CHINA GROVE ó South China Grove Church of God, 163 Third Ave., will host a unique prayer service titled “Into the Holy of Holies” Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Using the Tabernacle of Moses as an example, participants will learn how to use the pieces of furniture in the tabernacle as a pattern for prayer, leading them into the presence of God. The Rev. Joyce Miles has conducted this service in prayer conferences in various denominations in North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Trinidad, Ukraine and Russia. Former participants have said this service changed forever the way they pray.
The public is invited to participate. For more information, call 704-467-4555.
Epiphany service
The Rowan County Lutheran Association of Musicians and Pastors will sponsor a community Epiphany worship opportunity Sunday at 7 p.m. The service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Landis.
A time of fellowship is scheduled to follow.
The Rev. Sherrill Curtis will be preaching. A retired high school history teacher, Curtis currently serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dallas, N.C.
Gospel program
WOODLEAF ó The Pilgrimaires of Salisbury will present the 2008 Annual New Year Gospel program Sunday beginning at 4 p.m. at Freedom United Church of God on Hart Road in Woodleaf.
In addition to the Pilgrimaires, there will be performances by the Anointed Vessels, the New Voices of Faith, the Voices of Morningstar, the Messengers for Christ and the Voices of Deliverance.
Emcee for the event will be Roland Carter of Lexington. There will be food for sale.
For more information, call Sandra Cornelius, 704-968-3039, or Pastor Rudolph Cornelius, 704-798-8470.
St. John’s Lutheran
Lay Speaker David Willingham will open an Epiphany series based on the book of Acts with “Part of Something Big” at St. John’s Lutheran Church Center Celebration on Sunday.
The series, titled “Seeing Clearly: the Church,” is an effort to gain a clear view of “church” and will focus on the growing understanding of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in shaping the church.
Pastor Jennifer Ginn will follow on Jan. 13 with a selection also based on Acts called “Part of Something Small,” which explores the growth of the church.
The final three sessions will be led by Pastor John Propst and will complete the Epiphany season with readings from Acts that undertake the topics of “Finding the Right Fit” in joining church and participating in membership; “Imperfect but Empowered,” which undertakes to explain how the modern church makes a difference in the lives of those involved; and culminates with “Sharing the Church” as an invitation to share the moving experiences of church with others.
St. John’s is located at 200 W. Innes St. and is handicapped accessible.
‘Celebrate Recovery’
Trinity Wesleyan Church is excited to announce a new ministry for the community beginning Jan. 6 called “Celebrate Recovery.” This free program will meet at 6 p.m. on Sunday evenings.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, Bible-based 12-Step Recovery Program. The purpose is to focus on God’s healing power while working through the 12-Step Program and the eight Beatitude Principles.
This tried and proven recovery process combines the dynamics of small groups, sponsors, accountability partners and special occasions for those struggling with addictions, obsessions, habits, co-dependency, childhood/relational hurts and other difficult life experiences. Celebrate Recovery groups study, pray, share and take the steps necessary to experience a better life in Jesus Christ.
The following men and women can benefit:
n Anyone seeking a new and more meaningful life.
n The addicted and/or their family members.
n The guilty, sad or compulsive.
n Anyone in need of recovery.
Trinity Wesleyan Church is located at 2200 Mooresville Road.
For more information call 704-209-9968 or 704-633-2884, or e-mail: crecovery@earthlink.net.
Luther’s Lutheran
RICHFIELD ó Luther’s Lutheran Church in rural Richfield will begin a contemporary Sunday evening service on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
SNL (Sunday Night at Luther’s) will feature contemporary music and sound biblical teaching. Holy Communion will be offered the first Sunday evening of every month. Although the service is geared toward young adults and families, everyone is welcome to attend.
When asked why the church is beginning this new service, Pastor Carol Yeager replied, “Not everyone can make it to worship on Sunday morning, and this is our way of reaching out to those folks. Jesus didn’t limit his teaching to one time; he reached out with the gospel message to everyone at all times. The church today needs to have that same flexibility and meet the needs of everyone, especially those who work on Sunday mornings or can’t make it out then for other reasons. The important thing is that the gospel is proclaimed and believers gather together to worship.”
Luther’s Lutheran Church is located at the intersection of Stokes Ferry Road and Richfield/High Rock Road.