Church service brings community together in a night of music and praise

JACKSON, Tenn. — Christmas might still be a week away, but that didn’t stop members of First United Methodist Church from celebrating a little early.

There was not an empty seat in the church’s sanctuary Dec. 18 as the community came together to enjoy a night full of carols and worship.

Church members say this is an event they look forward to all year long.

“This is about my favorite Christmas event, and my wife sings in the choir so I never miss it,” Pat Scanlon, an usher for the event and member of the church said.

Robert Hopper has been a member of First Methodist for nearly 40 years, and said the “Carols and Candles” night has been going on for as long as he can remember.

I like the end of it, when they sing “Silent Night” and light the candles and everybody goes out in silence,” he said. “It’s my favorite part.”

At the end of the service, the lights were dimmed and ushers went to each aisle to to light each candle.

Everyone then joined the choir in a singing of “Silent Night.”

Hopper said more and more people have found out about the event over the years, and the church invites anyone in the community to come.

“We do it mainly for the community,” he said. “We see a lot of people from the other churches come in here and it brings in a lot of people in this community.”

Hooper says the choir and orchestra is one of the highlights of the event.

11 festive songs were played in total.

“I just think it is a really good thing,” he said. “And I am sure other churches do something similar to this, but we have a really good choir director and excellent choir.”

First United Methodist will have a second candlelight service on Christmas Eve at Andrews Chapel on Brownsville road at 6:00 p.m and  will also have a Christmas day service and breakfast starting at 9:00 a.m.