PRAYER GARDEN CHRISTIAN Faith Center Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Apple St., will celebrate the 30th appreciation service of the pastor and wife, Elder Jerry W. Williams Sr. and Diann W. Williams, at 3 p.m. Sunday. The theme is Esteeming Our Leader in Love Because of His Work (I Thessalonians 5:12-13.) The guest preacher will be Elder David Jones, pastor of Kingdom Builders Church of God in Christ, accompanied by his congregation. The public is invited to attend.
ST. ANDREW MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5810 W. Malcomb St., will host the seventh appreciation service for the associate pastor and wife, the Rev. Dale Watkins Sr. and Sonya Watkins, at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. LaDale Higgins of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church will be the guest preacher. Dinner will be served in the fellowship hall after service. All are welcomed. The Rev. Richard Hart is the pastor of St. Andrew.
PLEASANT VIEW MINISTRIES CHURCH, 1117 N. Palm St., will celebrate the 38th pastoral anniversary of the Rev. William A. Shaw Jr. at 11 a.m. Sunday. This worship service will feature special guests, tributes, music and more, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. Highlights also include a choir concert, the Shaw Singers, praise dance, poetry and “Youth Speak Out.”
BREATH OF LIFE CHURCH, 1313 S. Pine St., will conduct its Youth Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be Andrew Roshell. In 2023-2024, he was principal at Camden Fairview Middle School and is currently a fourth grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary School. He is a life-long member of Rison Church of Christ, member of Jupiter Lodge #192, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications and a Master of Arts degree in early childhood education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Youth Sunday is a program of the church’s youth department, where the director is Jennifer Lee. Breath of Life’s pastor is the Rev. Kerry Price Sr.
BETHLEHEM WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH in Dumas invites the community to attend the 2024 Men’s Conference at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The theme is Men Who Conquer (Romans 8:37). The speaker will be the Rev. Kourtney R. Smith, pastor of Destiny Worship Center of Pine Bluff. Bethlehem’s pastor is Timothy Jones.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
PRAYER GARDEN CHRISTIAN Faith Center Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Apple St., will host a special voter registration effort at 10 a.m. Sunday as part of the COGIC Counts Weekend. During these services, COGIC congregations are registering their entire congregations to vote. All congregants who are eligible to vote will have the opportunity to do so, according to a news release. COGIC congregations across the nation are working together on a voter engagement movement: The Presiding Bishop’s COGIC Counts Initiative. Through the initiative, COGIC congregations will raise awareness about attempts to discourage African American voters and the importance of increasing the number of and protecting African American votes., according to a news release. The pastor of Prayer Garden church is Jerry W. Williams Sr. Details: COGIC.org.
OLD SAINT JAMES MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 4512 S. Ohio St., will host its 10th annual Women’s Conference beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 28. The doors open at 8 a.m. The presenters will include opening speaker Latonya Scott and closing speaker Danita Waller Paige. Teachers and topics will be Cynthia Bullard, “Woman in the Mirror”; Cynthia Howard, “Do you like what you see?” and Janice Lockett, “Stay focused.” Registration is $45 and includes a conference bag, T-shirt, continental breakfast, goodies, lunch, and special souvenir. Registration is available at https://app.easytithe.com/App/Form/4485fc27-fd5b-4f7b-abb7-d98dc12f9463. For details, email OldSaintJamesWomensMinistry@gmail.com or text (870) 397-7448.
WORD OF FAITH FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH, 1108 S. Poplar St., invites the community to its Family and Friends Day on Sept. 29. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. and worship service is at 10:45 a.m. The speaker will be the pastor, Henry Land Jr. Also, Word of Faith 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.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 6501 S. Hazel St., will host a special Organ Rededication and Hymn Festival at 5 p.m. Sept. 29. The event will feature organists Bill Fox, Chuck Fuller, and Robert Lindley; the Sanctuary Choir; and congregational singing accompanied by Erin Bolton, pianist, and Janine Tiner, organist. This gathering will also celebrate and rededicate the historic Casavant Frères organ, which has been recently renovated. A fellowship reception will be held in the church’s fellowship hall after the program.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4101 S. Hazel St., will host a celebration event for the Blessing of the Animals Sunday service at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 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.
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 community is invited to attend.
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.
Dale and Sonya Watkins
William Shaw
Andrew Roshell