Christians in Hartselle will gather under the open-air Tabernacle Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. for a community–wide worship service just as they have for the past several years – even though the event that started it all has been cancelled.  

Kicking off the week of Depot Days, the community–wide worship service has brought together believers in Jesus to sing songs of praise and worship. It began at East Highland Baptist Church and was then moved to the Tabernacle.  

“When Depot Days was cancelled, people started asking if our event would still be put on,” worship leader Jerome Ward said. “Several of us who have a hand in organizing the event every year met and talked about how this could be a such a powerful event for our community because we haven’t really been able to do a whole lot since March.  

“This would be a good opportunity for us to meet together, to worship together, to sing together, and it would provide us with a sense of unified hope.”  

Ward said the congregational singing will be mixed with worship songs led by groups from the area, but no community choir will be a part of this year’s event.  

Jaylynn and Trina Milligan of Temple Baptist Church in Cullman, Geoff Halbrooks and the Fellowship Quartet with New Center Baptist and Jan Byrd with First Baptist of Hartselle will be the special guests. 

“Remembering our faith and strengthening our faith in times like these is so important,” Ward said. “That’s what the Bible tells us to do. These songs that we will be singing – that’s their message.” 

An offering that will benefit Hartselle Camp Meeting will be taken.  

Masks and facial coverings, while not required, are encouraged, while social distancing cannot be maintained. When attendees sit down and the event begins, and people are 6 feet apart, Ward said masks can be removed.  

Ward said he is confident that through social distancing and wearing masks, attendees can mitigate the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.  

“We want to encourage people to come and remind them that it’s an open-air event, and folks can sit not only underneath the Tabernacle, socially distanced, but they can also bring their own chairs and sit outside the perimeter and enjoy the singing,” he said.  

Ward said organizers are also working on ways to amplify the sound more than normal so those who sit farther away will still be able to hear and participate.