Grace United Methodist Church will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Dec. 6.
Grace held its first worship service on Dec. 4, 1989, in a storefront on South Main Street. Since then, they have worshiped in another South Main building and on Newsome Road.
The first service in the current building on Faith Road was on Dec. 24, 2000.
The founding pastor of Grace, the Rev. David Lawrence, will be the guest preacher at the 11 a.m. service on Dec. 6. Two pastors who were commissioned into the ministry from Grace, Jim Brookshire and Erin Grot Yow, will also participate in the service.
Special music will be provided by the choir. Congregational hymns will be selected from favorites that were used in 1989. Charter members will also be recognized.
Following the service, there will be a covered dish meal. Members and guests will be able to view a display of memorabilia from the past 20 years.
All friends of Grace, former members and visitors are welcome to attend the event.
First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury will celebrate the first Sunday of Advent on Nov. 29 with a Service of Wholeness and Healing at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary; Advent Gathering (refreshments and fellowship) at 9:30 in the Fellowship Hall; Sunday school for all ages at 10 a.m.; and one service of worship on this fifth Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Sanctuary Choir, Cherub Choir with Jean Wurster, flute will lead in worship. The Rev. Dr. James C. Dunkin will preach, and his sermon title is “Promises, Promises.”
The Candle of Hope will be lighted at in the worship service. All are welcome.
United Christian Fellowship workshop
United Christian Fellowship Church will host a free workshop titled “Preparing for Homeownership” at 10 a.m. Dec. 5.
The workshop is available to residents of Salisbury and the surrounding areas.
The church is located at 118 Miller Chapel Road in Salisbury. RSVP by calling 704-633-0893.
Waller featured
Marie Waller of Marie Waller Ministries will be singing at the 5th Sunday night Singing at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2300 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, this Sunday at 6 p.m.
There will be a free-will offering taken. Everyone is invited.
Singles ministry
South China Grove United Methodist Church is starting a singles ministry. The organizational meeting is 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 in the fellowship hall of the church.
Any singles are invited to attend regardless of their church affiliation. They will have fellowship, devotions, a meal, and plan their future. The meal will be ordered in Dutch treat style.
Walk Thru Bethlehem
The Camp Wesley 6th annual Walk Thru Bethlehem is coming on two weekends: 6-9 p.m.. Fridays, Dec 4 and 11, and 2-9 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12. More daytime hours have been added to accommodate families and those who don’t like to go out at night. They expect over 200 actors and 4000 visitors this year.
Camp Wesley will again host the walk at their central location on Deal Road (extension of Linwood Road) between Mooresville and Kannapolis.
The community is invited to the lively, interactive, biblical-era marketplace with crafts, food and music. Travel back in time to register for the census and then be led by shepherds in search of the newborn Messiah.
The event is free and is sponsored by partner churches: Central UMC, First Presbyterian, Lake Norman Fellowship, St. Therese Catholic, St. Luke Orthodox, Triplett UMC, Beulah Heights Wesleyan, Unity UMC and Camp Wesley and associated churches.
For more information, or if you or your church want to help, contact Carol Welch 704-763-4700, carol@WalkThruBethlehem.org.
See www.walkthrubetehlehem.org.
Macedonia MissionaryThere will be a fellowship evening service at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 2865 Enon Church Road, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29.
The speaker will be the pastor, Dr. W.T. Jackson.
Gospel concert
South China Grove Church of God will host a gospel concert Sunday at 6:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary at 163 Third Ave.
Featured soloist Sandy Wise Howell will minister in the service. Visitors are welcome to attend.
Following the service, the Ladies Ministries will be serving hot dogs in the church fellowship hall for donations to benefit their ministries.
For more information call the pastor, the Rev. Joyce Miles at 704-467-4555.
Coolemee Christmas
This year’s Old-Time Christmas Celebration in Cooleemee will feature something new for this area, a tradition beloved in many parts of the New World.
“Las Posadas” means “The Inns” and it re-enacts Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to have the baby Jesus.
According to the Rev. Fred Clarkson, “In the biblical Christmas story, the expectant mother and her husband find no place at the inn. The rebuff and final welcoming will make up ‘The Inns’ procession to several houses on Church Street.”
It will end with a pinata for the children at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and refreshments in the parish hall.
“Las Posadas” will commence from the front porch of the Zachary House following the community celebration that will begin at 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. Santa will be making a visit; there will be Christmas carols, a reading of the Christmas story from Luke, a fudge contest as well as punch, hot coffee and lots of homemade cookies.
Rags to Riches
Faith Lutheran Church will sponsor a Family Christmas Extravaganza on Dec. 5. It will be an evening of Christmas fun for the whole family.
The theme for the Extravaganza will be “The Gingerbread Boy.” Beginning at 5 p.m. there will be a gingerbread building activity for children and parents, grandparents, friends and youth groups. All involved will enjoy creating their own gingerbread houses while listening to stories told by retired teacher, Daisy Bost and retired media specialist, Ginger Smith.
At 6 p.m. a dinner theater will begin in the church family life center. Adults will have a steak dinner and children a chicken nugget plate.
Following the meal there will be a performance by a traveling theatre troupe called “Rags to Riches.” The troupe has entertained the young and the young at heart since 1993.
“Rags to Riches” pulls stories from history, literature and fantasy. The performance includes music, laughter, and improvisation. The show will include audience participation.
Actors Lou and Melody Peters will teach the audience songs, shouts, moves and dances. Participants could become trees, birds or even croaking frogs.
The play to be presented will be “The Gingerbread Boy.”
Faith Lutheran is located at 205 S. Main St. in Faith. The Rev. Clarence E. Sifford Jr. is pastor.
Tickets are available for the Christmas Extravaganza by calling 704-279-2500 or 704-279-2750 by Nov. 30.
Salisbury AME Zion
Fifth Sunday Fellowship for the Salisbury District AME Zion churches will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. The location has been changed to Sandy Ridge AME Zion Church in Landis. The message will be delivered by the Rev. Kirk Reid, pastor of New Hope AME Zion Church in Spencer. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation. Dinner will be served from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. for a donation of $10. Please reserve a dinner by calling 704-855-5357. The Rev. Herbert R. Warren Jr. is presiding elder of the Salisbury District AME Zion churches. The Rev. Anthony Freeman is host pastor.
Rowan and Davie Deacons Alliance
The Rowan and Davie County Deacons Alliance will have its fifth Sunday worship service Sunday at 4 p.m. at The Tower of Power United Holy Church, 601 E. Cemetery St. in Salisbury.
The Rev. Clayton Ruggs, associate minister of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Salisbury ,will speak. The Rev. William D. Turner is host pastor.
Guiding Light Baptist
The Guiding Light Baptist Association churches will be having a combined morning service at Mount Zion Boyden Quarters located at 1765 White Road in Salisbury.
Sunday school will be at 9:45 a.m. and the morning message will be from the Rev. W.T. Jackson Sr. of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
All choirs will be combined together to sing for the morning service.