Ash Wednesday, Lenten services offered

Grace, Pleasant Hill hold Ash Wednesday Service

Grace Presbyterian Church, 2955 S.C. 160 West in Fort Mill, will hold Ash Wednesday worship 7 p.m. Feb. 18. The service will include the optional imposition of ashes. Nursery provided.

Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Highway, Indian Land, will hold Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in the sanctuary.

Lenten services at Cross Roads

Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, and Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 416 North Main St., Waxhaw, N.C, will partner to offer the following Lenten services:

Ash Wednesday Services, Feb. 18 - 5 p.m. at Crossroads; 7 p.m. at Amazing Grace

Midweek Lenten Services, “Making Sense of the Cross” by David Lose, begins with a meal at 5:15 p.m. and service at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 25-March 25 at Amazing Grace Lutheran. This, the third book in the Making Sense Series, delves into open and candid conversation about the meaning of the Cross of Christ, and reflects the impact of the Cross. Topics include: A Man Hanging on a Tree; Portraits and Perspectives; Ransom and Victory; Substitution, Satisfaction and Sacrifice; Example and Encouragement; and, Event and Experience.

For more information, go to Crossroads-Lutheran.org or AmazingGraceLutheranNC.org.

Speaker’s topic is ‘God’s Love for Israel and You’

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Indian Land will host guest speaker, Sam Nadler, who presents “God’s Love for Israel and You” at 6 p.m. Feb. 22.

Nadler is the founder and president of Word of Messiah Ministries and a Jewish believer in Yeshua who has been in ministry for almost 40 years.

More information is available at pleasantvalleybaptist.org.

Join the Slipped Stitches group

The Slipped Stitches at Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, will meet 2-4 p.m. Feb. 22.

If you enjoy knitting or crocheting or are interested in learning these crafts, bring your project, yarn and needles or make group projects (prayer shawls, scarves, etc.) Visitors are welcome. Go to C rossroads-lutheran.org for information.

Vendors wanted

Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Indian Land, is seeking home-based business/craft vendors for two community events – the church’s chili cook-off on March 21 and the Fall Festival on Oct. 24.

Both events will have bake sales, vendors, bounce houses and more. The cost of renting an outdoor booth for the day is $30.

Email info@pleasanthillmethodist.org for information.

Women discuss ‘Girl’s Still Got It’

The Women’s Study/Discussion Group of Crossroads Lutheran Church, 8511 Shelley Mullis Road, Indian Land, will continue its study of the book “The Girl’s Still Got It” by Liz Curtis Higgs at 9 a.m. Feb. 21. The group meets the third Saturday of each month. Visitors are welcome.

For details, go to Crossroads-Lutheran.org.

Annual tea set for March 21

The annual Sue Dotson Memorial Tea is scheduled for March 21. Tickets are $10 each and can be obtained by calling the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church office at 803-548-7208.

This year’s guest speaker is Cathy Hendrick Weeks, who lost her husband John and their 22-year-old twin daughters, Jennifer and Kimberly, in 2004 when a Hendrick Motorsports plane crashed in route to Martinsville, Va. Now she speaks about faith in the midst of tragedy.

More information is available at pleasantvalleybaptist.org

Call in a prayer

Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene, 109 Harris St., has a time of prayer 9:15 a.m. Sundays for the nation, church and any prayer requests. Call in your prayer requests at any time to the church office at 803-548-4633.

Cookbook for sale

The United Methodist Women at Osceola United Methodist Church have recently published a cookbook titled “A Taste of Friendship.” The cookbook is in a three-ring binder and is for sale for $15. To purchase, call Floy Ervin at 803-548-5404 or Loree Wolfe at 803-285-3719.

Community reading program

The United Churches of Fort Mill has organized “The Paradise Reading Center, Changing the lives of Families through Reading.” The objective is to improve literacy in the Fort Mill community.

The host site is Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church, 601 Joe Louis St., Fort Mill, and the hours are 5-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Volunteers are welcome.

Email hicklino @fort-mill.k12.sc.us for information.

Adults needed for outreach

Young Life of York County is at work with teens in the community, providing leaders to help them make wise decisions.

Young Life is a Christian ministry committed to making an impact on kids’ lives and giving them hope for tomorrow. Founded in 1941, Young Life leaders build positive relationships with young people to model and communicate the truth about Jesus Christ. Young Life reaches suburban, urban and multicultural kids, as well as kids with disabilities and teenage mothers.

Call Nancy Manning at 803-547-4148 for details.

Faith-based support for LGBT community available

Affirmation of York County is a newly-formed support group for people in faith communities who seek support and understanding for themselves and others in working through the issues confronted by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their families and their friends.

Email affirmationofyc@gmail.com for information.

Flint Hill has clothes for needy

Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill, offers a Clothing Closet Ministry 9:30 a.m.-noon the second and fourth Monday of every month.

Adults’ and children’s clothes, shoes, linens and miscellaneous items are available. Details: 803-548-0672.

Bible study at Faith Fitness

Faith Fitness Studio, 2752 Pleasant Road, Suite 110, Fort Mill, will hold a free Bible study called “Fit for Christ” every Tuesday 7-7:45 p.m.

Go to faithfitstudio.com for information.

Higher Ground offers after-school program

The Higher Ground Church Child Development Center is enrolling students in its Christ-centered after-school program.

Kindergarten to fifth-graders are welcome. The program is a spiritual alternative to traditional child care centers and offers professional homework tutoring with an on-site tutor, daily chapel services and low student- to- teacher ratios in separated classrooms.

Each day children will be offered healthy snacks, structured group play times and spiritual lessons. The program will also present seasonal drama and music productions.

Higher Ground Church is a nondenominational church at 8365 Possum Hollow Road in Indian Land. Call 803-802-3189 for information.

Ladies’ ESL Bible Study offered

A Ladies ESL Bible Study is offered Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. until May 26 at First Baptist Church Fort Mill, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.

Beginner, intermediate and advanced level classes offered. Students may join at any time throughout the year. For information, contact Heidi McGill at 704-641-4518 or heidi.g.mcgill@gmail.com. Child care is available with a reservation.

Oak Initiative meets Mondays

The Fort Mill chapter of The Oak Initiative meets 7:30 p.m. each Mondays night at Heritage International Ministries, 375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill.

The Oak Initiative is a nondenominational organization committed to unite, mobilize, equip and activate residents to engage in issues of our time from a biblical worldview.

For information, call 803-487-0220.

Temple Solel meets at St. Philip Neri

Temple Solel, a Reform Jewish Congregation, holds Shabbat services in the Community Room of the Ministry Building at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road E., Fort Mill.

Services are 7 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

Religious education is held 10-11:30 a.m. on Sundays at Blooming Einsteins, 2752 Pleasant Road, Ste 103, Fort Mill.

For information, go to templesolelsc.org, find Temple Solel on Facebook or call 803-619-9707.

Temple Kol Ami meets at Unity

Temple Kol Ami meets for services 7:30 p.m. the first and third Friday of each month at Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill.

Details: www.kolamitemple.com; email yorksynagogue@gmail.com; or call 803-701-0149.

Check out Wednesday Night Live

Crossroads Lutheran Church in Indian Land invites all to Wednesday Night Live at its partner congregation, Amazing Grace Lutheran, 416 W. North Main St., Waxhaw, N.C. A new study “Paul and the Galations” is getting starting.

Gathering for fellowship and dinner begins at 5:15 p.m.; the study time is 6:15.-7:30 p.m.

For more information, go to AmazingGraceLutheranNC.org or Crossroads-Lutheran.org.

Come enjoy ‘Gospel Sweets’

Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, under the direction of the Rev. Ralph E. Williamson, invites everyone to “Gospel Sweets” featuring Black Entertainment Television’s Christian comedian Akintunde, Serenity Gospel Group, and Sonny Turner Jr. with Spiritual Quest 6-9 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Pease Auditorium at CPCC, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte. The tickets are $35 each.

For more information, call the church at 980-224-9701.

Forever Friends meets monthly

Forever Friends is a praise and worship program for adults with disabilities and special needs ages 18 years and older. It is sponsored by Grace Community United Methodist Church and meets 6:30-8 p.m. the third Thursday of every month.

Grace Community Church is at 1190 Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill. Adults with disabilities or special needs are welcome to gather and socialize, sing songs, participate in group activities and have fun. For details, call 803-548-4078.

Eat, study, sing on Abundant Wednesdays

Everyone is invited to eat and enjoy fellowship, Bible study and singing during Abundant Wednesdays at Riverview Presbyterian Church, 124 N. Sutton Road, Fort Mill. Meals are at 5:45 p.m. every Wednesday, followed by adult Bible study at 6:15 p.m.

MOPS is for moms

Mothers of Preschoolers, an international, nondenominational Christian organization, meets at First Baptist Church, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.

According to the group, “MOPS strives to create an environment where every mom can realize her beauty and importance from within – enriching the lives of their families.” Women with children through kindergarten meet bimonthly to encourage personal, social and spiritual growth.

Details: 803-547-2051.

Community Cafes offer free lunch

The Community Cafe offers free weekly lunches at Lake Wylie Lutheran Church at the corner S.C. 160 West and Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill every Friday, and at Fort Mill Community Bible Church on Elliot Street in Fort Mill every Wednesday.

Lunch is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; donations accepted.

For information, call pastor Rammy Lybrand (LWLC) at 803-548-5489, pastor Kendall Walker (FMCBC) at 803-389-5970 or Donald Murfin at 330-289-1243.

ESL classes held

English as a second language classes meet 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Flint Hill Baptist Church, 269 Flint Hill Road, Fort Mill.

Students are assessed and placed in a class based on their knowledge of English, from beginner to advanced. All classes are free and are for anyone who needs to learn to speak English. Details: Barbara Garrison, 803-548-4611.

Help with grieving

Ultimate Life Church, 377 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, offers support for people coping with losses in life such as divorce, death and unemployment.

Learn how to overcome the emotions that go with the loss and begin to function with joy in your life again. Groups meet 7 p.m. the first and fourth Fridays of each month.

For details, call Sandy Brazil at 803-329-1396.

AWANA meets

Kids program held on Sundays

GlenRock Baptist Church, 1915 Dobys Bridge Road in Fort Mill, offers a Children’s Ministry Fellowship and Bible Time program from 6 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. The program, for ages 5 through fifth-graders, includes games and snacks.

Outreach Center has music classes

World Outreach Center Community Church, 130 Heritage Blvd., Fort Mill, offers a series of classes for Christian artists and musicians.

Holy Creativity classes will meet 6:30 p.m. Mondays. Songwriting I and Tiffy’s Art classes will meet 8:05 p.m. Mondays. The classes cost $150 each or two for $250. Also, two free classes will be offered: Power of Prayer at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Equipping I at 8:05 p.m. Tuesdays. For details, call 803-414-5171 or visit worldoutreachcommunity.org.

Church offers medical equipment

Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill maintains a medical equipment supply closet with donated items such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, portable bedside commodes, toilet risers, shower chairs, walkers, crutches, canes and more. Call 803-547-5543.

Moms pray for students

Moms in Prayer (formerly Moms in Touch) meets 9 a.m. Thursdays to pray for local students. If you are interested in praying for your children in middle or high school, contact Marilyn Payton at 803-547-4520.

This story was originally published February 16, 2015 at 8:32 AM with the headline "Ash Wednesday, Lenten services offered."