NCF is located between New Century Middle School and Union Pines High.

"Everyone is welcomed to come out and participate in this 'free' yard sale and nonperishable food give away as long as supplies last," says a spokesman.

For information, call (910) 947-1412.

Guest Speaker

Helen Little, a Haiti missionary who was recently featured on WRAL-TV, will be the guest speaker Sunday, March 17, at the 11 a.m. worship service at Center United Methodist Church, 4141 S. Plank Road, Sanford.

There will be a meal served afterward with monies going to the Community Building Center in Haiti.

Crafts made by the Haitians will be available for purchase.

Bethesda Presbyterian

On Palm Sunday, March 24, children will process into the sanctuary of Bethesda Presbyterian Church, waving palm branches announcing the arrival of Jesus. The Chancel Choir will presenting the cantata "Walk Worthy," by Joseph M. Martin. An Easter egg hunt will be held in the afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. Everyone should come to the fellowship hall to participate.

Thursday, March 28, is Maundy Thursday. The service will be held at 7 p.m. and Communion will be served by intinction. The service will look at the final hours of Jesus' life, and the sanctuary will be stripped.

Good Friday is March 29. At the noon hour, the bells in the tower will ring to signify the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The sanctuary will be open between noon and 2 p.m. for anyone who would like to come and reflect on the day's events.

People will be able to write a burden that they want to be relieved of, a prayer need or anything else they want to lift up and nail it to the cross in the sanctuary.

At 7 p.m., there will be a tenebrae service.

Easter Sunrise services will be held at 7 a.m. at Old Bethesda Cemetery, located on N.C. 5, east of Aberdeen. A drama re-enacting the finding of an empty tomb will be presented during the service.

The 11 a.m. service will be held at the main church on U.S. 1 South in Aberdeen. Congregation members will be bringing fresh flowers to adorn the cross in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Chancel Choir will sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah."

Visit www.bethesdapres.net or call the church at (910) 944-1319 for more information.

Culdee Presbyterian

Culdee Presbyterian Church will hold a Palm Sunday service at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 24, during which the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gail Meeks, will present the cantata "It Is Finished."

A Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. Communion will also be served.

A Good Friday service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 29.

For more information or directions to the church, call (910) 295-6685.

Study of Daniel

A Bible study on the book of Daniel will be led by Bill Demastus at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, located at 1002 N. Sandhills Blvd. on U.S. 1, in Aberdeen, Thursday evenings from April 4-June 20.

A catered meal will be served at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall, and the study will begin at 7 p.m. Call the church office at (910) 944-1319 to register for the study and the meal (optional). There is no charge for the study.

Youth Rally

The Northern Moore Crusade Committee in Robbins will hold a youth rally, Saturday, March 16, with Evangelist Scott Ferguson, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Brown's Chapel Christian Church, located at 608 Brown's Chapel Road in Robbins.

There will be music and games, including moon bounces, teen volleyball tournament, corn hole, relay races, three-on-three basketball tournaments, and food. There will be awards, prizes and much more.

For more information, call (910) 464-3697.

"There is no cost for this event," says a spokesman.

Women's History

Women of every age and denomination are honored for their contributions to society during Womens' History Month.

The Christian Science Reading Room at 173 NE Broad St. in Southern Pines will be featuring an American woman who founded what has become a world wide religion.

Mary Baker Eddy published her major work "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" in 1875 at the age of 54. The ideas in the book grew out of her life-long search for healing. Many of her ideas ran counter to the currents of 19th-century society, medicine and religion.

Undaunted by the lack of many basic rights afforded to women of her day, Eddy persevered. She took up desperate cases of illness and healed them. She lectured and preached, established a teaching college, founded a church, started several magazines and a publishing society and, at the age of 87, founded a daily newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, "to injure no man but to bless all mankind."

Many today are appreciating the foundational role her life and writings have played in fueling today's discussions of spirituality and healing. Her book was voted one of "75 books by women whose words have changed the world" by the Women's National Book Association. During March, some 10 of the many biographies will be available at the Reading Room.

The Reading Room is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (910) 692-7759 for information.

Greater Glory

The 18th Founders Week Celebration at Greater Glory Pentecostal Deliverance Ministry honoring Executive Chief Apostle Michael S. Dixon will be held Wednesday, March 13, through Sunday, March 17. Service times are 7:30 p.m. nightly and Sunday at 11 a.m.

Speakers include Pastor Tony Fairley, House of Refuge Deliverance Church, Hartsville, S.C., and Pastor Willie Gilmore, of Fellowship House of Prayer Church, Carthage (Wednesday); Minister Benjamin Harris, of St. Peter United Church of God, Eastwood community, and Pastor Maxine Beards, of Blessed Assurance Pentecostal Deliverance Church, Bennettsville, S.C. (Thursday); Pastor Jabarri Douglas, of Kingdom Worship Center, Washington, D.C., and Apostle Sherenna Glenn, of Greater Full Gospel Deliverance Church, of Laurinburg (Friday).

It will conclude on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Renee McLean, Center of Deliverance Church, Fayetteville, Ga., and Pastor Charlotte Bryant, Praise Tabernacle Church Family, Siler City.

For more information, call Evangelist Vickie Kelly at (910) 281-2023 or (910) 281-0369.

Spring Revival

Spring revival services will be held at Brown's Chapel Christian Church in Robbins, March 17-20, with Evangelist Scott Ferguson.

Sunday service times will be 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

"Join us for prayer each night 15 minutes prior to the service," says a spokesman.

The church is located at 608 Brown's Chapel Road, in Robbins.

For more information, contact Pastor Michael Parenti at (910) 464-3697.

Emmanuel Episcopal

Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines will hold an outdoor Liturgy of the Palms on Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday), followed by a procession into the church for the reading of the Passion of Our Lord and Holy Eucharist at 9 and 11 a.m.

On Monday and Tuesday evenings in Holy Week, members will observe the Stations of the Cross in the church at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday evening of Holy Week at 6 p.m., the church will celebrate Tenebrae (Latin for "shadows" or "darkness"), an ancient Christian service marked by the gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms are recited.

On Maundy Thursday, members will celebrate a Service of Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing, following the actions of Our Lord on the night before he was handed over to be crucified. The service concludes with a stripping of the altar, and the congregation departing the darkened church.

On Good Friday, the church will observe the "Three Hours" with readings, psalms, prayers and a sermon from noon to 3 p.m. There are three distinct services beginning at noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. with time for prayer and meditation between each service. Soup and bread is also offered between each service. Worshipers are invited to attend any or all of the three services and are asked to quietly arrive a few minutes before the top of each hour.

On Easter Sunday morning, members will celebrate the ancient Great Easter Vigil at 6 a.m., marked by the kindling of a new flame in the darkness outside the church, followed by the chanting of the Exsultet by the light of the Paschal Candle.

The Holy Eucharist follows the glorious lighting of the church, with shouts of "Alleluia!" and ringing of the bells.

An Easter egg hunt follows the service on the church's grounds. And there are also two services of Festal Holy Eucharist at 9 and 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday morning.

For more information, Emmanuel's website is www.emmanuel-parish.org.

Day of Reflection

Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Church, in Biscoe, will have a Day of Reflection for seniors Thursday, April 4.

Monsignor Mo West will present "Growing in Age and Grace."

Check-in is from 10:30 to 11 a.m., with the program from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by a closing Mass.

The event is free, but registration is required as a light lunch will be provided.

The deadline for registration is Monday, March 25.

To register, contact Trudy Hintz at (910) 400-5034, representative of Our Lady of the Americas; or Sandra Breakfield at (704) 370-3220; or Sherill Beason at (704) 370-3228 at Catholic Social Services; or by sending your name, address, phone number and parish to: Catholic Social Services Elder Ministry, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, Attn: Sandra Breakfield.

West End Presbyterian

West End Presbyterian Church plans evening Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services for Holy Week coming up the last week in March. Passion/Palm Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, March 24, with worship beginning at 11 a.m. The church will offer a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. on March 28 and a Good Friday worship service at 7 p.m. on March 29. Easter Sunday worship will begin on March 31 at 11 a.m.

West End Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The church is located on Knox Lane, one block west of N.C. 211, in West End.

Bible Study

Praise Temple Community Outreach will hold Bible study Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.

Contact Pastor James McNeill at (910) 384-4369 for more details.

St. Mary Magdalene

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, located at 1145 Seven Lakes Drive, Seven Lakes, announces special programs and services for the Lenten season.

March 14, at 6 p.m., >a light Lenten supper, Stations of the Cross Devotion follows.

March 21, at 6 p.m., >a light Lenten supper followed by Deacon Carol Burgess with a program on final arrangements, Stations of the Cross Devotion follows.

Holy Week Services include:

March 24, at 9:30 a.m., Palm Sunday Liturgy.

March 28, at 7 p.m., Maundy Thursday Liturgy.

March 29, at 12 noon, Good Friday Liturgy, Stations of the Cross Devotion follows.

March 31, at 7 a.m., Easter Sunrise Service at Lake Sequoia.

March 31, at 9:30 a.m., Easter Liturgy at the church building with traditional seasonal music.

For more information, visit our website at http://stmm. dionc.org.

Page Memorial

Holy Week services at Page Memorial UMC include: March 24 - Palm Sunday Service, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; March 27 - Lenten Luncheon at noon, $5; March 28 - Holy Thursday Service - Last Supper 7 p.m.; March 29 - Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 7 p.m.; Easter Sunday - Community Sunrise Service at Bethesda Cemetery 7 a.m.; Easter Sunday Service - Page Memorial UMC 8:30 and 11 a.m.

The church is located at the corner of Main and Poplar streets, in Aberdeen.

Lenten Lunches

The Lenten Lunches at Page Memorial United Methodist Church provide opportunities for spiritual reflection, Christian conversation and meals. The lunches will be held Wednesdays at noon, through March 27, in the fellowship hall. The cost is $5 and includes a home-cooked meal, dessert and a time of ministry and fellowship.

March 13 - the Rev. Won Namkoong, West End United Methodist Church. Menu: beef tips/rice, squash casserole, green beans, rolls and dessert.

March 20 - the Rev. Mike Branscomb, First Baptist Church. Menu: chicken and broccoli casserole, apple waldorf salad, lima beans, rolls and dessert.

March 27 - the Rev. Jane Leechford, Page Memorial United Methodist Church. Menu: mixed green salad topped with grilled chicken, muffins and dessert.

Friday Fish Dinners

St. Anthony of Padua Church, located at N. Ashe Street and E. Vermont Avenue in Southern Pines, will once again offer Friday fish dinners during the Lenten season. The final date is March 22. Fried or baked fish is available with sides of french fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, Italian-style green beans, fruit cup and choice of drink.

Cost of the dinners is $8 adult, children under 12, $5. There is no charge for children under 5 years old. The dinners are available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dine in or take out.

For more information, call (910) 281-4320.

Lenten Services

Our Saviour Lutheran Church will hold Wednesday evening services in the fellowship hall throughout Lent.

All services will begin with a light dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the service at 7. A free will offering will be collected to cover the cost of the dinner.

For more information, call (910) 692-2662.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church is at 1517 Luther Way in Southern Pines.

Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart Catholic Church announces special services for the Lenten season.

Stations of the Cross will be held Fridays during Lent at noon (except on Good Friday).

All Fridays in Lent are days of full abstinence from meat and meat products.

Good Friday (March 29) is a day of fast and full abstinence.