Watch Night Services

Each year millions of people party hardy for the New Year. They plan all year long what they will be doing on New Year's Eve. What they are going to wear. Women seek to find that special outfit in the hopes that they will have better luck in the coming year than they did the previous year when it comes to that someone special.

Men typically hope for the same, but are more apt to say they just want to get their party on. Whether male or female, young or old a great number of people will be out and about bringing in the New Year with food and drink. They will put their dancing shoes on and have a merry time.

A tradition that was started many years ago bringing in the New Year is beginning to flourish again. The tradition called "Watch Night" is becoming very popular again especially in the African American community. As we all know most churches no matter what denomination are still largely segregated and the tradition of Watch Night is still basically an African American tradition.

The church faithful gather at church (sometimes several churches combine) to bring in the New Year. The faithful start their service somewhere between 7 and 10 PM and conclude sometime after midnight. They in essence watch the last night of the old year leave and usher in the first day of the New Year.

At Watch Night services, there can be testimonials from members of the congregation where they tell what the Lord has done for them over the last year. There will of course be singing-lots of singing. There will be preaching and talk of those that did not make the New Year. Even though there is talk of those that did not make the New Year, the idea of Watch Night is to celebrate the goodness of God. The music will be uplifting and joyous.

Some people start their celebration at Watch Night while others make it their only form of celebrating the New Year. The New Year will be ushered in with a prayer.

After the services are over, some churches serve breakfast while others serve dinner. They can serve anything from bacon and eggs, to chitterlings and such. In most African American churches wine is frowned upon so there will be only fruit juice and coffee.

About 1 AM the Watch Night Celebration will be over. Even though Watch Night is not an official holiday, it is an important part of the African American Church.

A combined Watch Night Service will be held at Carter Metropolitan CME Church which is located at 4601 Wichita Street in Fort Worth, Texas. Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, Campus Drive United Methodist Church, Morning Chapel CME Church, Baker Chapel AME Church and Carter Metropolitan CME Church are the churches that are participating, but all are welcome. The service will start at 8 PM.