NEW JERUSALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 1317 S. Texas St., will celebrate its 124th anniversary at 11 a.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev Aaron Johnson. The theme is A Church Striving to Reflect the Son (Rom. 8:29.) Everyone is invited to worship with the congregation. The Rev. M. Kriston Wilson is the pastor of New Jerusalem.
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, West Sixth Avenue and Walnut Street, will celebrate St. Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day with two events. At 2 p.m. Friday, Noel “Bud” Bryant, a deacon, will bless the staff and animals at Pine Bluff Animal Control. Members of Catholic Daughters will provide treats for the animals and people. At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Blessing of the Animals will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in the Walnut Street parking lot. All are invited to attend. Pets are to be on leashes or in appropriate carriers for the safety of the animals and people. Refreshments will be provided for the pets and humans. Bryant will officiate at this service also. The events are sponsored by Catholic Daughters, Court Our Lady of Victory #564, according to a news release.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4101 S. Hazel St., will host a celebration event for the Blessing of the Animals Sunday service at 2 p.m. Sunday on the front lawn. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside Milwee Hall behind the church. The church welcomes any owner and animal, according to a news release. Pets should be on leashes or in carriers during the event. There will be refreshments for adults, children, and pets. Participants are asked to bring a donation of animal food to help support and benefit the Jefferson Humane Society. Details: (870) 535-3852 or gracechurchpb@gmail.com.
MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH at Grady will observe the 18th anniversary of the pastor and wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Freddie L. Heard Sr., at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 13. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Terrance Williams of Living Word Missionary Baptist Church at Pine Bluff. The theme is Laboring for the Lord (I Cor. 15:58.)
NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will host its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 in the church’s fellowship hall. The featured speaker will be Dr. Yara Roberton of CARTI Cancer Center. The theme is Faith over fear (II Tim. 1:7.) Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from Barbara Rankins, coordinator, at (870) 329-3380, or Karen Walker, (870) 643-3937. Cancer survivors who plan to attend should contact Rankins by Oct. 11 because they will be honored at the luncheon. Participants are encouraged to wear pink or fuschia along with facinators and pearls.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
WORD OF FAITH FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH, 1108 S. Poplar St., invites the community to its Kingdom Conference at 7 p.m. Oct. 9-11. The lecturer will be the pastor and the keynote speaker will be William J. Strong Sr., bishop of Greater New Bethel Church at Milwaukee, Wis.
NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the pastor/apostle and wife, Patrick and Janice Lockett, at 11 a.m. Oct. 13. The featured speaker will be Esau Watson, bishop at Judah Restoration Worship Center. The theme is the Steps of a Good Man are Ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23.) The community is invited to attend.
BARRAQUE STREET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 1800 W. Pullen St., will conduct its annual Women’s Day at 11 a.m. Oct. 20. The guest speaker will be Judge Latonya Austin Honorable, a member of St. Luke Baptist Church in North Little Rock. The guest choir director will be Kayla Knight. Choir rehearsal dates are Oct. 9 at 7:15 p.m. and Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. The theme is Christian Women Called to Live Faithfully in Peace (Esther 4:14.) The Rev. Sidney D. Milton Sr. is pastor of Barraque Street church.
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.