Mount Vernon Optic-Herald

Several area churches are having Christmas programs and are planning Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve.
A special musical program will be conducted at West New Hope United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. The gospel choir from St. Matthew House of Worship in Mount Pleasant will perform Christmas music during the course of the worship service.  
Bishop J.C. Fountain, pastor of the visiting choir, will lead them in the service.   The Rev. Scott Stewart, pastor at West New Hope, will preside in worship and deliver the message for the day.  Everyone is invited to attend worship and to remain afterwards for a reception and brunch to honor the choir and other visitors.
To get to West New Hope United Methodist Church, take US Hwy 67 to the east side of Winfield; turn north on FM 1734; go two miles and turn left on CR 1165; go west for two miles to a fork in the road; the church is on the left.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church will have a  service for singing Christmas Carols at 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24 followed by a midnight English mass. An English mass will be conducted at 9 a.m. Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, followed by a Spanish mass at 11:30 a.m.
A Holy Day of Obligation service will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 1. An English mass will be conducted at 9 a.m. followed by a Spanish mass at 11:30.
The church is located at 307 Rutherford St. Members of the community are encouraged to join the church for their special services.
The First Baptist Church will have their Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24. The church is located at 319 S. Kaufman St.
The First United Methodist Church will have their annual Blue Christmas event at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 in the sanctuary.  Their Candlelight Services will be at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24. The church is located at 524 Hwy. 37 S. across from the school.
Members of the community are encouraged to join the many churches in the community for their special services and events.