Local churches plan for a “different” Christmas celebration

Ringing the Church bells on Christmas Day at Sharon UMC.

Manchester area churches are adjusting their expectations for Christmas Eve services in the age of COVID-19. While some congregations are planning socially distanced, in-person services, others have found creative ways to share the joy of the season with those who may prefer outdoor worship or even a virtual experience.

Emanuel United Church of Christ plans three in-person services for the evening of December 24. Each service is limited to 75 attendees and requires a reservation to assure the services are not over-crowded. The 5:30 pm service is already completely filled; 7:30 pm and 11:00 pm services are still accepting reservations by calling the church office at 734-428-8359.

At Manchester United Methodist Church, live-stream links to services can be found on the church website at manchesterumchurch.org or contact the church at 734-428-8495 for more information. You may also email office@manchesterumchurch.org. For Christmas Eve, they are planning four different types of service.

• Fireside Service: short worship will be posted to their YouTube channel early on Christmas Eve, to use at any time.
• Family Worship, 5 pm: will be a live-stream service with carols and retelling the Christmas story.
• Traditional, 7:30 pm: a live-stream service with familiar carols, scripture, and special music.
• Candlelit Worship, 11 pm: will be scheduled outdoors in the church parking lot with candle-lighting, prayer, and reflection.

St. Mary’s of Manchester is planning 5 pm and midnight masses on Christmas Eve, and morning mass at 10 am on Christmas Day.

Bethel Church is planning to hold two brief outdoor services on Christmas Eve at Bethel at 5:30 and 7:00 pm, with the option to join gathered around the front of the church or from vehicles in the parking lot. Masks and social distancing will be required for those outside their vehicles.

Virtual worship at Bethel can be found on YouTube. Search Bethel United Church of Christ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiVDhfaT63363SiFYrQeNdA

Pastor Ron Clark at Community Bible Church says, “While we are holding regular Sunday services with in-person worship each Sunday at 10 am, we are encouraging our folks to gather with small groups for in-home worship gatherings on Christmas Eve.”

Sharon United Methodist Church has scheduled “Drive In Church” in the fellowship parking lot at the corner of M-52 and Pleasant Lake Roads. The service will begin at 7 pm on December 24. In addition, the church is again hosting its annual “Come Ring the Bell” starting at noon on Christmas Day. In acknowledgement of COVID-19 regulations, each family who wishes to “ring the bell till your arms fall off!” is asked to register here for a five-minute time slot. Call the church office at 734-428-0996 with any questions.

Zion Lutheran Church, at the corner of Fletcher and Waters Roads in Freedom township will hold a virtual service at 3 pm – the link to YouTube can be found on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ZionChurchChelsea. A virtual service will be recorded in Historic Zion and broadcast at 9 pm – the link to YouTube also can be found on the same Facebook page. The church will host a live service at 5 pm that will be able to be heard in the southwest parking lot on an FM station that will be provided that day.

Victory Baptist Church is not holding additional Christmas Eve services this year, but Pastor Gary Page would like to invite whoever desires to the church’s annual reading of the book of Revelation, on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at 7 pm at the church, 419 S. Macomb. The evening will include a brief introduction to the book; the reading of the book; followed by a time of prayer afterwards. Attendees are asked to please respect the health and conscience of others by wearing a mask into the building; seating has been distanced appropriately.

“The book of Revelation is the only book of the Bible to give a blessing to those who would come to it,” says Pastor Page. ‘Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.’ (Revelation 1:3) So we invite you to join us for this blessing as the year ends.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.