Northeast Christian Church

08/07/2026

Help Grow the WellsFest Plant Sale!

Do you have extra plants in your garden that need a new home? We'd love to have them for the WellsFest Plant Sale!

We're especially looking for native Mississippi plants, along with perennials, herbs, flowers, shrubs, and other healthy, well-rooted plants to help make this year's sale a success. Native plants are always a favorite because they support local pollinators, birds, and wildlife while thriving in our climate.

Your plant donations help make WellsFest even more vibrant while supporting this beloved community event. Every plant shared helps us grow something good together!

If you'd like to donate plants or have questions about what to bring, please email [email protected].

🌼 Thank you for helping WellsFest bloom!

WellsFest: Jackson's Original Music Festival

07/16/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of a dear friend of our church - Rod Nealey. Our prayers are with his extended family even though they are belated, they are sincere. Sharing a link to his obituary below:

Celebrate the life of Rodney Nealey and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Join us Sunday, May 17th beginning at noon for delicious cajun food, desserts, children's games, raffle items and great music from the Patrick Harkins Band.

05/16/2025

Join us on Sunday for great food and great music!

04/28/2025

Hello all! We need some help; our musician is retiring in May and we are looking for a replacement. I don't believe it is a full-time paid position but we would need someone Sunday's from 10:15 am to 11:30/12:00. Our service starts at 10:30 and currently our musician does a 5 or 10 minute prelude before that time. Please share and spread the word! Message us here and I will get anyone interested in touch with our pastor. Oh, I guess I should have mentioned we have a piano but no organ!
Thanks!

05/16/2024

Consider coming to this event at the church on Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 pm.

05/10/2024

All of us at NECC were saddened to hear of the passing of one of our members, James R. Waites, Sr. You will find a copy of his obituary below along with information on his funeral service.

James Waites Sr. Obituary
RIDGELAND, MS: Funeral services for James Ray Waites, Sr., 79, who passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS, will be held at 1p.m., Friday, May 10, 2024, at Christian Chapel Church in Port Gibson, MS with Rev. Rufus Edwards officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s cemetery with Thompson Funeral Home of Port Gibson in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Thursday, from 1p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel and Saturday, from noon until service time at the church.

James embraced his faith early on and was baptized into the Christian faith as a Disciple of Christ. His commitment to his beliefs guided his actions throughout his life.

James exhibited remarkable leadership qualities; he graduated from Addison's High School in 1962, where he excelled academically and served as the class president, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. His passion for sports was evident from his high school days, where he shone as a star linebacker and pulling guard for the Yellowjackets, earning All-Conference honors in his junior and senior years.

His journey in education and athletics was remarkable. He excelled both academically and athletically, earning his Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from Alcorn A&M College (now Alcorn State University) in 1966, where he also played football with passion and dedication. He continued his education, receiving a Master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Texas Southern University in 1972 and a Specialist in Education from the University of Houston, further solidifying his commitment to academic excellence and professional growth.

Fueled by his fervent love for sports, he embarked on a distinguished career as an educator and coach, starting at Threadgill High School in Greenwood, Mississippi. He later relocated to Jefferson County to expand his teaching and coaching journey. Eventually, he found his calling in the Claiborne County School District, where he retired after dedicating himself to nurturing young talents both on the field and in the classroom, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives through his mentorship.

James's influence extended beyond the local level, as he served over 20 years as the SWAC's coordinator of officials for women's sports. His expertise and leadership were invaluable to the athletic community, earning him respect and admiration from colleagues and competitors alike.

A member of Kappa Alpha Psi, James dedicated his time generously to a variety of volunteer activities, which included serving as a sports public address announcer at Port Gibson High School and Ridgeland High School, as well as coaching youth basketball and football at the Madison Youth Recreation Club.

James Ray Waites will be remembered for his unwavering dedication, passion for sports, and commitment in shaping the lives of those around him. His legacy will live on in the countless students, athletes, and colleagues who were fortunate enough to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Waites and Pearlena Sayles Waites; and five siblings, Riley Buck Wells, Curtis Waites, Mosell Waites Stingley, Frank Waites, Jr., Rosemary Waites Hall.

James was a man of many talents and passions, but perhaps most notably, he was a devoted father to Dr. Sharon Waites-Beckworth and James R. Waites Jr. and a cherished stepfather to Trevell Henry. His pride and joy was his only grandchild, Danielle Beckworth. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews who will carry his memory in their hearts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Ray Waites Sr., please visit our floral store.

Services

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday
May 10, 2024
1:00 PM
Christian Chapel Church
502 Church Street
Port Gibson, MS 39150

Share memories & support the family

04/03/2024

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
On this day God has acted

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Song of Solomon 3:1-11
The song of the lover

Upon my bed at night
I sought him whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not;
I called him, but he gave no answer.
“I will rise now and go about the city,
in the streets and in the squares;
I will seek him whom my soul loves.”
I sought him, but found him not.
The sentinels found me,
as they went about in the city.
“Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
Scarcely had I passed them,
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I brought him into my mother’s house,
and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the wild does:
do not stir up or awaken love
until it is ready!
What is that coming up from the wilderness,
like a column of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
Look, it is the litter of Solomon!
Around it are sixty mighty men
of the mighty men of Israel,
all equipped with swords
and expert in war,
each with his sword at his thigh
because of alarms by night.
King Solomon made himself a palanquin
from the wood of Lebanon.
He made its posts of silver,
its back of gold, its seat of purple;
its interior was inlaid with love.
Daughters of Jerusalem,
come out.
Look, O daughters of Zion,
at King Solomon,
at the crown with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
on the day of the gladness of his heart.

Mark 16:1-8
Mark’s resurrection account

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Prayer:

Love divine,
in raising Christ to new life
you opened the path of salvation to all peoples.
Send us out, with the joy of Mary Magdalene,
to proclaim that we have seen the Lord,
so that all the world may celebrate with you
the banquet of your peace. Amen.