TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - The Christmas eve celebration is looking a little different for both First Methodist and First Baptist churches in Marshall as they held a joint Christmas eve service on Tuesday evening.
“I think it’s nice when we can just agree to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Christmas and Easter would probably be prime times to do that,” said David Luckert, the Pastor at First Methodist Church in Marshall.
This comes just over two weeks after First Methodist was badly damaged by a fire.
The church has held their services at First Baptist since the damage, but the two have never held their services at the same time.
With both being under the same roof and their usual Christmas eve services both falling at 6 p.m., both sides saw it as a no-brainer.
“With everything that happened, and First Methodist meeting in our building, we both decided, ‘hey, we are both having Christmas Eve services. 6 p.m., same time, we have a lot of traditions in common.’ David and I are good friends, so we said ‘hey, we have to do this,’” said Ryan Berryhill, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Marshall.
Churches of different denominations having normal services together isn’t uncommon both pastors said, but for Christmas eve it is.
Luckert said that the service has shown him and others that, despite the denominational difference, both churches are much the same.
“Heaven is probably not going to be separated by denominations. He is the one who calls us to live for him and to love in his name; we have that in common. Really it’s a reminder tonight of what we have in common is far, far greater than what we don’t,” said Luckert.
Pastor Berryhill said that this fire may be the catalyst for a different-looking future for the churches and their services.
“Inviting other churches to be a part of it. I think that’s on, I know it’s on both of our hearts, and I think the congregations would be open to that, too. So I’m excited to see what will happen from here,” said Berryhill.
Pastor Luckert says that there is still a long road ahead before First Methodist is able to be back in their own building, as plans are still ongoing as to how they can rebuild their church.