When it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve, the folks at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabethtown like to do things a little differently. "We count down to the new year at 7 p.m., because that's the time it's midnight in Letterkenny, Ireland, which is the sister city of Elizabethtown," said pastor A.J. Domines. "We also raise a lit star on a flagpole. Our claim to fame here is, everywhere else, they drop something. We do not drop anything. We lift up the star, which is the symbol of Christmas and the Wise Men coming in a few days."

Welcome 2024 will be held in and around the church, 125 E. High St., Elizabethtown, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31.

"We'll start with a chicken barbecue from Kauffman's BBQ," said Phil Clark, a member of the event committee. The meal will be available to eat in or to go, with tickets available for purchase in advance at the church office or at the door. It will be served from 3 to 6:45 p.m. and will feature a half-chicken, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll and butter and a drink.

Additional food options will be served in the church social room and will be offered free of charge. Food will include hot dogs and three kinds of soup - tomato basil, beef vegetable and chicken and rice.

Outside, free popcorn and hot chocolate will be served, along with s'mores over a firepit.

At 3 p.m., juggler Chris Ivey will perform in the church sanctuary. "At 5:30, we'll have our Music on High series with a carol sing in the sanctuary," said music director Kevin Gane. "People are invited to join in."

Outside, a DJ will provide musical entertainment throughout the event.

Bingo will be held in the Lutheran Lodge on-site from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a variety of events will also take place at the Winters Heritage House Museum, located at 47 E. High St. The museum will host hearth cooking demonstrations, as well as children's crafts and entertainment from The Balunguy from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

East High Street in front of the church will be blocked off for the event, and participants are encouraged to use municipal lots in town to park since parking is limited at the church property.

"A few minutes before 7 p.m., I'll say a prayer and then we'll raise the star," said Domines. "When the star gets to the top, 2024 will light up at the bottom of the flagpole and fireworks will go off. I'm still surprised, every year we've had fireworks, how long and impressive the fireworks show is."

Vicki Yaider, a member of the event committee, noted that Welcome 2024 offers an opportunity for an early evening celebration of the holiday.

"It's a great way for families with young children to celebrate without having to stay up until midnight," she said.

Gane added that the church members enjoy organizing the event annually as a way to connect with Elizabethtown-area residents. "It's a very nice, established community event," he remarked.

And it's a melding of both secular and religious elements, noted Domines, adding, "It's a secular celebration, but we insert our Christmas hymns and our Christmas star. We just want the community to come together and enjoy the camaraderie of being together."