FALL FESTS AND TRUNK OR TREATS LISTED AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE

 

Cancer awareness program today

There will be a cancer awareness program at 4 p.m. at Erwin Temple CME Church in the fellowship hall. The two guest speakers are both cancer survivors. Willie Lundy from Piney Grove AME Zion Church of Harmony will speak on prostate cancer. Connie Nichols from New Bethel Baptist Church in Mocksville, will speak on breast cancer. Dinner will be served. The Rev. Ervin L. Hannah Jr. is host pastor.

Iron Sharpens Iron Revival tonight

Iron Sharpens Iron Revival continues tonight at 7 p.m. at The World Outreach Church 5295 (Hwy 29) with Chief-Apostle Vanessa Taplah of The Blessing of God Ministry, Lexington. Evangelist H. J. Freeman is host pastor.

Fourth Sunday at Mount Zion UCC

CHINA GROVE — Sunday at Mt. Zion UCC, 1415 South Main St., begins at 9:30 a.m. with breakfast in the new building. The 10 a.m. Fourth Sunday Program includes John Drye from Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, raising the delicate and difficult questions as we prepare for our final days. Worship will follow at 11 a.m. On Friday, Oct. 30, Mt. Zion will be hosting Trunk or Treat. The Rev. Mark L. Burns is host pastor. Visit mtzionchinagrove.com or call 704-857-1169.

Immanuel Lutheran celebrates 120 years

ROCKWELL — Immanuel Lutheran celebrates its 120th homecoming services on Sunday in the recently remodeled sanctuary, beginning at 10 a.m. with a concert by David Almond on the newly installed Ahlborn-Galanti organ. Worship begins at 11 a.m. featuring more music by Almond followed by a covered-dish luncheon. During the worship service, the Rev. Bruce Sheeks will dedicate the organ and other improvements. Christy Trexler will be the featured vocalist. Almond, a master musician, was instrumental in designing the speaker system for this organ and has overseen its installation. The organ is given in memory of Hoyt and Nell Bost who initiated funds. The congregation ordered the organ over a year ago, and it was built in Italy by the Ahlborn-Galanti Company, founded in 1890. Other improvements to the sanctuary were made possible by funds from the Betty Shipton Lutheran Foundation and the Rufus and Blanche Beaver Lutheran Foundation.

Reformation Sunday at Mt. Moriah 

CHINA GROVE — Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, will celebrate Reformation Sunday with Pastor Joseph Tallent leading the service of Holy Communion. The Rite of Confirmation will be celebrated with young adults Sara Pfeffer, Dalton Barnes, Sollei Basinger and Maverick Page. These young adults will be honored at a covered dish lunch following the 10:30 a.m. service. Call 704-857-5034 for details.

The Strings of Victory at Lyerly

ROCKWELL —  The Strings of Victory band will play and sing at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday at Lyerly Evangelical Church, 1320 Crescent Road. The bluegrass Gospel group is based in Rowan County and has toured in four states. It was ranked #1 in Christian/Gospel by Reverbnation, listed by CBS in Charlotte in the top bluegrass bands in the area, and was recipient of the Gig Master Rising Star Award. Donnie Miller, founder of the group, has written many of the group’s songs. Other band members are Hubert Furr, guitar and vocals; Aaron Efird, mandolin, guitar, and vocals; Madison McCorkle, lead vocals; and Jeff McCorkle, banjo, guitar and vocals. A love offering will be received. Dr. W.C. Gaither Jr. is host pastor.

203 years at Henderson Grove 

Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 203rd church anniversary on Sunday. The congregation was organized in 1812. The 11 a.m. service will be conducted by the Rev. Perry Dye, pastor. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. The guest speaker for the 3 p.m. service will be the Rev. Reginald McConneaughey, pastor of God’s Tabernacle for Believers in Rockwell.

Mount Tabor UMC collects for RHM

Mount Tabor United Methodist Church (just north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road) Sunday at the 11 a.m. service will collect food items to support Rowan Helping Ministries. Call 704-633-7484 or visit www.mounttaborumc.org or on Facebook (mtumc) or Twitter (@MountTaborUMC).

Woman’s Day at First Calvary

First Calvary Baptist Church, 400 S. Long St., will observe Woman’s Day at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday with speaker Pastor Kathy L. White, founder and CEO of the Gateway Freedom Center. The Contemporary Choir and Magnify Dance Ministry will participate in the service. Pastor White is a member of Bethel Power of Faith Ministries and serves under the leadership of Bishop J. C. Kellam and pastor Apostle Charlene Kellam. The Gateway Freedom Center Inc. is a non-profit 501-C3 organization that provides transitional housing and mentoring for women battling drugs, alcohol and other addictions. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, White is pursuing a masters of divinity degree from the Beacon University Institute of Ministry.The Rev. Leamon E. Brown is host pastor.

Pastor’s anniversary and banquet at GHTC

STATESVILLE — Bishop E. L. Gray will celebrate his 51th pastoral anniversary on Sunday at Greater Holy Temple Church, 404 Buffalo Shoals Road. Services will began at 11 a.m. and continue nightly at 7:30 p.m., ending on Nov. 1 at the 11 a.m. service. A banquet will be held at the Statesville Civic Center on Nov. 1 beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

First UCC celebrates Catawba homecoming

First United Church of Christ, 207 West Horah St., continues the celebration of Catawba College 2015 Homecoming by welcoming all alumni to the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service. Susan Trivette, First UCC Organist, is on the staff of Catawba College, and Matthew Newton, Catawba College class of 2010, is choir director

Catawba College was founded in 1851 by the United Church of Christ and was located in Newton before its move to Salisbury in 1925.  First UCC will distribute monetary gifts from the First UCC Endowment Foundation, established in 1997 with an initial gift by the Ed Alcorn family, providing a method of perpetual giving to non-profit organizations. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the worship service. First UCC is located in Salisbury’s Historic District. The Rev. Carol Hallman is resident minister.

Oak Grove Baptist appreciation services

Appreciation services for the Rev. Dr. Keith Curry and first lady Tammy Curry continue Sunday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Marcus Fairley, associate minister at Gethsemane Baptist Church, and again at 3 p.m. with the Rev. John Cade of Files Chapel Baptist Church in Lexington.

Lay Council Day at Southern City

EAST SPENCER — Laity Sunday will be observed at Southern City Tabernacle AME Zion Church, 940 S. Long St., during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday with speaker the Rev. Michael Mitchell, a member of the pastoral staff of Southern City and a life-long member of the church.

The Laity theme is Discipleship. All members are asked to wear black and gold, the colors of the Lay Council. The Rev. Patrick Tate is host pastor.

191 years at Prospect Presbyterian

MOORESVILLE — Prospect Presbyterian Church,425 WNC Highway 152, will celebrate its 191 year anniversary in a unique Heritage worship service on Sunday at 11 a.m. It is patterned after the 1637 worship of the Church of Scotland and will include bagpipers and drummers. Email office@prospectpres.org or call 704-664-1514 for more information. The church is located just beyond the intersection of NC 150 and 152 on 152 heading toward China Grove.

Macedonia Missionary concert

CONCORD — Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Concord, 6740 Macedonia Church Road, will present the annual Mass Choir Concert on Sunday. Praise and worship begin at 2:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 3 p.m. All choirs of Macedonia will combine for the first time: the Men’s Choir, Youth Choir, Hymn Choir and the Inspirational Choir. The Rev. John N. Leazer is host pastor, Mark Williamson is Minister of Music and Denise Butler is Director of Music. See Macedoniaofconcord.org

Mt. Vernon celebrates 22 years

WOODLEAF — The 22nd anniversary of the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Gospel Choir will be observed on Sunday with a musical program beginning at 2:30 p.m. Choirs from area churches have been invited to participate during the program. Dr. Emery Rann is the pastor of Mt. Vernon which is located on Carson Road.

Women’s Day at New Hope AME Zion

SPENCER — New Hope AME Zion Church, 1470 Long St. Extension, will be celebrating Women’s Day at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Ethel Bamberg-Revis, who is associate minister at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church and clinical staff chaplain at the VA medical Center. The Rev. Dr. Debra Hall is host pastor.

St. Luke Baptist usher board celebrates

PIC The Usher Board of St. Luke Baptist Church will be celebrating its anniversary on Sunday at 3 p.m. The speaker for the occasion is the Rev. Thomas Lee of White Rock AME Zion Church in Granite Quarry. Host pastor is the Rev. Arthur L. Heggins.

Providence AME Zion holds homecoming

Providence AME Zion Church, 2415 Providence Church Road, will hold its homecoming celebration and fall revival on the theme of “Being transformed from glory to glory by His Spirit.” Homecoming services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. with speaker the Rev. Dr. Claude E. Forehand, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kannapolis.

Revival services are at 7 p.m. Oct. 26-28. Monday’s speaker is the Rev. Arthur Heggins, pastor of St. Lukes’s Batis Church; Tuesday’s speaker is the Rev. J.C. Byers, a member of Third Creek AME Zion Church; and on Wednesday is Elder Kenneth Smith , pastor of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Concord. The Rev. Zacharias E. Allen Sr. is host pastor.

Guest speaker at Blessing of God 

LEXINGTON— Chief Apostle Vanessa Taplah and the Blessing of God Ministry church family, 412 Westside Drive, welcomes Prophet Raquez Moore of RDM Ministries Ahoskie on Sunday at 3: p.m.

Robinson to speak at Love Christian Center

EAST SPENCER — The Rev. Joseph Robinson will speak at Love Christian Center, 102 N. Long St., on Sunday at 3 p.m. Rev. Robinson graduated from Livingston College in 1981 with a BA in History. He has pastored at the following churches: Tynes Chapel AME Zion in Rocky Gap, Va., Galilee AME Zion, Morven, Simfield AME Zion, Matthews. He served as associate pastor at St. Luke in Salisbury under the Rev. Arthur Heggins. In 2006 he came to New Creation Baptist church as interim pastor and was installed in 2007. Rev. Robinson is currently the president for the Salisbury/Rowan United Ministerial Alliance. For additional information call 704-433-1474.

Fairview Heights hosts 7Up program

The Pastor Appreciation Committee of Fairview Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 704 Old Concord Road, will sponsor a 7Up program on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Speakers are given six minutes each.

The speakers are First Lady Cindy Rice of Yadkin Grove Baptist Church, Deacon Douglas Tucker of Solid Rock Church of God, Minister Roberta Means of New Faith Lexington, Deacon Larry Vinson of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Sister Gerry Clodfelter of New Zion Baptist Church of Linwood, Sister Zenith Streater and M other Alice Mitchell of Fairview Heights. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Host pastor is the Rev. Clarence Marlin.

Blessing of the Animals at Mt. Olivet

CONCORD — Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mt. Olivet Road, will host a Blessing of the Animals Sunday, at 4 p.m. Bring your leashed or caged pet; all animals must be current on their rabies vaccine. Dr. John Bingham, South Ridge Veterinary Hospital, will be available to answer questions. Call 704-782-8846 with questions.

Annual concert For missions at Liberty

Matthew Weaver and Clay Lunsford will be performing for the annual missions concert at Liberty Methodist Church on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. They will be collecting cans of food for Rowan Helping Ministries, and Matthew will be collecting clean, used clothing for his mission work in the Appalachian Mountains. The concert is free. The Rev. Charles Curtis is the pastor. For more information contact 980-777-0909 or visit www.matthewweavermusic.com

Blackwood Legacy Quartet in concert

COOLEEMEE — The Blackwood Legacy Quartet, direct from Nashville, will be in concert on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church, 204 Marginal St. Admission is free, and a free-will offering will be received. Group owner and bass singer, Rick Price, was originally a protégé of the late Cecil Blackwood of Blackwood Brothers fame, and was honored with induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with the legendary group. Also in the group are Luke Yates, baritone; tenor Paul Secord; and lead singer Hunter Sparkman. For more information call 336-284-2626 or visit www.BlackwoodLegacy.com

God’s Tabernacle holds Joy Fest

ROCKWELL — Joy Fest, in honor of the youth at God’s Tabernacle For Believers, will be held Oct. 28 – 30 at 7 p.m. each night. The speakers: Wednesday, Elder Richard Johnson, pastor of Hall’s Chapel Baptist Church; Thursday, Pastor Robert Bratton, pastor of Ardis Chapel AME Zion Church;  Friday, Pastor Johnny Morgan, pastor of Grateful Hearts Ministries.  God’s Tabernacle for Believers is located 304 W. Main St. Pastor Reginald McConneaughey Sr. and Frenchie McConneaughey serve as pastor and co-pastor.

Bishop Derek Kelly at Lilly’s Chapel

Lilly’s Chapel Church of God, 618 W. Thomas St., will have a pre-anniversary service for presiding elder Dr. Thomas Clawson, pastor, on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Bishop Derek Kelly, pastor of New Faith Full Gospel Fellowship Center in Lexington, with special music by the New Faith Full Gospel Choir.

An evening with Rev. Dr. Carl M. Fisher

ROCKWELL — On Saturday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m., St. James Lutheran Church will host the Rev. Dr. Carl Fisher as he speaks on his experiences in Germany during the World War II Nuremberg Trials. As Hitler’s top leaders were being tried for war crimes against humanity, Fisher was closely connected to a chaplain offering pastoral care to the enemy. The meal is sponsored by Thrivent. Call to RSVP at 704-279-3150 before Nov. 1.

=====================================

FALL FESTS

Meet Chief Silverheels at Happy’s Farm

Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Chief Silverheels, who holds a Doctor of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, is the oldest son of Jay Silverheels, who starred as “Tonto” on the Lone Ranger television series. Admission is $5; age 2 and under free. Happy’s Farm, 985 Parks Road, www.happysfarm.org

Bethel Wesleyan Church

KANNAPOLIS — 4-7 p.m.  Saturday, Oct. 24 at 4036 Old Salisbury Concord Road. Fun and games, face painting, Trunk and Treat, hayrides, live bluegrass music by Five and a Tub. Free hotdogs and desserts. 704-787-6346.

Trading Ford Baptist Church

4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 with free food, bounce houses, games, puppet show and trunker treat. 3600 Long Ferry Road, 940-452-6195.

First Baptist Salisbury

4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.  Food available for purchase. Bake sale, games for the family, three new inflatables, antique fire truck rides, trunk or treat, canned food collection to benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. For game tickets, bring two canned food items for RHM. Extra tickets are $1. First Ministry Center, 220 N. Fulton St.

Rockwell Elementary

4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 rain or shine, with vendors, bounce houses, Halloween kids’ night out event, face painting, character mascot visits. Food available for purchase.

At The Cross Ministries

Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The Hallelujah Fall Festival at 1915-17 W. Innes St. Ste 103. Board games, basketball and more, prizes for best Biblical costume, most original costume, team spirit and more, lunch and a movie, music, snacks and a pinata. Food available purchase, benefitting the ATC building fund.

Franklin Baptist Church 

5-8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, with games, obstacle course blow up, bounce house, hayride, karaoke/singing, face painting, costume contest for babies through 5th grade judged on Most Biblical, Most Creative, and cutest. Also kiddie and adult cake walks, hot dogs, candy, tons of fun. Visit franklinbaptistchurch.org

Stallings Memorial Baptist Church

5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 Family friendly fun at annual Trunk or Treat with  volunteers handing out candy to trick or treaters, a bounce house, popcorn and more. Free event. Front parking lot at 817 S. Main St.

Mt. Mitchell UMC 

KANNAPOLIS — 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. Trunk or Treat for all ages includes a free hot dog cookout, games, s’mores, bonfire, trunk or treating and a free drawing to give away two kids’ bicycles and other prizes. Yost Park, 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road.

Rockwell Christian School

3-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 401 Depot St., Rockwell. Fun-filled family event with games, prizes, and shopping. Pork barbecue and chicken and dumplings available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the operation of Rockwell Christian School.