Today: Stop Hunger Now 

Providence UMC and Providence AME Zion are hosting a Stop Hunger Now event, packaging 10,152 meals at Providence UMC, 6450 Bringle Ferry Road today at 2 p.m. Stop Hunger Now meals are shipped around the world to school feeding programs and crisis relief. Volunteers are welcome.

Today: Fund raiser at Eastwood Baptist 

KANNAPOLIS — Eastwood Baptist Church’s pastor, Randall Ritchie, recently received a kidney after being on dialysis for several years. A benefit to help him with the extra medical expenses is today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.at Eastwood Baptist Church, 320 Cook St. The proceeds from the sale of hot dogs, desserts and donate life T-shirts go directly to Pastor Ritchie. Info at 704- 298-5981.

First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury welcomes Dr. Ed Lewis to the pulpit again on Sunday,. Since retiring as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mooresville, in 2004, he and his wife Martha have lived in Salisbury. Dr. Lewis will preach at all worship services (sanctuary 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Lewis Hall 8:50 a.m.).

Pine Ridge homecoming

Pine Ridge Baptist Church’s 68th anniversary and fellowship celebration is Sunday from 10 a.m..-noon. Local group Brother Paul Goodwin and the Parables for Christ will be in charge of the 10 a.m. service. Lunch will be served following the service.

There willnot be aregular Sunday evening service. Wednesday Bible study is at 7 p.m. For more information call 704-279-0574.

ATC holds friends and family day

On Sunday at 10 a.m. At The Cross Ministries, 1915-1917 West Innes St., Suite 103, celebrates with an awesome time of fellowship and fun. Lunch will be serving immediately following the service. Host pastor is Debra Ellison-Simmon. call 704-433-6662 for details.

Homecoming and revival at Gethsemane 

Homecoming and revival will be held at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church Sunday through Thursday, Sept. 25-29. The 11 a.m. speaker is the Rev. Ruby Steele, an associate pastor of Gethsemane. The 3 p.m. homecoming speaker is the Rev. Ervin Hannah, pastor of Erwin Temple CME Church and the 7 p.m. revival speaker is the Rev. Dr. Ricky Banks of Elizabeth City. The Rev. Dr. C.L.Phelps is host pastor.

Family & Friends Day at First Calvary 

First Calvary Baptist Church, 400 South Long St., will continue the celebration of its 150th year anniversary with the observance of Family and Friends Day on Sunday at the 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. services. The Rev. Leamon E. Brown, pastor, will deliver the morning message.

Afternoon speaker will be Elder Braxton Howard Medlin, associate minister at Perfecting Praise Ministries of Warrenton.

Medlin holds a Bachelor of arts from NC A&T University and has served as a missionary for Catholic Charities in several Spanish-speaking countries. In 2012, Elder Medlin was recognized for his service with AmeriCorps to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees. He is currently a student at Charlotte School of Law.

Ordination service at Oak Grove Baptist

CHINA GROVE — The Oak Grove Baptist family, at 1205 S. Main St., will be holding a service of ordination to the Deacon ministry for Bro. Herman (Tony) Fisher, Bro. Johnny Ray White, Bro. William Bernard Heggins and Sis. Elizabeth (Ann) Jordan on Sunday at 3 p.m.

The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. David Bracken, pastor at Jerusalem Baptist Churc of Spencer.

Host pastor is the Rev. Dr. Keith Curry.

Southern City concert

EAST SPENCER — Southern City’s Inspirational Choir will once again sponsor its 100 Women In White Concert Sunday at 4 p.m. at Southern City AME zion Church. All ladies attending are asked to please wear white.

Edwards Family at Resurrection Life Church

The Edwards Family will be in concert on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church, 627 Newsome Road. The Edwards have been playing bluegrass gospel music tegeher as family for many years. A love offering will be received. For more information, contact Pastor Jerry Snipes at 704-433-8776 or the church office at 704-638-0002.

Revival at St. Mark’s Lutheran

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Christ, 5202 Mooresville Road, will hold fall revival services Sunday through Tuesday, Sept. 25-27.  Evangelist Evan Terry Rollin’s revival message will be on “New Beginnings, bringing Christians closer to Christ.”

Services start at 6:30 p.m. each evening. There will be special music on Monday and Tuesday by the  gospel group Opened Eyes.

Host pastor is the Rev. Rick Thomas.

Turners  celebrate pastoral anniversary and retirement

Elders William D. and Paricia C. Turner, pastor and co-pastor, celebrated their 46th pastoral anniversary on Sept. 15-16 at the Tower of Power United Holy Church. The celebration culminated with a retirement banquet on Sept. 17 at the Livingstone College School of Culinary Arts.More than 100 freinds, relatives, local ministers and district ministers were in attendance as the Turners were offically declared Pastor and Co-Pastor Emeriti, effective Sept. 30. The Turners retired from the Rowan Salisbury School system in 2002.

Homecoming at Stallings Memorial

“Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Embrace the Future” is the month-long homecoming theme for Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, Located at 817 South Main St. On Sunday at 10:25 a.m. begins a four-week celebration of events.

During the Sept. 25 service a video of past events, charter members and the history of SMBC will be shared. The oldest and youngest members will be honored.

On Oct. 2, the church body will take a look at present day programs and how the church is serving our God today. A video will focus on those baptized and wed at Stallings through the years.

The Oct. 9 service will look at the future of Stallings as we target the children and youth ministries through video.

The month long emphasis will end on Oct. 16 as the church celebrates with a homecoming service. Former pastors and congregation members will be featured in a video. A covered dish luncheon will follow the morning service.

The Rev. Mike Herring is host pastor. See more at www.StallingsBaptistChurch.org and on Facebook.

Faith Lutheran celebrates 117 years

FAITH — Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 205 South Main St., will celebrate 117 years of service at a homecoming celebration Sunday beginning with breakfast fellowship in the family life center at 9 a.m. The worship celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The service will be led by Pastor Ronald Fink, one of the 17 sons of the congregation that have gone into the ordained ministry.

Pastor Ron and interim Pastor Bill Ketchie will lead the worship service and the children of the church will sing.

Pastor Ron was born in Stanley County and raised in Faith. He is married to Swannetta Boone Fink, former Town Clerk of Faith, NC. They have a daughter, Susan, son-in-law Scott and grandson, Max. Fink is the son of the late Worth and Clarene Fink formally of Faith. He has a brother, Kenneth Fink, also a Lutheran Pastor, son of the congregation and member. He is a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. He was ordained June 3, 1973.

The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Tony Herrin and accompanied by Daisy Bost, will sing. Following the service will be a covered luncheon in the family life center.

Blessing of God hosts prayer summit

LEXINGTON — The Blessing of God Ministry, 412 Westside Drive, will host a prayer summit on Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. Morning guest speaker g is Apostle Belinda Alford, founder of the Prayer Center in Thomasville.

Learn how to effectively get a prayer through. This summit is free and open to the public. For more information contact Elaine Hardy at 336-852-8783.

Emmanuel Baptist homecoming

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2300 Bringle Ferry Road, will celebrate its 70th homecoming on Sunday at the 11 a.m. service. The singing group His Choice will be performing. A covered dish fellowship meal will follow the morning service.

The Anointed Mime Ministry of Charlotte

EAST SPENCER — The anointed mime ministry of Charlotte, Souls2Christ, will perform at 3 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Shady Grove Baptist Church, 600 S. Long St.

This professional mime troupe performs as part of anniversary celebration as Shady Grove celebrates its senior choir’s 94th anniversary. The group was formed in 2009 by Dennisa Herndon for the purpose of expressing “the heart of God through mime.” For more infomation on the group, visit www.soulls2christmime.com or call 704-310-1768 for informtion on the church.

Men’s Day at Mount Zion Baptist

MOUNT ULLA – Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1765 White Road, will have its Men’s Day Service on Sunday at 3 p.m. Bishop Tony Hall of Conquerors Shield of Faith International Church of Kannapolis will be the guest speaker. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. For information, call 704-637-3712.

Fairview Heights choir anniversary

The Gospel Choir of Fairview Height Missionary Baptist Church, 704 Old Concord Road, will be celebrating its 16th anniversary on Sunday at 4 p.m.. In- and out-of-town groups will also be participating. Host pastor is the Rev. Clarence E. Marlin.

Appreciation banquet

CONCORD — Pastor and Mrs. John N. Leazer’s 20th year appreciation banquet is Saturday, Oct. 15 in the fellowship hall at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 6740 Macedonia Church Road, from 6-9 p.m. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are available from Linda Ellis 704-960-9563; $20 for adults, $10 for children.

Immanuel Lutheran holds banquet, starts series 

ROCKWELL — On Sunday, Immanuel Lutheran Church Rockwell will host its annual Golden Age Banquet beginning at 5 p.m. with a covered dish meal in the fellowship building.

There will be more than 55 honored guests who are 70 years of age or older and/or have been married 50 years or more. Golden Age couples will provide entertainment as they play The Not-So Newlywed Game with Woody Weddington serving as emcee. RSVP to 704-642-2776.

During the next several Sundays, Rev. Bruce Sheeks will explore the topic, “God’s Game Plan for Success.” He will delve into such topics as “Are You Coachable?” and “Keeping Your Eyes on the Goal.” The Immanuel sanctuary will be decorated with footballs and other football paraphernalia.

St Luke’s Blessing of the Animals

MT. ULLA — A Blessing of the Animals service will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. (for dogs) and 3:30 (for the other critters) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 11020 NC Hwy 801. Bring your critter, or a picture.

Discussion at Mt. Tabor UMC

Want to talk about relationships? Join Mount Tabor United Methodist Church Monday, Sept. 26 from 7-9 p.m. for the marriage and relationship discussion called “Love to Stay.” Mount Tabor United Methodist Church is just north of Ellis Park on Old Mocksville Road. Call 704-633-7484 or visit www.mounttaborumc.org or on Facebook (mtumc) or Twitter (@MountTaborUMC).

Special service at Mt. Calvary Holy Church

The Pre-First Lady’s Day Service at Mt. Calvary Holy Church, 1401 Standish St., is Friday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be co-pastor Sheila Mills of Progressive Outreach Ministry.

Kirkwood free movie

KANNAPOLIS — Kirkwood Presbyterain, 900 Klondale Ave., will show “God’s Not Dead 2” on Saturday, Oct 1. at p.m. with free popcorn and drink. The Rev. Debra Madden is host pastor.

Trinity Oaks Blessing of the Animals

The Rev. Brenda Bynum, pastor at Trinity Oaks, will lead a Blessing of the Animals service at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 in the large parking field at Trinity Oaks or under the covered entrance at Trinity Oaks health and rehab in the event of rain. Guests may bring pets, pet memorabilia, or stuffed animals. Animals should be leashed or crated.

Invitation to clergy

Novant Health Rowan Medical Center invites all area clergy and faith leaders to a luncheon to hear news about healthcare in the community.

It will be held at the Country Club of Salisbury, 747 Club Drive, Friday, Sept. 30 at noon. RSVP deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 27. Call 704-210-5049.

Ursinus UCC walk 

ROCKWELL — Ursinus United Church of Christ will sponsor a Hunger Awareness Walk on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. beginning and ending at Rockwell United Methodist Church, 430 East Main St. Proceeds from the walk will go to Organ Lutheran Church Outreach Ministries’ food pantry.

Walkers of all ages are invited to participate. To volunteer to walk or for more information, contact Terri Bost at 704-202-4952 or the Ursinus UCC church office at 704-279-4655.

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. on Thursday. In order to make room for everyone, free Faith Briefs run once.