NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH in Moscow will present the 27th anniversary of the pastor and wife, the Rev. Stanley R. Blair Sr. and Tina R. Blair, on Sunday. At 10 a.m., the guest speaker will be the Rev. Timothy Pratt, pastor of Wheeler Chapel Ministries. At 2 p.m., the featured speaker will be Superintendent Timothy Jones, pastor of Bethlehem Worship Center Church of God in Christ in Dumas. The theme is “Still standing with the help of the Lord” (Acts 26:22.)
ALLEN TEMPLE AME CHURCH, 1123 Virginia St., will observe its 138th anniversary at 3 p.m. Dec. 14. Bishop Silvester Scott Beaman, presiding prelate of the 12th Episcopal District, will be the guest speaker. Special guests from the city and the AME Church’s Pine Bluff Helena District will participate. The theme is “God’s Faithfulness Through the Ages” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Penny Waddell and Vicky Barsh are the anniversary program general co-chairs. The pastor is the Rev. Krissy Harris. The public is invited to come and celebrate 138 blessed years with Allen Temple, a spokesman said.
THE SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS MALE CHORUS will present its 26th Anniversary Concert at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 1026 Missouri St. The worship leader will be David Maddox of New St. Hurricane Baptist Church. The theme is “Praising a Worthy God” (Psalm 150.) This is also a membership drive. The chorus is also looking for “good Christian singing men,” according to a spokesman. “Hope to see you there.”
NEW MORNING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH in Altheimer will present its Youth and Young Adult Day at 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Words of encouragement will be from the Rev. James Rice Jr., pastor of Greater Battle Chapel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. The choir director will be Rosetta V. Lusk of New Morning Star and the guest worship leader will be the Rev. Eric Corbin, pastor of Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. Choir rehearsals will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 19. New Morning Star’s pastor is the Rev. Eric Walden Jr.
MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND BAILEY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Gould will host the annual End-of-Year Service at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Mount Moriah. The pastors, Phillip Puckett of Mt. Moriah and Curtis Gibson of Bailey Chapel, welcome everyone to join them as they gather in worship and gratitude to close out the year, a spokesman said.
THE DESHA COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS will hold its 29th annual Candle Lighting Remembrance at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Dumas Community Center in Dumas. The community is invited to attend. The program will honor the memories of all children who have died, but will never be forgotten, according to a news release. The event will consist of a memorial display, greetings, readings, poems, music selections and a candle lighting ceremony. “At 7 p.m. participants will light candles in memory of all our children gone too soon … that their light will always shine,” according to the release. A reception will follow the program. There is no admission fee, however, donations are appreciated. Those who would like to have a child’s name placed on the memorial roll or picture placed on the memorial display may contact The Compassionate Friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Dec. 6. To RSVP or for more information, text to or call (870) 866-6985, (870) 377-4299, or (972) 365-1930. Brenda Norman is the co-leader and event planner.
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.