GRANITE QUARRY — White Rock AME Zion Church, White Rock Avenue, will host a ceremony honoring three active members for their service to the church as part of the “Women of the Church, Past and Present” Black History program. The ceremony is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26,
Honorees are Edrena Beatty, chuch musician for more than 30 years, and involved in numerous other church committees and programs;
Twanda Mitchell, a member who is very dedicated and active in many church capacities; and Mary Ponds, mayor of Granite Quarry. Ponds has been a member of White Rock her entire life, serving on the trustee board, stewardess board, in the Christian Education Department and as a member of choir.
On the District Level she is a Lay Council member and she is treasurer of the Lay Council of the Western NC Conference.
A graduate of Price High School and Livingstone College, she and has been in public education for more than 40 years.
She is active in Partnership for Children, Rowan Hospice House, Abundant Living Advance Committee, Communities in Schools, the ARC, Rowan County Rescue Squad, Prevent Child Abuse NC, Meals on Wheels and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
She serves on the boards of Smart Start Rowan, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, RRMC, Rowan Helping Ministries and Nazareth Children’s Home.
She is the first female and first African-American mayor of Granite Quarry, an office she has held since 1999.
Acclaimed preacher comes to First Presbyterian
Renowned preacher Dr. William Willimon will be in Salisbury March 4-5 as part of the Lewis Preaching Series at First Presbyterian Church.
Willimon has been called one of the most influential preachers in the past 25 years by Preaching Magazine. A bishop in the United Methodist church, he leads the 157,000 Methodists and 792 pastors in North Alabama. For 20 years he was Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University.
Willimon will speak Sunday, March 4, at 8:30 a.m. during morning worship and at 8:50 a.m. at Life Center Worship in Lewis Hall. He will also present “Why Was a Savior Like Jesus Crucified” at the 11 a.m. worship service.
Sunday evening, Willimon will present a program at 6:15 in Lewis Hall: What Does the Cross of Jesus Mean for You Today?”
On Monday March 5, he will lead a workshop for professionals, “The Future of Mainline Protestant Christianity,” from 9-11 a.m. To register, go to the First Presbyterian website, www.salisburyfirstpres.org.
Lilly’s Chapel
Lilly’s Chapel Church of God, 618 W. Thomas St., will have their first Youth Explosion and Baby Contest on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. There will be youth choirs singing and praise dancers performing.
Heirline in concert
Southern Gospel’s very own Heirline will be in concert at Carmel Baptist Church, Saturday night, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. The church is located at 2100 Mooresville Road. Call for more info at 704-636-9992. A love offering will be taken.
Cornerstone Church
Relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel, will speak at Cornerstone Church on Sunday, Feb. 26. at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. on “If My Life Were A Movie.” Activities available for children 5th grade and under. Cornerstone Church is located at 315 Webb Road. For information, call 04-855-1218.
Livingstone event
Bishop Paul Rhinehart Sr., senior pastor of New Destiny Temple of Faith, and pastor Don Vess, senior pastor of Destiny City, will host their first Community Unity Day Joint Service on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Harriett Tubman Theatre on the Campus of Livingstone College, 701 West Monroe St.
S. China Grove concert
CHINA GROVE — Harry and Kay McClendon, Southern Gospel recording artists, will be singing Sunday, Feb. 26, at the South China Grove Church of God in the 11 a.m. service. The church is located at 163 Third Ave. For more information, call 704-467-4555.
Gloria Dei
The Rev. Bob Howard will be the guest preacher at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd., on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Midweek Lenten services will be held Wednesday with the first installment of the drama series, Witnesses to the Passion. Interim pastor Don Phillips will present the testimony of the Man Born Blind in a service at 6:45 p.m.
Midweek services will be preceded by a Lenten meal in the fellowship hall beginning at 6 p.m. An offering will be received to help buy farm animals for a family in a developing country, as part of the Good Gifts Program which allows groups or individuals to give chickens, pigs, goats and other farm animals to help make a lasting impact for a hungry family. For details call 704 535-8563.
Neel Road Baptist
Neel Road Baptist Church, 135 Neel Road, will present a Lenten message series, “Make War,”which is about resisting sin and temptation, beginning this Sunday at 11 a.m. and going through Easter, April 8.
Moore’s Chapel
The Usher Board of Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St., will have its annual program on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. Guest speaker for the occasion is the Rev. Jordan Boyd, Pastor of Sill’s Creek AME Zion Church of Mooresville.
An usher’s workshop will be held at 2 p.m., with Mr. Russell Lackey, President of the Western NC Conference Ushers, as presenter. All area church usher boards are encouraged to attend.
Pastoral anniversary
United Christian Fellowship Church International will celebrate the pastoral anniversary of Sonya T. Ellerbe on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. Dinner will be served at 3 p.m. There is no cost for the event. Guest speaker will be Pastor Gregory L. Everett of First Baptist Church in Wadesboro.
The church is located at 118 Miller Chapel Road.
Crown in Glory
“Black Women in American Culture and History” is the theme for Black History month at Crown in Glory Lutheran Church, 517 E. Bank St. Each Sunday there will be a presentation and a pictorial display on a wife of a civil rights leader. On Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m., the youth of the church present skits, recitations, and songs. There will also be a dance from the praise dance ministry, assisted by the Crown in Glory choir.
Special guest will be Ollie Mae Carroll, first female post commander of JC Price American Legion Post 107.
Zion Wesley singing
TROUTMAN — Zion Wesley AME Zion Church, 133 Zion Wesley Road, will host a Gospel singing extravaganza on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m., featuring Genesis of Taylorsville, Messengers for Christ from Cleveland, Anointed Vessels of the Carolinas , Gospel Echos of Taylorsville, and others. Food will be available for purchas.
First UCChrist
The annual Lenten Meal and Meditation Series at First United Church of Christ will be held the first five Sunday evenings in Lent: Feb. 26, March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 26. The meals begin at 5:30 p.m. and reservations are required by the Tuesday prior to the Sunday meal you plan to attend. Costs are $6 for ages 13 and up; $3 for ages 7-12; free for ages 0-6. The maximum cost per family is $15. Nursery services will be provided for ages up to kindergarten.
The meditations will be led by a member of the congregation and based on the Book of Psalms. Each leader will be assisted by church musician Susan Trivette.
Mt. Zion Lutheran
RICHFIELD — Mt. Zion Lutheran Church and New Bethel Lutheran Church will hold a series of Sunday night suppers and worship services during Lent. Supper will begin at 6:15 p.m., with worship following at 7 p.m. The theme is “You Shall Love the Lord Your God.” The first service will be Sunday, Feb. 26 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. Call the church at 704-463-7280 for more information.
Kimball Lutheran
KANNAPOLIS — Parent/ Preschool Interaction Event (PIE), a free seminar for parents and grandparents, will be held at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 8. A free taco dinner will be served at 6 p.m.; pre-registration is required. Call 704-933-4101 or email churchoffice @kimballchurch.org by Monday, March 5.
The topic is “Responding to Unacceptable Behavior: A Targeted Approach,” presented by licensed professional counselor John Basilice. Childcare will be available. For details contact Donna Walls at 704-933-4101 or Liz Fisher at 704-933-4101.
In addition, Kimball Lutheran Church will observe Wednesdays in Lent, Feb. 29 through March 28, at 6 p.m. with a meal followed by worship at 7 p.m.worship and prayer class at 7:30 p.m.
Kimball is located at 101 Vance St. (near the Research Campus). Call 704 933-4101 with questions.
Mt. Mitchell fundraiser
KANNAPOLIS — Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church, 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Hwy., will hold a hot dog sale from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 29.
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, corner of Hwy 152 and Old Concord Road, will observe Lent on the next five Wednesday evenings with a meal, Bible study, and worship service beginning at 6 p.m. The theme will be “You Shall Love the Lord Your God.”
For more information, call 704-857-9588.
CWU prayer breakfast
The Salisbury-Rowan Unit of CWU’s annual prayer breakfast is 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 3 at Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St.
Dr. Mary Frances Edens, vice-chair of the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council, will speak on the theme “Unity in the Community.”
The Ecumenical Action project is the Family Crisis Council, which has a women’s shelter where bath towels and twin sheet sets are especially needed, as well as diapers (sizes 3-5), ethnic hair products, used cell phones, gift cards, wash cloths, small hampers, blankets, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, bathroom cleaners, bleach, pine-sol, liquid hand soap, trash bags, paper products, and for clients’ “new” home: dishware, glassware, pots and pans and silverware.
Reservation deadline is Feb. 28. $7 advance tickets are available at 704-640-0173.
Salem Lutheran
Salem Lutheran Church will host a Grief Share Care Group beginning on Tuesday, March 6 from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. This is a place where those who are grieving the death of a loved one can find Christian care, support and information about the grief process and how one finds healing.
The Group will meet for 12 weeks. Each meeting will include a 25 minute video which features Christian grief-recovery experts and the stories of people who found healing in their grief journey. Participants will discuss and share.
The cost is $15 which includes a workbook and a daily Bible study. Pastor Doug Hefner will be the group leader. In his ministry he has served as a parish pastor, hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor.
Call Salem at 704-636-0352 to register or to receive more information. Salem is located at 5080 Sherrills Ford Road.
Sportsman’s banquet
On Thursday, March 8, First Baptist Church of Salisbury will host its eighth annual Sportsman’s Banquet at 6 p.m. Along with a meal of fried flounder, grilled chicken, slaw, baked beans, French fries and dessert, more than 500 men will hear David Blanton talk about hunting, fishing, being a man of God, and being a man for God.
Blanton is the executive producer of “Realtree Outdoors” and the Monster Bucks[0xae] video series. He is an accomplished hunter.
The banquet will be held in the First Ministry Center Gym of First Baptist Church, 223 N. Fulton St. Tickets are $70 for a table of 8, $55 for a table of 6 and $10 for individual tickets. Contact Rod Kerr at 704-633-0431 or rod@fbcsalisbury.org for more information.