WORSHIP
Watch Night -- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 905 Oak, will hold a New Year watch night service at 10 p.m. today. The speaker will be the Rev. Mike Fitzsimmons of Quincy Presbyterian Church, and there will be singing by the Unity Community Church Choir under the direction of the Rev. Orville B. Jones. The public is invited to join the celebration of the love feast and Holy Communion as the old year goes out and the new year comes in.
Joint Service -- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church of St. John and St. James Lutheran Church will end the old year with a joint worship service at 7 p.m. today in St. James Lutheran Church at 900 S. 17th. The theme for the service is "God's Resolutions." Each congregation will have their own worship service on Sunday, Jan. 1. Our Redeemer and The Lutheran Church of St. John will have their normal services on Sunday, Jan. 1. St. James will have only one service at 10 a.m. with Bible class at 9 a.m. All Sunday services at the three churches will be different from Saturday services.
Burning Bowl Service -- Unity of Quincy will hold its annual Burning Bowl service at 7 p.m. today at Washington Perk, 428 Maine. In a contemplative service of music and meditation, individuals consider their vision and potential for the coming year, and then reflect on any obstacles in their thinking that might prevent them from attaining those intentions. The service concludes with a ritual in which negative thoughts are symbolically released. The theme for 2012 is "Transformation: Co-Creating a Community That Works for All."
Concert -- Central Baptist Church of Quincy will hold a free Southern Gospel concert at its 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship services on New Year's Day. The Christian music group, Master's Voice, will perform. Master's Voice members include Jonathan Drew (lead singer), David Herring (pianist), Ricky Capps (tenor), and Joey Johnson (baritone). Master's Voice travels to more than 200 dates a year. Master's Voice began more than 16 years ago with the church youth presenting special music on Sunday. A free will offering will be received during the concert. Central Baptist Church is located at the corners of Seventh and Broadway in downtown Quincy, Illinois. Parking is accessible off of Broadway, Seventh and Vermont streets. There is reserved handicapped parking near the building. An elevator is available for persons needing special assistance. Free nursery care is provided during services for attendees. The church is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, USA. For more information about this event, contact the Rev. Ivan E. Greuter, pastor.
Youth Mass -- A citywide youth Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, celebrated by the Rev. Tom Hagstrom. The Mass is held the first Sunday of every month and is for all the youth of the community. Masses are celebrated on a rotating basis by Quincy Catholic pastors. Families and adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. Music will be provided by the TEC and Cursillo communities as well as area youth. After the Mass, a citywide youth group named SWAT, Servants With A Testimony, will meet with Deacon Terry Ellerman. There will be refreshments. SWAT concludes at 7 p.m. For the remaining Sundays in January, SWAT will meet at St. Boniface Church from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 29 is Gym night. St. Boniface Catholic Church is located at Seventh and Maine Streets. For inquiries, call (217) 242-2467.
ACTIVITIES
Financial Peace -- Christ Lutheran Church, 333 S. 36th St. in Quincy, will hold Dave Ramsey's financial peace university beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Contact Stuart Peters at (217) 224-1624 for more information or to register.
Thanksgiving Services -- New Hope Gospel Center will offer special services Jan. 2-6 beginning at 7 p.m. each evening at the center at 1009 Lyon in Hannibal, Mo. The services will be in thanksgiving for 40 years of ministry in the area. Pastor William "Bill" Shultz of Jacksonville, Ill., will be the featured pastor with music provided by the New Hope Praise Team, the Messengers, the Stoney Ferguson Family and Diana Shultz.
