Some local churches will look back on 2021 and ring in the new year with a special service Friday evening.
Gary Hathaway, senior pastor at Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, said the special Watch Night service, the final church gathering of 2021, is a chance for people to reflect on what they overcame and the lessons learned from the past 365 days.
“Watch Night, for us, is probably more about praising and thanking the Lord for the current year, more so than the focus on the new year,” Hathaway said.
Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, 115 North Moore Road, will begin its service at 6 p.m. Friday. The service will involve testimonies, praise and worship and a guest sermon from Ron Harris, associate minister at Second Missionary Baptist Church.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for more nuanced conversations about mental health, Hathaway said, something he is reflecting on as 2021 ends.