King celebration

The 30th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Humanitarian Awards worship celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The church is at 1920 Shirley Ave., off Jake Alexander Boulevard, at Clancy Street.

Cheryl Silver-Emanuel will be the speaker.

Silver-Emanuel has 22 years of experience in public health and community development. She has devoted her life to working and promoting the spiritual, physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals, families and communities that have been un-served, under-served, lost and forgotten.

In her position as community health adviser with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, her focus is on creating ways of partnering to address health disparities and inequalities.

Music will be presented by Cornerstone Church Choir. Other participants include the Mount Zion Baptist Church Dance Ministry, J.C. Price American Legion Post 107, the Buffalo Soldiers/Rowan County Chapter and youth essay contest winners.

This year’s honorees are the Rev. Henry Diggs, community leader; Ben Neal, humanitarian; Barbara Neely, humanitarian; and Salisbury Community Development Corporation, Chanaka Yatawara, executive director.

Samuel R. Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship winners from area high schools will be announced. The award is named for the late Dr. Samuel R. Jackson Jr., the pastor of Mount Zion from 1974 until his death in 1991. Johnson founded the King celebration activities, the Humanitarian Award service and the prayer breakfast.

The breakfast is sponsored by the Human Relations Council, of which Johnson was a founding member. Johnson’s wife, Dr. Eva H. Johnson, will present the scholarship awards.

The observance is sponsored by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Awards Team Net Ministry of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Salisbury.

The Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II is the host pastor.

Fairview Heights

Fairview Heights Baptist Church will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Rev. Clarence Marlin with special services.

Services are at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Speakers: Wednesday — the Rev. Nilous Avery, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Salisbury; Thursday — the Rev. Leamon Brown, First Calvary Baptist Church, Salisbury; Friday — the Rev. Richard Johnson, Hall’s Chapel.

The Rev. Juanita Allen will be the speaker for the 11 a.m. Sunday worship and the Rev. Clary Phelps of Gethsemane Baptist will speak at a 3 p.m. service.

New Life Outreach

New Life Outreach Residential Training Center is opening its doors in Concord at 2216 Kannapolis Highway.

The program provides services to help men of all walks of life to escape from problems including struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

The men live in the residence for 12 to 18 months. The disciplined home environment offers individuals one-on-one ministry from experienced staff and instruction from a Bible based curriculum.

Donations for the home are being accepted, including furniture, appliances, cooking utensils, linens, china, flatware, area rugs, lamps, televisions, cars, clothing and monetary donations. Donations can be left at Olive Branch Furniture, 2603 S. Cannon Blvd., across from Hilbish Ford.

New Life Men’s Home is opening under the direction of executive directors Stanley and Doris Ridley.

For more information, call 704-701-8783.

Shiloh Reformed

FAITH — Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith is beginning its winter sessions on Wednesdays with fellowship meals at 5:30 p.m.

Discipleship groups meeting during the 6:30-7:30 p.m. program time include Pioneer Club, for boys and girls age 2 through sixth grade; Challengers, for junior high; and Explorers, for senior high youth.

The adult disciple study, “How to Study and Better Understand the Bible,” will be led by the Rev. Wayne Trexler, pastor.

Music ministry opportunities on Wednesdays include Contemporary Choir, from 6-6:30 p.m.; Hand Chimes, from 7:30-8 p.m.; and Chancel Choir, 7:40-8:40 p.m. Handbells are offered Sunday mornings at 8:45.

St. Matthew’s

The East Rowan Honors Chorus will present a concert at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall after the concert.

The East Rowan Honors Chorus, an auditioned group of about 40 students, performs throughout Rowan, Cabarrus and Iredell counties, and throughout other states in the Southeast. The group performs benefit concerts at several community service events.

Directed by Dean Orbison, the chorus has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City; Lakeland Performing Arts Center, Lakeland, Fla.; and the Greater Virginia Performing Arts Center, at Virginia Beach. The chorus consistently receives superior ratings at state festivals in the highest level of music competition and were named Grand Champion Choir in national festivals in Florida, Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Orbison has won many awards, including East Rowan Teacher of the Year, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Rowan County, and Time Warner Cable Star Teacher for three years.

He is a founding member of the Southern Gospel trio One Faith, which ministers in churches across the state and recently won first place at the N.C. Mountain State Gospel Sing.

Bible Baptist Church

An organizational meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Bible Baptist Church on the corner of Long Ferry and Dukeville roads.

Nathan Deatrick, associate pastor, Maranatha Baptist Church, Shelby, will be the speaker for the morning service.

Worship will be followed by a covered-dish lunch. The preacher for the afternoon will be Brad Williams, pastor, Wayside Baptist Church, Hillsborough.

On Feb. 19, 2006, 52 people attend the church’s first service at Comfort Suites. By the following Sunday, new facilities were found at the Dukeville Center. Russell Jones was called as interim pastor in May.

Bible Baptist Church provides nursery facilities for every service and offers Sunday school and children’s church classes for all ages. In August 2006, the church had its first vacation Bible school.

Through the recent purchase of a small bus, the church will be able to provide transportation to services.