Faith News

Holy Trinity Lutheran, Hickory

New pastor: Church welcomes the Rev. Dr. William Bernard Trexler as interim pastor after the retirement of the Rev. Robert Shoffner. An N.C. native, Trexler graduated from Duke University in 1966. He earned master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. After ordination, he served parishes throughout the Southeast and represented the Lutheran Church in America Division for Parish Services in its Southeast region. In 1995 he was elected second bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Trexler has received numerous awards and recognitions for his service in ministry. In 1995, Southern Seminary awarded him the John Benjamin Bedenbaugh Alumni/ae Award for Distinguished Pastoral Leadership. In 1997, Newberry College conferred an honorary doctor of humane letters degree on Trexler, and in 1999 he received an honorary doctor of sacred theology degree from the South Florida Center for Theological Studies. 547 6th St. N.W., Hickory. www.htlchickory.org.

Springwood Church of God, Gastonia

Concert: Pianist Tanner Winchester, 14, to perform during 11 a.m. service March 27. 1007 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia. www.springwoodcog.com.

Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance

Community Lenten services: Weekly services to bring churches together across denominational and racial lines. The Rev. Robert Ford, chaplain of Frye Regional Medical Center, to lead service 12:10-12:35 p.m. March 30 at Hartzell Memorial United Methodist, 465 S. Center St., Hickory. Lunch afterward. Donations accepted. Details: the Rev. Reggie Longcrier, 828-962-8195, or the Rev. Bill Garrard, 828-962-7566.

Corinth Reformed Church, Hickory

Lenten organ recitals: Florence Jowers to perform 12:30 p.m. April 1. Series presented in memory of Claude and Raenelle Abernethy. Continues April 8. Free. 150 16th Ave. N.W., Hickory. www.corinthtoday.org.

Open Hearts Gathering

Meeting: Faith community of Gaston County open to people of all faiths, sexualities, backgrounds, stories. Meets monthly in people's homes. Details: Dennis Teall-Fleming, 704-674-0729. www.openheartsgathering.org.

St. Alban's Episcopal, Hickory

Lenten worship: Stations of the cross, 5:45 p.m. Fridays through April 15. Evening prayer Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays through April 18.

Wednesday evening fellowship: Dinner 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays. Teaching reflection and meditation on "The Word Is Very Near You: A Guide to Praying with Scripture," 6:20-7:20 p.m. Wednesdays. Child care provided. 130 39th Avenue Place N.W., Hickory. 828-324-1351.

Redeemer Lutheran, Catawba

Film series: "God at the Movies" series to present "Luther" 6 p.m. March 27. Discussion afterwardfollows. Refreshments.

Lenten services: Midweek services 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Sermon series on core beliefs of the Christian church, 10 a.m. Sundays. Adult Bible studies 9 a.m. Sundays. 200 S. Main St., Catawba. 828-241-2371.

First Baptist, Hickory

Concert: Hickory Choral Society to perform 3 p.m. March 27. Free. 339 2nd Ave. N.W., Hickory. www.hickorychoralsociety.org.

Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry

Benefit golf tournament: Ministry's annual golf tournament May 12, Glen Oaks Golf Club, Maiden. Details/registration: 828-465-1702.