FREE THANKSGIVING MEALS

Outreach Christian Ministries, 722 W. Horah St.

Today, Saturday Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or until food is gone. Seventh annual dinner. Our aim is to provide guidance to anyone desiring to enhance their lives spiritually, as well as to help meet the basic needs of those right in our own backyard. 704-637-9955.

True Holiness Church of God, 309 Rosemont Ave., Kannapolis

Thanksgiving Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m., take out available, delivery available upon request. Orders for delivery should be placed no later than Nov. 24. Call 704-938-3972 or 704-932-3053 or 704-938-9221.

Christiana Lutheran Church, 6190 US Hwy 52

Thanksgiving Day 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meals must be reserved by calling 704-279-4655. The meal will be dine in, take out or delivery.

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Hot chocolate at the parade today by Holy Cross Lutheran Church

MOCKSVILLE  — Holy Cross Lutheran Church will be providing free hot chocolate at the annual Christmas parade in Mocksville today. The tent will be at the corner of Gaither and Main Streets, at the old yellow gas station.

Also on Sunday, after the 9 a.m. worship and Holy Communion, there will be a congregational meeting to approve the 2016 budget and to elect church council members for next year. Following the congregational meeting, the “Hanging of the Greens” will take place, along with a light brunch.

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THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICES

South China Grove UMC

CHINA GROVE — South China Grove United Methodist Church, 230 Rose Ave., will have its traditional Thanksgiving devotions from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  Friends are invited to “come as you are” and encouraged to bring a thought, poem, or some other Thanksgiving remembrance to share.  Dr. S. B. “Doc” Warner is host pastor.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury, 1920 Shirley Ave. (off Jake Alexander Blvd. and Clancy St.) will celebrate Thanksgiving by hosting its annual Community Thanksgiving Day Worship on Thursday at 10 a.m. Bishop Harvey Rice, pastor of Mount Calvary Holy Church, will deliver the message, with music by the music ministry of Mount Calvary. The Praise Team Ministry of Mount Zion will lead devotional praise. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II is host pastor. This year’s theme is “Glorify God and Edify Others with a Passion for God and Compassion for People.” Dress is casual and everyone is asked to bring canned goods and/or non-perishable food items to assist local families in need. For more information and/or transportation, call 704-637-0954.

St. John’s Lutheran

Thanksgiving day worship is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., in the sanctuary. The Rev. Dr. Tim Smith, bishop of the NC Synod of the ELCA, will preach. Smith and his wife, Wendy, are members of St. John’s, and he is the son of Marcus and Dot Smith. The Rev. Rhodes Woolly is host pastor.

Gloria Dei Lutheran 

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd., will be hosting a Thanksgiving Day worship service at 10 a.m.  Come as you are to give thanks to God.  The service will feature a time for prayer and reflection of God’s promise to be with His children. Host pastor is the Rev. John Tucker, 704-636-8354.

Word of Life Family Worship Center, 726 E. Liberty St., will have its annual Thanksgiving Day Service from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. There will be special music from the Gospel Choir and Praise Team. Dr. Martha Starks, pastor, will speak. For transportation or information call 704-633-2431.

Mt. Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE —  The 11 a.m. Thanksgiving service on Sunday will include the women of Mt. Zion UCC leading worship.  Participating will be Shelly Hunter, Laura Holshouser, Joan Corriher and Martha Isley in the roles of Elizabeth, Mary and Hannah, women at the center of the Christmas story.

Members and Friends of Mt. Zion UCC are invited to bring fruit offerings to share with church and community. The Mt. Zion UCC Children’s Choir will also be singing. Following worship, the children and youth will be delivering Thanksgiving fruit baskets. Mount Zion UCC is located at 1415 S. Main St.,  704-857-1169, mtzionchinagrove.com

The Rev. Mark L. Burns is host pastor.

Jerusalem Baptist 

Jerusalem Baptist Church will celebrate Deacon, Deaconess and Trustee Day on Sunday at the 11 a.m. service. Guest speaker will the The Rev. Charlotte Leach.

Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor United Methodist Church (just north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road) will hold its Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday at 11 a.m. and learn about the meaning behind some of the best-loved Christmas decorations. Call 704-633-7484, visit www.mounttaborumc.org or see Facebook (mtumc) or Twitter (@MountTaborUMC)

St. John’s Lutheran

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., will host a Community Service of Thanksgiving at 11 a.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. The children’s and adult choirs will present special music, and the congregation will dedicate shoeboxes collected through Operation Christmas Child. The Rev. Rhodes Woolly is host pastor.

Third Creek AME Zion

CLEVELAND — Third Creek AME Zion Church, 415 E. Main St., will be having its annual 50 State Rally on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Glenn G.  Grayson Fellowship  Hall, celebrating the tastes and attire of the states with presentations. The Rev. Harold Jordan is host pastor.

First Presbyterian Salisbury

First Prestyberian Church  Salisbury will observe Christ the King Sunday, a day to celebrate the kingship of Christ, at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. servvices as well as at the contemporary worship at 8:50 a.m. On Sunday at 3 p.m. (weather permitting), will be a special Service of Blessing for all animals, held in the courtyard. (bring secured pets only, in cages, kennels, leashed etc.) On Wednesday, Nov. 25 will be the Soup Supper in Lewis Hall after the Holiday Caravan Parade. Soup, salad, and bread will be served. A free-will offering to help support the youth in building two homes for those in need will be taken up in lieu of a meal charge. Then at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary the youth and Rev. Brian Daoust will lead a Service of Thanksgiving.

Matron Stewardship at Hall’s Chapel

Hall’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 611 E.  Monroe St., will hold its Matron  Stewardship program on Sunday at 4 p.m. Speaker of the hour is Elder Nellie Johnson of God’s Tabernacle for Believers of Rockwell. Host pastor is Elder Richard Johnson.

Landmark Church 

The Community Thanksgiving Service is Sunday at 5 p.m. at Landmark Church, to take time during this busy season to give thanks for everything.  All are invited to bring donations, goods and money, for Rowan Helping Ministries to help those who are not as fortunate.

South Rowan Community Thanksgiving Service

CHINA GROVE — The South Rowan Ministerial Team will sponsor the South Rowan Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday evening at 5 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 326 N. Main St.  he The Rev. Billy Beaver of Main Street Baptist Church will deliver the sermon. The offering will be donated to Main Street Mission and everyone invited to bring canned goods to be as well. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Bethel United Methodist Church

PIC? MOCKSVILLE — Bethel United Methodist Church, 353 Bethel Church Road, will have its Thanksgiving Service on Sunday. A covered dish dinner will be held at 6  p.m. and Hazy Ridge Bluegrass Band will lead the worship service in song at 7 p.m. A love offering will be taken up for the group. The Rev. Tony Owens is host pastor.

A.T.C. Ministries

A.T.C. Ministries, 1915-1917 W. Innes St., will continue its Thursday Night Power Bible Study from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. each week through next March, by telephone conference.Visit www.atcministries1nc.org for the conference number. Debra Ellison is host pastor, 704-782-0072 weekdays.

Community Service of Light and Hope 

Several downtown Salisbury churches recognize that many are struggling this season and so are offering a Community Service of Light and Hope that will take place on Dec.  6 at 6:30 p.m. at First United Church of Christ on the corner of W. Horah and Church streets. Participating churches include Soldiers Memorial, St. John’s Lutheran, St. Luke’s Episcopal, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist Church and First United Church of Christ.

Pickin’ for the Master — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27: Opening set with Strings of Victory, then open acoustic jam session. Concessions available. This month’s event is in memory of Mary Anne Motley, pastor Mike’s Motley’s sister. She was a faithful attender each month. The Picking for the Master event is the last Friday night of each month and is a ministry of Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, 704-633-5986, www.tradingford.net

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Mark your calendars for these Christmas musicals and dramas

FUMC FirstARTS series

Noon, Dec. 4: An Advent Series, free and open to the public. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church S., www.fumcsalisbury.org

Weaver and Lunsford Christmas concert

6:30 p.m. Dec. 4: Matthew Weaver and Clay Lunsford, love offering will be received and refreshments follow. Unity Presbyterian Church, 885 Woodleaf Barber Road,  704-278-4248.

Piedmont Choral Society 

7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 3 p.m.  Dec. 6: 50 voice choir presents free Christmas concerts with orchestra, Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. N., Concord. Reception to follow. Info- kayy2000@gmail.com or 704-699-6053.

Live recreation of Bethlehem Marketplace 

4-8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6: Travel back 2,000 years to an interactive Middle Eastern bazaar. Free. North Main Baptist Church, 1501 N. Main St., 704-637-2929, email northmain@fibrant.com

ROCOC Christmas Concert

6 p.m. Dec. 6: Southern Gospel and Christmas music by Raising Glory. Love offering to purchase beds for Rowan One Church One Child Ministry. Life Church, 708 Jake Alexander Blvd. West, www.rowancountync.gov/rococ

Walk Thru Bethlehem, Mooresville

6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 2-9 p.m. Dec. 12: Free, lively, interactive, biblical-era drama and marketplace.Camp Wesley, 3090 Deal Road, Mooresville, www.walkthrubethlehem.org/

St. John’s Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert

4 p.m. Dec. 13: Christmas Concert by the 50+ member chorus to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries, The Inner Voices will also perform. A freewill offering will benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., www.stjohns-salisbury.org

Bible Missionary Baptist Church, Rockwell 

7 p.m. Dec. 18-19 plus 2:30 p.m. matinee Dec. 20: “The Ornament,” a musical drama specifically for area assisted living, retirement centers, nursing homes and group homes as guests. Free, but tickets are required; see  www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ornament-a-musical- drama-tickets-17967902480 or www.biblemissionary baptist.com or 704-640-7127.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 19: Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Kevin Max. Net proceeds and canned goods benefit RHM and The Hands & Feet Project. Grace Bible Church, Rockwell, www.facebook.com/ events/ 487257908117981/

‘Breath of Heaven’

11 a.m. Dec. 20: Christmas musical at Mount Tabor UMC, north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road, www.mounttaborumc.org

Submit your church’s special Christmas events to faith@salisburypost.com