Church Notes 3-28-12

Macedonia honored pastor with banquet
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 8805 Van Wyck Road, Van Wyck, celebrated the second anniversary of Apostle and First Lady Johnny Williams with a banquet Saturday, March 24. The celebration continued during Sunday morning services with guest minister Wanalyn Barnette of Liberty Hill AME Zion Church in Lake Wylie, a lunch and a culmination service that afternoon with Pastor Percell Ross of St. Luke No. 2 in Sharon.

Pleasant Hill UMC announces events
Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Highway (S.C. 160), offers the following upcoming events:
• “24 Hours That Changed the World”: This new study will guide you from the Last Supper through Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Two sessions are offered during Lent. The Rev. Carl Settle leads the 7 p.m. Thursday study; while Pastor Michael Ritter leads the 10 a.m. Tuesday study.
• The church will continue its Lenten mid-week services and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays through April 4. Speakers are:
- Today, March 28 – the Rev. Angie Etheredge-Manly, Osceola UMC
- April 4 – the Rev. Randy Madsen, Grace Community UMC
• There will be a first Wednesday fellowship at 6 p.m. (Relay for Life).
• The Maundy Thursday service with communion will be held at 7 p.m. April 5.
• A Good Friday service will be held at 7 p.m. April 6.
• Children are invited to have breakfast with the Easter bunny from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 7. The cost is $3 for ages 12 through adult; children under 12 eat free with a ticket. The breakfast includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, orange juice, milk and tea. There will also be a special story time, crafts, egg hunt, games and pictures with the Easter bunny. Buy your tickets at the church office before April 1.
• Easter Sunday begins with a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by an Easter breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and regular services at 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Church members are asked to bring cut flowers from their yards to the church on Easter, April 8, to help beautify the cross on the front lawn.

• It’s time for youth to register for the 2012 Salkehatchie summer missions. Application forms can be downloaded at www.salkehatchie.org or picked up in the church office. Forms must be turned in before March 30. Cost is $215 per camper.
• The church is seeking members for its 2012 Relay for Life team. Team members will raise money for the American Cancer Society and take part in the April 27 Relay for Life event. To join the team, contact Janice Poston, Kathryn Burch or Pastor Michael Ritter. The church’s goal is $3,000. Those who cannot join the team may still help by buying footprints, luminaries and purple ribbons in honor or memory of loved ones or as business sponsorships. Contact Amanda Carnes or the church office at (803) 548-4922 for details.
• Sweatin’ with the Staff – Want to have fun exercising? Grab your towel and water bottle and join the church staff at 10 a.m. Monday and Friday in the fellowship hall for Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to Oldies.” All ages are welcome.
• Cardio Fit Club – This exercise class includes both low and high aerobics, kick boxing and dance for all ages, shapes and sizes. There is also an abdominal class following the cardio fit class. Classes are held on various nights throughout the week. Call (803) 548-4922 for schedule.
• “Heavenly Dishes of Pleasant Hill” cookbooks are available for $15 each. The three-ring-binder cookbook contains 700 recipes. Call the church office at (803) 548-4922 to get one.
For details about any of these events, call (803) 547-3915.

Harrison UMC to host Easter celebration
Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Highway, Pineville (near Ballantyne Commons Parkway), will hold a family Easter celebration from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 31.
Events will include an Easter egg hunt, an ice cream seder and more. The event is free and open to the public.
For details, contact Victoria Lawson at vicki.lawson@harrisonumc.org or (704) 541-3463, ext. 212.

Waxhaw church plans Easter event
Tirzah Presbyterian Church, 7507 Tirzah Church Road, Waxhaw, will hold a Community Easter Eggstravaganza at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Children will enjoy making crafts, story time and hunting for 1,000 Easter eggs.
All ages are invited to participate in the Easter parade at 2 p.m. Grab your bonnet, decorate your bike, trike or wagon and join us on the bunny trail. Refreshments will be served.
Rain date is April 7. For details, call (704) 256-9545 or (704) 843-2893.

Easter egg hunt March 31
The Lancaster District Christian Education will sponsor an Easter egg hunt at 4 p.m. March 31 at St. Paul AME Zion Church, 5841 Taxahaw Road, Lancaster. Each Lancaster District AME Zion church is asked to donate two dozen dyed eggs. The event is for the children of Lancaster District and the St. Paul community. Prizes will be given away.

Harrison announces Holy Week services
Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Highway, Pineville (near Ballantyne Commons Parkway), will hold the following Holy Week Services:
• April 1: Palm Sunday – “Never Thirst Again” musical at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary
• April 5: Maundy Thursday Passover seder meal at 6:30 p.m. in Hammill Hall. Childcare is available for ages 2 and younger.
• April 6: Good Friday – A self-paced meditation on the Seven Last Words of Christ. Drop in between 6 and 8 p.m. in Hammill Hall
• April 8: Easter Sunday services – “Son”rise Service, 6:45 a.m.; traditional service, 8 and 11 a.m.; contemporary service, 9:15 a.m.; servicio en Español, 11 a.m.
All services (except Good Friday service) are free. All services welcome the public.
For details, contact Victoria Lawson at vicki.lawson@harrisonumc.org or (704) 541-3463, ext. 212.

Belair announces April events
Belair United Methodist Church, 8095 Shelley Mullis Road, will hold the following events this month:
• April 4: Family Night potluck meal at 6 p.m. and devotion. Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a dish to share.
• April 5: Food pantry open from 9 a.m. to noon to families who live within the boundaries of the Indian Land schools. Food donations are welcome.                        
• April 5: Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary 
• April 7: Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring a basket for an egg hunt, games, hot dogs and goodie bags for the children.
• April 8: Joint sunrise service at 7 a.m. at Osceola United Methodist, 6575 Charlotte Highway
• April 8: The Belair Choir will present its Easter cantata, “Oh What A Savior,” during the 10:15 a.m. church service.
• April 10: Belair and Faith Presbyterian Church will host the Second Harvest Food Bank in the parking lot at Belair UMC from 9 a.m. to noon or until the food runs out.
• April 12: Belair’s JOY Group will meet at the church at 11 a.m. for a potluck lunch. Bring a covered dish to serve about six people. Everyone is welcome.
• April 19: Food pantry open from 9 a.m. to noon to families who live within the boundaries of the Indian Land schools. Food donations are welcome.            
Belair holds Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and a church service at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday.
For details on these events, call (803) 547-6657 between 8 a.m. and noon Tuesday-Thursday.

Pineville UMC to hold Holy Week services
Pineville United Methodist Church, 110 S. Polk St, Pineville, will hold the following Holy Week services:
• April 1: Easter cantata, “Bow the Knee,” at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services in the sanctuary
• April 5: Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m., communion and stations of the cross
• April 6: Good Friday, noon, stations of the cross continue
• April 8: Easter Sunday sunrise service at 7 a.m.; breakfast at 7:45 a.m. and worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Faith Presbyterian plans Easter events
Faith Presbyterian Church will hold these Easter events:
• April 5: Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Doby Bridge Presbyterian Church, 2500 Doby’s Bridge Road, Fort Mill
• April 7: The church will host an Easter storytelling and Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. at the church office site, 7520 Charlotte Highway. The hunt will be for children 2 years old through fifth grade. This is not a drop-off event; all children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please register online at www.faithpresusa.org. For details, call (803) 548-8810.
• April 8: Easter Sunday sunrise service at 7 a.m. outside the Indian Land Recreation Center, 8286 Charlotte Highway, followed by breakfast in the recreation center. Another service will be held at 10 a.m. in the Indian Land Recreation Center. All are welcome to come.

Church to present 'Thorn Easter Experience'
This year at Higher Ground Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Road, the greatest story ever told comes to life with “The Thorn Easter Experience.” Through realistic videos, live dramas and music, attendees will experience the power and compassion of Jesus’ life, the pain of his crucifixion and the triumph of his resurrection.
Services will be held at 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. April 8.  
Higher Ground is one of the first churches in the country to present “The Easter Experience,” a unique Easter celebration that includes compelling videos, inspiring songs, beautiful graphics and dramatic monologues adapted from “The Thorn Live,” a spectacular stage presentation seen by nearly 1 million people over the last 14 years.
This is the first year the exclusive licensed content from “The Thorn Live” production has been available to churches to use in creating a worship experience unlike any other Easter service.  
Higher Ground Church is excited to be able to invite everyone in Lancaster and York counties to attend this unique production and hopes many will come to see Easter in a whole new way.

‘Body and Spirit’ classes offered
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 211 Marvin Road, offers “Body and Spirit” exercise classes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
The classes include aerobics, kickboxing, circuit training, yoga and Pilates, followed by devotion and prayer. Classes will be held in the church fellowship hall and all ages are welcome. Bring a towel or mat for floor exercises.
For details about classes, call (803) 548-7208.

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