NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will celebrate the 22nd Pastoral Anniversary of the pastor/apostle, Patrick Lockett, and his wife, Janice Lockett, a missionary, on Sunday. The pastor will preach the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. The celebration will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday and the guest preacher will be the Rev. Lee Whitiker, pastor of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church. The community is invited to attend.
OLD ST. JAMES MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 4512 S. Ohio St., will observe its 140th anniversary at 10 a.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Clarence Holman, pastor of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. David M. Smith is pastor of Old St. James.
SEPTEMBER IS ARKANSAS GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH and celebrations will be held in Pine Bluff, according to a news release. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a Youth and Young Adult Extravaganza and Concert will be held at New Life Church, 2801 S. Olive St. This event will include music, games, and giveaways. On Sunday at 6 p.m, the AGMHM Grand Finalé 2025 Celebration will be observed at First Assembly of God, 1002 Ridgway Road. The attire is formal. The doors open at 5:15 p.m. Admission is free. Details: contact AGMHM Media Relations Director Shayla Donahue at (870) 718-7802 or Arkansasgospelmusic@hotmail.com. Details: (870) 413-9154.
NEW JERUSALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 1317 S. Texas St., will observe its Women’s Day on Sunday. The 11 a.m. speaker will be Juanita Harris of New Jerusalem. The 2 p.m. speaker will be Mary Adams of The First Step International Church of Dallas. The choir will be under the direction of Jasmine Wilson. Renita Terry will be the guest musician. The choir rehearsal will be Saturday at 11 a.m.. The Rev. M. Kristin Wilson is the pastor of New Jerusalem.
OLD ST. JAMES MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 4512 S. Ohio St., will present Grammy Award nominated Gospel singer Vickie Winans as the special guest artist during the Women’s Conference on Sept. 27. Registration starts at 8 a.m. The conference begins at 9 a.m. with opening speaker Latonya Scott of Old St. James followed by classes taught by Bishop Shirley Sanders, Yolanda Campbell and Cassandra Shaw. The registration is $65 and includes the program, a bag, continental breakfast, a souvenir, lunch and conference T-shirt. To register, text 2025 to (870) 397-7448, or register at the church on Sundays, call the church at (870) 534-7654 or contact spokeswoman Charlotte Allen at (870) 550-4561. The Rev. David M. Smith is the pastor of Old St. James.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
PLEASANT VIEW MINISTRIES CHURCH, 1117 N. Palm St., will commemorate the 39th Pastoral Anniversary of the Rev. William A. Shaw Jr. at 11 a.m. Sept. 28. This service will include special guests, tributes and music. “Celebrate 39 years of faith, love and leadership with us,” says a spokesperson. Those unable to attend but desire to be a blessing to the pastor may send an offering to Shaw’s Cash App at $SHAWWA, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
UNION HOPEWELL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 1121 S. Persimmon St., will celebrate its Family and Friends Day at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Keith Higgins, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in West Memphis, accompanied by his congregation.
WATKIN CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 800 S. Juniper St., will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the pastor and wife, the Rev. Kenneth E. Jones Sr. and Debra A. Jones, at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Willie J. Laws Sr., pastor of Union Baptist Church in Altheimer.
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.