By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – This week the Rev. Paul Naylor is taking up residence in St. John the Baptist Parish, where he will serve as pastor of First Baptist Church of LaPlace. Naylor and his family are moving from Rogers, Ark.

To celebrate the arrival of their new leader, the congregation have planned a day of festivities Sunday. The day will begin with a meet and greet with the new pastor at 10:30 a.m. Special guests Dr. Duane McDaniel, executive director of the New Orleans Baptist Association, and Dr. Preston Nix, associate professor of Evangelism and Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will join the Naylors and the congregation.

A blood drive is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at 5 p.m. there will be a Children’s Choir Musical, and at 6 p.m. the Children’s Silent Auction and Dessert Social will take place.

A fish dinner benefit will also start at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner should be purchased in advance.

First Baptist Church is located at 120 Ormond Blvd., LaPlace. For more information, call 985-652-6219.