First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., will host the Celebration Singers from Alamance County at the 10:55 a.m. worship service Sunday.
Also, Jane Jackman, executive director of Arc/Rowan will speak about the organization and how the church and community can support its continued mission in the area.
In November 1978 a very special choir was organized which began a unique ministry by mentally disabled adults in Alamance County. They called themselves the Celebration Singers. Thirty years later, they are still going strong.
Evelyn Apple, a resident of Alamance County since 1940, had observed a choir of mentally handicapped adults sing at a church in Greensboro and decided this would be a worthy activity to pursue in Burlington. As a mother of three developmentally-disabled sons, she saw this as an opportunity to provide not only an activity for those no longer served by the school system but as a means to promote acceptance, understanding and respect for this special population.
Apple was then the director of Camp Green Leaves, a camp for people with disabilities, in northern Alamance County.
At that time, Suzanne Shoffner taught drama and music at the camp. Apple challenged Shoffner to “go out and do this” and she indeed did just that. In their early years, however, there was a degree of resistance to the idea of having the handicapped singled out and “put on display,” making it hard for them to get invitations to perform.
During her leadership, spanning 22 years, Shoffner promoted the choir to the point of having to schedule appearances nearly a year in advance. During her tenure they sang in seven states and on the steps of the capitol building in Washington, DC .
Suzanne was led to enter the Christian ministry during her time with the Celebration Singers and became pastor of Shiloh Presbyterian Church of Burlington.
Macedonia Lutheran Church of Burlington became the first strong supporter of this group providing a meeting place for weekly rehearsals. During the years, many churches, parents, musicians and friends have served the needs of the group.
The Celebration Singers’ members represent a wide range of abilities and circumstances. A number of them can sing well and read while others function on a different level. Some of them live at home with parents, others are independent, but the largest number of them live in residential group homes. Many of them work at a sheltered workshop while others work at jobs in the private sector.
The Celebration Singers choir is an interdenominational group. They have sung for hundreds of churches along the eastern seaboard, for large conventions, for educational conferences, for special banquets, for civic organizations and a large variety of other meetings .
The current director, Betty P. Settlemyre, has been a church choral director for many years and has served the Celebration Singers’ choir since 2000. She and her husband, a retired minister in the United Church of Christ, reside in Burlington and have a developmentally disabled daughter named Betty Kim.
The current pianist and assistant director is Diane Hobby. She is a church organist/choir director in a Burlington church and she and her husband reside in Mebane.
The Celebration Singers Inc. is a nonprofit organization, which depends entirely on donations for the continuance of its ministry.
Memorial Baptist
KANNAPOLIS ó For the 16th year, Memorial Baptist Church will offer a free Thanksgiving meal to thousands of needy in the Kannapolis community.
Last year, more than 250 volunteers served more than 2,000 meals. This year, Memorial expects to serve 2,200, with the help of Franklin Heights and Parkwood Baptist churches in Kannapolis. Reservations are already being made.
Each meal includes turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, green beans, yams, rolls, desserts and the traditional cranberry sauce.
The tradition began in 1992 when pastor the Rev. Don Davis suggested the church offer a free meal on Thanksgiving Day for the less fortunate. The Baptist Mens’ group began planning to provide 500 meals in the dining room, delivered by volunteers and picked up by the needy.
Church leaders turned to a member who owned a family restaurant to provide the expertise in ordering the food and cooking at his restaurant. Members shuttled the cooked food from his restaurant to Memorial’s fellowship hall to prepare the meals.
After two years, the restaurant closed, and the family moved.
The church found a Concord caterer who wanted to help, and for the next three years, members brought cooked food from the caterer to the church, where they prepared the meals.
In 1995, Memorial Baptist began construction of a new Family Life Center with a full-size kitchen. That Thanksgiving, the church still served 750 meals.
In 1997, the church began preparing all of the food in-house, with “a system that the best of cafeterias would be proud of.” Planning for the meal begins every September.
At 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, the volunteers begin “a full-blown food frenzy,” putting together the delivery meals.
Using mass production lines, the volunteers have about 650 meals prepared in an hour.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the ministry can send donations, earmarked Thanksgiving meal, to Memorial Baptist Church, 1785 Dale Earnhardt Blvd.
Call Memorial Baptist Church at 704-932-4206 for more information and for delivery.
Veterans’ Sunday
CHINA GROVE ó South China Grove United Methodist Church will observe Veterans’ Recognition Sunday at its regular 9:30 a.m. service.
Church members will dedicate the 15-volume Interpreter’s Bible and Interpreter’s Dictionary donated by Joy Leonard, widow of the late Maj. Robert Leonard, retired army. Maj. Leonard served for more than 20 years in the armed forces, and the Bibles will be held in his memory for all members of the church to use.
All veterans will be honored at the service, which will include a presentation of colors by retired service personnel and a time of recognition during the service.
The theme of the service will be PEACE. Coffee and snacks will be offered immediately following the service.
Veterans are invited to wear all or any part of their uniforms. The church is located at 230 Rose Ave. in China Grove. Dr. S. B. “Doc” Warner is the pastor.
Eternity Church
Beginning Nov. 9, Eternity Church will hold its 10 a.m. Sunday services at Salisbury Adventist Church, 305 Rudolph Road.
Eternity Church is grateful for the use of the Adventist Church facility though Eternity Church is not affiliated with its ministry.
For more information about Eternity Church, visit www.eternity-church.com or call 704-754-3914.
Erwin Temple
COOLEEMEE ó In observance of Veteran’s Day, a special program will be given at Erwin Temple CME Church this Sunday to show honor and appreciation to veterans.
The morning service begins at 11 a.m. with the pastor, the Rev. Ervin L. Hannah Jr., giving the sermon. The Mass Choir will sing. Lunch will be served at 2 p.m.
The afternoon service will begin at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel Pressley R. Carr Jr. He is a native of Cleveland, son of Sallie Hargrove Carr and the late Pressley R. Carr Sr.
LTC Carr enlisted in the US Army in 1987 and received his commission into the Engineer Corps from the Army Officer Candidate School in 1989. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Joint Guard in Kosovo. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Parachutes Badge and Bronze DeFleury Medal.
He has served in various command and staff positions in the U.S. and Germany during his 21 years of military service. He is currently assigned as executive officer in the Installation Services Directorate, Officer of the Assistant Chief of Staff for installation Management. He resides with his wife, Eartha, and sons, Brenden and Jonathan, in Springfield, Va.
Music will be provided by the Geter Family (Three G’s) of New Jerusalem Holiness Church of Woodleaf.
Cowboy church
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will offer “Cowboy Church” for the entire community Sunday beginning at 3 p.m.
Cowboy Church is an informal and casual worship experience featuring country and Southern gospel music. The musical guests will be The Simmons of Burlington, featuring singer musician Delores Hancock Simmons. The Simmons have appeared across the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast.
Pastor Dave Ridenhour will deliver the message. The attire is casual. Western wear, boots, jeans, ties, etc. are welcomed.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is located at 2570 St. Peter’s Church Road.
For more information, call the church office at 704-279-5054 or the pastor at 704-798-3742.
Sills Creek AME Zion
MOORESVILLE ó The Young Adult Missionary Society (YAMS) of Sills Creek AME Zion Church will observe Founders Day Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Paula Fortson Robinson will bring the message. Married to Oliver Robinson, she is the mother of one son, Dillion. Robinson is the daughter of the late Rev. L.A. Reid and Betty Jane Fortson. She is an active member and missionary within her church, Marable Memorial AME Zion, as well as in her Kannapolis community.
This observance honors Dr. Willa Mae Rice, founder, and Dr. Adlise Porter as the organizing coordinator.
The purpose of the YAMS is to unite women ages 22-40 of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church for mission service in both the church and the community. The YAMS are collecting donated can food items as a part of their mission outreach.
Sills Creek is located at N.C. 150 and Bradshaw Road, Mooresville. The Rev. Jordan Boyd is the pastor.
Shady Grove Baptist
EAST SPENCER ó Shady Grove Baptist Church in East Spencer will celebrate Pastor Alonza A. Williams Sr. and First Lady Joyce Williams’ fifth anniversary Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The morning speaker will be Minister Michael Mitchell of Southern City AME Zion Tabernacle and the afternoon speaker will be Pastor David Bracken of Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Lunch will be served after the morning service.
New Zion Baptist
New Zion Baptist Church, 2785 Dunn’s Mountain Road, will celebrate the 30th pastoral anniversary of the Rev. and Mrs. Paul Jones Sr. Sunday.
The 11 a.m. guest speaker will be Elder Keith Shuler, pastor of New Beginning Fellowship Church in Charlotte. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation.
The celebration will continue at 3 p.m. with several speakers commemorating the 30 years of pastoral service.
The Rev. Paul and Alma Jones have three sons and nine grandchildren. Jones was pastor of New Faith Baptist Church in Lexington before coming to Salisbury. In all, he has been preaching 34 years.
John Calvin
The Rev. Douglas Gebhard has been called as interim minister at John Calvin Presbyterian Church and a Covenanting Ceremony will be held 11 a.m. this Sunday. The Rev. Lemuil Garcia of Salem Presbytery will participate.
The church is located at 1620 Brenner Ave., across from the VA Medical Center.
All are welcome to attend and to stay for a sandwich luncheon following the service.
Prospect PresbyterianProspect Presbyterian Church is celebrating and honoring its veterans at this Sunday’s service.
The Mooresville High School Naval Jr. ROTC Color Guard will present the flag at the beginning of the worship service.
Service men and women from all branches of the military will be recognized. The choir will present special patriotic music starting at 10:55 a.m. The sermon for the day will be delivered by Naval Reserve Chaplain Jimmie L. Myers.
Myers is also a district court judge, serving in Iredell and Davie counties.
The church will also be dedicating a book of the recollections of Prospect veterans compiled by the Prospect Heritage Committee. There will be a display of military and war memorabilia from some of the Prospect veterans in the fellowship hall.
All veterans and their families are invited to the service.
The Church is located at 9425 West N.C. 152. For information call 704-664-1514.
Word of Life
Word of Life Family Worship Center is holding its second annual Veteran’s Recognition Service Sunday at 1 p.m.
During the service, military veterans as well as those in active duty will be recognized.
Minister Tim Bell, an associate minister at St. Peter’s World Outreach Center in Winston-Salem, will be the speaker. He is a veteran of 20 plus years of military service in the United States Air Force, where he retired with the rank of MSgt. (E-7). He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.
He has an associate degree in financial management from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mount Olive College and a master’s degree in business from Wake Forest University. He is the director of physical resources at Wake Forest University Health Sciences in Winston-Salem.
Local government officials have been invited to attend the service. The JROTC from North Rowan High School will present the color guard. Special patriotic music will be sung by members of the Word of Life Family Worship Center Music Ministry.
The Word of Life Family Worship Center is located at 726 E. Liberty St. in Salisbury. Dr. Martha Starks is the host pastor.
St. Luke Baptist
St. Luke Baptist Church at 410 Hawkinstown Road will celebrate its annual Women’s Day this Sunday.
The guest speaker for the 11 a.m. morning service will be Evangelist LaJune Y. Gray, an associate minister at Freedom United Church in Woodleaf.
Members and friends are asked to join in the celebration of women. The theme is: “Ordinary Women doing Extraordinary Things Through Christ Jesus.”
The women of St. Luke Baptist Church will start the celebration with a luncheon in their honor today at 11 a.m.
St. John’s Lutheran
During November, St. John’s Lutheran Church Church is presenting the Lutherans and Local Mission Outreach Series.
These programs will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 200 W. Innes St. in Salisbury. The presentations will be at 6 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, lower level of the main building (handicap accessible.) Dinner is available at 5:30 p.m. for $3.
Programs remaining in the series are as follows:
– Nov. 12: Mission Outreach Development. Pastor John Propst of St. John’s will share what it’s like to be a pastor/developer from his days at Desert Cross Church, Tempe, Ariz. and Spirit of Joy Church, Weddington.
– Nov. 19: Growing the N.C. Synod. The Rev. Ernie Hinojosa, mission director for the N.C. Synod, will share a bit of his faith story as well as share about the Lutheran mission work throughout the N.C. Synod. More information is at www.nclutheran.org/Mission_Director.214.html.
Choral workshop
A free choral workshop is being held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 131 W. Council St. 7-9 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Leading the workshop will be Dr. James Abbington, noted expert in African-American church music and the editor of numerous hymn and choral collections. He is currently associate professor of church music and worship at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, and executive editor of the African-American Church Music series published by GIA of Chicago.
Lunch and music will be provided for all participants.
This workshop is being held in preparation for the third annual Glory of Christmas concert at 4 p.m., Dec. 14. Rehearsals for the concert will be added following the workshop.
Those participating in the workshop are asked to RSVP no later than Nov. 12 to Dr. Phillip Burgess at 704-633-3221 or 704-433-3887.
New Beginning
KANNAPOLIS ó New Beginning Church of God, 1124 Thomas Ave., Kannapolis, is holding a Pastor’s 6th Appreciation Service for Bishop Gene and Evangelist Willie Roseman.
Services will be held Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. with speaker Pastor Roger Powell of Pentecostal Praise and Prayer Ministries, Troutman; Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. with speaker Pastor Sylvester Gillespie of Tabernacle of Joy Ministries, Mooresville; and Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. with speaker Bishop C. Randy Minor of Mount Calvary Holiness Church, Statesville.
For more information, contact the church office at 704- 938-2088.
‘Praize Riot’
CONCORD ó Eddie Brown Jr. and the Music and Arts Seminar will host a 2008 Musical Praize Riot Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Special guests include Johnson C. Smith University Gospel Choir; Association of Ebonite Gospel Choir, Winthrop College, Rock Hill S.C.; New Vision Community Choir, Kannapolis; Divinity, High Point; Radically Appointed Mimes, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Charlotte; Visions of Zion Praise Dancers, Winthrop College; Inner Expression Dance Team, Charlotte; Shiloh Baptist Church Mass Choir; and the Shiloh Baptist Praise Team, Concord.
The service will be held at New Birth Christian Fellowship, 47 Gold St., Concord. Bishop Christopher Harris is host pastor.
For more information, call 704-713-2155.
Trinity Presbyterian
Trinity Presbyterian Church USA, 300 S. Caldwell S. has elected, and the Salem Presbytery, on Oct. 21, has approved the call to a new pastor. The newly elected minister is the Rev. Olen V. Bruner.
Bruner was born in Concord. He graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in New York City, in 1973. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Livingstone College in 1977, and his master of divinity degree at Hood Theological Seminary in 1983. He has more than 30 years of active Christian ministry.
Bruner comes from the Presbytery of Detroit, where he served as the pastor of Trinity Community Presbyterian Church USA, Detroit, Mich. He has served as a delegate to the 216th General Assembly; he has served as a member-at-large in the Synod of the Covenant; and is a former member of the Synod Cabinet on Ethnic Church Affairs.
In the Presbytery of Detroit, he served as a member of New Church Development and Transformational Ministry team and Congregational Life ministry team.
Bruner’s first sermon at Trinity Presbyterian will be Nov. 30.
Lilly’s Chapel
Lilly’s Chapel Church of God will celebrate Dr. Thomas H. Clawson’s 15th anniversary as pastor Sunday.
Speaker for the 11:30 a.m. service is Minister Jarrett Maddox, a student at A&T University, Greensboro. Speaker for the 3 p.m. service is Elder Demonn McNeill, pastor of Total Praise and Deliverance Church of God, Raeford.
For more information call 704-637-6788.
Eastern Star
CLEVELAND ó Omega Chapter 242 Order of the Eastern Star PHA will observe “Star Day” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 5890 S. River Church Road.
The head pastor is the Rev. William Speas. Speakers will talk about great women of the Bible.
The speakers are Alice White, Terry Simmons, Constance Purcell, Tresia Little and Ernestine Luckey.
Shirley V. Cuthbertson, past Worthy Matron will preside. Maude Jones is the Worthy Matron of Omega Chapter 242.
Musical at Soldiers’
The Salisbury District Lay Council will present its annual musical at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church Sunday at 3 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Grant Harrison Jr., pastor of Soldiers Memorial, is the director. Joanne Harrison is the minister of music.
The musical will be held at 306 N. Church St., and is open to the public.
For more information call 704-636-7391.
Smith Chapel
CLEVELAND ó Smith Chapel Apostolic Holiness Church, 1735 Mount Tabor Church Road, Cleveland, is celebrating the 31st pastoral and 41st ministerial anniversary of the pastor, Bishop A. W. Brown. Special services were held Nov. 6 and 7.
The celebration continues Sunday. At the 11 a.m. service, the speaker will be Elder Ravon Parker of Macedonia F.B.H , Tenn., and at the 3:30 p.m. service: Overseer C.E. Luckey of Christ Temple of Deliverance, Charlotte.
For information, call 704-278 0387.