First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield is starting a "prayer shawl" meeting to reach out to those in need of comfort and to those wishing to celebrate. An organizational meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the fellowship hall at the church, which is on South Third Street.

New Zealand

Plates of barbecued chicken will be on sale from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at New Zealand Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, 5312 Meadowbrook Road in the Meadow community. The cost is $7 per plate, with takeout available.

Church of Refuge

Rib, chicken and fish plates will be on sale from 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, at the Church of Refuge, 3139 Buffalo Road, Smithfield. Here are the prices: small rib dinner, $9; large rib dinner, $12; chicken, $6.50; fish, $6.50; fish and chicken, $8.50; and three-meat combo, $13. Dinners come with green beans, boiled potatoes and iced tea. Cake slices will be available for $1.

Sharon Baptist

Plates of barbecued pork and chicken will be on sale from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Sharon Baptist Church, 116 Britt St., Smithfield. The cost is $6 per plate or $5 for 10 or more plates. Takeout will be available, and the church will deliver orders of 10 or more. The Glorymen will sing at 7 p.m.

Yard sale

A yard sale is scheduled from 7 a.m. till noon Saturday, Oct. 3, at Edgerton Memorial United Methodist Church, 401 W. Anderson St., Selma. Coffee and biscuits will be available.

Thanksgiving Baptist

Thanksgiving Baptist Church is registering young people for its new Awana ministry. The clubs for preschool and children will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. The youth club will meet at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. Thanksgiving Baptist Church is at 6701 N.C. 42 about two miles east of Buffalo Road. For more information, call 553-5702 or e-mail steve_reed@bellsouth.net.

Elizabeth Church

Elizabeth United Methodist Church will hold a yard sale from 7 a.m. till 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3378 Cleveland Road, Smithfield. The sale site is about one mile east of the church.

Smyrna Church

Smyrna Original Free Will Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. The Glorymen of Holly Springs will sing during the 11 a.m. worship hour. The church will collect its annual harvest offering. A covered-dish lunch will follow in the fellowship hall. The church is on N.C. 96 in the Meadow community.

Barbour's Chapel

Barbour's Chapel Advent Christian Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. Sunday School will begin at 10 a.m. Dr. John Roller, pastor, will speak during the 11 a.m. worship hour. A covered-dish lunch will follow. The church is off of Black Creek Road near Four Oaks.

Elevation UMC

Elevation United Methodist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. The Rev. Vernon Tyson will speak during the 11 a.m. worship hour. A covered-dish lunch will follow the service.

Tee's Chapel

Tee's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. The morning worship hour will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will follow at noon. The church is at 6434 Brogden Road east of Smithfield.

Carter's Chapel

Carter's Chapel Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. Former pastor Andy Cockrell will speak during the 11 a.m. worship hour. Lunch will follow the service. The church is on Old Beulah Road near Selma.

Sardis Baptist

The Rev. Johnny LaCarter, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant, will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Sardis Baptist Church, 5444 Brogden Road, Smithfield. LaCarter recently moved to Smithfield from Alabama.

Small Chapel

A fellowship service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Small Chapel Church, 8055 U.S. 701 South, Four Oaks. Elder Howard Watson will speak.

Johnson Memorial

Johnson Memorial Church will hold its annual Harvest Day on Saturday, Oct. 3. A buffet of chicken and pastry, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans, boiled potatoes and desserts will be available from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. and from 4 till 7 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children. Takeout plates will be available. An auction will begin at 7 p.m., and a "country store" will feature cakes, breads, brownies, canned goods, jellies, preserves and crafts. The church is at 8280 N.C. 50, two miles south of McGee's Crossroads.

Hickory Grove

Hickory Grove Disciples of Christ Church will celebrate its 123rd homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Pastor Joseph Warren Jr. of Mount Olive will speak. The church is on Devil's Racetrack Road near Four Oaks.

New Hill Church

A homecoming service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at New Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2591 Fire Department Road, Clayton. The Rev. Roosevelt Whitehead of Season Baptist Church in Kinston will speak.

Hephzibah Baptist

Hephzibah Baptist Church on U.S. 70 near Princeton will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 4. Sunday School will begin at 10 a.m. The worship service will start at 11. Dinner on the grounds will follow.