Second Baptist to host New Year's Eve Watch Service Dec. 31

Posted December 25, 2019 10:00 pm

Submitted by Second Baptist Church

On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Rev. Nathaniel L. Edmond will deliver both 8 and 10:30 a.m. services at Second Baptist Church, 1280 Summit St. in Elgin. The Male Chorus will render the music for the 8 a.m. service and the Combined Choir will deliver the music for the 10:30 a.m. service.

New Year's Eve Watch Service celebration will begin at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. This celebration of Watch Services - also known as Freedom's Eve - in the black communities can be traced back to Dec. 31, 1862. President Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation - the promise that all slaves of the Confederate States were legally free - set the stage for this yearly celebration. The slaves gathered at the churches awaiting the stroke of midnight. On Jan. 1, 1863, when the slaves received news of their freedom, they prayed and fell to their knees giving thanks to God.

All are invited to come out and celebrate the new year.

Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m. Bus and child-care services are available.

For information, call (847) 695-7757 or visit www.SBCElginIl.org.

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