Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church who participated in a recent adult mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala, will be sharing their experiences at the 9 a.m. Center Celebration Service and during the 10 a.m. Sunday school hour this Sunday.
Sponsored by Mission Discovery, an ecumenical faith-based organization, 12 church members worked with the only free school in Guatemala. Volunteers had the opportunity to work with several children and their families living in extreme poverty conditions.
The public is invited to learn about their life changing experiences. All services at St. John’s Lutheran Church are handicapped accessible.
For more information, contact St. John’s Lutheran Church at 704-636-3431.
Luther’s Lutheran
Today at 5:30 p.m., Luther’s Lutheran Church will host its annual Mother-Daughter Banquet.
This year’s theme is “Honey Bees and the Bee-Attitudes.”
The meal is catered by the Basinger men, and will include baked chicken and all the fixin’s. Entertainment and prizes will be provided as well as Bible study on the Beatitudes from Matthew 5.
The church is located at the corner of Stokes Ferry Road and Richfield Road.
For questions, contact Pastor Carol Yeager at 704-754-6287.Immanuel Lutheran
ROCKWELL ó The second year confirmands will be confirmed this Sunday during the 11 a.m. Pentecost worship service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rockwell.
Those being confirmed are: Lauren E. Goodman, daughter of Terry and Sandra Goodman; Madison T. Hall, daughter of Mitzi Hall and Mike Sharpe; Kristen N. Hatley, daughter of Scott and Carol Hatley; Rachel M. Hughes, daughter of David and Starr Hughes; Dominique A. Karriker, daughter of Dana and Dwayne Robertson; Tori D. Roseman, daughter of Chris and Terri Morgan; Suzanna L. Stirewalt,. daughter of Rhonda Stirewalt; and Carter B. Trexler, son of Tony and Glenda Trexler.
Judy Harwood, first-year confirmation instructor, will assist the Rev. Bruce C. Sheeks with the service.
Kay Mellinger, a representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, will present each student with a silver cross. They will also receive the following gifts from the congregation: a framed cross-stitch design made by congregation members; framed confirmation certificate; confirmation pin; pewter cross on stainless chain; wooden cross; Luther’s Small Catechism; and Lutheran blanket.
Sheeks will deliver the message, and music will be presented by the adult choir, children’s choir and youth choir.
Following the service, a reception will be held in honor of the confirmands at the fellowship building, given by members of the Irene Beaver Circle.
The church is located 2 miles southeast of Rockwell on Immanuel Church Road. For more information call 704-279-3737.
Third Creek AME Zion
CLEVELAND ó Third Creek AME Zion Church, 415 E. Main St., Cleveland will have a special Mother’s Day speaker Sunday, Dr. Joan K. Finger of Greensboro.
She has taught middle school, high school and college, was an assistant principal at a high school, and has been a consultant for the State Department of Public Instruction.
The Rev. Donnie C. Kent is the pastor of Third Creek.
First Calvary
First Calvary Baptist Church will observe Mother’s Day with two events this weekend, a brunch honoring mothers at 10 a.m. this morning, and a special worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Rev. Juanita Allen will be the speaker for the Sunday service. She is the assistant pastor at First Calvary.
The Rev. Leamon Brown is pastor of the church, located at 400 S. Long St.
For more information call 704-633-2818.
Gethsemane speaker
The Mother’s Day service Sunday, 10:45 a.m. at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church will feature music selections provided by the “All Women’s Choir.”
Guest speaker will be Portia Brandon. She is the managing editor of the Baptist Informer and Christian education coordinator of the General Baptist State Convention Inc. in Raleigh.
She holds a master of divinity degree and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Shaw University. Brandon is a member of Providence Baptist Church, Fuquay, married to Wesley T. Brandon and the mother of two children.
FUSION youth group
KANNAPOLIS ó The FUSION Youth Group of the First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will lead the 10:55 a.m. worship service at the church this Sunday.
Members of the group will honor their mothers with their favorite hymns and celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church.
The FUSION Band also will play during the service.
FUSION Youth Group is made up of teens in Grades 6-12, and is under the direction of Michael and Cheryl Lange. The public is welcome to attend the service.
For more information, call 704-938-4623.
Spring revival
Yadkin Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 325 Leonard Road, is holding a spring revival May 14-16, with services 7:30 p.m. nightly.
Guest speakers will be as follows: Wednesday ó Pastor Nilous Avery, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury; Thursday ó Pastor Anthony Q. Knotts, the Embassy Church International of Greensboro; and Friday ó Pastor Bryan Pierce, Bethel Baptist Church, Kannapolis.
Paul S. Rhinehart Sr. is church pastor.
For more information, call 704-637-1311 or visit www.yadkingrove.com.
Spiritual maturity
KANNAPOLIS ó First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis will host a DISCIPLE-SHIP training seminar titled “Discovering Spiritual Maturity” on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
This one-day, four-hour class will introduce participants to lifelong habits that will promote spiritual growth. Supper will be provided (a $5 donation is suggested).
No matter where a person is on their spiritual journey, this seminar will be helpful. The class will focus on developing or improving the habits of daily Bible study and time with God, prayer, stewardship and fellowship. The seminar will be led by Director of Ministries Kris Edscorn.
While there is no charge for the seminar, advance registration is required and is due by noon on Friday, May 16.
Call the church at 704-938-4623 for information or to make reservations.
Let’s Get Connected
Members of the Covenant Community Connection invites the public to join them at the Bell Tower for Let’s Get Connected Day on Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The event will include music, art, dance, food and a circle of prayer at noon.
The Covenant Community Connection is a part of the Salisbury Rowan Human Relations Council.
The Bell Tower is on the corner of West Innes Street and North Jackson Street.
For more information, contact Betty Jo Hardy, 704-636-6119 or bttyjhrdy@aol.com.
St. Matthew’s LutheranSt. Matthew’s Lutheran Church is preparing for its annual “Come as You Are” informal camper service with a kick-off program of southern gospel music performed by Darrell Connor and Band, DC and the Chosen Few and various soloists and groups of all ages from the congregation.
The public is invited to bring yard chairs and enjoy music, fun and free admission and refreshments on the church lawn Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m.
If it rains, the program will be moved to the church sanctuary with refreshments in the fellowship hall.
This informal camper service was organized in the early 1970s with the idea of welcoming visitors on the lake and surrounding community. This year’s informal camper services begin May 25 at 8:30 a.m. and extend through Aug. 31 in the fellowship hall with informal attire as the dress code.
Formal services follow with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and morning worship 10:30 a.m.
The Rev. Gary Coble is pastor of St. Matthew’s, located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.
Women honoredThe Lewis Center of First Presbyterian Church was the site of 173 persons gathered to celebrate May Friendship Day and honor 15 Outstanding Young Church Women.
The theme was “God’s Wisdom Inspires Hospitality.” Christine Scotton, May Friendship Day celebration chair, welcomed those present and suggested that each person “plant a seed of hospitality and reap a bouquet of friendships.”
Salisbury-Rowan Church Women United president Jean Kennedy and Dotty Clement, moderator of First Presbyterian Church Women, also welcomed the group. The invocation and blessing of the meal was given by Dr. Jim C. Duncan, pastor.
The Fellowship of the Least Coin Offering was collected to be forwarded to the international movement. Maggie Reid, a former recipient of a grant from FLC, led the group in the prayer of dedication. Dotty Clement accompanied the group in the singing of two songs. Flo Peck, communications chair and first UCC representative, presented the introduction to the MFD theme.
Scriptures related to hospitality were read by Barbara Bumgarner, Maxine Bowman and Rena Morgan. Jacquelyn Sims, chaplain, led the litany. Betty Hutchins led the receiving of the May Friendship Day offering and dedicated it and the many items brought to MFD for the Family Crisis Assistance.
Montrella Davis, Ecumenical Action chair, was responsible for delivering the items. Christine Scotton read a brief biography of each of the 15 honored women as they came forward to receive a certificate, booklet and CWU literature from President Kennedy. Those honored and their respective churches are as follows:
Wendy Baskins, Soldier’s Memorial AME Zion; Sandra Beuchler, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran; Stephanie Wellington-Campbell, Trinity Presbyterian; Robin Fisher, First Presbyterian; Kristie Gingery, Milford Hills United Methodist; Arneda Taylor Harper, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist; Teresa W. Jones, New Zion Missionary Baptist; Katina Lashley, Gethsemane Misssionary Baptist; Amelia McCachren, John Calvin Presbyterian; Savannah Boyd McGorda, Jerusalem Missionary Baptist; Cindy Morgan, First United Church of Christ; Laura Koonntz Peltz, First United Methodist; Lorna Brown-Ray, First Calvary Baptist; Kim Smith, St. Luke Baptist; Michelle Wolf, Sacred Heart Church.
The attendance banner was won by New Zion Baptist Church, and the Nanduti banner remained with the host church. After the singing of a song, Associate Pastor Dr. Randy Kirby, pronounced the benediction.
The next celebration of the Salisbury-Rowan unit of CWU in North Carolina will be the Human Rights gathering at St. Luke Baptist Aug. 1. The public is invited.