MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 3201 W. Second Ave., will honor the Rev. Larry C. Battles on his 44th Pastor’s Anniversary, on Sunday. At 11 a.m., the guest preacher will be the Rev. R.P. Bifford, pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Altheimer. At 3 p.m., the Rev. Clarence Holman, pastor of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, will be the featured speaker, accompanied by his congregation.
THE 14TH ANNUAL PRAYER RALLY will be held at 6 a.m. Saturday on the lawn of the Pine Bluff Civic Center, on the steps near the flag pole, according to House of Bread Deliverance Church’s pastor/apostle, Saint Mary Harris. Clergy participants will include Gail Stith, John Nicholson, Jesse Turner, Shirley Sanders, Dale McCollum, Robbie Henry, Beverly Murray and other community leaders. Recording gospel artist Cachet will be on hand for praise and worship. Everyone is welcome to attend. Details: Saint Mary Harris, at (870) 872-2196 or www.houseofbreaddeliverance.com.
AMOS CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 1307 W. 16th Ave., will feature Bishop Henry “Hank” Wilkins IV as the guest speaker at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Robert Willis Jr. is Amos Chapel’s pastor. “This is an invitation to worship in the power of hope, the joy of the spirit and the grace of peace. Your prayers and presence will be a special blessing,” Wilkins said.
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH in Moscow will celebrate its 138th Anniversary at 2 p.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Lee Whitiker, pastor of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, accompanied by his congregation. The Rev. Stanley R. Blair Sr. is pastor of New Hope church.
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH in Altheimer will host an Appreciation Day honoring Altheimer Mayor Zola Hudson at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. R.P. Bifford is the pastor. The community is invited to attend.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UNION HOPEWELL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH has moved its annual Usher Program to True Vine”E” Missionary Baptist Church, 1001 W. Second Ave. The program will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Raeshawn Howard Sr. of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Antonio Gayden Sr. is pastor of Union Hopewell. The theme is “Strive for excellence not perfection in Christ” (Ezekiel 44:14.)
THE 157TH REGULAR ST. MARION DISTRICT Association Annual Session will be held at Old St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 4512 S. Ohio St., Aug. 4-7. Classes will be from 6-7:45 p.m. and include Survey of John, Christian Beliefs, Leadership in the Local Church, Christian Evangelism, and Christianity and Contemporary Issues. The Parent Body Sessions will begin at 7:45 p.m., according to a news release. Linda Murray is the Dean of Congress.
ST. JOHN AME CHURCH, 1117 W. Pullen St., will present its annual Men’s Day Worship and Praise Services weekend. On Aug. 23, from 8-10 a.m. the men of St. John will host their annual prayer breakfast. On Aug. 24, Men’s Day will begin at 9:45 a.m. with regular service featuring Xavier Wynn as the speaker followed by Church School at noon. On Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. the annual Men’s Day Worship and Praise Celebration will feature the Rev. Roderick Dwayne Belin, president and publisher of the AME Sunday School Union, as its guest speaker, according to a news release.
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesdays. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to southeast Arkansas. Articles are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.