Watch Night: New Year's Eve Service

If you are looking for something besides partying in the new year with dancing and drinks, consider Watch Night.

Although New Year's Eve church services got their beginnings with John Wesley, founder of the Methodist faith, about 1740, it is now a tradition held in many African American congregations everywhere.

Known as Watch Night, the evening for blacks dates back to Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. In the eve of January 1 of 1863, slaves were watching and waiting for their so-ordered freedom.

Many congregations, including some in the Snellville area will be bringing in the new year with this special tradition. And, we are providing a brief list of some places you can go.

• Campuses in Snellville and Stone Mountain. Main church is 2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain. Services at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Contact the church for more details.
• Victory for the World: Watch Night service at 10:30 p.m., 1170 North Hariston Road, Stone Mountain. Click here for their website. 
• Pleasant Hill Baptist Church: Watch Night service at 10 p.m., 797 Moon Road, Lawrenceville. Click here for the church website.
• Friendship Baptist Church: Watch Night service at 10 p.m., 3375 Church Lane, Duluth. Click here for the church website.
• Christ the King Baptist Church: Watch Night service at 10 p.m., 258 Rabbit Hill Road, Dacula. Click here for church contact information.
• Emanuel A.M.E. Zion Church: This church will also hold a Watch Night service, located at 5746 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. Contact the church for more information. 
• New Birth Missionary Baptist Church: Two services at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia. Click here to be taken to church website.
• St. Philip A.M.E Church: Watch Night service is 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., 240 Candler Road, Atlanta. Click here for the church website.

This is only a partial list. If you know of other churches holding Watch Night specific services in Gwinnett County or nearby, feel free to let us know in the comment section below!