Faith Briefs Saturday, Feb. 10

Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 10, 2018

TODAY: Valentine Spaghetti Luncheon

CLEVELAND — 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; donations accepted. At Knox Chapel UMC, 3520 Amity Hill Road.

TODAY: Shepherd Family in concert

CHINA GROVE — The Shepherd Family will be in concert this evening at 6 p.m. at China Grove Church of God, 413 N. Franklin St. For more info call 704-754-0109.

FUMC moves services temporarily

First United Methodist Church of Salisbury will worship in Catawba College’s Omwake-Dearborn Chapel this Sunday and next, at 11 a.m. due to the church building’s heat needing major repair. The congregation is deeply grateful to the Catawba College community, including campus minister Dr. Kenneth Clapp.

First Calvary observes Black History Month 

First Calvary Baptist Church, 400 S. Long St., will celebrate Black History Month during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. Salisbury Mayor Al Heggins will be the guest speaker.

Mayor Heggins is a native of Rowan County and the daughter of the late William and Mary Lipe. She is married to Isaac Heggins and they have six children and two grandchildren. Mayor Heggins is founder and owner of the Human Praxis Institute (HPI), a human relations firm based in Salisbury that helps organizations and communities create and sustain inclusive and welcoming environments.

She earned a M.Ed. in TESL and a BA in English from UNC-Charlotte. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Livingstone College.

Attendees are invited to wear red in celebration of Heart Health Day. The Rev. Leamon E. Brown is pastor. 704-633-2818.

Heritage Month at Mt Zion Baptist

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1920 Shirley Ave., celebrates Heritage Month on Sunday at 11 a.m. with special music by the Livingstone College Gospel Choir under the direction of Pastor Christopher White. The Mt Zion Praise Team will open the worship service.

Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery II is host pastor. 704-637-0954, ext. 100 or churchoffice@mountzionsalisburync.org

Special music at John Calvin

On Sunday Kerry Wilkerson and Danielle Talamantes will provide special music during the 11 a.m. service at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on Brenner Ave.

Kerry is the son of pastor Dr. John Wilkerson and Danielle is his daughter-in-law. Talamantes is a soprano and Wilkerson is a bass-baritone. Talamantes has sung professionally at the Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera. Wilkerson sings professionally as a Military vocalist and has sung at Carnegie.

They will sing again at the Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. .

They will present a recital at the Catawba College Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. accompanied by Dr. Renee McCachren on the piano. This event is sponsored by Catawba College and John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

On Feb. 14, Wilkerson will offer a Vocal Master Class in the Catawba Chapel from 3-5 p.m. The recital and the vocal class are free to the public.

Macedonia Missionary Baptist appreciation

CONCORD — Pastor appreciation service on Sunday for Rev. John Leazer of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 6740 Macedonia Church Road, as he begins his 21st year.

The 11 a.m. speaker is Bishop Lonnie J. Hall of Charlotte and the 3 p.m. speaker is Rev. Carolyn D. Bratton of Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church of Salisbury.

Fairview Heights hosts special service

Fairview Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 704 Old Concord Road, will sponsor a building fund service on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Guest preacher will be the Rev. Ricky Johnson, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Granite Quarry. Host pastor is the Rev. Clarence E. Marlin.

Annual Men’s Day at Liberty AME Zion 

MOCKSVILLE — The annual Men’s Day Program at Liberty AME Zion Church, 271 Gladstone Road, is Sunday at 3 p.m. Rev. Kevin Williamson, associate minister of Marable AME Zion Church, will deliver the evening message. Rev. David T. Smalls is host Pastor.

Robinson pastoral anniversary

STATESVILLE — New Creation Baptist Church, 792 Glover St., is celebrating the Rev. Joseph and First Lady Mary Robinson’s 11th pastoral anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. with guest speaker Rev. Samuel Washington of Salisbury’s Solid Rock Church of God. A repast will follow the service.

F.A.C.T. service

The F.A.C.T. (Families and Communities Together) will have its Blessing of the Children Worship Service on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church USA, 300 S. Caldwell St.

Featured on the program:

• Tribute & liturgical dance honoring black leaders by Trinity Presbyterian Church.

• Tribute to Carmen de Lavallade, actress and choreographer, by Miracle Shavers and Nina Williams of Soldiers Memorial AME Zion.

• Black history facts by Heaven Lawson, Nala Lawson and Knowledge Lawson of Miller’s Chapel AME Zion.

• Poem by Vanessa Turner of Lilly’s Chapel Church of God.

• Poem by children and youth of New Hope AME Zion.

• African-style dance by children and youth of Moore’s Chapel AME Zion.

• Object lesson by Dr. Mary A. Love, Hood Theological Seminary.

• Meditation and blessing prayer by Rev. Olen V. Bruner of Trinity Presbyterian Church.

NAACP founders day

The Salisbury-Rowan national Association for the Advancement of Colored People will celebrate its 109th Founders Day at 4 p.m. Sunday at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 719 Caldwell St.

The celebration’s theme is “Had it Not Been…” focusing on the sacrifice, mindset, fortitude and strength of predecessors in promoting and fighting for political, social and economic justice.

The celebration includes inspiration music by Unity and Praise and Catawba College student Destiny Stone. Keynote address will be delivered by Terrell Richardson, Livingstone College Student Government Association president, followed by a reception in the James L. Stowe Fellowship Hall. For more information, contact branch secretary Leanese Woods.

In My Father’s House hosts Purpose Driven Life classes

Purpose Driven Life classes, led by the Rev. Roosevelt Jenkins, are from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Hurley Room at Rowan Public Library. The next study date is Thursday, Feb. 15.

Apply now for IMF Treasure Feamster scholarship

The Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF) Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for the 2018 IMF Treasure Feamster Scholarship. Application deadline is April 6; must be postmarked by that date. Scholarships are available for high school seniors who are members of an IMF-affiliated church, regardless of their chosen field of study. High school seniors can check with their guidance office or affiliated churches for applications. Info: 704-639-1894 or 704-433-3277.

‘Laughter With Grace’ 

First Presbyterian Church, 308 W. Fisher St., hosts Lewis Preaching Series guest speaker Rev. Susan Sparks, pastor, lawyer, author, comedian • Feb 24: Ladies lunch, “Laugh your Way to Grace,” 11:30 a.m. $10 RSVP • Feb 24: “Its our Time to Move” 5-6 p.m. with music by Catawba College Praise Band • Feb 25: “Trust Jesus and Elvis,” at 10:30 a.m. • Feb 25: “Weathering the Storms of Life,” 5:30-7 p.m., evening dinner program, free but RSVP required. RSVP by Feb. 14 to 704-636-1321.

Rev. Sparks is senior pastor of Madison Ave. Baptist Church, NYC. She has been featured in Oprah magazine, NY Times, CBS, CNN, ABC, TedX speaker, author of Laugh Your Way to Grace. Visit www.salisburyfirstpres.org to learn more.

SHROVE TUESDAY / ASH WEDNESDAY

Ursinus UCC

ROCKWELL — Ursinus United Church of Christ, 116 W. Main St.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, 5-7:30 p.m. Tickets $5; children under 6 free. Proceeds go to Food for Thought Backpack Program.

Online ecumenical series on prayer begins Feb. 15 at www.ursinusgroup.com or on- site 6 p.m. Tuesdays Feb. 20-March 20 for fun activities that enhance our experience of prayer.

Bethel Lutheran

Bethel Lutheran Church, 355 East Ridge Road, 704-636-0331.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, 6 p.m., provided by the Lutheran Men in Mission.

Ash Wednesday service of the imposition of ashes, 7 p.m. Music by the adult choir. Host pastor is Darrell Norris.

Mt Tabor UMC

Mt Tabor United Methodist Church, just north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road, 704-633-7484, www.mounttaborumc.org

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper 5-7 p.m.

Mount Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE — Mount Zion United Church of Christ, 1415 S. Main St., www.mtzionchinagrove.com

Mardi Gras Sunday, 10:30 a.m. with Jay Meachum on trumpet, Dave Reid on clarinet, Wiley Porter on banjo, Steve Griggs on helicon. Beads provided.

Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner, 5:30-7 p.m.

Ash Wednesday service, 7 p.m. Host pastor Mark L. Burns.

Holy Cross

MOCKSVILLE — Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1913 US Highway 601 S.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, 6 p.m.

Lent at Organ Lutheran

Organ Lutheran Church, 1515 Organ Church Road

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, 5-7 p.m.

Ash Wednesday service, 7 p.m.

First UCC 

First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St., 704-633-2723.

Ash Wednesday service of the imposition of ashes, 7 p.m.

Gloria Dei

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd., 704-636-8354

Ash Wednesday service of the imposition of ashes, 7 p.m.

Weekly ecumenical services with visiting clergy from Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of Christ churches at 7 p.m. starting Feb. 21.

Prayer group meets 10 a.m. Tuesdays to pray for world affairs, community, individuals.