As long as I'm fired up this morning about how we "do" (or don't do) church, thought I'd ask for you to share on this subject!!
New Year's Eve USED TO BE the biggest social fellowship night for American adults. Parties, activities, hoopla, etc. My church always had a special, rival WATCHNIGHT SERVICE that would include a film/video, games, food, then go to auditorium just before midnight and have candlelit communion to usher in the new year.
Wonder how many churches still do that?
And secondly, the SuperBowl night is NOW the biggest social fellowship night for American adults. Do we look at that the same as New Year's and begin a sane, non-alcoholic party time of big-screen tv, games, food, then have preaching, etc.
Wonder how many churches do that?
Thanks.
Watch Night Service v Super Bowl Service?
Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Dr. Bob, Dec 30, 2003.
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I grew up in a church that had a watchnight service - 9:00 PM to midnight. We would be praying the old year out and the new year in a the midnight hour - and they would ring the church bell.
Now - our fellowship of seven churches has a New Year's Eve service. It used to be 9:00 PM to midnight - but as most of are getting older - we've changed it to 7:00 - 9:00 PM. We have just as good of a time - and we get home before most of the drunks are on the roads - and before we fall asleep at the wheel.
I've commented on the Super Bowl thing on another thread - it's something to think about!
Dan -
Circuitrider <img src=/circuitrider2.JPG>Site Supporter
Many churches who used to have the tradional "Watchnight Service" have changed to a more streamlined program and getting our earlier. Excuses include: drunks on the highway, kids need their sleep, adults need their sleep, lousy Christian films (or I have seen them all). Now its back home to the TV and watching the ball drop....
I miss the old way of doing things, but then I am over the hill.... :D -
Nothing like that at my church. This New Year's Eve, we're just having a regular service, except we're starting it a half hour earlier, at 7:00 PM instead of 7:30 PM.
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We don't acknowledge the SuperBowl, well only a little..We still have the Traditional 9:00PM to midnight service. This year we're likely scrapping the Christian videos (they are "unequal yokes" in my view if the actors are not saved)and giving 6-7 men an opportunity to bring a devotion in the film's place. Of course as Baptist, we'll have testimonies, and set in absolute concrete, food! We don't have too many after midnight problems since we live in this little village known as NY City :D :eek: . We have another church that uses another part of our bldg, and they start at 10:00PM and go to about 2:00AM. :eek: anyway, I look forward to Jan 1 so I can catch up on my..
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I have attended churches that once in a while would do things and once in a while not.
Same with Super bowl stuff. It was usually the old farts that had trouble with it. :D -
Saggy - can we use that term to describe me and Circuitrider?
Ben Franklin would be "proud" of you, my dear! -
We still have old time watch night service at the church that I pastor,start at7pm with singing then myself or visiting preacher will bring the message then take a break,some people leave for another church,and some new ones come to our church for 2nd service, At 12oclock we pray the old year out and the new year in.
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We have the watchnight service. I've never attended. Not much can get me to stay up past 10 PM :rolleyes: .
On Superbowl Sunday we use the night for outreach.
We arrange a potluck dinner before the game and purchase snack foods for the game (so far nobody's brought beer :eek: ).
A projection screen T.V. is set up so the games larger than life.
Half-time is a video by a group of pro football players that is made for the occasion.
As an outreach it's only fair to middling but as a encouragement to the men it's great.
Rob -
No service new years eve we will be attending a party with our sunday school class, as for super bowl I live in Houston so If the Lord is willing I will be outside the park witnessing.
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Circuitrider <img src=/circuitrider2.JPG>Site Supporter
"Outside the park witnessing...." Now that sounds like a real alternative to the Superbowl. Maybe instead of having Superbowl services we should go out and do a little door-to-door.... :D
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Great Idea. Have a super bowl party at church. A wonderful time of fellowship and non church gors could be brought in. GO TITANS