2024 Manchester area Christmas services

by Sara Swanson

Church services are often considered an essential, traditional part of the Christmas season, even for those who don’t attend the rest of the year, and Manchester has several to offer. This year’s local church services include:

Bethel UCC, located at 10425 Bethel Church Rd, will have a children’s Christmas program featuring their Jr. Church participants on Sunday, December 22, at 5pm, with a cookie reception to follow. On Tuesday, December 24, they will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service with Holy Communion at 5pm and 7:30pm.

Community Bible Church, located at 8400 Sharon Hollow Rd, will have a candlelight Christmas Eve service on December 24 at 6pm.

Emanuel Church, located at 324 W Main St, will have a Christmas Eve service at 5pm that will include their “no rehearsal” kids’ Christmas pageant.

Manchester United Methodist Church, located at 501 Ann Arbor St, will have candlelight services at 7:30pm and 11pm on Christmas Eve. They will also be holding a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 18, at 7pm. This service is open to all, but it is aimed at those for whom Christmas time is difficult because of grief, depression, family issues, etc.

Sharon Church, located at 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd, will have three Christmas Eve services, at 4pm, 7pm, and 11pm. The 11pm service will include Holy Communion.

St. James UCC, located at 11005 W Michigan Ave, will have a Christmas Eve service at 6:30pm that will feature a children’s program combined with a candlelight service.

St. Mary Catholic Church, located at 210 W Main St, will have a Christmas Eve service at 5pm (with a children’s Christmas play at 4:45pm), a midnight mass, and a mass during the day on Christmas morning at 10am. They will have a service for the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph on Saturday, December 28, at 5pm, and Sunday, December 29, at 8:30am and 10:30am; and a Solemnity of Mary service on Tuesday, December 31, at 5pm, and Wednesday, January 1, at 8:30am and 10:30am.

Zion Lutheran Church, located at 3050 S Fletcher Rd, will have Christmas Eve services at 10:15am, 7pm, and 9pm. They will also be holding a Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 22, during worship at 10:15am.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.