KANNAPOLIS ó As First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis prepares for its Centennial Celebration in 2009, it will honor all those who have been active members of the church for a total of 60 years or more.
During the 10:55 a.m. worship service this Sunday, the church will celebrate the faithful service of 28 members who will reach that milestone of 60 years at the time of the Centennial Celebration next year. The congregation will honor them with a certificate and flower.
The member who has been active the longest is Ruth Taylor Griffin, who joined the church as a child on Sept. 23, 1923, and has been a member for 84 years. She has been unable to attend worship in recent years due to health reasons, but does hope to be present for this celebration.
The public is welcome to join with the congregation in this celebration.
For more information, call 704-938-4623 or visit www.FirstPresb.org.
Antioch Baptist
GRANITE QUARRY ó The pastor and members of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church will observe Women’s Day on Sunday with services at 11 a.m., speaker First Lady Peggy Johnson; and 3 p.m., speaker the Rev. Sonya Ellerbe of United Christian Fellowship Church, along with her choir and congregation.
The Rev. Rickey Johnson is pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 602 S. Salisbury Ave., Granite Quarry.
Dorsett Chapel
Dorsett Chapel United Church of Christ is holding its Women’s Weekend today and Sunday.
Various workshops will be held today from 9:30 a.m.-noon. The speakers are Willette Johnson of New Zion Baptist Church, the Rev. Stacey Rhinehart of Yadkin Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Minister Marian Thompson of Mount Calvary Holy Church Worship Center and Tonya Cross and Carolyn Blanton, both of Dorsett Chapel.
A luncheon will be held immediately following the workshops.
On Sunday, Minister Tina Scott, of Life in the Word Fellowship International Inc., will be the 11 a.m. guest speaker.
Genesis Baptist
Genesis Baptist Church will host a revival beginning Sunday.
Evangelist Steve Gunter will speak at the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. worship services Sunday. He will also speak Monday, through Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Dr. Gunter started the Steve Gunter Ministries in 2001 and preaches 50 meetings each year. He received his associate degree from Moody Bible Institute and his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from Southern Baptist School of Biblical Studies in Jacksonville, Fla.
He and his wife of 27 years, Margie, reside in Whittier, and have two children and one grandchild. Brother Steve pastored 18 years before he went into full-time evangelism seven years ago.
The Genesis Choir and special singers will provide music. A nursery will be available.
Genesis is located at 9710 Old Concord Salisbury Road, China Grove.
For directions or more information, call the Rev. Gene Edwards, pastor of Genesis, at 704-490-6873.
Cruise-In
Neel Road Baptist Church is sponsoring a Cruise-In today from 3-7 p.m. The public can bring their classic or notso-classic cars to the church to show them off before the masses, or just come to look.
Concessions will be available, and proceeds will benefit Neel Road’s Youth Ministry. This will also be a chance to meet the new youth minister Graham Cuthbertson and his new wife, Andrea.
Calvary Baptist VBS
Vacation Bible School at Calvary Baptist Church will begin Sunday at 4 p.m. “The Amazing Steve Somers,” magician and founder of Amazing Productions, will lead this kick-off. His company produces biblically-based educational and inspirational presentations designed to train, motivate and inspire young and old alike.
Somer’s ministry has taken him throughout the United States over the past 30 years, performing more than 2,500 programs, including Upward sports programs and awards night celebrations. He is a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., where he received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in ministry degrees.
In addition to his present ministry, Somers has taught in college and is certified in curriculum development.
Vacation Bible School at Calvary will have activities for preschool through adults. Special give-a-ways will be given to those helping the most with the attendance.
On Thursday night, the week will climax with the construction of a 65-foot banana split.
Calvary Baptist Church is located on East Ridge Road, just beyond Ellis Crossroads.
For more information, call the church office, 704-633-2567. Youth Pastor is Dewayne Lambeth.
Mount Zion
The congregation of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 141st annual homecoming today and Sunday.
Activities will include a Community Appreciation Fellowship Picnic beginning at 11 a.m. on the church campus. Residents of the surrounding neighborhood have been invited as guests for the cookout, games and T-shirt distribution.
Events will include the Salisbury Fire Department at noon, storytelling by the Rowan Public Library at 2 p.m. and Gospel fest at 4 p.m. Associate Minister Patrick Millner will serve as deejay, providing special music throughout the festivities.
Sunday’s activities begin with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. The Creative Expression Ministry, Incredible Praise Ministry and Kingdom Builders Voices of Praise of Mount Zion will lead worship. The Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II, pastor and senior minister, will lead the worship. Dress is “come as you are.”
The messenger will be the Rev. William H. Clayton, pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson. He has served as pastor there since 2005.
Previously, he served as pastor of Eastern Star Baptist Church in Tarboro where he led in reconstruction of the church building after Hurricane Floyd, and was instrumental in rebuilding efforts throughout Tarboro and Princeville.
Clayton has led St. James in such areas as after school programs for at risk students, a pediatric HIV/AIDS support group and addressing issues of STDs and violence. He serves as as an officer with Smart Start and the Vance County branch of NAACP.
For transportation of more information, call 704-637-0954.
Gethsemane Baptist
Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church celebrates the life and legacy of the Rev. James L. Stowe this Sunday in a service at 4 p.m.
The speaker will be the Rev. John Leazer, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Concord, and one of the spiritual sons of the Rev. Stowe. Leazer will be accompanied by his choir and ushers.
Leazer is the husband of Darlene Leazer and the father of two daughters and the grandfather of two. He is manager of Meter Reading for the Central Region of the Duke Energy Company.
He is a graduate of Salisbury High School and attended Shaw Divinity School, Raleigh. He has been the pastor of Macedonia for 11 years.
He is a former member of Gethsemane, where he participated in the Gospel and Male Choirs, was superintendent of Sunday School and a trustee.
He was licensed under Stowe and ordained by the Rowan Baptist Association of North Carolina. He is affiliated with the South Rowan North Cabarrus Fellowship of Churches, member of the Mecklenburg General Baptist Association, a member of the NAACP and the Minority Professional Association.
Erwin Temple
Erwin Temple CME Church will observe its annual homecoming on Sunday. The morning message will be delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Ervin L. Hannah Jr. The mass choir will sing under the direction of Minister of Music, Keith Holland.
Lunch will be served at 2 p.m.
Afternoon worship will begin at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Aaron Purham and the Bunton Christian Methodist Episcopal Church family of Spartanburg, S.C., as guests to render service. Music will be provided by their choir. The guest minister and congregation will be served food after the service.
A three-night revival will follow with a different ministers giving the message each night as follows:
Monday: the Rev. Jamie Grant, pastor of New Patterson Grove Faith Church, East Bend;
Tuesday: the Rev. Melvin E. Kesler, pastor of New Shepherd Baptist Church, Cooleemee;
Wednesday: the Rev. Ervin L. Hannah Jr., pastor of Erwin Temple.
The guest ministers will be accompanied by their choirs and congregation. Area churches are also invited to participate each night. All are welcome to attend all services. Services will begin each night at 7 p.m.
UCCI Miracle Temple
UCCI Mighty Miracle Temple invites the public to a “Holy Ghost Good Time in Jesus” and a home-cooked fish dinner prepared by Bishop E. Hackett this Sunday.
Dinner will be from 2 to 4 p.m., the service following at 4 p.m.
The guest speaker is Elder Toney Amos from Shiloh Apostolic Temple in Bridgeway, Va.
UCCI Temple is located at 2655 Dunn’s Mountain Road. To RSVP call 704-267-2830 or 704-904-2036.
First Calvary Baptist
Vacation Bible school kick-off and registration will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the church annex, located at 400 South Long St.
Bible school will be held June 23-27 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sessions are available for pre-schoolers to adults and include Bible study, arts and crafts, music and a meal.
Transportation may be requested. For more information, contact Deanna Martin at 704-633-2818.
North Kannapolis VBS
Vacation Bible school will be held at North Kannapolis Baptist Church June 22-26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for preschool, children and youth. The theme will be “Outrigger Island.”
A VBS luau and block party will be held today at 5 p.m. in McMurray Hall. Entertainment will be provided by “Mr. Music.”
The church is located at 312 Locust St., Kannapolis.
Call 704-933-2125 for information.
New Zion Baptist
New Zion Baptist Church will observe its annual youth revival June 26 and 27. Services will begin at 7 p.m.
Thursday night’s guest speaker will be the Rev. Chris Kelly, youth minister of New Zion Baptist in Linwood. Friday night’s speaker will be the Rev. Barrington Johnson, associate minister of New Zion Baptist Church in Charlotte.
The host pastor is the Rev. Paul Jones Sr.
New Zion Baptist is located at 2785 Dunn’s Mountain Road.
For more information, call 704-637-9324.
Jerusalem Baptist
Jerusalem Baptist Church will honor the men of their congregation with a weekend celebration.
Today from 9 a.m. to noon, the men will participate in a conference titled “The Reverential Fear of God Maketh a Good Man.” The Rev. John Robert Bankhead Jr., assistant pastor of Rose Hill Baptist Church in Kannapolis, will be the speaker.
Lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall at noon.
On Sunday, Men’s Day will be observed at 11 a.m. with the host pastor, the Rev. David Bracken, as the speaker. At 4 p.m., the Rev. Bill Godair, pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, will be the speaker. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation.
Jerusalem Baptist Church is located at 1570 N. Long St. ext. in Spencer.
Blood drive
KANNAPOLIS ó The First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 25, from 2:30 to 7 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.
All donors will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $750 gas card. The canteen will provide the fixings for ‘build-your-own” ice cream sundaes, along with the usual cold beverages and snacks.
The church is located at 201 Vance St. at the southern end of Cannon Village.
There is always a blood shortage during the summer. Due to greater travel and vacation activities, donations are down, but demand is up. All healthy members of the community who are 17 years of age or older and weigh 110 pounds or more are urged to be lifesavers and donate blood this summer.
Donors are reminded to help decrease the chance of being deferred by eating iron-rich foods on the days leading up to the drive. On the day of the drive, drink lots of water, avoid caffeine and eat a good breakfast and lunch.Reservations are not required, but will expedite the registration process.
To make a reservation, please call the church office at 704-938-4623.
Cornerstone Academy
Cornerstone Academy Summer Session 08 is every Wednesday June 25-August, 7-7:45 p.m.
Classes in reading and math will be taught for grades pre-K through 5.
All classes are free. The registration deadline is June 24.
Register at www.cornerstone-church.net by clicking on “News” under events on the homepage, or email evelyn@cornerstone-church.net.