THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF Department of Music will present the UAPB Vesper Choir in its 71st presentation of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. James United Methodist Church, 900 University Drive. This free event is open to the public. Handel’s “Messiah” has been performed for more than two centuries, according to a news release. The choir is under the leadership of UAPB Director of Choral Activities, Jerron A. Liddell, and assisted by Jamie Dahman, voice instructor and assistant director of the Vesper Choir. Soloists include Shayla Graham, a soprano from Camden, Caili Morris, a soprano from Little Rock, Kristian Hicks, a baritone from Monticello, and Joshua Duckworth, a bass from Little Rock. Details: Jerron A. Liddell at (870) 575-8907.
THE SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS MALE CHORUS will observe their 25th anniversary at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 1026 Missouri St. The worship leader will be the Rev. Stoney Shaw of New Faith Missionary Baptist Church. The theme is “Exalting the name of Jesus” (Psalms 34:3.) The Rev. R.D. Howard is the pastor. The community is invited to attend this silver anniversary, according to a news release.
THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S CONNECTION invites the community to its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The special feature will be Lewis Hinkle, singer from Summit Church in Pine Bluff. The speaker will be Iris May of Lancaster, Texas. Her Topic will be “100,000 Miles to Home,” according to a news release. May is a hospice nurse, writer, and speaker. May is also a former military spouse, who continued her nursing career during her husband’s deployments and was awarded a commendation by the Army for her support of mental health for spouses during Operation Desert Storm, according to a news release. The Women’s Connection luncheon is $21, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance and participants will be charged for reservations not kept.
NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will hold its youth Christmas program on Dec. 22 immediately after the 11 a.m. worship service. “Come out and celebrate the birth of our Savior with us,” a spokesman said. There will also be an Ugly Sweater Contest and winners will win prizes. The program is sponsored by the NCC Youth Ministry with the Rev. Roderic Goodwin youth pastor and New Community’s apostle/pastor is Patrick Lockett.
MOUNT MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH of Gould will conduct its end-of-the year service at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Curtis Gibson, pastor of the Bailey Chapel United Methodist Church of Gould. The Rev. Phillip Puckett is the pastor at Mount Moriah. “Everyone is welcome to come and praise the Lord,” the pastor said.
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.