Watch Night services planned
By Linda Luck
Published in News on December 30, 2004 2:00 PM
Many churches will usher in the New Year with what is traditionally called a Watch Night service.
The typical service begins around 10 and ends with prayer at midnight. It may include songs and a short message. Oftentimes a meal or light refreshments will be served.
Other churches have a candlelight Holy Communion service early in the evening.
Following are some of the services scheduled Friday night at area churches:
*The First Presbyterian Church, 1101 E. Ash St., will have a Holy Communion service at 7 p.m. in the chapel.
*Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 601 W. Elm St., will have a Watch Night service at 10.
*Wood's Chapel Church's Mass Choir will open its service at 9. The guest minister will be the Rev. John Penny from Parks Chapel in Fayetteville.
*Wave of Glory Faith Center, 915 McDaniel Ave., just off 117 South, will have a service at 10, led by Pastor Daniel Uzzell.
*Mincey Chapel in Kenly will have a Watch Night service at 10. A fellowship breakfast will follow the service.
*Deliverance Center, 2114 S. Slocumb St., will have a service at 9:30. Dollie Everette will deliver the sermon and Holy Communion will be served.
*Grace and Mercy Mission Ministry's Watch Night service will begin at 10 and will include a time of consecration. The church is at 703 Royall Avenue.
*St. James AME Zion Church's Watch Night service will begin at 10:45. The church is at 206 S. George St.
*True Holiness Assembly, 409 E. Elm St., will have a Watch Night service at 10.
*All Together Ministries on Old Smithfield Road will have a Watch Night service at 10.
*Central Heights Holy Church's Watch Meeting will start at 9:45. Speakers will be Elder Mack Sewell from the House of Prayer in Selma, Pastor Danny Wellington of Ecclesia House of Prayer in Goldsboro, and the Rev. Andrew Williams of Goldsboro. Ecclesia House of Prayer will provide special music.
*Holly Hill Church of Christ, Shady Grove Church, Mt. Pleasant Church and Jackson Chapel will have a joint Watch Night service. It will begin at 10 and will be held at Holly Hill.
*The Place of Refuge Ministries, 616 S. Slocumb St., will have a service at 10, followed by a light breakfast and fellowship.
*Best Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and Greenleaf Christian Church will sponsor a community combined service at 10 at Best Grove Church. Speakers will be the pastors, Rev. Joe A. Jackson, Dr. Arthur Evans, and Dr. William Barber II. Music will be by the Flames of Fire. Breakfast will be served afterward.
*Bread of Heaven United Holy Church will have a service at 10:30. Speaker will be Minister Christopher Mitchell.
*Cornerstone Gospel Tabernacle Ministries Inc., 4369 Hwy. 70 East, Princeton, will have a celebration service at 9:30. Guest speaker will be Apostle A.D. Williams of Orlando, Fla.
*White Oak Grove Church on Big Daddy's Road will have a Watch Night service at 10. Speaker will be Elder Isaiah Croom.
*St. Luke Church, 430 E. Elm St., will have a service at 10. Speakers will be Elder Thurman McCullen and Elder David Williams. Attire will be casual.
*Pentecostal Holy Church will have a Watch Night service at 10 and the public is invited.
*Mt. Zion Church of Deliverance Ministries, 213 S. Odom St., Calypso, will have a Watch Night service at 10.
*Johnson Chapel United Holy Church, 2753 Arrington Bridge Road, will have a New Year's Eve gospel concert. It will begin at 10:30 and will feature the Johnson Chapel Mass Choir, the Wade Sisters and others.
*Little Rock Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, will have a Watch Night service at 10:30.
*Union Grove Church, Fremont Missionary Baptist Church, St. James Church of Fremont, and Hooks Grove Church of Pikeville will have a joint Watch Night service at Union Grove, 2136 Memorial Church Road. The service will begin with hors d´oeuvres at 10 and the Rev. J.O. Williams will deliver the message at 11.
*Greater Guiding Star United Holy Church's Watch Night service will start at 10.
*Philadelphia Community Church's Watch Night service will start at 10. The church is at 1503-E. Wayne Memorial Drive.
*Goldsboro Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 1314 Ben Brewington Court, will have a Watch Night service at 10:30.
*St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, 584 Pecan Road, Dudley, will have a Watch Night service. It will start at 10:30 and breakfast will be served.