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Lenten Resources

Holy Week Lily and Thorns

Statewide Holy Week Campaign

With most local churches finding it necessary to offer Holy Week services online, the Michigan Conference will be launching a social media campaign called "Spend Easter at our house!" The campaign will run Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.  Targeted Facebook ads in 11 state-wide media markets will guide Michiganders to a conference webpage where local online Lenten services are linked by city.  Now is the time to confirm your local church is listed and a link to online worship services is provided.

Please take a moment to confirm your local church is listed correctly by clicking the red button at left.  For updates or to add your church, please contact conference communications.

colorful easter eggs

Lenten Resources for Families

Lent and Holy Week are significant moments in the life of the church and for our children and families. The resources  for church leaders and families to use in a variety of settings. This toolbox includes a Children's Easter Service, Lent in a Box, Holy Week in a Box, articles, ideas, resources and more.

Group hug

Lenten Resources for Youth

Resources available for youth leaders and families with youth to use during the Lenten and Easter seasons.

Lenten Resources for Adults

Cokesbury "At A Glance" Comparison Chart

Finding Jesus in America Today (Stations of the Cross Exhibit for Holy Week)
* Google Drive w/ Script & Images
* Virtual Exhibit

Roll Down, Justice! A Lenten Biblical Reflection

Lent 2022 Small Group Study on Anti-Racism

A Sanctified Art: Full to the Brim
15% off coupon for Michigan UM Churches - UMCLENT
* To apply for a free Full to the Brim bundle, complete this form

#pictureLent

An intergenerational, spirit-filled, invitational, reflective daily devotional journey based on the lectionary scripture readings.

Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Lenten Calendar

A daily calendar featuring resources that include a collection of activities, quotes, books, videos, etc. for our Lenten journey through the lens of what it means to actively engage in the work of anti-bias/anti-racism.

El Camino Hacia La Cruz

El camino hacia la cruz: siguiendo a Jesús para servir y no ser servidos por Eric A. Hernández López. La guía tiene el propósito de ayudar a las iglesias a utilizar el libro durante el tiempo de Cuaresma 2022, ya sea para predicaciones, discipulados o grupos pequeños.

The Way to the Cross: Following Jesus to Serve and Not Be Served by Eric A. Hernández López. The free guide is intended to help churches use the book during the season of Lent 2022, whether for preaching, discipleship, or small groups.

Amplify Media 

The Michigan Conference is partnering with Amplify Media to provide churches with a discount on a subscription. Attend one of the informational meetings on Zoom or contact Kathy Pittenger. Additional information coming soon.

Online Worship Service Resources

In an effort to provide support to local church hybrid online services during Holy Week, the Michigan Conference has produced two services and a post Easter devotion.  These services are designed to be downloaded by local churches and offered through their own websites, social media channels, or by email.  Or, the services can be downloaded and edited to add custom local church introductions, closes, pastor messages, or other material. Churches can also share the link directly to the conference VIMEO page. Please contact Conference Communications if you have questions about these offerings. 

Maunday Thursday Service

Download link

Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo
Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan
CMU Wesley
Ferris Wesley
Length: 25 minutes

Good Friday Service

Download link

Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. B. Kevin Smalls
Liturgists: Min. Candy Johnson
Music Director: Jesse Douglas & Hope Music Ministry 
Length: 60 minutes

Sunday After Easter Devotion

Download link

Worship Leader: Randy Hildebrant
Length: 9:47 minutes

Resources from 2021

Maundy Thursday Service

Download link

Worship Leader: Bishop David Bard
Liturgist: Charity Ben
Music Director:  Parker Garman 
Length: 40 minutes

Remembering Christ's final evening in the Upper Room, Bishop Bard calls upon us to open ourselves to God, acknowledging where we have fallen short, and trusting that God loves us – wholly and completely.  

Good Friday Service

Download link

Worship Leader: Rev. Julie Liske
Liturgists: Raj Wiener, Jay Makowski
Music Director:  Eric Strand 
Length: 20 minutes

This meditative service faces the crucifixion through art from around the world, accompanied only by piano and scripture texts from Isaiah and John.  May this worship bring  the forgiveness and freedom God shares with us, so that we may share it in solidarity with the world Christ came to disturb and save. 

Bishop Bard Holy Week Greeting

Download link

Worship Leader: Bishop David Bard
Length: Estimated 4 minutes

Bishop Bard brings a vision of Holy Week and a message of hope that this be a week of wonder.

Children's Easter Service

Download link

Worship Leader: Rev. Kathy Pittenger
Length: Estimated 4 minutes

Children's Initiatives Coordinator, Rev. Kathy Pittenger offers an Easter morning children's ministry time.  This video is appropriate as a stand alone offering, or can be integrated in a local church Easter service.  For those churches interested in producing their own children's message, you can find fully developed scripts and book suggestions here.

Easter Virtual Choir

Thine Be The Glory is an Easter celebration hymn that transcends time and cultures.

A global choir bringing together over 400 singers from different countries, congregations, and communities – proving that even in the midst of a pandemic we are still united.

Lenten Musicians
Musicians the Rev. Juhee Lee, Kate Kim and Christine Song on violin, Cheongmoo Kang on bass clarinet, Beverly Rathbun on organ and Da Eun Ryu on piano.

Copyright free music 

The Revs. Yohan Go and Juhee Lee of the New England Conference worked with musicians to record 47 songs and make them available on Google Drive for any church that needs music to use freely.

Girl praying at Easter

A devotional that responds to child hunger

The 2021 Lenten Devotional explores how you can partner with EngageMI to respond to child hunger and food insecurity in light of the global pandemic.

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

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The Michigan Conference