Worship Together

Worship Resources of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest

October | 2022

Preparing for Advent and Christmas Visitors


Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President


Many congregations see more visitors and guests in November and December, including Christmas Eve.  Is your congregation ready to invite people and welcome them?


Plan ahead.  Now is the perfect time to finalize your plans for the final worship services of the year.  Identify a theme for the season.  Plan special services (children's pageant, choir cantata, lessons and carols, Christmas Eve) and seasonal additions to worship (Advent wreath/candles, Christmas outreach projects, special music).


Describe these plans without "insider" language.  Find ways to explain what you are doing that might make sense to visitors.  You can use your time-honored titles, but then explain things like Hanging of the Greens, Advent Candles, choir cantata and more.  Would you attend something if you didn't understand what it means?


Publicize your services.  Create a graphic to use based on your theme (an online program like Canva can help you do this).  Promote using newsletters, bulletin inserts, one-page flyers, social media posts, emails, and more.


Share. Share. Share.  Do not just rely on your congregation's publications to spread the word.  Make it easy for people to invite others.  Give people flyers/postcards to pass around.  Encourage people to put this info on their social media -- that's why the graphic and use of visitor-friendly language is so important.


Welcome visitors when they show up -- in person and online.  After all of this work to prepare and promote, make sure there are people ready to greet people as they arrive and help them feel comfortable and appreciated.


All Congregational Gathering

is THIS Saturday!

Last Call for Registrations!

2022 Regional Calendar

 

For more details go to the Regional website:

uppermidwestcc.org




Oct 15 All Congregational Gathering, Christian Conference Center

Oct 27 Regional Operations Council, 7 pm

Oct 29 All Saints Sunday

Nov 13 Thanksgiving Special Offering

Nov 20 Thanksgiving Special Offering

Nov 24 Thanksgiving

Nov 24-25 Regional Office Closed

Nov 27 First Sunday of Advent


July 29 - Aug 1, 2023

General Assembly

Louisville, KY


Looking for Worship Resources?


Videos:


Music:


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)

Special Resources for Worship and Education

Region Providing Sermon after Christmas


Need some pulpit supply around the holidays?  We will provide a recorded sermon by Regional Minister Joshua Patty for use January 1 or any Sunday after Christmas.  Congregations and ministers will have access to the sermon by December 21.


In addition, our region plans to provide sermons recorded by regional staff for a Sunday after Easter and the Sunday during the 2023 General Assembly.


Advent Theme Ideas


Looking for fresh ideas about the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love?  Listen to 12 preachers reflect on those themes, offered by Convergence.  Free registration to watch day of release, Oct 17-20, or pay for lifetime access.  Learn more.


Children's Sabbath, October 16


The Children's Defense Fund invites religious communities to focus on children the third weekend of October each year.  Here are materials for this year's observance.

Thanksgiving Special Offering


The Thanksgiving Special Offering supports Disciples-related colleges, universities, seminaries, and divinity houses.  This offering is usually received Nov. 13 and 20.


Worship Resources for Special Offering


Ways to Improve Worship Attendance


Join a free webinar on October 25 to learn best practices to improve in person and online worship attendance, offered by Lewis Center for Church Leadership.  Learn more.  


Stories for Children's Time


Ministries Across Generations offers 33 stories that can be used during worship moments with younger people and families or a children’s church.  They also can be used at home, shared in emails, and more.


All 33 are available for $100 or purchase different subsets for $25 each (Advent, Lent, Biblical Women, and Parables).  Learn more.


Previous Resources and News

Resources to Strengthen Your Worship Services


These are some resources that have been featured in previous issues of Worship Together:

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