FUMC holds women's retreat

The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church are sponsoring a two-day women's retreat Feb. 5-6 called "The Rooms of Your Life."

The retreat will be at the church. All women in the Salisbury area are invited to attend. Jean Padgett of Chapin, S.C. will speak. She will present an inspirational program using a miniature dollhouse to demonstrate that our heart is Christ's home. She compares the rooms of the house to daily activities, relationships, spiritual growth, and ministry. She will lead each participant through a spiritual journey as she covers six areas of our spiritual home.

The schedule will be: Friday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are available in the FUMC church office for $25. The fee will cover Jean's presentation, a program workbook, and three meals.

For more information, contact Sharon Smith at 704-279-8680 or FUMC at 704-636-3121.

Ushers Day program at Providence

Providence AME Zion Church will observe its annual Ushers Day program at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10.

The Rev. David Rankin, pastor of South Iredell AME Zion Church, Troutman, will be guest speaker. Rankin will be accompanied by his congregation.

The public is invited to participate in this occasion.

The church is located at 2415 Providence Church Road in Salisbury.

Hebrew class

A Hebrew class is scheduled to begin weekly at Jabez Family Outreach, starting Jan. 19, on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. Beginners Biblical Hebrew will be taught by Chalmers Van Deusen of Gastonia. The class lasts for 17 weeks.

Van Deusen has a bachelor's degree in German and a master's degree in economics from Clemson University, as well as a master's degree in German from the University of Washington. He has done post-graduate linguistics studies at various institutions, including the Summer Institute of Linguistic of Wycliffe Bible Translators at the University of Washington and the Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat in Munich, Germany.

Jabez Family Outreach is located at 990 Airport Road in Salisbury. Fee and registration are required. Seating is limited. Call 636-1415 to register.

John Lucas speaks

CHINA GROVE — The South China Grove Church of God will hear special speaker, the Rev. John Lucas, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10.

Lucas has experience as a pastor and evangelist and presently serves at the Church of God Children's Home in Kannapolis. The public is invited to enjoy his unique ministry style. In addition, the Conference on Healing will continue in the 11 a.m. Sunday service with prayer for the sick following.

For more information, call the pastor, the Rev. Joyce Miles, at 704-467-4555.

Gospel Fest 2010

New Beginning Church of God will host a concert at 3 p.m. Jan. 17.

Performing will be The Gospel Traveliers of the Carolinas, New Beginning Male Chorus of Kannapolis, Anointed Voices of Salisbury, Bishop Fred Thomas and The Voices of Faith of Charlotte.

Also performing are Pastor Annie Thomas and the Bright Stars of Charlotte, Heavenly Voices of Concord, Aires of Salvation of Salisbury, Spiritual Sons of God of Mooresville, New Voices of Faith of Mocksville, and others.

For more information, please contact Bishop Gene Roseman at 704-938-2088 or 704-630-0126.

'Praize Riot'

KANNAPOLIS — Eddie Brown Jr. and the Cabarrus County Music and Arts Seminar will host "Praize Riot 2010 Part IV" at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Greater Mt. Calvary Fire Baptized Holiness Church in Kannapolis.

Featured will be the Belfonte Presbyterian Church Mass Choir, Divine Praise, the Rev. Joseph David III and Prophetic Praise, Union Baptist Adult Mimes, Precious Pearls Praise Dancers, Voices of Hope Recovery Choir and the Richmond County Senior High Gospel Choir.

Also performing are Restricted Praise (UNCC), Shiloh Baptist Praise Team and the Voices of Eden Ensemble (UNCC).

The church is located at 500 Celia St., Kannapolis.

Farewell reception for the Rev. Propst

Family, friends and community members are invited to join St. John's Lutheran Church as they honor interim Pastor John Propst with a farewell reception.

Propst has had a hand in rearing many Lutheran youth through his work at Lutheridge in Arden. Propst and his wife, Liz, recently retired from Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church and moved to Lutheridge. The couple enjoys membership at Nativity Lutheran Church, where Propst is youth minister, leads many retreats for Lutheridge and is active with TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreats.

His love for family and children is an important ministry in the sermons and lessons he has brought to the Rowan community. Many at St. John's will remember "the duck" or the walk his son Austin took to pick flowers in the park. Parishioners at St. John's and locals will remember him for the frequently worn neckties featuring photos of his grandchildren.

During his tenure at St. John's, Propst welcomed new members, initiated new programs and defined church goals. Most certainly, Propst welcomed children to the community of worshippers and sought to make the church experience family oriented.

The celebration for his service to the congregation and community will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the 11 a.m. service Sunday, Jan. 17. His interim began in December of 2007.

His final day at St. John's is Jan. 17. Debbie Martin will host the reception.

Deacon ordination

Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church will conduct a Deacon Ordination Service at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 10. Deacons to be ordained are Anthony Mangham and Berlin Torrence.

The speaker for this event is the Rev. John E. Jones, pastor of United Missionary Baptist Church in Kannapolis and moderator of the Guiding Light Missionary Baptist Association. Rev. Rodney B. Eldridge is the host pastor.

Living the Dream

Everyone is invited to be part of the 'Living the Dream' celebration at 6 p.m. Jan. 10. at the Cornerstone campus (The Event Center). Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream will be revealed in a unique display of God's gifts.

Dove Award Winner and recording artist LaRue Howard will perform. At a young age, LaRue had a desire to bridge the racial gap through her music, and God answered her prayers. The center's address is 315 Webb Road.