For many churches in the area, annual homecoming celebrations are much-anticipated events that bring the congregation members — both current and former — together to celebrate where the church has been and where it is going.

Larry McDaniel, treasurer of the Coal Grove Church of the Nazarene, said this week’s homecoming weekend is an always-special time. Those who flock to the event share stories, catch up on their lives and share their love of God.

McDaniel has seen many homecoming celebrations in his time, he has been serving as the secretary for more than three decades.

“Any time you have a special service in brings in new people and it brings in those who have not been there in a while,” McDaniel said. “It’s like Christmas or Easter, it really brings people in.

This year’s event will be a homecoming for not only the congregation, but for the pastor as well. The Rev. John Euton has returned to the church as interim pastor. He served the church from 1976 to 1981 and

has returned to fill in while the congregation is looking for a full-time pastor. He said the homecoming is a special time to share the love of God and to share what he has done for the church.

The church will have a continental breakfast from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Sunday. The Revelators will sing from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., followed by Audie Murphy as the guest speaker. Lunch will be served at noon. There will be no evening service.

The Rev. Billy Payne, of the Linnville United Baptist Church, will also be hosting a homecoming this weekend. He said the event is always an exciting time.

“It brings them together more. They always want to come back and get together with everyone else that used to come to the church or who are currently attending,” Payne said.

Services at Linnville will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. Charles Henry will be delivering the morning message and Matthew Klaiber will be the afternoon speaker. God’s Messengers, The Linnville Quartet and other church vocalists will provide music. Lunch will be served at noon.

There are several other churches that are also hosting homecomings.

Etna Baptist Church will also be having its homecoming this weekend at 11 a.m. Sunday. Steve Cook and Sammy Cooke will be the guest speakers. There will also be special singing. Lunch will follow the morning service.

Mt. Pleasant Freewill Baptist Church will start its special service at 10 a.m. Sunday. John Paul Patterson will be preaching. The Lemasters and the Call Family will be singing. Lunch will be at noon.

At Rock Camp United Methodist Church, services will also begin at 10 a.m. Sunday. Jim Bradley and Randy Patrick will be the guest speakers. Singers will include the Blanton sisters, The Stapletons and Phil and Sharon Porter. Dinner will be at noon.

Windsor Independent Methodist Church will has Glenn Carman as its special speaker at 10 a.m. Sunday. Singers will be Ronnie Kinser, Heaven Bound, The James Gang and The Windsor Quartet. There will be no evening service.