By KAYLA HURLEY

News Intern

Several local churches will be holding special services this Christmas Sunday to celebrate the holiday.

For the first time since 2005, Christmas day is falling on a Sunday. This rare occurrence gives churches an opportunity to hold a Sunday Christmas service.

First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge is one of the many churches preparing for a Sunday service. The Rev. Randy Mosley, pastor, said his church will be having its traditional Christmas Eve communion, as well as a Christmas Day service. On Christmas Day, the church will be having a candlelight service with communion.

“I always say when Christmas falls on a Sunday you can come as you are, even if you’re in your pajamas,” Mosley said.

Fellowship Baptist Church is one of the churches expecting a good crowd on Christmas Day. Along with the traditional communion, they will also be having a candlelight service.

Myra Turner, a member of Fellowship, plans on attending the service on Christmas Day.

“I am excited about having service on Christmas, because it will be special,” she said.

The Rev. Paul Medley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, believes the congregation is excited about coming together on Christmas Day. The church is planning a worship service to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. First Baptist Church still intends on having their traditional communion and candlelight ceremony on Christmas Eve, only this year, the congregation will also be able to come together again on Christmas.

“The service on Christmas Day will bring out the real meaning of the holiday.” Medley said. “It’s not about commercialism, but about the gift of God through Jesus.”

Although many churches are holding a special service Sunday, some churches and denominations hold a Christmas service annually, regardless of the day where Christmas falls in the calendar.

Reverend June Johnson, the interim pastor at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, said the congregation provides positive feedback regarding their traditional Christmas services.

“The congregation would be disappointed if we didn’t have a Christmas service.” Johnson said. “Jesus has come and Christmas is a time to worship and praise.”

The Christmas Eve service at St. John’s Episcopal Church will entail the traditional Festival of Lights and Carols, followed by their worship service with Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day.

Having a Sunday Christmas is a rare event that many churches are excited about. Whether their Christmas services are traditional, or specially made, local churches are choosing to celebrate this Christmas with a thankful heart.