Praise In The Park today

CLEVELAND — Shady Grove Baptist Church will be hosting Praise In The Park at Cleveland Park on July 16 from noon to 6 p.m. This fundraiser will feature gospel singing, praise dancing, games and prizes for the kids, raffles for bicycles and more. Fish plates, hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold. For more information, contact 704-402-6362.

‘Steal Away’ this afternoon

Outreach Christian Ministries presents the play “Steal Away,” at 5 p.m. today at 722 W. Horah St. There is no admission charge.

Dr. ‘Bob’ Lewis returns to speak

First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury welcomes Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Lewis back to our pulpit. Dr. Lewis will preach at all three worship services tomorrow: 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary and 8:50 a.m. in Lewis Hall (named for Bob in recognition of his years of service to this church). Dr. Lewis served as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury for 24 years before retiring. He then served as the doctor of ministry program director for Hood Theological Seminary. In the years since his retirement, Bob was named Pastor Emeritus.

Mount Zion UCC hosts missionaries

CHINA GROVE – Missionaries to Honduras Ed and Linda Sloan will be visiting Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 1415 South Main St., this Sunday. Ed Sloan will be hosting a 9:30 a.m. Sunday school class about missionary work in the 21st century. During the 10:30 a.m. summer worship service, the Rev. Linda Sloan will be sharing a “teachable” moment from their Honduras experiences. Following worship is a covered dish dinner in the new building. For more information visit mtzionchinagrove.com or call 704-857-1169. The Rev. Mark L. Burns is host pastor.

Youth Conference at Word of Life

Word of Life Family Worship Center will host the 2016 Youth Conference on Sunday on the theme of “So Who’s Training Who?” At the 10 a.m. service, the children’s church graduation will be held with guest speaker Elder Nathan M. Munford IV, who serves as the director of discipleship, chief adjutant, and in February was appointed as assistant pastor of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Winston Salem, where Bishop Tejado W. Hanchell is pastor. Dr. Martha & Elder Clinton Starks are the host pastors. For information and transportation call 704-633-2431.

Ten @ 10 Summer worship at JCP

The “Ten @ 10” services are ten weeks of special Sunday summer worship services, starting at 10 a.m. each week, began on July 3 and will continue until Labor Day. Each Sunday John Calvin Presbyterian Church’s service will be in the fellowship hall with refreshments and a casual atmosphere. Worshipers will sit around tables to have discussion on the message by the minister of the week. The minister delivering the message this Sunday is Virginia native and retired pastor at Thyatira Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Sandy Kern, who served in a number of Presbyterian USA churches in Texas before coming to North Carolina. She serves on the Habitat Board of Rowan County and is the Guardian ad Litem for six children in DSS custody. The summer schedule for supply ministries is as follows:

July 17: Rev. Sandy Kern;

July 24: Katherine Lamb, Presbyterian ministerial candidate from JCPC;

July 31: Rev. Ed Lewis, retired Mooresville Presbyterian Church minister living in Salisbury;

Aug. 7: Rev. Ed Lewis (Communion Sunday);

Aug. 14: Rev. Felicia Hoyle, Clemmons Parish Associate, Clemmons Presbyterian Church;

August 21: Rev. Laurie Valentine, from Kernersville;

Aug. 28: Dr. Barry Sang, Catawba College Professor of Religion;

Sept. 4: Dr. Dianna Wright (Communion Sunday), Associate Presbyter and African-American Advisor.

John Calvin Presbyterian Church is located on Brenner Avenue in front of the Hefner VA Medical Center.

Women’s Day at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian

WOODLEAF — Women’s Day will be observed on Sunday during the 11 a.m. service at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 435 Carson Road. Arneda Taylor-Harper of Cleveland will be the speaker. Mrs. Taylor-Harper is a member of Mt. Vernon and a local educator. The Presbyterian Women’s theme for 2016 is “A Worship to Inherit.” Musical selections will be rendered by Deanna Culbertson. The men of Mt. Vernon will serve lunch following the morning service. Dr. Emery Rann is host pastor.

St. Luke Missionary Baptist homecoming and revival 

St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, organized in 1879, will be celebrating homecoming on Sunday. The 11 a.m. speaker is the host pastor Arthur Heggins. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. The 3 p.m. speaker is the Rev. Daril Scott Jr. of Union Chapel AME Zion Church in Linwood. Rev. Scott has been the senior pastor at Union Chapel since 2014. He holds a BA degree from Lees-McRae College, and is currently enrolled at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters in Divinity degree.

Revival services run July 18 through 21 at 7 p.m. each night. Speaker for the occasion is the Rev. Dr. James Hunt of New Birth Worship Center of East Bend. He holds degrees from Livingston College, Columbia University, North Carolina A&T State University, Liberty University and Trinity Theological Seminary. In addition to his pastoral duties he was employed as a physical therapist for 44 years before retiring in 2014.

Omega Chapter 242 holds Star program

STATESVILLE — “Star Day” program is Sunday at 3 p.m. at Davidsonville Baptist Church, 422 Turnersburg Highway, sponsored by Omega Chapter 242, Order of the Easter Star PHA, Cleveland Chapter. Host pastor is the Rev. Vince Linney. The invited speaker will be the Rev. James Williams of Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ of Statesville.

Moore’s Chapel AME Zion holds program

CLEVELAND — Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 5890 South River Church Road, will host a Women of the Bible program on Sunday at 3 p.m. Speakers will be from various churches. The Rev. Eddie L. Fortson is host pastor.

Anniversary at Third Creek AME Zion

The Senior Usher Board of Third Creek AME Zion Church will celebrate its 19th anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Rev. Zacharias Allen Sr., pastor of Providence AME Zion Church will lead the service. Dinner will be served at 1:30 p.m. in the Glenn Grayson fellowship hall. The Rev. Harold Jordan is host pastor.

Homecoming at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist 

St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church will have its annual homecoming Sunday. The 11 a.m. speaker will be the pastor, Rev. John Geter. The 3 p.m. speaker will be the Rev. Carolyn Bratton, pastor of Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church.  Revival services will run July 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. with guest speakers as follows:

Wednesday: the Rev. Stanley Rice of Yadkin Grove Baptist Church;

Thursday: the Rev. Patrick Jones Sr. of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Dunns Mt.;

Friday: the Rev. John W. Cade of Files Chapel Baptist Church, Lexington.

Trinity Presbyterian celebrates 149 years

Trinity Presbyterian Church USA will celebrate its 149th anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. with guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Calvin Luther Miller. Dr. Miller is a North Rowan High School and Rowan Technical College graduate. He holds a bachelor of arts from Livingstone, a master of divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, a doctorate from Carolina University of Theology, Manassas, Va., and a doctorate from Hood Seminary. He has taught at Rowan Technical College, Piedmont Correctional Center and Livingstone College. He serves as chairman of the board of Christian Education, Western North Carolina Conference and Piedmont Episcopal District; chairman of the Holy Orders committee, finance committee, admission committee, conference trustee, Western North Carolina Conference; former Charlotte district director of Christian education; budget and finance committee; trustee board of Camp Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center; Christian Minister’s Fellowship Association; Rules and Local Preachers committee; Presiding Elder’s Appreciation Reception.

Solid Rock Church of God holds Men’s Day

The Men’s Ministry of Solid Rock Church of God, 1004 Locke St., will celebrate Men’s Day on Sunday at 4 p.m. The guest preacher is Bishop W. Ronald Hash, pastor of Love Christian Center in East Spencer. Refreshments will be served following the service. Host pastor is the Rev. Samuel A. Washington.

Revival at Samaritan Baptist Church

Samaritan Baptist Church, 723 Long Ferry Road, will be holding revival services July 18-22 at 6:30 p.m. nightly. Pastor Danny Castle will preach.

S-R Ministerial Association

CHINA GROVE — The South Rowan Ministerial Association will gather for prayer and Bible Study on Tuesday, July 19 at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church in China Grove. All area pastors and worship leaders are invited to attend this inter-denominational group of local churches and congregations. For more information contact Pastor Ken Reed at 704-796-1764 or kenreed803@gmail.com

Rhema Praise holds Men’s program

SPENCER — Rhema Praise and Worship Church, 117 Long Ferry Road, is sponsoring its annual Men’s Program on July 20 at 3:30 p.m. Pastor Ivan Cowan of New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Troutman is bringing the evening message. The Rev. Alonza Williams Sr. is host pastor. Contact 704-603-4380 or rhemapraiseandworshipchurch@gmail.com

First Calvary 150th homecoming activities

First Calvary Baptist Church, 400 South Long St., will observe its 150th anniversary July 21-24. Scheduled events and services include:

Thursday at 7 p.m.: Mass Choir Concert, under the direction of ministers of music Sam and Sharon Wilkins;

Friday at 7 p.m.: Youth Revival with guest speaker Minister Marcus Fairley, youth minister at Gethsemane Baptist Church, who serves under the leadership of Rev. Dr. C.L. Phelps. Fairley is a graduate Johnson & Wales University and is currently pursuing his master of divinity at Hood Theological Seminary;

Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Community Day activities and picnic, “Walk Down Memory Lane” displays, games.

Concordia Lutheran starts Bible study 

CHINA GROVE — Concordia Lutheran Church, 185 Concordia Church Road, will hold a four-night adult Bible study July 25-28 in the sanctuary. Pastor Ken Reed will lead the series called “Jesus Said What? Gospels that Don’t Appear in the Bible.”  Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the program is at 6:45 p.m. Call 704-857-2163 for details.

 

How to submit a Faith Brief — Free Faith Briefs are for special events (not the regular order of services), and run in the Faith Section every Saturday. Send submissions to faith@salisburypost.com, subject line: Church News, deadline: 1 p.m. Thursday. In order to make room for everyone, free Faith Briefs run once.