By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — As 2017 comes to an end, many area churches are hosting special services on New Year’s Eve.

A few churches are joining together to host a watch service. These churches are Forest Aide Baptist Church, Greater St. James Baptist Church and Bright Morning Star Baptist Church. The service will be held at Greater St. James Baptist Church, located at 549 Lower Woodville Road in Natchez. It is set to begin at 10:30 p.m.

Rev. Michelle Brooks, of Bright Morning Star Baptist church and one of this year’s event organizers, said this joint service is something that has been going on for several years.

“We do this joint service every year,” Brooks said. “We do it to bring our community together for worshipping in the new year.”

Watch services, or watch night services, are common in several faiths including Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal. Congregants join together at a late service for a time of fellowship, prayer, singing and testimonials.

In addition to those mentioned before, New Hope The Vision Center, located at 418 Morgantown Road in Natchez, will host a New Year’s Eve service at 11 a.m. as well as an evening service to bring in the New Year. The evening service will begin at 9 p.m. and will last until just after midnight.

Pilgrim Baptist Church located at 117 Pilgrim Blvd. in Natchez will also host a service that will begin at 9 p.m.

A few churches are adding to their regular services and, or doing something additional in the evening.

Natchez Church of God at McNeely Road will host a New Year’s Eve concert featuring the Gospel trio, Three Bridges. The event will start at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Grace United Methodist Church on Fatherland Road in Natchez, will add an evening service at  5 p.m.

“The service will really be a casual event,” Rev. Linda Fox said. “It will be a time spent focusing on prayer and preparing for the new year. It should not last more than an hour.”

Vidalia First Baptist Church will have a special service at 10:30  Sunday morning.

“It is really just our regular service, but the message is what will be special,” Rev. Wes Faulk said. “The message is about God making us new in the new year. It is really about going beyond resolutions and seeing God create real change in our lives.”

The Harvest Baptist Church located at 305 Lake Drive in Ferriday will begin its New Year’s Eve service at 10:30 p.m. Musical guest Greg Alford will serenade those in attendance, which will be a little different than the services in years past.

“In all the years I have been the minister of music, the choir has traditionally performed,” James King said. “We normally did anywhere from 10 to 12 songs. This year we will not be performing, but we are still expecting a large crowd.”

Just after midnight, those in attendance will fellowship and share a New Year’s breakfast.

Cliff Temple Baptist Church located at 204 Spokane Road in Kingston, will host a fifth Sunday singing and candlelight service. It begins at 5 p.m.