Worship Resources of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
December | 2021
Livestreaming Christmas
Rev. Joshua Patty
Regional Minister and President
I imagine that many of you are putting the final touches on your upcoming Christmas Eve services.
Even when we try to have a simple service, there are plenty of moving parts on Christmas Eve. Plus we all want to create a service that connects with visitors and those we do not see so often.
If it seems too stressful, remember what a wonderful opportunity we have to share the story and meaning of God's greatest gift -- love, light, joy, hope, peace, and so much more made real through the birth and life of Jesus.
Regional Worship Resources for December 26
Again this year, our regional staff wants to offer a gift to the pastors and worship leaders in our congregations. We will prepare and provide a recorded worship service for Sunday, December 26 -- the Sunday after Christmas.
This worship service will be available in its entirety on YouTube, premiering at 10 am that morning. You will also be able to download the full service, or specific components of the service, for use in your congregation's worship service that day (whether in person or online).
Pieces of the service include: Welcome/Opening Prayer; Lighting of Candles/Opening Prayer; Scripture (Matt. 2:13-15); Sermon, "Home for Christmas"; Offering (music: "What Child Is This"); Communion (music: "In the Bleak Midwinter"); Benediction; two songs for congregational singing with lyrics: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World"; and two instrumental songs: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "How Great Our Joy!"
The content for this service, including link to the YouTube version, will be available by Friday, December 17.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Thanks for reading!
Hymnary.org is a vast searchable resource for hymns and hymnals (offers copyright or public domain information)
Prayers, Liturgies & More:
Worship Ways from the United Church of Christ (permission granted to congregations to adapt and use in worship)
Worship Planning from United Methodist Church (permission granted to congregations to adapt and use in worship)
Christmas Special Offering, December 12 & 19
On December 12 and 19 congregations are invited to collect a special offering to support our regional ministry. The Christmas Special Offering funds our work in resourcing and connecting congregations and ministers. This includes helping congregations call new ministers, gathering people in camps and conferences, nurturing people seeking to become ministers, welcoming people to the Christian Conference Center, working ecumenically, and so much more.
Smaller congregations may not have huge budgets, but they can still create powerful worshi. Spend 30 minutes listening to several ideas to enliven your worship.
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