m GOOD FAITH CARR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 3703 Ryburn Road, in the community of Watson Chapel, will have a combined Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. Sunday on the lawn of Good Faith. Other churches will include First United and Lakeside United Methodist Churches. The first UMC and Lakeside choirs will present the singing. “Please join us for this special service. Bring your lawn chairs,” a spokesperson said.

• FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PINE BLUFF, 6501 S. Hazel St., will observe Good Friday at 6 p.m. today. The organ prelude will begin at 5:45 p.m. The Sanctuary Choir will present the last days of Christ’s earthly life through song, scripture and the Lord’s Supper in a program titled “When Darkness Comes.” Communion will be served and worshipers will pick up the prepackaged communion items upon entering the sanctuary. The service promises to bridge the rowdy hosannas of Palm Sunday with the joyous celebration of the Lord’s resurrection at Easter, a spokesperson said. First Baptist will celebrate Easter with worship at 11 a.m. Sunday. These services are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Details: (870) 534-4741 or www.fbcpinebluff.org.

• HOUSE OF BREAD DELIVERANCE CHURCH, 500 S. Main St., will open its food pantry Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon or until all boxes of food are depleted. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and only one box will be given per household. Customers should bring utility bills and driver’s license or ID. Everyone is required to wear a mask, according to a press release. All clients must complete new intake forms for 2022 if they have not already done so. Participants will not receive a box if they do not have the required information.

• NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH announces that a virtual popcorn fundraiser will take place today until 5 p.m. Sunday, according to a press release. Orders for “Women of NCC” popcorn can be made online at https://popup.doublegood.com/s/y16v4r8u. Orders will be sent directly to the buyer’s home by the company. Proceeds will go to the ministry.

• THE VESPER CHOIR from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will present their 68th presentation of selections from Handel’s “Messiah” at 6 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 717 W. 32nd Ave. The free public performance will be conducted by Jerron A. Liddell, director of choral activities, according to a press release. Student soloists will include Daniel Johnson II, tenor, of McDonough, Ga.; Kevin Crumpton Jr., tenor, Pine Bluff; Pashu’ar Grissom, viola, Pine Bluff; Allison Malone, soprano, Memphis; and Kristian Hicks, baritone, Monticello.

• NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will host its Kingdom Builders program at 6 p.m. on April 24. The featured speaker will be Corentha Allmond, minister of the church. The community is invited to attend. The new community is still practicing social distancing and has masks. Hand sanitizer stations are located at the entrance doors. Additionally, New Community holds services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays. The pastor/apostle is Patrick Lockett.

• FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 200 W. Sixth Ave., will host the Ozark Mission Project, a nonprofit ministry of The United Methodist Church, July 17-22. OMP plans to perform minor home repairs free of charge for residents within a 30-mile radius of the church, according to a news release. Interested residents should complete a neighbor application at www.ozarkmissionproject.org. Completed applications should be scanned and emailed to [email protected] or by mail to Ozark Mission Project, PO Box 26525, Little Rock, AR, 72221, by May 1.

Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline for submitting church announcements is Wednesday noon. Pastors, ministers, or others interested in writing for the devotional page can also submit articles for consideration. Column writers must have ties to southeast Arkansas. Articles should be submitted by email to [email protected] Details: (870) 534-3400, extension 5.