Published: September 10, 2009 10:28 pm      

Church News

Johnson Memorial Church of God in Christ officers and members will be celebrating the 19th appreciation services for their pastor and first lady, Elder Joseph Johnson Sr. and Missionary Charlene Johnson, at 3 p.m. Sept. 13.

Guest churches will be Freedom Fellowship, Pastor J. Williams; Macedonia Baptist, Pastor Joe Hubbard; Taylor Memorial, Pastor F.G. Taylor; Straight Way Baptist, Pastor A.E. Smith; Love Chapel Baptist, Pastor David Wilson; Griffin Chapel, Superintendent E.L. Baptist; Word of Life, Pastor L.J. Keeton; Open Door, Pastor David Thompson; Greater Love Outreach, Pastor William Lewis Jr.; and Greater Crossway, Pastor David Houston. The spoken word will be by Elder Johnny K. Johnson Jr., son of the late Johnny K. Johnson Sr., founder of the church, and nephew of Pastor Joseph Johnson Sr. Johnny K. Johnson Jr. is a member of Livingston COGIC, where Superintendent R. Chimney is the pastor.

Pastor Joseph Johnson accepted the call to preach the gospel in November 1985. He preached his first message Jan. 26, 1986 under Elder J.W. McCrary. He was ordained elder by Bishop J. Neaul Haynes, presiding bishop of Texas North East Church of God in Christ) on July 26, 1989. He was called and appointed as pastor of Johnson Memorial August 1990. Johnson works faithfully in the Corsicana District COGIC where he serves as evangelist department president and treasurer.

Evangelist DeAndré Johnson Sr. was ordained under Elder Joseph Johnson Sr. and licensed by Bishop J. Neaul Haynes. Minister Billy Johnson accepted the call to preach under Elder Johnson. Elder Johnson licensed Minister Walter Kelly Dickson July 19, 2009.

Elder Johnson and his wife of 39 years, Charlene Johnson, who is the district missionary of the COGIC of Corsicana, have five children: Joseph Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa, Petrina Pipkin of Corsicana, Amanda Curry of Duncanville, Jennifer Johnson of Dallas, and Marciarie Johnson of Irving; and eight grandchildren. They also serve the community through the establishment of the their business, Ross and Johnson Mortuary.

The public is invited to come and help celebrate the 19th year of services rendered by the man and woman of God.



New Birth Sanctuary Church of God in Christ, where D.R. Washington Sr. is pastor and Sister Sonji Washington is first lady, will have its pastor and wife’s first appreciation service at 3 p.m. Sept. 13. Pulpit conductor will be Pastor Clyde Chambers, and the speaker will be Pastor David Wilson of Love Chapel Baptist Church. Other guests will be Church of the Living God CWFF, Pastor J.D. Morgan; St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Teague, Pastor Vernon Jessie; Roane Chapel Full Gospel Baptist Church, Pastor Harold Evans; and Greater Haynes COGIC in Mexia, Pastor C.D. Washington.

New Birth Sanctuary started Jan. 13, 2008, with five members. Talking about the history of the church will be Mother Margaret Reffitt, about the first lady will be Missionary Francis Jones, and about the pastor will be Sister Kasey Beaird, while the occasion will be by Sister Sophia Massey and the welcome by Sister Margaret Ricard. Escorts will be Brother Johnny Beaird and Sister Kasey Beaird.



Kelly’s Temple Church of God in Christ, 501 N. Third St., where Elder Billy Joe Kelly is pastor, will have Sunday night live service based on 1 Peter 2:5. You are cordially invited to come and be a part of this worship service where the move of the Holy Ghost is falling. The dynamic speaker will be Minister Eric Grant, a young man God is using in these latter times. God has anointed him to carry the word to another level, challenging everyone who doesn’t know Christ to try him and put your trust in Him for He cares for you. The subject text will be “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” Grant’s sons and daughter will minister musical selections: Johnthan Grant, bass guitar; Eric Grant Jr., keyboard; Erica Daniels, saxophone; and Minister Eric Grant and Brother Tyrone Grant, drums. You are invited to come and be a part of these services.



Soul Savers Temple, 1011 W. Fifth Ave., will have a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 18, sponsored by Single Believers Ministries, for Pastor H.D. Haney for 18 years of pastoral service. He is married to Bishop Annelle Castille Haney, who pastors at Massey Lake in Tennessee Colony and Malakoff Church of the Living God PGT. The City Wide Women will perform live in concert. Everyone who is available is asked to come and be a blessing to the man of God.



Westminster Presbyterian Church, 312 N. 13th St., will have an installation service in the sanctuary for the Rev. Darla J. Blatnik at 4 p.m. Sept. 13. The congregation invites the community to join us for this important event in the life of our church. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Blatnik was called to Westminster Presbyterian Church by action of the congregation on March 29. She began her pastorate on May 15 with her first Sunday in the pulpit on May 17.

With degrees in both sociology and psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas as well as a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Blatnik graduated from Union-PSCE in Richmond, Va., in May 2002 receiving the Patrick D. Miller Award for Excellence in the Study of Scripture. She then served as associate pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Ky., until answering the call to Westminster in Corsicana this year. Blatnik fulfills many usual pastoral roles — preaching, visitation, teaching, and staff leadership — and more. As the moderator of the Westminster Presbyterian Church session, Blatnik has led officer training for new elders and a Saturday morning retreat for the entire session. She is leading the Wednesday prayer service in the chapel, where she also holds a weekly service with the children from the Child Enrichment Program. In addition, she is supporting the Child and Family Program specialists Crystal Shepherd and Pam Crawford as they work with families in crisis.

Since coming to Corsicana as pastor at WPC, Blatnik has entered into the life of the larger community as well. She is a member of the Monday Rotary Club, served as a celebrity waiter in a fund-raiser to benefit special projects for students at the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center, and also represents the church through the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, where she is participating in the 2009-2010 Leadership Corsicana course this fall.

For more information Blatnik and Westminster, you may visit the church Web site at www.presbyterianchurchofcorsicana.org, e-mail Blatnik at PastorDarla@aol.com, or call the church office at (903) 874-3781 to schedule an interview.



Church of the Living God PGT, 141 S. State Highway 309, Goodlow, where Elder O. Dunnington is pastor, will have its annual church anniversary and homecoming at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13. The annual revival will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-16. Dr. Wheeler Jones from Tyler Church of the Living God will be the guest speaker. Sister Joyce Starks is in charge of the program.



Cornerstone Baptist Church invites you to come have dessert and be entertained as the women’s ministry celebrates womanhood with Vonda Skelton at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

Skelton is an entertaining teacher and speaker with a heart for women and their families. Come join in for a night of humor and fellowship as Skelton talks about “Bubbles to Beaus, Babies to Bedpans!” You’ll laugh out loud as she takes you on a humorous journey through each season of a woman’s life. However, in the midst of laughter, Skelton turns to scripture and reveals the truth — that God can use every woman, no matter her age. The program will suitable for women and teen girls. Tickets are $6. For tickets go by Cornerstone (office in back), 801 N. 13th St., or call (903) 872-8105.



Corsicana District Churches of God in Christ, comprised of Griffin Chapel, Johnson Memorial, Word of Life Tabernacle, Greater Crossway Pentecostal, Tindle Memorial and Open Door, will gather together at Open Door COGIC, 1201 E. Eighth Ave., where David Thompson serves as pastor, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-8 for the annual fall district meeting. This year’s theme will be “In Pursuit of His Glory.”

The speaker for Sept. 15 will be Pastor Joseph Johnson Sr. of Johnson Memorial COGIC and each pastor’s aide will represent. Sept. 16 will be designated as Bishop J. Neaul Haynes night. The speaker on Sept. 17 will be Evangelist Gertrude Richardson of Taylor Memorial Church. The meeting will end Sept. 18 with Superintendent E.L. Baptist’s night, and Baptist will be designated as the evening’s speaker. Officers of the district serve in the following positions: Pastor E.L. Baptist, district superintendent; Pastor L.J. Keeton, secretary; Pastor Joseph Johnson Sr., treasurer and evangelist department president; Pastor David Houston, Sunday school superintendent and financier; Pastor David Thompson, YPWW and helping hand president; and Missionary Charlene D. Johnson serves as district missionary of the women’s department.

Everyone is invited to come and worship during these services.



Corsicana District Gospel Choir will present a play “Who Killed the Church?” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Johnson Memorial Church of God in Christ, 1700 S. Business 45. All are invited to come and witness this event. Co-choir presidents are Sister Petrina Pipkins and Sister Shirley Lucas.



Faith Temple Ministries will have a guest speaker at 11 a.m. Sept. 13. The speaker will be Elder Bernard Porter of Greater Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ from Dallas, where Elder H.B. Horn Jr. is pastor. Everyone is welcome to come. Host pastor is P.A. Rischer. For more information, call (903) 389-9030.



Frost United Methodist Church will have its annual Lord’s Acre Oct. 3 at the Frost School cafeteria. Everyone is invited. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of $7 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Carry-out plates will be available at 11 a.m. The menu will be barbecue brisket, sausage, chicken and ribs, potato salad, beans, slaw, homemade cake and iced tea. An auction will immediately follow the lunch. There will be baked goods, crafts and merchandise. Funds raised will go to help build a new parking lot on the west side of the church with handicapped access.



Greater Wilgo Baptist Church, 621 E. First Ave., where Arthur C. Faulk serves as pastor, will observe its ushers annual program at 3 p.m. Sept. 13. Pastor D.R. Watson and New Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church will be the guests. Come expecting a blessing and a word from God.



Men’s Community Prayer Breakfast will meet at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Lone Star Room of the Walker Dining Hall on the Navarro College campus. This meeting is open to all men in the community. The main emphasis is prayer for the community with interceding for leaders, schools, institutions, government and churches in the community. For more information, call (903) 874-5561.



Open Bible study and gospel singing is held every Thursday at the Senior Activity Center, 919 W. Park Ave., Corsicana. There is no cost to attend. Singing with Patrick and Nancy McCurrin on guitars and Virginia Terry on piano is held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Bible study is held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. with Peggy Smith as the teacher of this class. For more information, call activity director Fred Biltz at (903) 654-4980.



Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 1347 S. 45th St., will have a healing and wholeness service at 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Whether it be pain of illness, family conflict, loss of a loved one, alcoholism, job security, loneliness, finances, marriage, parenting, divorce, depression, anger, addiction, self-worth, or co-dependency, let God help you. You are invited to come find comfort and peace in God’s house.



Praise in the Park will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Oct. 3 at Fullerton-Garitty Park. This gospel concert will feature local artists Pastor Ricky Walter, Bryan Larremore of Ennis, Shelena Mack of Kerens, praise dance by Tambrisha Jackson, Corsicana Area Youth choir, saxophonist Danny Phillips, Jerome Pritchett of Dallas, Leonas Kinder of Palestine, Wayne Owen, St. Paul praise dancers of Ennis; recording artists Men of Zion of Waco, The Gospel Five of Corsicana, Divine Voices of Dallas, Communications of Palestine, and Little Rodi of Houston; along with many others. In case of inclement weather, the concert will relocated to Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 125 S. Fifth St. For more information, contact Deacon Williams at (903) 851-1630 or Bishop Davis at (903) 874-4873.



Roane Chapel Full Gospel Church, 100 S. Parham St., where Elder Harold L. Evans Sr. is pastor, will have its homecoming at noon Sept. 13. Guest church will be Open Door Church of God in Christ and its pastor, Elder David Thompson. Your choir is asked to render A&B selections. Dinner will be served after service. All ex-members and friends are welcome. Everyone is asked to dress casual.



St. John Baptist Church, 200 T.A. Carroll Ave., where Lewis Taylor is pastor, invites you to come and join in as the church celebrates is 86th annual homecoming at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Guest speaker will be Pastor R. Emerson of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Jewett. The theme will be “A Call to Persevere” from Hebrews 10:19-25.



Single Believers Ministries will have a one-day soul-saving revival street ministry at 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at East First Avenue, featuring Minister Jason Forge of Bethel AME, Pastor Ray Charles Emanuel and Da Street Preachez (Saul Candanoza, Carlos Garcia and Pelon) of Mexia. Free food and soft drinks will be provided. Pastors are encouraged to come and nurture the souls and direct them to a Bible-based church so they can be fed the word. For more information, call (903) 641-5761.



Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 125 S. Fifth St., where Bishop K.D. Davis Sr. is pastor, will have “Reverse Sunday” Sept. 13. Worship service will be at 9 a.m. and Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. If you need a ride to attend or for more information, call (903) 874-4873.



The Word Church, 2708 W. Eighth Ave., will have Angel Food order days from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 12 and 14. Online ordering is available through 11 a.m. Sept. 13 by going to www.angelfoodministries.com. For more information, e-mail to the_wordchurch@yahoo.com or call (903) 872-5673.



XYZ (Xtra Years of Zest) will meet at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 15 in fellowship hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 312 N. 13th St. The program will be “The Arts in Our Town” and will feature visual art, music, comedy and inspirational reading. Performers will include Ron Motley, Eddie Hambrick, Zanada Tally, Nancy Smith, Monica Miller and coordinator Sandra Huffman. Gaylord and Dorothy Edling, co-moderators, invite everyone to attend the luncheon. Men and women of all ages and faiths are encouraged to attend. A meat dish and beverages will be provided. Bring a salad, vegetable dish or a dessert and your friends. Come for warm fellowship, good food and a super program.