Saint Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church recently held a celebration of a new ministry to welcome Father Paul Elliott as the new rector.

The Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville will offer an 11-week course on “The Holy Spirit and His Gifts” on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. beginning May 14. The course will continue each Wednesday through July 23.

Father Dan Hale of Peachtree City (left, above) was recently installed as the Bishop’s Chaplain for the Mid-South Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

The Church of the Harvest in Fayetteville will host a free music festival beginning at noon, Saturday, May 31, along with other events planned during the day. Featured bands will include Krossthread, Risen, Evan Trivett, Forgiven, Bill Steely, Priest, End of Days and the Church of the Harvest Praise Team.

Hopewell’s Chicken-Q is tomorrow, Friday
Hopewell United Methodist Church in Tyrone will hold its annual Chicken-Que Saturday, May 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the meal is $7.50 and includes half a barbecued chicken, potato salad, baked beans, bread, beverage, and a cookie. Meals may be purchased in advanced and delivered or picked up at the church. Hopewell is at 351 Jenkins Rd., across from Sandy Creek High School. For more information, call the church, 770-306-7537.

After recently completing the purchase of the Peachtree City property and building at 777 Robinson Rd. from Landmark Christian School, Southside Church broke ground on a 9,600 sq. ft. addition to the existing 28,000 sq. ft. campus.

South Metro Atlanta pastors and church congregations are invited to join together at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at New Hope Baptist Church’s South Campus, 1563 Ga. Hwy. 74 near Starr’s Mill, to participate in the Global Day of Prayer.

The Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville will offer an 11-week course on “The Holy Spirit and His Gifts” on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. beginning May 14. The course will continue each Wednesday through July 23.

Heritage Christian Church of Fayetteville/Peachtree City will host a Men’s Breakfast Saturday, May 10, at 8 a.m. Tim Burchfield, owner of Chick-fil-A of Johnson City, Tennessee since 1983, will be the guest speaker.

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will offer the seminar “LifeKeys: Discover Who You Are” to rising 11th graders through first-career young adults Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10.

Hopewell United Methodist Church in Tyrone will hold its annual Chicken-Que Saturday, May 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the meal is $7.50 and includes half a barbecued chicken, potato salad, baked beans, bread, beverage, and a cookie.

Free benefit singing set for May 17 in Fayetteville
Spring Hill Elementary School in Fayetteville will host a free benefit singing on Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m. featuring various local singers and music to please everyone — Southern gospel, contemporary, praise and worship. An offering will be taken and concessions will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the building fund for the Church of Life in Newnan.

The annual observance of Yom Hashoah – the Holocaust in which 11 million persons were murdered by Germany’s Third Reich – takes place this year on Sunday, May 4, with presentations in readings and music, as well as with memories of a survivor of those awful times.

The Rev. Bill Priester, retired senior pastor of Flat Creek Baptist Church, will return to give the sermon at the 10:45 a.m. service this Sunday when the church celebrates its homecoming. Preister served the church for nearly 32 years and retired in 2005.

The Unity Christian Church will host its second annual Community Women Conference Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m.until 3:30 p.m. The conference is free and includes breakfast and lunch.

Christ’s Church at Whitewater will celebrate Deaf Awareness Month this Sunday, May 4, during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship services. Highlights include the deaf partnering with Ken White, worship minister, in leading the congregational songs and doing a special “Via Dolorosa.” The deaf will give the welcome, the communion meditation, serve communion and offer the prayers.

On Saturday, May 3, Fayette Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Spring Fling - a free outdoor festival of music, food and fellowship, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities throughout the day including live music, carnival games, face painting, bingo, giant inflatables, raffle giveaways, and health screenings.

Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City will offer the seminar “LifeKeys: Discover Who You Are” to rising 11th graders through first-career young adults Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10.

Square Foot Ministry (SFM), is seeking donations for its annual yard sale planned for 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 16-17 in the parking lot and Family Life Center of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.

Line Creek Baptist Church in East Coweta County will host the Kingsmen Quartet in concert Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m.

The concert is free but a love offering will be taken.

National Day of Prayer, Prayer Walk set for May 1
Fayette County will observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, with a daytime prayer walk and evening worship celebration beginning at 7 p.m. at the Villages Amphitheater in Fayetteville. Leading the praise and worship will be Operation Mobilization’s Bill Drake Band. Prayer Walk brochures are free to those who are interested. Email prayerwalk@bellsouth.net or jeff@heard.com with requests for brochures or questions. Or, call Barbara Swafford, 770-241-3477 or Jeff Heard, 678-462-3344.

Members of St. Christopher Hellenic Orthodox Church in Peachtree City will celebrate Orthodox Easter this Sunday, April 27, along with other Orthodox Christians around the world.

Fayette County will observe the National Day of Prayer with millions of others around the nation on Thursday, May 1, with a daytime prayer walk and evening worship celebration beginning at 7 p.m. at the Villages Amphitheater in Fayetteville.

Shepherd’s Flock Singers will present a children’s musical, “Elijah,” at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Peachtree City, on Sunday, April 27, at 6 p.m.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church will offer its Summer Grief Share grief support group beginning May 8 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Square Foot Ministry (SFM), the local non-profit organization, is seeking donations for its annual yard sale, coming up the weekend of May 16-17. The yard sale will be in the parking lot and Family Life Center of Fayetteville First United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Local author to speak at Brooks women’s event
All ladies of the community are invited to Brooks United Methodist’s Women’s Coffeehouse on Friday, April 25, from 9 - 10 a.m. Tammy B. Melton, author of “Loving God With All Five Senses,” will be the guest speaker. Fair Trade Coffee and refreshments will be served and music will be provided by Jacob Winslett. Brooks UMC is at the corner of Ga. 85 Connector and Morgan Mill Road in Brooks, three miles south of Starr’s Mill. Call the church office, 770-719-7593, for more information.