Cornerstone Baptist Church, 801 N. 13th St., has called Paul D. Carter of Dallas to serve as its pastor. Carter is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and has served churches in Wyoming, Virginia, and Texas over the past 30 years.

Carter is currently on staff at the First Baptist Church-Hamilton Park in Richardson, where he has served for five years. He is married to Linda Carter and they just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. They have two grown children, Erica Jones of Dallas and Alan Carter of Grand Rapids, Mich. They have three grandchildren.

Carter received his B.A. degree in Bible (cum laude) at the Criswell College in Dallas and an M.A. degree in counseling/psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He is currently working on a Master of Business Administration degree at Liberty University.

For years, Carter was involved in bi-vocational ministry in Wyoming where he had a full-time job and also was pastor of a Southern Baptist church that could not afford a full-time pastor. For the past 15 years, Carter has filled pulpits across Texas and assisted churches as an interim pastor. He is an adjunct professor at the Criswell College where he teaches introduction to psychology and dynamics of marriage and family.

Carter can be reached at (903) 872-8105, which is the church telephone number.



Kelly’s Temple Church of God in Christ invites you to come celebrate as Pastor Billy Joe Kelly and Sister Ruthie Nell Kelly will celebrate 22 years of dedicated service as leaders of the Kelly’s Temple COGIC. They will be escorted down the red carpet by Ministers Johnny and Carol Burgess. The theme “Double Honor” will be taken from the scripture 1 Timothy 5:17.

The 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 guests will be Church of the Living God, Pastor J.D. Morgan; Church of the Living God PGT, Overseer Robert Newsome; Faith Temple COGIC of Fairfield, Pastor Patricia Rischer; Greater Deliverance Church of Waxahachie, Pastor David and First Lady Williams; and Emmanuel Upper Room COGIC of Reagor Springs, and Bishop Robert Davis, who will be the speaker.

At 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1, the pastor and wife will be escorted down the red carpet by Eldress Omega and Elder David Kelly. Distinguished guests will be Greater Crossway COGIC, Pastor David Houston; Open Door COGIC, Pastor David Thompson; Taylor’s Memorial COGIC, Pastor Floyd Taylor; The Anointed Victorious Church Where God is Number 1, Pastor Gary Mainor; special selection by The Kelly Sisters, Annette Carter, Carlette Thigpin, Sherry Franson, and Bobbie Jean Green; and Timothy Baptist Church and Pastor Clarence Jones Jr., who will be the speaker.

Everyone is cordially invited to help celebrate. Dinner will be served. Program coordinator is Sister Melissa Brown.





Barry Methodist and Emhouse Methodist churches will have Lord’s Acre Nov. 7 at the Fannie Mae Vernon Room at the Navarro County Exposition Center, State Highway 22, Corsicana. This year marks the 48th year that the churches have jointly held a Lord’s Acre festival. A barbecue lunch, prepared by Third Avenue Market, with homemade pies will be served starting at 11 a.m. with the auction starting at 1 p.m. Country store and sweet shop will open at 10:30 a.m. Also, a quilt will be raffled. For more information, call Ann at (903) 695-2697.



Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 101 N. Fourth St., will celebrate its 137th church anniversary at 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Guests will be the Rev. Michael W. Waters and Joy Tabernacle AME Church of Dallas.

Waters, the founder and senior pastor of Joy Tabernacle AME Church, has been named one of the top young leaders in America by Ebony magazine (April 2009). He is an honors graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, earning a B.A. degree in political science and religious studies (with a minor in history) and a Master of Divinity degree in African American church studies and in urban ministry. He is currently finishing his Doctor of Ministry degree in urban ministry at the SMU Perkins School of Theology. He is married to Yulise Reaves Waters and they have two children.

Everyone is invited to come out and help Bethel celebrate this wonderful event. The Rev. Ray C. Emanuel is pastor, the Rev. Leonard “Ted” Johnson is assistant pastor, and Sister Pamela Colbert and Brother Chester Bradley are exhorters.



Bethlehem Baptist Church, 409 N. Third St., where the Rev. Dairy Johnson Sr. is pastor, invites the public to come and hear songs of praise at the harvest musical at 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Come out and be blessed.



Calvary Worship Center, 1364 N. Beaton St., will have its 12th annual Fall Family FEST from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. No admission fee. There will be many door prizes, and prizes and/or candy at every game. There will be a petting zoo, balloon artists, face painting, survivor zipline, super trampoline, pony carousel, mechanical bull, climbing mountain and food/dessert booths.



Community Baptist Church, located at 125 County Road SW3040 and State Highway 31, will have its 58th homecoming services Nov. 1. Robert Easterling, former pastor, will be preaching. Lunch will be served and there will be singing after lunch. All former members and friends are invited to come join in.



Corsicana Ministerial Alliance will meet at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at First Baptist Church of Blooming Grove, 208 S. Kerr St., where Grady Cashion is pastor. The program will be on The Salvation Army. All ministers in the area are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 875-1084.



Eastside Church of Christ, 906 E. 13th Ave., has a food and clothing ministry open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Non-perishable food, clothing, shoes and some household items will be given to those in need. To donate items to the ministry, call (903) 874-8943, (903) 872-3590 or (903) 229-0039, or bring any donations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays. For more information or if you are in need, call (903) 872-4504.



First United Methodist Church of Dawson, 200 N. Main St., will have a Lord’s Acre dinner and auction Nov. 7 in the church’s fellowship hall. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will consist of ham and your choice of sides including potato salad, baked beans, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Cost will be $8 for adults and $5 for children 4 to 12 years old, and children under 4 will eat free. Take-out meals will be available. The live auction will begin at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the Lord’s Acre will go to special community and church projects.



First United Methodist Church of Kerens will have its annual Lord’s Acre Nov. 7 at the Kerens Alumni Center in downtown Kerens. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with brisket, ham and all the trimmings. Homemade desserts will be on hand also. Lunch will be $4 for children and $8 for adults. There will be a live auction beginning at 1:30 p.m.



Frost United Methodist Church will have a turkey dinner Nov. 7, sponsored by the Frost United Methodist Women, at the Frost UMC annex. Take-out meals will be available beginning at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Menu will be turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans and homemade pie. Cost will be $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.



Harmony Baptist Church, 400 E. 12th Ave., where Bishop John Baker is pastor, will hold a special ministry appreciation and benefit service for its own associate minister, Elder Michael Williams, and family at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 8. All area churches and the community is invited to be a part of this much-deserved appreciation. For more information, call (903) 874-6108.



Heavenly Days Country Holiness Church, 12852 County Road SW2170, Richland, will have a gospel singing with an open mic from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21. All donations such as food, hygiene items, paper goods, etc., will go to help fill the church’s food pantry, which helps those in need. Sandwiches will be served after the singing. For more information, call (469) 387-0580.



House of Praise Church of God, 1345 W. 13th Ave., will have a fall festival for kids from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30. There will be bounce houses, goody bags and snacks. You are invited to attend services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. Children’s church is held at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Midweek services are held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.



Lakeside United Methodist Church will have a fall festival from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. There will edibles, baked good, crafts and games and prizes for children. There will also be a quilt raffle. Tickets will be $5 each or three for $10. Money raised will go for local outreach and ministries.



Landmark Baptist Church, 4429 W. State Highway 31, has pumpkins for sale for decor or to bake with. Prices vary from 50 cents to $20. Come take some pictures at the pumpkin patch. Pumpkins are available from 12:30 p.m. until dark weekdays, from 10 a.m. until dark Saturdays and from 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. You are invited to come see the selection.



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 will hold a healing and wholeness service at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. You are invited to join in for fellowship and blessings. This is for everyone who is seeking peace and wellness. Sunday services are at 9 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.



Unity Baptist Church, 406 S. 34th St., where Brother Chad Owens is pastor, invites you to services: Sunday — Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m., worship and children’s church at 11 a.m., Bible study classes at 5 p.m., and worship at 6 p.m.; Tuesday — visitation to shut-ins at 10 a.m., Wednesday — prayer meeting at 7 p.m.; and Thursday — 7 p.m. Bible study at Northwest Apartments Community Center. King’s Kids Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The nursery is open for all services. The church will have Octoberfest from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and give out popcorn and candy that night. For transportation to services, call the church at (903) 872-2861 and leave your name, phone number, address, and how many people need a ride.



Wesley United Methodist Church, 3308 N. Beaton St., invites all children to walk through “Trunk or Treat” from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. All are welcome to join in for Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. Sunday.