Churches celebrate homecomings, revivals and anniversaries

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 18, 2013

KANNAPOLIS — The third annual youth fundraiser softball tournament helps support four area youth groups. $5 gets you in the gates plus a hot dog, chips, drink. The tournament is today, Oct. 19 from 8:45 a.m. until 7 p.m., held at Bethpage Methodist Church, 109 Fellowship Ave. on West C St.
KANNAPOLIS — The fundraiser at Eastwood Baptist Church, 320 Cook St., is today: sausage biscuits from 7-10 a.m. and hotdogs and hamburgers 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • 704 933-8336. Sponsored by Eastwood Women of Worship.
Today at 3 p.m., Jerusalem Baptist presents a musical drama, “The Greatest Wedding,” based on the book of Revelation. The entire congregation will be involved in this musical that gives a glimpse of Jesus the ultimate Bridegroom as he enters the Holy City. The attire is casual and the cost is free. Rev. Barbara J. Barbour is the author and producer. Jerusalem’s pastor Rev. Dr. David Bracken will be “John the Revelator,” Keith Holland will be lead vocalist.
Potter’s House Outreach Ministries hosts a Prophetic Conference today, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. with speaker Shelia Blakeney, pastor of Refiners Fire Ministry of Salisbury. Revival services will be held Oct. 22-24. Speakers are • Oct. 22, Selma Smith of Lifeline Triumphant Pentecostal Church • Oct. 23, Terrel Brown of The Root of David Ministries of Charlotte • Oct. 24, Kimberly Massey of Miracle Worship Center of Charlotte. Programs begin at 7 p.m. The Potter’s House is located at 119 A&B Clancy St.
GRANITE QUARRY — White Rock AME Zion Church celebrates its 52nd annual Women’s Day Sunday, Oct. 20 • Rev. J. Ruth Davis, presiding elder of the Concord District, is the 11 a.m. speaker, presiding elder of the Concord District of the West Central NC Conference • At 3 p.m. a program will honor six Pearls of the Rock: Muriel Lowe, Annie Bell Baker, Loraine Strawder, Ollie Wrice, Sallie Pearson and Cora Lagree. The celebration will include tributes, songs, praise dances, poems and a mini-concert by Unity and Praise.
Salem Lutheran Church hosts ausic of Praise Sunday at one service at 10:30 a.m. The Chancel Choir, Salem Spirit Praise and the Koinonia Bell Choir will lead the music. Musicians of Salem will also be recognized and honored. Salem is located at 5080 Sherrills Ford Road, 704-636-0352, www.salemlutheransalisbury.org
Miller’s Chapel AME Zion Church celebrates its 139th anniversary on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The morning speaker will be the pastor, Rev. Hezekiah Lawson. Dinner is in the fellowship hall at 1:30 p.m. The theme of the 3 p.m. service is “Pearls of Great Price,” with Rev. Dr. William McKenith of Marable Memorial AME Zion Church of Kannapolis.
CHINA GROVE — Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 365 Brown Road, dedicates their new organ Sunday at their 72nd homecoming with a 10:45 a.m. program when the organ will be played for the first time. The Allen L-5 organ is the latest in sampled pipe organ technology and digital church organ construction. It has 27 step stops disposed over two manuals and pedalboard with samples from the principal, flute, string and reed families of pipe ranks. A covered-dish dinner follows the service.
GRANITE QUARRY — Antioch Missionary Baptist Church celebrates their 100th anniversary Sunday at 11 a.m. with speaker Rev. Rickey Johnson. Dinner is at 1:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m., the Rev. Courtney Mills of Mikes Creek Baptist Church of Gaffney will speak. Antioch was founded in 1913 in an old house near the railroad tracks across for the Shuford home place. The second church was built in 1954. Rev. Rufus T. Wyatt became the pastor in 1974, under whose leadership the third church was built in 1981. In February 2004, the current pastor, Rev. Rickey Johnson, was installed.
The Presbyterian Women of Trinity Presbyterian Church, USA observe Women’s Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Rev. MeLisa Mills-Millner, a native of Salisbury. A graduate of NRHS and Livingstone College, Millner is pursuing a degree in Pastoral Administration at Queen City Bible College.
Homecoming and revival begins at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, 306 N. Church St. on Sunday at 3 p.m., with Rev. Zacharias Allen of Providence AME Zion. Speakers Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 21-23 at 7 p.m. are: Rev. Rudolph Cornelius, Zion Wesley AME Zion • Rev. Tamica Robinson, St. John AME Zion • Rev. James Milton, Pleasant Grove AME Zion.
Outreach Christian Ministries, 722 W. Horah St., hosts a Youth Explosion Oct. 24-27 • Oct. 24 and 25: 7 p.m., Elder Cynthia Huntley of New Faith Gospel Fellowship in Lexington will speak • Saturday, Oct. 26: workshops include drug education, 11 a.m.; peer pressure and bullying, 12 p.m.; sex education, 1 p.m.; Adundant Life Films youth comedy, 1 p.m.; college preparation, 2 p.m.; lunch, 3 p.m.; movies, 5-11 p.m.
LANDIS — Sandy Ridge AME Zion Church celebrates its 43rd homecoming and revival Sunday through Wednesday, Oct. 20-23. Dr. Anthony J. Freeman will speak. Morning music is by the Sandy Ridge Victory Choir and Fresh Anointed Voices • Speakert 3 p.m. is Vincent Tillman Sr. of Life Giving Church of God in Concord • Revival begis Monday with Dr. Derrick Anderson of Grace AME Zion Church, Charlotte • Tuesday with Dr. Claude Forehand II of First Baptist of Kannapolis • Wednesday with Charles Franklin Tillett Jr. of St. Stephens AME Zion, Gastonia.
SPENCER — Rhema Praise and Worship Church, 117 Long Ferry Road, celebrates its third homecoming on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and revival services run Oct. 21-25 at 7 p.m. with: Sunday: Timothy Williams of Yadkin Star Baptist, Lexington • Monday: Bishop Otis Robinson, Lexington • Tuesday: John Leazer of Macedonia Baptist Church, Concord • Wednesday: Burrell Brooks of St. John Baptist, Statesville • Thursday: Maurice Bryant of By Faith It’s Done Church, Dallas • Friday: Arthur Heggins of St. Luke Baptist Church, Salisbury.
CONCORD — “Pack The Pews II – A Family Affair” is a musical worship and praise experience where God’s most talented entertainers from near and far, come together on Sunday, at 3 p.m. at Bethpage United Presbyterian Church, USA, 8701 Mooresville Road.
Through Oct. 26 Cornerstone Church, along with Cornerstone Child Development Centers, is collecting food for Rowan Helping Ministries. Convenient drop-off locationsare • The Event Center, 315 Webb Road • Cornerstone CDC City, 1325 Faith Road • Cornerstone CDC North, 1010 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer • Cornerstone CDC East, 125 Eastville Drive, Rockwell • Cornerstone CDC Main, 315 Webb Road, Salisbury
CLEVELAND — Tomorrow Cedar Grove AME Zion Church, 2470 Hildebrand Road, observes Laity Sunday at 11 a.m. with Hettie Jean Avery, chair of the Trustee Board at Cedar, class leader, missionary, assistant boy scout leader, budget committee, newsletter committee and audio/visual ministry. Norris Zigler, president of the lay council and lay officers of Cedar Grove, will take part in the service.
First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St., continues the celebration of Catawba College 2013 Homecoming by welcoming all alumni to the 11 a.m. service. Matthew Newton, class of 2010, will lead the UCC Chancel Choir and Catawba choir alumni. Catawba College was founded in 1851 by the United Church of Christ and was located in Newton before its move to Salisbury in 1925.
CHINA GROVE — Following the 11 a.m. Sunday service Mt. Zion United Church of Christ will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross in the Church Hut from 1-5:30 p.m. Mount Zion UCC is located at 1415 South Main St., 704-857-1169, mtzionchinagrove.com
CHINA GROVE — Southside Church of God, 163 3rd Ave., is celebrating 50 years at homecoming this Sunday. “His Mercies” gospel singers will perform and highlights of the church’s history will be presented. The service begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch in the fellowship hall.
CLEVELAND — On Sunday, Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 3430 Old US 70, Rev. Sarah Blaies will lead a Blessing of the Animals, a remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Attendees are invited to bring pets and companion animals (properly restrained). Greyhound Crossroads animal rescue will attend with information and pets that may be adopted. There will be refreshments, and treats available for pets.
EAST SPENCER — The Senior Choir of Shady Grove Baptist Church, 600 South Long St., celebrates its 91st anniversary is next Sunday, Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m., presenting the Original Angelic Choir members of the SGBC from The 1950s, 1960s and 1970s: Benjamin Davis, Rev. Louis Turner and others • Special guests will be the New Voices Of Faith, Mocksville; Fairview Height Baptist Church Men’s Choir; Keith Holland And Friends In Christ.
The Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church Salisbury Gathering is located at Temple Israel, 1600 Brenner Ave., at the corner of Brenner and South Link Avenues across from the main entrance of the Hefner VA Medical Center. For more information, visit www.puuc.org or call 704-510-0008.
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Shirley Ave., hosts the 21st pastoral anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II on Sunday at the 11 a.m. service, with guest minister Rev. James, III, pastor of New Hope Granville Missionary Baptist Church of Oxford • Rev. Dr. Avery is currently the Vice President-at-large of the General Baptist State Convention of NC.
This Sunday at 11 a.m. is homecomign at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with guest speaker retired pastor Maurice Staley.
Dorsett Chapel celebrates its 100th anniversary on Oct. 19-20, with a kick-off event of a 5K “Walk/Run to Remember” starting at the church at 8 a.m. today. The celebration continues at 5 p.m. with a banquet at Salisbury Civic Center. Tickets are $8 at 704-637-6759 or dorsettchapel@yahoo.com • The anniversary wraps up on Sunday at 11 a.m,. at Dorsett Chapel with speaker Dr. Janice Ellis Lewis, daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Larry Ellis.
The New Zion Baptist Church Usher Board, 2785 Dunn’s Mountain Road, celebrates their 81st anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. with speaker Rev. Dwight Moore, pastor of Disciples for Christ Outreach Ministries of Charlotte.
The United Ministerial Alliance will host its joint fellowship service at 7 p.m. Sunday at Love Christian Center, 102 North Long St., East Spencer. Bishop W. Ronald Hash is the host pastor. Rev. Everett Scott of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, Concord, will deliver the message.
SPENCER — The Ushers Ministry of Whosoever Will Let Them Come Ministries, 318 8th St., hosts its second anniversary program Sunday at 4 p.m. with speaker Curtis Beatty III, pastor of New Covenant Bibleway Church in Charlotte.
On Sunday Oct. 20 starting at the 10 a.m. morning service, Mt. Calvary Holy Church, 1400 Standish St., celebrates First Lady of Mt. Calvary Sadie Victoria Rice, with guest speaker Elder Diane Roberts. Sunday’s speaker at 5 p.m., is co-pastor Darlene Michens from Mt. Calvary Holy Church Family Worship Center of Concord. The theme of the celebration is “From Brokenness unto Blessings.”
LANDIS — Gene and Ann Young will be in concert Sunday at 6 p.m. at Landis Fist Assembly, 302 . Corriher St. • Before the death in 1988 of Gene’s first wife Sandi, she told him that God would bring someone into his life to play the piano, sing with him and have red hair. Gene dismissed this prophecy, but in 1999, in spite of his vow never to marry again, he married Ann who, amazingly — or maybe not — plays the piano, sings with him and has red hair. The concert is free, and a free-will offering will be taken.
RICHFIELD — Mt. Zion LutheranChurch, 111 E. Church St., will hold their annual homecoming service on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. A covered dish dinner will follow. Ruth Ann Sipe is pastor, 704-463-7280, www.mtzionrichfield.org
The Gospel Plowboys will sing at the homecoming service Sunday at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 830 Choate Road.
MOORESVILLE — Mt. Moriah Holiness Church, 608 Brookwood Drive. hosts a singing program on Sunday at 3 p.m. with Gospel Deliverers of Troutman; New Praise from Mt. Pleasant; The Triplets of Troutman; Maurice Hooper & Company, Kannapolis; The Brothers & Sisters from Mooresville; P3 Ministries of Troutman; New Edition, Concord; The Gospel Travelier’s of the Carolinas; and Heirs of Salvation from Salisbury. This program is sponsored by Trustee David Leach. Proceeds go toward Bishop T.B. Cherry’s pastoral anniversary.
Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church is hosting a Men’s Fellowship Revival Oct. 22-24 at 7 p.m. nightly. Speakers are • Tuesday: Rev. James Miles of God’s Tabernacle for Believers • Wednesday: Rev. Thomas Lee of White Rock AME Zion • Thursday: Rev. John Leazer of Macedonia Baptist, Concord.
A leadership empowerment session and worship will be held at Outreach East (Leadership Training and Worship Center), 2218 Statesville Blvd., with speaker Dr. Martha Starks of Word of Life Fellowship Center. On Tuesday Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. she will minister on Leadership. The session is free and open to the public. Call 704-881- 0425.
Crown In Glory Lutheran Church, 517 E. Bank St. will hold a Harvest Home Festival beginning with revival services on Thursday-Friday, Oct. 24-25 at 7 p.m. followed by worship at 7:30 p.m. Thursday’s speaker is Rev. Donald Anthony, of Grace Lutheran Church, Concord • Friday: Rev. Christopher Stout of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Kannapolis • Saturday at 6:30 p.m.: songfest • Rev. Donald Anthony speaks Sunday at 9 a.m • Lunch 1-2:30 p.m. • The 3 p.m. service begins with praise followed by worship. and speaking at the 3:30 service is Rev. Richard Rogers of Calvary Lutheran Church, Jacksonville.
Friendship Baptist’s annual Fall Festival is 3-6 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 26, including games and activities such as an old-fashioned apple bobbing, pie throw, cake walk, fishin’ pond, john deere tractors, “jumpin’ for Jesus” monster truck, petting zoo, hayride, miniature pumpkin painting, fall photos, hog callin’ contest, bouncy house, food and more. Friendship Baptist Church, 100 Porter Rd, Exit # 72, Peach Orchard Road, just off I-85.
Cornerstone Church will host a Fall Fest from 1-4 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 26. $5 wristbands are required for activities, or five non-perishable items for RHM. Special performances are planned by ProTown BMX Stunt Team. There wil also be food, games, a hay ride, prizes, bounce houses, a mechanical bull, more. Cornerstone is located at 315 Webb Road, 704-855-1218, www.cornerstone-church.net
Family & Friends Day is next Saturday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. at Rose of Sharon Holiness Church, 255 Camp Road with speaker Pastor Lewis G. Walker of Rose of Sharon.
Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 355 East Ridge Road, is holding a fish fry benefit fundraiser next Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-8 p.m., for a freewill donation. Proceeds benefit Sharing Shepherds, helping provide Christmas cheer to children of a West Virginia county who have been hit hard by the closing of coal mines.
ROCKWELL — It will be a Duck Dynasty homecoming at Immanuel Lutheran next on Sunday, Oct. 27. The service will revolve around the popular series Duck Dynasty and “Drye Bones” will be guest performers. Members include Faye (Drye) Safrit, Carolyn (Drye) McDonald, Joel McDonald, Judy Harwood, Christy Trexler and Woody Weddington. Ater the service is a covered dish luncheon.
CONCORD — Heritage Baptist Church, 274 Honeycutt Drive SE, will have homecoming services next Sunday, Oct. 27 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Terry Cruse will be preaching in the morning service and Dr. Dewey Williams from Bristol, Va. will preach at 6 p.m. The Saunders family from Monroe will provide special music in both services.
Mount Olivet UMC
5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 • For adults, kids, youth, young adults. Children are invited to dress up • 301 Mt. Olivet Road, Concord • 704-782-8846, www.mtochurch.com

Mt. Mitchell UMC
6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 • Campfire for wiener roasting, marshmallows, smores; and a hayride • 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road, Kannapolis

Ramah Presbyterian
6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 • Pizza, drinks, prizes and a Bouncy House • 14401 Ramah Church Road, Huntersville.

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