KANNAPOLIS ó Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance St., Kannapolis, will have a groundbreaking celebration beginning a renovation and building project.
Worship Sunday will begin in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. During the service, the congregation will move to the temporary worship space in the fellowship hall. The service will include thanksgivings for the 45-year-old worship space and prayers for the project. Participants will include representatives from the congregation and contractors in the project.
Following the service, the congregation will enjoy heavy hor d’oeuvres and fellowship. The community is invited to this celebration.
Renovation of the sanctuary is expected to be completed by Easter. The remainder of the project should be completed by fall. The renovation and building project will make the sanctuary fully handicapped-accessible and add a new commons area for the congregation and community.
Youth space and a new administrative area will be created. The steeple will be moved from its current location to a new tower over a new main entrance.
For more information, call 704-933-4101 or visit www.kimballchurch.org.
Cedar Grove AME ZionCLEVELAND ó Cedar Grove AME Zion Church, Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Tyson, pastor, will hold a Watch Night service Wednesday beginning at 11 p.m. An early breakfast will be served.
The guest speaker will be the Rev. Rick Adams, son of the Rev. Ralph and Gladell Adams of Kannapolis and a 1990 graduate of South Rowan High School and Air Force veteran.
He and his wife, Stephanie, also a Kannapolis native, lived in Minot, N.D., before relocating to Lompoc, Calif., where they were active members of Abundant Life Fellowship, serving as home group leaders and coordinating community outreach.
In 2001, Rick was awarded a bachelor of theological studies degree from Vision International University, with valedictory honors.
In November 2001, they were selected as Abundant Life Fellowship’s senior pastors. During their three-year tenure, the church grew into a diverse congregation that reflected the community.
In 2004, the couple moved back to North Carolina. They have two children.
Mount Zion Baptist
The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury Inc. will commemorate the old year and celebrate the New Year with its annual Watch Night Service Dec. 31.
Worship begins at 10 p.m. with an entry into worship procession.
Special music will be led by the Kingdom Builders Voices of Praise and True Praise Devotional Worship Team, which will be making its first public appearance. The Associate Ministers Ministry will deliver encouragement and empowerment. The celebration will include all four levels of the Creative Expressions Ministries, and end with the traditional “call of the watch person” to bring in the New Year.
The Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II, pastor, will lead the worship.
Watch Night services in historically African-American churches and communities are traced to gatherings Dec. 31, 1862, also known as Freedom’s Eve. Throughout the Union, blacks and whites came together in churches and private homes to await news that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had actually become law. At midnight, Jan. 1, 1863, all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free, and worshippers have gathered in Watch Night services ever since to commemorate the old and celebrate the new.
Mount Zion is located at 1920 Shirley Ave. off Jake Alexander Boulevard and Clancy Street.
For more information or transportation, call 704-637-0954, contact mt218@bellsouth.net or visit www.mtzionnc.com.
Cleveland events
The Building in Cleveland will be the site for a family event tonight at 8 p.m.
Showtime at The Building will feature a variety of music, such as gospel, rhythm and blues and more.
This year’s show will have new additions, such as a fashion show and entertainment by the Gillespie Twins, young male gospel singers from Charlotte. Gospel comedian Rev. Clee,will be on hand.
There is a cover charge of $5 for advance tickets and $7 at the door.
On Jan. 1, there will be a New Year’s Day worship service at The Building at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Paul Rhinehart of the Yadkin Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Salisbury, will be the speaker for the evening.
Area pastors and ministers and churches will attend and participate in this service. The public is invited. It is free of charge. Following the service, dinner will be served.
For more information call Tommy Cuthbertson at 704- 640-1287 or Sandra Cornelius, 704-315-1277.
St. John’s Lutheran
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., will hold a service of unity Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary.
Only one service will be held, joining those from all services. The sermon, based on “the holy family’s desire to follow the prevailing religious law” will be delivered by Pastor Jennifer Ginn.
Faith Healing and Life
EAST SPENCER ó There will be a New Year’s Eve Watch Night service at Faith Healing and Life Ministries Inc., 201 E. Pinetree Drive, East Spencer, beginning at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.
For more information, call 704-633-7510 or visit www.faithhealinglife.com.
Walk Thru Bethlehem raises at least $3,600
The fifth annual Walk Thru Bethlehem had more than 2,300 visitors this year.
Sales of gifts, soup and hot chocolate raised more than $3,600 for local charities. The multi-denominational event at Camp Wesley was presented free to the community by Mooresville churches: Central United Methodist, First Presbyterian, St. Luke Greek Orthodox, St. Therese Catholic, Triplett United Methodist, Beulah Heights Wesleyan, Lake Norman Fellowship and the Camp Wesley churches.
If your church or organization would like to participate next year, contact Carol Welch at 704-763-4700 or visit www.WalkThruBethlehem. org.