ALTAMONT — A joint Lutheran-Reformed worship service on Sunday, Jan. 18, will kickoff Altamont’s observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Altamont Reformed Church, at 129 Lincoln Avenue, will be the host congregation. St. John’s Lutheran Church is the other sponsoring congregation. The service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, recorded in John 4:1-42, is the scripture basis for this year’s observance. Holy Communion will be celebrated, making use of donated breads representing various parts of the worldwide church.

Father Joseph Girzone has accepted an invitation to be the special guest preacher. Under the direction of Agnes Armstrong and Diane Kingsland, combined choirs will perform two anthems.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in 1908, the brainchild of the Rev. Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Episcopal religious order in New York’s Hudson Valley. It is now observed worldwide.