NATCHEZ — First Presbyterian Church is inviting the community to attend the church’s annual “Kirking of the Tartan” service starting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

The event honors the Presbyterian church’s historical ties to Scotland.

“It is not a very old tradition in this church,” said the Rev. Joan Gandy, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Natchez. “It goes back to the 1990s. We’ve enjoyed it in this church for about 20 years.”

The special service will include traditional Scottish music and the traditional “Kirking of the Tartans,” which is a roll call of families whose names recall the immigrants who helped to establish the Presbyterian Church in their new homeland several centuries ago.

The music will include a bagpiper, Gandy said, and other musicians will play the piano, French horn and flute.

The music will be performed for approximately 10 minutes before the service, Gandy said, and the service will be followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall that is free to all who attend.

“You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy this service,” Gandy said. “It is a time to give thanks and to remember our religious freedom in this country and to show that we are grateful to people who came before us. We are the recipients of all of their good works they gave us.”

First Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Pearl and State streets. The luncheon will be in the fellowship hall across State Street from the church. Call 601-442-2581 for more information.