Church News 12-13-07

Advent and Christmas Festivities at HUMC

• Hampstead United Methodist to Present Candlelight Christmas Cantata

It’s cantata time again at HUMC! The choir, orchestra and director, Patti Rouse, invite everyone to “A World of Christmas,” an exciting musical journey around the world. There will be three opportunities to hear this unique cantata: two candlelight performances on Saturday and Sunday evenings, Dec. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and another at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16.

“A World of Christmas” features song stylings from foreign lands. In the words of composer, Joseph Martin, “Music is the language that transcends every cultural and national boundary. It teaches us what can happen when differences come together to make harmony. At Christmas the wings of song carry us to far away places, and we learn that in Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North.”

According to Director of Music, Patti Rouse, “The Cantata Choir and Orchestra have been working very hard on this exciting, yet challenging compilation of songs. Please plan to attend this exceptionally uplifting service of music and be sure to bring your friends.”

No tickets are needed for any of the performances. Seats will be on a first-come, first-seated basis. Please call the church office at 270-4648 with any questions.

HUMC is located at 15395 U.S. Hwy. 17, about one mile north of the Food Lion shopping center. Look for the Christmas Cantata banner!

• HUMC to Host Blood Drive

Hampstead United Methodist Church, located at 15395 U.S. Hwy. 17, is hosting a community blood drive. The drive will be held on Monday, December 17 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Please give the greatest gift — LIFE! When you give blood, you give another holiday! All donors are eligible to win a $1,000 gift card.

Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church Men’s Breakfast

Speakers who spark interest!

Attendees of Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church’s Monthly Men’s Breakfast experienced a special treat recently with a dynamic talk by Dr. Rich Jadick, author of the best seller, “On Call in Hell.” Jadick, a former Marine officer and USN Commander and the only Navy doctor to have ever been awarded a combination of the Bronze Star with V for Valor thus far in the war with Iraq, enthralled his audience with his extraordinary experiences as a military surgeon in Iraq, and followed his gripping speech with autographed signings of his book.

The Men of the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church (SFPC) have been holding their celebrated Monthly Breakfasts since 2002. Each breakfast is highlighted with a short talk on timely and captivating topics (generally by the men of the church). The Men’s Breakfasts, which, according to head chef Bob Benson, “Always include “man-size meals,” complete with eggs-to-order, home fries, bacon, sausage, toast, orange juice, coffee and special dishes such as sausage gravy with biscuits, blueberry pancakes, chipped beef on toast, and a “chef’s feature dish,” and are all belt-stretching repasts that assure no one leaves the table hungry!”

In addition to Dr. Jadick’s spellbinding speech, other notable spokesman and their topics for the SFPC Men’s Breakfasts have included: Ralph Roberts, on Air Traffic Control, Fred Mitchell, on the Magistrates Court, Bob Jerabek, on Tax-Advantaged Charity Donations, Doug Vieweg, on Triathlon Competition, Captain Bob Dean’s (USCG), on the Coast Guard’s role at Camp Lejeune, Tom Hudson, with a historical account of Mount Vernon National Park, Dr. James Bresee, on Nuclear Waste, and Bob Bradner, on the Juvenile Court System.

Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church Men’s Breakfasts are held on the fourth Saturday of each month, at 9 a.m.. For more information, call SFPC at 910-327-0166.

Victory Baptist Church

Victory Baptist Church welcomes the public for its services on Sunday. Sunday School starts at 10 a.m., and the morning service is held at 11 a.m. A nursery is provided as well as children’s church for ages 3 to 8. Sunday night services are at 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday services will begin at 7:30 p.m. For information, e-mail to vbchollyridge@yahoo.com. For more information you may call 470-6480, Pastor Howard Slough. Victory Baptist Church is located at 205 Sound Rd. in Holly Ridge.

St. John the Baptist News

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Episcopal Chapel will be holding Sunday Services beginning at 10:30 a.m. on December 23. The Chapel is located at 122 Dyson St. in Holly Ridge next to Jones Funeral Home and across the street from the Penslow Medical Ctr. For further information call Father Dave at 328-2132.

Chapel by the Bay

• Chapel by the Bay, located at Lanier’s Campground in Surf City, would like to announce their fall and winter schedule: Sundays: 9:15 a.m. Sunday school for all ages; 10:30 a.m. Regular Traditional Service, (Children’s Church ages 4-10), (Nursery Available ages 0-3); 6 p.m. Evening Contemporary Service; Saturdays 7 p.m. Saturday Night Gospel Sings (Please note: There will not be a regular weekly gospel sing until the first weekend in March. The weekly sings will resume March through October 2008. Any questions call 328-6252.); Wednesdays 6:30p.m. Christian Youth Group ages 11 to18; 7 p.m. Regular Choir Practice; 8:30p.m. Praise Team Meets.

Join us this for Worship and Fellowship. For more information call (910) 328-6252 or go to our website @ www.chapelbythebay.com

Sneads Ferry First United Methodist Church News

• Join SFUMC, located off Hwy 172, for: Church Services at 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Praise and Worship at 9:45 a.m.; and Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

• The Youth Group also meets every Sunday at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the church office at 327-4011.

Little Disciples Christian Child Care

Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 a.m. to noon is open registration for Little Disciples Christian Child Care at Sneads Ferry United Methodist Church located at Hwy 172 in Sneads Ferry. For additional information, call 910-327-4011.

SF Christian Women’s Club

A Christian Women’s Club has recently started up in Sneads Ferry. The group is made up of all denominations and it meets the first Thursday of the month, through May, at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to noon. While a study program is part of the meetings, the group also exists for women to enjoy meeting with each other, commenting on the lessons and sharing thoughts and prayers with each other. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Ida McNamara at 910-327-0718 or idamac1@earthlink.net.

Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Circles

All Women of Faith are invited to attend Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Circles. Morning Circles will meet the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at a member’s home. Evening Circles will meet the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at a member’s home. For more information, call the church at 910-327-0166.

Sneads Ferry Christian Women's Bible Study

Ladies of Sneads Ferry, please take note! We are excited to announce that the Sneads Ferry Christian Women's Bible Study has started up again at the Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church, Rte. 210, at 10 a.m. We are open for anyone who would like to study with us; it doesn't matter about your church affiliation. We do have time for discussion and sharing with each other, and welcome newcomers, so please come join us. For further information, please contact Ida MacNamara, 327-0718, or e-mail idamac1@embarqmail.com.

Faith Harbor United Methodist Church Plans Holiday Season

Faith Harbor United Methodist Church, located one half mile from the swing bridge on the mainland side in Surf City, is proud to announce their schedule of events for the upcoming Christmas Season.

• On December 16, the Faith Harbor Choir will present their Cantata at the 10:15 service. • The United Methodist Women Group is planning a trip to Mike’s Farm on Monday December 17. This will be a fun event of fellowship. All are welcome to join in the trip.

• The culmination of the month is the Christmas Eve Service on December 24. The evening service will be held at 7 p.m.

Worship Services are held weekly at 8:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sunday school is available for all ages at 9:15 a.m. A nursery is available. Please be sure to check the website at www.faithharborumc.org for more details and upcoming events.

North Topsail Shores Baptist

North Topsail Shores Baptist Church has relocated to its Old Folkstone property. Service times are all on Sunday: Bible Study at 9:30 a.m., Worship at 10:30 a.m., and Children's Worship at 10:30 a.m. Other activities will be announced weekly.

St. Christopher’s news

• All services are still at St. Philip Episcopal Church located at 661 Tar Landing Rd. in Holly Ridge.

• Christmas Mass, Vigil Mass on Monday, December 24, 2007 at 7 p.m. at the Sneads Ferry Community Center.

• Potluck suppers are after the 5 p.m. mass on Saturdays.

New River Community Church of God

New River Community Church of God located at 117 Wheeler Creek Rd. in Sneads Ferry hold the following services: 8:30 a.m. Early Worship Service; 9:45 a.m. Sunday School; and 10:45 a.m. Worship Service.