Editor’s note: Parish notes must be submitted at least one week before the event to be included.
Cult of lay witnesses
Shiloh AME Church, 1323 Powerhouse Road, will observe its annual Lay Witness Worship Service on Sunday, October 8 at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be Penny S. Oliver of Burlington. She is the immediate past president of the AME Church of the Western North Carolina Conference lay organization. The gospel choir will provide music for the service. The pastor is Rev. Wayne A. Johnson Sr.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 Free concert
The awareness team The First Baptist Church of Morganton is sponsoring a free concert for the community on Friday, October 13 on the historic Burke County Courthouse Square. The band performing will be the Embers, who won 2022 Group of the Year at the Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA). This concert is in memory of Mark Lambert.
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Fried fish Shiloh AME Church, 1323 Powerhouse Road, will sponsor a Men’s Fish Fry Day on Saturday, October 14, from 11 a.m. until supplies last. Fish plates with all the accompaniments, drink and dessert included, for a donation of $12. Fish sandwiches and hot dogs will also be available. The fundraiser is sponsored by the Men’s Day Committee.
Gilboa Methodist Church will host a homecoming celebration on Sunday, October 15. A gathering with live music will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a dinner on the grounds at 2 p.m. Please bring a covered dish and a lawn chair. A vespers service will be held at 4 p.m. Hosts are the Historic Gilboa Foundation and First United Methodist Church of Morganton.
Men’s Day Shiloh AME Church, 1323 Powerhouse Road, will celebrate its annual Men’s Day service on Sunday, October 29 at 11 a.m. Guest preacher, Brother George Isbell, is a member of St. Luke’s Church in Opportunity, where he also serves in music ministry. Shiloh’s pastor is Rev. Wayne A. Johnson Sr.
Facebook Live Services Evangelist Frances Edwards teaches and preaches the word of God via Facebook Live. Services can be found on the Rhema Word Ministry-Morganton NC Facebook page. Every Wednesday evening she will host “A Quick Word” from 7-8 p.m. and every Sabbath-Saturday she will lead praise and worship services from 10-11 a.m.
Gaston Chapel AME Church100, rue Bouchelle, holds worship every Sunday at 11 a.m.
Chambers Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, at 4089 Chambers Chapel Circle, Morganton, hold a worship service from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Visitors will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Church in disorder has Salem United Methodist Church, at 1200 Salem Road in Morganton, offers Messy Church at 5:45 p.m. every first Monday of the month. Messy Church is an alternative to a traditional church service offering interactive activities, opportunities for questions and conversations, and a free family meal. People of all ages and religious backgrounds are encouraged to come see what Messy Church is all about.
The Path of Faith opened for the season
THE Waldensian Track of Faith, at 401 Church St. NW, in Valdese, is open for the 2023 season. The 11-acre open-air museum tells the story of the Waldensians up to the time of the Apostles. The property contains 15 buildings and monuments recreated on a large scale from the Italian Alps which depict each stage of their journey. The trail offers a 1.5 hour tour. Guided tours must be scheduled 2-3 days in advance. Self-guided audio tours are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The cost of tours is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for students. For more information, contact the trail office at 828-874-1893 or trailofffaith1893@gmail.comor visit waldensiantrailoffaith.org.
The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, at 901 Bethel Road, Morganton, will open its family history library to the public from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. For more information, email Joshua Carswell at enolajosh@yahoo.com.
Church Medical Clinic Compassionate Healthcare Clinical serves patients Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To be eligible for free medical services, you must be at least 18 years old, not receive Medicaid or Medicare, not have insurance and meet federal guidelines for living below 200% of the poverty line. The clinic is located at 7449 Oak Ridge Church Road, Connelly Springs. For more information on how to receive assistance or volunteer opportunities, call 828-522-1112.
MourningShare is a faith-based course offering support to those who have lost a loved one. Walker Road Baptist Church hosts GriefShare on Sundays at 6 p.m. at 100 Walker Road in Morganton. The program will run until December 18. For more information, contact John Riley at 828-514-3173 or jriam@charter.net. God’s Word Prayer Line
Reverend Benjamin Douglas Cuthbertson, a local pastor, created the “Word of God” prayer line. Call 716-427-1082 and enter the code 812359# to hear him preach and offer a Bible lesson at the following times:
Saturday: noon and 7 p.m.
Wednesday: noon and 7 p.m.
Cuthbertson also invites the public to listen to his “Word of God” program from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. Saturdays on WCIS-AM 760.
North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry offers a “line of hope” for older people who feel isolated or alone. Seniors can call 866-578-4673 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday to hear a friendly voice.
Sabbath worship Saint-Luc d’Opportunity Church, at 126 Brookside Lane, Morganton, will include Sabbath school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. every Saturday. For more information, call the church at 828-433-9192.
Local author Patricia Looper is donating a portion of sales from her novel “The Virgin and Kings” to Options Inc., a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Morganton. The Bible-based book explores the life of Abishag, who was chosen to be King David’s concubine in his old age. The story includes instances of abuse in the protagonist’s life and how she dealt with them. To purchase the book, email the author at patricia.looper40@gmail.com; include “book wanted” in the subject line.
The Church organizes a monthly food pantry
Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, at 960 Malcolm Blvd., Connelly Springs, runs its Wright’s Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday of each month. People must live in the Drexel and Valdese, Heritage Middle or Draughn High elementary school districts and either participate in the state’s Food and Nutrition Services program or meet a gross income threshold to receive food. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church is distributing food through the drive-thru. People coming to pick up food should clean out the truck or cargo area of their car so church members can load the food into cars. Those registered to receive food must bring their card. The church also offers ongoing financial management classes. For more information, contact the church at 828-879-8894 or amumcrc@abernethymemorialumc.org.
The thrift store that gives heart
Morganton Seventh-day Adventist Church The Giving Heart thrift store is open at 402 E. Main St., Glen Alpine. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The store sells new and gently used clothing, furniture and small home items. Proceeds support the Silver Creek Adventist School, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Jamie Torres Ministries is hosting the “Real Faith, Real Talk” Bible study Friday at 7 p.m. at the Catawba River Baptist Association building on U.S. 70. For more information, visit facebook.com/jaimetorresministries.
Day care services are available in the following churches:
Morganton First Church of God enrolls school-aged children in its four-star before and after school program. Student support is available at Drexel, Mull and Valdese elementary and Heritage Middle schools.
First Baptist Preschool After-School has full-time openings for its after-school and summer camp programs. For more information, contact 828-433-1018 or fbcfivestar@gmail.com.
The Wee School of the North Morganton United Methodist Church has seats available for its 2, 3 and 4 year old classes. For more information, call Sharon Swinson at 828-437-3418 or 828-448-5718.
Burke County Christian Businessmen’s Connection meets on Tuesdays and is a networking opportunity for area men. For more information, visit cbmc.com or call 828-413-5819.
The Twice Blessed Clothes Closet is open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Valdese. Enter through the rear parking lot doors. For more information, call 828-874-2266.
The Christian Ministry of Fellowship Seekers meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday at AJ’s Steakhouse.
Hildebran United Methodist Church, 110 S. Center St., Hildebran, welcomes students for free GED, Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language classes, held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. A free meal and babysitting service are provided. For more information or to register, call Rev. Tony Bowman at 828-502-9627.
A non-sectarian Buddhist group meets at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 828-443-1161.