The Salisbury-Rowan Unit of Church Women United held its third annual Human Rights Celebration at Aug. 1 at St. Luke’s Baptist Church on Hawkinstown Road.
This year’s theme was “God’s Wisdom Honors Children.” The program was led by Mavis Moss and Sarah Byerly, Human Rights Celebration Committee co-chairs. The Rev. Arthur L. Heggins, pastor at St. Luke’s, welcomed the group and opened the meeting with prayer.
Others participating in the worship service included Jean Kennedy, president of the Salisbury-Rowan Church Women United, Jean Lowery, Betty Jo Hardy, Montrella Davis, Virginia Booth, Catherine Krider, Carol Ann Stout, Jalin Brown and Gavin Goodine.
Dorothy Gill-Smith led the singing, and Sylvia Johnson served as pianist.
Judy Jordan, the pastor’s wife at Providence AME Zion Church, was honored as one of the award recipients. She attended Winston-Salem State University and is a graduate of Salisbury Business College. She is married to the Rev. Harold Jordan and has one son, Justin Harrison, who is a graduate of Wake Forest University and a graduate student at Pfeiffer University.
Jordan has been very active in her church as director of Christian Education, Sunday school teacher, adviser to the Junior Usher Board and is president of the Life Member’s Council of the Missionary Society. She also serves as the Superintendent of “BUDS of Promise,” the Juvenile Missionary Society, and works with children across the church district.
She is a licensed foster parent and serves as an outreach agent to collect school supplies for needy children and toys for underprivileged children at Christmas .
Sandra Wagoner was the second recipient of a Human Rights Award. She is a member of First United Church of Christ in Salisbury, attended John Tyler College and Lewisville College, both in Virginia, and is married to John Wagoner. She has two daughters and five grandchildren.
Wagoner is active in her church as circle chair, a member of the Mission Committee, the Finance Committee, Church Foundation, and she chairs a group called “Knitting Together.” She teaches knitting and crocheting at the Salisbury Civic Center.
She was instrumental in starting a “Prayer Shawl ” mission two years ago. This group makes packets for service men and women and has made many prayer shawls and lap robes for shut-ins and nursing homes. She started sewing classes for young girls at the Nazareth Children’s Home, and leads her church knitting group that makes every newborn baby a handmade blanket and every college student a scarf or knitted cap in their school colors.
She has worked on numerous Eastern Star projects and has alone sewn 14 window curtains for the local Masonic Lodge.
Both recipients were presented with plaques of appreciation for the services they render to our community.
In keeping with the theme of the celebration, those attending were asked to bring and share school supplies. Victoria Slusser, director of Community Services, collected several large boxes of supplies to be used by local school children.
Following the worship service and award presentation, the group enjoyed fellowship and refreshments provided by church and group members.
The next Church Women United celebration will be a World Community Day luncheon/program at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Nov. 7 at noon.
CWU will also sponsor an indoor yard sale on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 7 a.m.ń1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Second Presbyterian Church on Lincolnton Road. Anyone wishing to contribute articles for the Yard Sale should contact Virginia Booth at 704-6326-8499.
Organ Lutheran
Organ Lutheran Church will celebrate its 85th Homecoming celebration on Aug. 10.
Sunday school will start at 9:30 a.m. and worship service will start at 10:30 a.m. There will not be an 8:30 a.m. early service.
There will be special music provided by the Lutheringers and the Alleluia Ringers Handbell Choirs and singing by youth of the church. The Chancel Choir will also sing.
The guest pastor, the Rev. Sherrill Curtis, will preach the homecoming service. The native of Randolph County was an intern at Organ from 2001 to 2002. In 2003 he graduated from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and in November 2003 was called to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dallas, N. C., where he is now serving as pastor. He is married to Lynda Blanton Curtis and they have two children.
The church invites current members, old members and friends to join them for a traditional covered-dish picnic lunch to be held in the picnic shelter area.
Current pastor of Organ is the Rev. Terrell Long.
Organ Lutheran Church is located at 1515 Organ Church Road.
St. Matthews Lutheran
St. Matthews Lutheran Church is preparing for a time of spiritual renewal with hymn singing each night of its Preaching Mission, Aug. 17-19, at 7:30 pm each evening.
Guest preacher, the Rev. Mike Bovingdon, will use “People of Faith” as his topic, focusing on people he has encountered. Bovingdon has served since 1991 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Douglasville, Ga. A graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, he has served at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hickory, 1983-1988, and Bethel Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ga., 1988-1991.
The Rev. Gary Coble is pastor of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.
For more information, call 704-633-3770.
Mount Zion Baptist
Mount Zion Baptist Church, Boyden Quarters, will have its annual Family and Friends Day service Sunday at 11 a.m. Mount Zion will also have revival services starting this Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The speaker for the week will be the Rev. Albery Moses, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis. The Rev. David S. Houston is the host pastor.
Antioch Baptist
GRANITE QUARRY ó Antioch Missionary Baptist Church homecoming will be held this Sunday.
The Rev. Rickey Johnson, pastor of Antioch, will deliver the 11 a.m. message. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m.
The afternoon service will begin at 3:30 p.m. The Rev. James Milton II, pastor of Pleasant Grove AME Zion Church of Concord, will be the speaker. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation.
A revival will be held Aug. 11 through Aug. 15, with nightly services beginning at 7:30 p.m. Guest speakers for revival services are: Monday ó the Rev. Arthur Heggins, St. Luke Baptist Church; Tuesday ó the Rev. Paul S. Rhinehart Sr., Yadkin Grove Baptist Church; Wednesday ó the Rev. James T. Clement, Fairfield Baptist Church; Thursday ó the Rev. Leamon Brown, First Calvary Baptist Church; Friday ó the Rev. Reginald McConneaghey, God’s Tabernacle for Believers.
Antioch is located at 602 S. Salisbury Ave, Granite Quarry.
Tiffany Hines
EAST SPENCER ó Tiffany Hines has accepted her call to the ministry and will be delivering her first sermon as a minister Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. at Love Christian Center, 102 N. Long St., East Spencer.
Hines has been attending Love Christian Center for seven years and is the director of music. She has also written and directed several plays and serves on the Pastor’s Inner Circle Team.
She is married to Allen D. Hines Sr. and is the mother of seven children.
The public is invited to attend the service.
The pastor of Love Christian Center is Bishop W. Ronald Hash.
For additional information call 704-433-1431.
Mount Olive Baptist
EAST SPENCER ó Greater Mount Olive Full Gospel Baptist Church, 307 Long St. in East Spencer, invites the public for a month filled with information and events for all ages.
Services start at 11 a.m. each Sunday, with the information sessions beginning at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The entire month is highlighted with guest speakers, preventive information and various activities to improve our community’s quality of life.
Themes and activities: Aug. 3 ó Hypertension and Stroke; Aug. 10 ó and Diabetes; Aug. 17 ó Domestic Violence and Stress Management; Aug. 24 ó Peer Pressure and Tobacco Prevention; Aug. 31 ó Fun Day.
For information, contact Sherri Hill, 704-287-1456.
Grace Methodist
Grace United Methodist Church is hosting “Summer Splash” with live music on Saturday, Aug. 16, 11-2 p.m.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks and desserts will be sold. All proceeds go to Rowan Helping Ministries’ Battered Women’s Shelter, and One Church ó One Child.
Grace UMC is located at the corner of Jake Alexander Boulevard and Faith Road.
Soldiers Memorial
Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St., is hosting “Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power” on Aug. 18-22, 6-8:30 p.m. The week includes crafts, snacks, games and music.
Registration will be held Aug. 12 at the Enrichment Center from 6-8 pm.
For more information, call the Rev. Mary Hardin at 704-636-3389 or Linda McCombs, 704-637-0574.
First Calvary Baptist
First Calvary Baptist Church will observe Men’s Day on Aug. 10 at 11 am.
The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Calvin Miller, presiding elder of the Winston-Salem District of the Western North Carolina Conference of the AME Zion Church.
The Men’s Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Winnell Short, will sing.
Miller accepted the call to the ministry in 1978. A graduate of Livingstone College, Hood Theological Seminary and Carolina University of Theology in Manassas, Va., Miller has served numerous churches in Rowan, Iredell and Mecklenburg counties. He also has taught at RCCC, Piedmont Correctional Institution and Livingstone College.
Miller is involved in both church and community activities. He serves as chairman of the board of Christian Education, Western North Carolina Conference and the Piedmont Episcopal District; Charlotte District Director of Christian Education; member of the budget and finance committee, trustee board of Camp Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center and Christian Ministers’ Fellowship Association. He is married to the Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts Miller.
First Calvary is located at 400 S. Long St.
For more information, contact Shirley Johnson 704-647-0260.
Haven Lutheran
Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., will celebrate homecoming this Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service.
The church was founded in 1899 and remains at its original site on West Harrison Street.
The Rev. Ed Harper, interim pastor of Haven, will be preacher at the service. Music will be presented by the chancel choir under the direction of Mrs. Franklin Merrell, director of music.
During Haven’s 109 years, the church has actively supported causes of the Lutheran church, as well as many community concerns. All friends and former members are invited to attend and bring a well-filled picnic basket for the lunch that will follow.
Moore’s Chapel
CLEVELAND ó Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 5890 South River Church Road, Cleveland will be having a homecoming, followed by a week of revival services.
The homecoming service will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday with special guest the Rev. James Tatum, pastor of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Pinnacle, along with his congregation and choir.
There will be a different speaker each night for the revival services held at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Speakers will be the Rev. Daniel Brown of Abundant Life Rebirth Ministry, Mocksville; the Rev. Jimmy Griffin, Center Grove AME Zion Church, Tobaccoville; the Rev. Ervin Hannah, Erwin Temple CME Church, Woodleaf; the Rev. Rudolph Cornelius, Zion Wesley AME Zion Church, Troutman; and Bishop Willie J. Gray, Freedom United Church of God and New Jerusalem Holiness Church, both churches in Woodleaf.
Pastors will be accompanied by their congregations.
For more information, call 704-2782885.
Sills Creek AME Zion
Sills Creek AME Zion church will celebrate Children’s Day this Sunday. Judy Jordan will bring the 10 a.m. message.
Jordan is the wife of the Rev. Harold Jordan. She and her husband are licensed foster parents. She is active in all areas of her church, Providence AME Zion, and she holds key leadership positions in the Salisbury District of the AME Zion Church.
An advocate for children, Jordan is the 2008 recipient of the Church Women United Human Rights Award.
Sills Creek AME Zion is located at 3165 Bradshaw Road and N.C. 150. The Rev. Jordan Boyd is the pastor.
Friendship Baptist
COOLEEMEE ó Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Cooleemee, will have an ordination service Sunday at 4 p.m. to install Deacon-elect James “Jug” Fowler for the office of Deacon.
The speaker for the service will be the Rev. Melvin Kessler, pastor of New Shepherd Baptist Church in Cooleemee, along with his congregation.
The Fowler Family, children of Deacon-elect Fowler, will render the music.
Vertical Horizons
CONCORD ó Vertical Horizons Church announces a block party with free gifts, free games and free lunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 16.
The event will help launch the new church, begun by Ron Magnuson and currently meeting in the Cabarrus Baptist Association building at 930 Lee-Ann Drive in Concord.
The event is also a fundraiser for Tyisa Witherspoon, the 5-year-old girl who was run over by a school bus in northwest Mecklenburg county several months ago. She spent nearly three months at Carolina’s Medical Center and has thousands of dollars in bills.
The day will feature appearances by Concord Mayor Scott Padgett and WSOC Channel 9 Salisbury bureau reporter, Ron Magnuson, who is also VHC’s pastor.
Magnuson will be going from reporting local news weekdays to reporting the good news of Jesus Christ on weekends. He and his wife, Andrea, have together planted this new ministry called Vertical Horizons Church in Concord.
Magnuson was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and spent his early years in churches his father started. His father, the Rev. Roy Magnuson, planted and pastored more than a dozen churches across the country over nearly 50 years in the ministry.
Andrea Magnuson was born in Colombia, South America, and watched her late grandfather, Pastor Misael Carmona, preach and teach the Bible at First Baptist Church in Cali, Colombia. When she was a young child, her family moved to the United States, where she developed a love for singing and playing the piano .
Ron grew up wanting to be a minister, but while studying to be a pastor at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S. C., he felt the Lord leading him into television news. During the last decade, he’s reported and anchored at stations up and down the East Coast, from Manhattan to Charlotte.
Vertical Horizons Church offers contemporary music, often mixed with upbeat traditional music and a relaxed casual environment.
The Magnusons say they are grateful to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the local Cabarrus County Baptist Association for support of the new church plant.
For more information, call 704-633-7999.