DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A small central Michigan church has held its Sabbath worship service for the first time since its then-pastor was arrested on accusations he carried out the sexually motivated slaying of a 24-year-old neighbor.

The Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant (http://bit.ly/SKlLz4 ) says about 20 members of Christ Community Fellowship in Isabella County's Deerfield Township attended Sunday services, welcoming visitors despite the trauma of the arrest of 55-year-old John D. White.

He's charged with first-degree murder, and Isabella County authorities say he's confessed to killing Rebekah Gay on Wednesday to act out a fantasy of sex with a dead victim.

The ex-convict was engaged to Gay's mother.

Service leader Donna Houghton says there were some blessings in the midst of "a horrendous week" and says there will come a time of forgiveness.