CHRISTMAS TUNED IN
Many look to virtual holiday worship services
While some churches will have limited capacity at Christmas Eve and Day services, many have recorded services that their congregants will view as part of their holiday worship.
They are being necessitated by gathering limitations imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While churches are once again allowed to hold in-person services, health officials have recommended against large gatherings where people cannot maintain social distance from each other.
Among those is Kensington Church, a non- denominational congregation with locations in Clinton Township, Clarkston, Troy, Orion Township, Birmingham and Traverse City. Members from all six churches recently participated in the virtual service.
“This online service—with the set design, message elements and music— aligns closely with the in-person services at each campus. Our inperson services have protocols in place to ensure proper social distancing and facial coverings,” said Melissa Thwing, Kensington’s social media and marketing director.
Kensington’s services can be viewed on its website, kensingtonchurch.org as well as its app, Facebook and YouTube pages.
Some churches are offering in-person gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but require advance reservations while others have moved their gatherings to outdoor settings.
“It’s pretty exciting to see how God is reaching more people,” Nikolai Gibbons, associate pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb Township where some parishioners will be celebrating a Christmas Eve service outdoors, said in a report published recently by MediaNews Group.