Plan for this holy season using these Michigan Conference resources, and then ensure your church’s online Christmas Eve services are listed correctly in our directory.

The seasons are changing, and there’s a nip in the air. It’s time to plan for local church Advent and Christmas services and events. The Michigan Conference has many resources coming your way, with the opportunity to integrate these offerings into your planning.

Christmas Eve Social Media Campaign

Did you know nearly 13,000 Michiganders sought out a Christmas Eve service last year by clicking on our “Spend Christmas at Our House” statewide social media ad campaign that reached almost 1 million residents? Click the button below to ensure your church is listed in our online directory and has accurate information for 2024. If you have updates or need to add your church’s information, email us by December 19 at [email protected].

Bishop’s Advent Offering

The Bishop’s Advent Offering for 2024 will support UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #901670, a fund to provide immediate relief to those still impacted by natural disasters in the United States. Fall hurricanes have left scores dead, injured, unhoused, and still in need of the most basic necessities like water, food, medicine, and cell phone service. Know that giving means 100% of your offering will go to domestic disaster response.

Congregations should plan to receive an offering during Advent to contribute to Bishop Bard’s Advent appeal. A downloadable bulletin insert will be available soon on our Advent Resources page. Check back next month.

Local churches can contribute by check, payable to the Michigan Conference, to this address: Attn: Michigan Conference | PO Box 72472 | Cleveland, OH 44192-0002. Please Include in the memo line: Advance# 901670 with your church account number. Donations can also be made online using this secure PayPal link. (Note that PayPal contributions cannot be credited to local church giving in Donor Direct.)

Bishop David Bard notes, “We watched significant storms batter the southeast this fall, and the devastation moved our hearts. It will take months of work to help people rebuild their lives and communities. UMCOR is committed to working with people well after immediate needs are addressed, specializing in long-term recovery. You can brighten the holiday season for so many through a generous gift to the Bishop’s Advent Offering, which will go directly to UMCOR.”

Bishop’s Christmas Sermon

Coming in early November, share the joy of the birth of our Savior with this conference-produced sermon by Bishop David Bard. It can be used by local churches any time between Sunday, December 22, 2024, and Sunday, January 5, 2025. It is available to support our pastoral leadership with the many pulpit demands of the season. The video will be available for download on the conference Vimeo page early next month to integrate into your worship planning. Watch for more announcements in MIconnect.

Other Resources

Conference staff members have curated many other resources from previous years, including Christmas Eve ideas for families, original music, Blue Christmas services, social media campaigns, and so much more! Check out our Advent Resources page for updates.