Dynamic Worship

Local Church Toolbox

The centerpiece of many churches is the weekly worship experience. Identified with vibrant preaching, spirit-filled music, prayer, scripture and more, dynamic worship can bring together generations and people of different backgrounds to honor the God of all creation.

The Great Plains Conference is working with congregations across Kansas and Nebraska to develop a full worship service, or components for churches to choose from, for online worship Christmas Eve or Dec. 27. Please check this page regularly for video components as they are available. All components will be available via links on this page by Dec. 19.

While all music is public domain, it is still highly recommended that churches have a CCLI license and a streaming license to use this content.

Bulletins

Download the bulletins (Word documents) so you can see what is planned and so you can start substituting your own content or copy and paste from these documents into your own bulletins.

Full Services

Full services for Christmas Eve and a second for Dec. 27 (mostly a duplicate from Christmas Eve with just a couple of changes) will be available Dec. 18 or 19. There also will be options for downloading completed services up to the sermon and after the sermon for churches whose pastors want to provide the sermon.

Christmas Eve Full Service	Dec. 27 Full Service
Christmas Eve Prior to Sermon	Dec. 27 Prior to Sermon
Christmas Eve After the Sermon	Dec. 27 After the Sermon

Music

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 by Rev. Zach Anderson, from Goodland, Kansas
Luke 1:26-35, 38 by Rev. Tony Serbousek, from St. Francis, Kansas
Luke 2:1-7 by Rev. Rodgers Chishiba from Osmond, Nebraska, and Rev. Alice Shomari, from Newman Grove, Nebraska
Luke 2:8-16 by Rev. Lacey Wheeler from Marquette, Kansas
Matthew 2:1-11 by Pastor Trever and Allison Rook from Lincoln
John 1:1-14 by Pastor Venedith Vargas from Elm Creek, Nebraska

These performances all are public domain and can be used by any church. If you use individual recordings, please credit the singer(s)/musician(s) and the church. Download the item by clicking on the link in red below (or the verse in the box at right). Once you arrive on that video's Vimeo page, click the <Download> button under the video itself.

Prelude featuring Rev. Daekyung Kim, serving Burlington, Kansas (This is a compilation; individual songs are listed below)
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel (with lyrics), featuring Susan Croll and Rev. Daekyung Kim, from Burlington, Kansas
"The First Noel," (with lyrics) featuring the First UMC Praise Band from North Platte, Nebraska
Doxology "Give Thanks," featuring Impressing Children's Choir Trio from Lawrence First UMC.
Doxology (Sign Language) "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow," featuring Wess and Shannon Robotham from Seward UMC in Nebraska
"This Little Light of Mine," featuring Impressing Children's Choir from Lawrence First UMC
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" & "Away in a Manger," featuring Rev. Daekyung Kim
"Still, Still, Still," featuring the St. Paul's UMC virtual choir from Papillion, Nebraska (COMING DEC. 17-19)
"Gesu Bambino," featuring Jan Barnum and Pat Ziegelmeier from Colby UMC in Kansas
"Silent Night," (with lyrics) featuring the First UMC Praise Band from North Platte, Nebraska
"Joy to the World," (with lyrics) featuring the First UMC Praise Band from North Platte, Nebraska
"Go Tell it on the Mountain," (with lyrics) featuring the Clair Memorial UMC Choir from Omaha

Additional Elements

The following are additional elements you may use if you so desire.

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.'s sermon
- Text the bishop used as the starting point for his message.
Lighting of the Christ candle, featuring Rev. Babatunde Oladimeji of Chadron UMC in Nebraska and Ethan Porter of Camp Norwesca
Prayer of Entering into Worship, featuring Jasmine Flores of Urban Abbey in Omaha. Prayer written by Rev. Debra McKnight of Urban Abbey
Stewardship Moment, featuring Pastor JoEllen Axthelm from Seward UMC in Nebraska
Children and Families Moment, featuring Rev. Melissa Gepford, conference intergenerational ministries coordinator
Benediction by Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. (COMING SOON)

Extra Features

Christmas Story video — This re-telling of the birth of Jesus is designed to be a fun activity for children and families. It will appear on the Great Plains Conference's Facebook page at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Worldwide Christmas Virtual Choir Videos from Discipleship Ministries

Christmas medley
"Silent Night"