How many churches are having Watch Night services?

[Jim Franklin]

Perhaps that is too old of a term for some of you young sprouts but it was a prayer service held on New Year's Eve to pray the New Year in on your knees. My paternal grandfather was saved at one of these. So I was just wondering how the current Nazarenes use a special night to glorify our God.

[Barbara Moulton]

Perhaps that is too old of a term for some of you young sprouts but it was a prayer service held on New Year's Eve to pray the New Year in on your knees. My paternal grandfather was saved at one of these. So I was just wondering how the current Nazarenes use a special night to glorify our God.

We haven't done a watchnight service in years.

[Mark Metcalfe]

Perhaps that is too old of a term for some of you young sprouts but it was a prayer service held on New Year's Eve to pray the New Year in on your knees. My paternal grandfather was saved at one of these. So I was just wondering how the current Nazarenes use a special night to glorify our God.

It isn't a bad idea, but New Year's Eve is not a Christian holy day.
I don't consider New Year's Eve "special" and have at
times been in bed by 10PM. When I am up until midnight,
it is usually because of others, and I try (not very well)
to not be grumpy.

MM

[Tina Daling]

We had them in recent years but found attendance was dwindling so tomorrow night we are having a New Year's Eve service at 6:00 with home fellowships afterwards.

New Year's Eve may not be a 'holy' day but we love to be with our church family in the house of the Lord to see the old year out. I miss the Watch Night services - to me it was very special 'praying in the New Year'. I know I could pray in the New Year on my own but I'll probably be asleep at midnight this year. And of course this year (or should I say 'next year') we need to be up bright and early for church on New Year's Day!

Tina

[Barb Bouldrey]

We haven't had a Watch Night service in years in our ministry. Once in a while we try a game night, but it always fizzles out before midnight with only a few left when the clock strikes 12.

New Year's Eve just does not interest us any more.

Barb

[Cindi Hammons]

I haven't heard the phrase "Watch Night Service" since the early 1980's. My Dad was in a Gospel Quartet, and I spent all of my childhood New Year's Eve's either at a Gospel sing or at our own church. I have always really disliked those services. I remember in 1979, a young man stood up and said that he was sure that Jesus would return before the new year of 1980! Talk about a shocker to this 14 year old! Needless to say, the smug feeling returned once the clock stuck 12 and we were all still squirming on our knees. My release from that bondage came when I entered the teen years and we had our own NY Eve activities. Those were some of the most spiritual (and fun) times I have ever had on NYE.

I have attended our current church since 1991 and we have never had a Watch Night Service in that time. We have had a couple of game nights though. One in particular was really nice when a former pastor's son who is now a minister was back visiting family. We played volleyball and other games until about 11:30 when we went to the sanctuary and had communion and sharing. Now, THAT, I can deal with.

I'm glad that there was a Watch Night Service available to your Dad when he was spiritually needy, but I'm also glad for the COTN and the diversity of congregations.

This Saturday, I shall probably be sitting up with my girls eating popcorn or ice cream while my dear hubby is working the night shift in the intensive care unit. Not real exciting, although I'll have to do something to make it special for the girls.

Cindi H.