PEORIA, Ill. — Due to Tier Three mitigation across Illinois, many churches have returned to online-only worship just weeks before Christmas.
Pastor Miranda Denler, with Northwest United Methodist Church in Peoria, hopes her congregation will be able to celebrate Christmas together in-person.
For the time being, Northwest has provided its families with symbols of Advent to help them stay connected.
“Everyone has traditions that they participate with their families for Thanksgiving, for Advent and for Christmas. And, those traditions can still happen on a small basis in your home,” Denler said.
It Tier Three mitigation isn’t lifted before Christmas, Denler said Northwest’s services will be all virtual, but with all the Christmas traditions intact.
“As we light our candles during our worship service, we will be inviting families that have Advent candles at home to be lighting them as well,” Denler said.
Music is a huge part of Northwest’s Christmas traditions.
Denler said there will still be plenty of music On Christmas Eve, even if the service is online.
“Even if we can’t be together on Christmas Eve, we’ll still be singing all the songs of Christmas. We’ll just be singing at home,” Denler said.
Northwest has planned a special online service on Christmas Day that will be focused on family. “The ABC’s of Christmas” will be specifically geared towards kids.
“I’ll probably be in my Christmas pajamas, by the Christmas tree in the sanctuary, inviting them at home to participate in that as well. And, I’m very excited about this family-oriented service,” Denler said.
Northwest’s Christmas Day service is set for 4 p.m. You can find it and all of the church’s online services at Facebook.com/ Northwest Peoria United Methodist Church.
The full interview with Pastor Miranda Denler is HERE.
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