Watch Night services will ring in new year

Several Augusta-area churches will ring in the new year with a Watch Night service.

Watch Night is a tradition, but its history isn't clear. One explanation for the service's prominence in black churches involves the emancipation of slaves.

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, but the document was to take effect Jan. 1. The Watch Night service that year, then, took on a new significance.

WATCH NIGHT SERVICES

GETHSEMANE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: 10:30 p.m., 1485 Wrightsboro Road

JORDAN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH : 11 p.m., 1529 Railroad St.

MOUNT TRANSFIGURATION BAPTIST CHURCH : 10 p.m., 350 Blanchard Road, North Augusta

LIFE IN THE RIVER WORSHIP CENTER: 10 p.m., 2140 Grand Blvd., with Angelo Hatcher

NEW LIFE WORSHIP CENTER: 10 p.m., 3550 Morgan Road, Hephzibah, with Ruby Hutchins

SWEETWATER BAPTIST CHURCH: 10 p.m., 277 River Road, Barnwell, S.C.; with Daughters of the King, the Ryans Family and the Sweetwater combined choirs

FRANKLIN COVENANT BAPTIST CHURCH: 10 p.m., 4800 Franklin Covenant Road, Hephzibah

BIBLE DELIVERANCE TEMPLE: 9 p.m., 1857 Fenwick St.

FLAT ROCK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: 10 p.m., 9015 Campground Road, Matthews, Ga., with the Rev. Timothy Lewis

NEW DESTINY MINISTRIES, ONE IN CHRIST OUTREACH MINISTRY: 9 p.m., 3124 Wrightsboro Road, including dance, drama and breakfast

GOOD SHEPHERD BAPTIST CHURCH: 10 p.m., 1714 Olive Road