Dr. Timothy Olsen, organist, the Kenan Professor of Organ at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, will be in concert at St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes Street, Sunday at 3 p.m. in the main church. Olsen will play the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in celebration of Bach's 325th birthday on St. John's 80 rank Casavant Pipe Organ.

Olsen also teaches at Salem College, and prior to his appointment to UNCSA in 2009, he was the Wanda L. Bass Chair of Organ and University Organist at Oklahoma City University for four years.

A native of Frost, Minn., Olsen began his study of the organ at the age of 13 with Sandra Krumholz of Fairmont, Minn., and went on to further study with Peter Nygaard at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., where he received a Bachelor of Music in 1997. He continued his study as a student of David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in organ performance and literature as well as a Master of Arts in music theory pedagogy.

The concert is open and free to the public and is made possible by a gift from Dr. Dale Higbee, director of Carolina Baroque.

FUMC Bach celebration

First United Methodist Church's music department will host a birthday bash to celebrate the 35th birthday of composer Jonn Sebastian Bach this Sunday at 7 p.m. in the church's sanctuary. The celebration will feature actors Alan and Marilyn England and Joe Melton, all from Davidson. Joining them to play select organ works of Bach will be organists Matthew Michael Brown of First UMC in Salisbury, H. David Pulliam of Christ Episcopal Church in Martinsville, Va., and Brennan Szafron of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, S.C. Together, they will present Thurston Moore's famed multimedia musical dramatization titled, "Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach."

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a theologian, musician, philosopher and physician who long associated himself with the music of Bach, particularly as it relates to it theological insight. Alan England will play the role of Albert Schweitzer. The evening will feature several of Bach's most celebrated organ works, including the famed Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

All firstARTS events are free and open to the public. Following the performance, a birthday cake extravaganza will follow in the church fellowship hall.

For more information, contact the church office at 704-636-3121.

It's bananas

Calling all teens on March 20 from 5-8 p.m. The Mix youth ministry invites teens ages 12-18 for a night that will be totally bananas, including games and technology, skateboarding, shooting pool, Nerf Warz (BYONG) and a showdown on the dance floor.

There will also be all-you-can-eat banana splits, banana pudding, chocolate-dipped bananas and banana shakes. The Mix offers a safe, positive environment for teens and meets at The Education Building, 315 Webb Rd.

Gospel explosion

The Rose of Sharon Holiness Church, 255 Camp Rd., is sponsoring a gospel explosion March 20 beginning at 4 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m. Appearing on the program is The Deanisty of Kannapolis, Ray and the Keys, David Bronne and the Tears of Joy, both of Charlotte and others. Chicken and fish plates will be sold in the fellowship hall beginning at 1 p.m. for $8. Proceeds go to the general fund. The Rev. Charles L. Booker is pastor.

For more information call the church at 704-637-8087.

Carrington in concert

The Community Fellowship Mass Choir of Lexington will feature national recording artist Rev. D. Kenyatta Carrington of Atlanta in concert on March 20 at 6 p.m.

The choir is under the direction of Gene Barron Smith, who will be assisting Carrington. The concert will be held at the Files Chapel Baptist Church, 900 Dixie St., Lexington, where the pastor is the Rev. John Cade.

Fairview Heights

Fairview Heights Missionary Baptist Church will hold a spring revival at 7 p.m. nightly, March 24-26. Wednesday night, the Rev. Darryl Scott of Union Chapel AME Zion Church in Lexington will speak. Thursday, the Rev. William Cowan of New Bethel Baptist Church in Mocksville will speak. Friday, the Rev. John Cabe of Files Chapel Baptist Church in Lexington will speak.

The church will also be having will be having a fish fry and hot dog fundraiser on March 20th from 10 a.m. until.

Croaker, whiting and catfish sandwiches and plates, hot dogs, sodas and desserts will be served. All proceeds will benefit the building fund.

Curb service is offered or guests may dine in. The church is located at 704 Old Concord Road. For information, call 704-637-2944.

Men's Chorus

The Men's Chorus at St. Luke Baptist Church, 410 Hawkinstown Road, will celebrate their 13th anniversary today at 5 p.m. The program is open to the public.

The Rev. Arthur L. Heggins is pastor.

Men and Women of Power fellowship

Grace Deliverance Tabernacle, Inc., 1237 Old W. Innes St., hosts Men and Women of Power fellowship March 20 from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Dr. Patricia Trueblood is speaker and host pastor. For more information, call 704-637-6510.

Spring revival

Ministry of Christ Outreach Holiness Church, 220 E. Horah St., is having its Spring Revival starting March 21 at 4 p.m. with Bishop Kevin Bost, pastor of World of Faith Outreach, Salisbury, as guest speaker. Doors open at 7 p.m. nightly through Friday. The Rev. Ernest Mach is host pastor.

Missionary Day

Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1570 N. Long St. extension, will celebrate its annual Missionary Day Sunday at the 11 a.m. service. The Rev. Barbara Hart, associate minister at First Calvary Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker. The program includes music by the Women of Jerusalem and a reader's theater narrative, followed by the announcement of the President's Choice Award, presented by Cynthia Stoner, 2010 president.

The Rev. David L. Bracken is pastor.

Hall's Chapel men

The Men's Fellowship of Hall's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 611 E. Monroe St., will have its fifth annual stewardship program March 21 at 4 p.m. Elder Plyler Hemphill and his congregation of Silver Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Concord will be in charge of the service.

Elder Richard Johnson is the host pastor.

Speaker on youth

Sunday and Monday, First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, 308 W. Fisher St., hosts Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Benton Family Associate Professor of Christian Education at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga. Nishioka holds degrees from Georgia State University, McCormick Theological Seminary, and Seattle Pacific University. He has worked extensively with youth and young adults and authored several books and articles about youth ministry. In addition, he was the recipient of the APCE Educator of the Year award.

Dr. Nishioka will preach at all three worship services on Sunday; sanctuary at 8:30 and 11 a.m. and Lewis Hall at 8:50 a.m. He will also speak at a congregational program in the evening at 6 p.m. in Lewis Hall. On Monday at 10 a.m. he will conduct a workshop for professionals and other interested parties.

For more information call 704-636-1321.

Calvary Baptist revival

Revival services begin at Calvary Baptist Church, East Ridge Road, March 21 and continue through Wednesday, March 24, featuring Rev. Dr. Brad Whitt, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Simpsonville, S.C.

Whitt holds a B. A. degree in religion and history and political science, a master of divinity degree and a doctorate of ministry degree in expository preaching. During his ministry at Temple, Whitt has seen the church more than double in Sunday school attendance and increase in worship attendance by more than 33 percent.

Special nights are designated throughout the revival week. Sunday is Children's Night, followed by Sunday School Night, Membership Night and Youth Night.

Nursery care will be provided. Host pastor is Rick Cockerham.

For information, contact the church office at 704-633-2567.

Annual Crusade

The Salisbury District of the AME Zion Church will have its annual Evangelistic Crusade March 22-25 at 7 p.m. nightly. The Monday event will be at Varick Auditorium, Livingstone College, with special guest Chris Martin, "Play" of "Kid and Play" hip hop fame. He has recently appeared on the Monique Show, signed a contract for the 20th anniversary of "House Party," the "Kid and Play" film series and written a book. Martin is Artist in Residence at North Carolina Central University, where he teaches hip hop culture.

The Livingstone College Choir will also perform. There is no admission fee. An offering will be taken.

The Tuesday, March 23-Thursday, March 25 services will be at Moore's Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee Street, and will feature the preaching of district pastors.

Jeff & Sheri Easter

TROY — Southern gospel artists Jeff and Sheri Easter, best known for their appearances in Bill Gaither's Videos, will be performing at the James H. Garner Center, 210 Burnette St., Troy, on March 27 at 7:00 p.m.

The concert is sponsored by the West Montgomery Lions Club and all profits will be used for Lions charitable projects.

Tickets are $20 for reserved seating and $15 at the door. Call 704-985-6987 or jbranch205@windstream.net.

UMA fellowship

The United Ministerial Alliance will hold its third Sunday Evening Fellowship service March 21 at 7 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church, Dunn Mountain Road.

The keynote speaker will be the Dr. W. T. Jackson, pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Paul Jones is pastor.

Women in WhiteTrinity Presbyterian Chruch will hold "Women in White" Sunday at 6 p.m.

Dr. Catrelia Steele Hunter, past national moderator of Presbyterian Women Churchwide will be the speaker.

The theme of the program is "Women of Faith, Lend a Hand."

Women from other churches in and around Rowan County have been invited to participate. The program is sponsored by the Presbyterian Women of Trinity.

The Rev. Olin Bruner is pastor.

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