Countdown to New Year's: Church, Home and Online Ways to Ring in 2020
Whether you're going to church for New Year's Eve, hosting a church event or "having church" at home, there are lots of ways to ring in the New Year with Christ first.
Here are a few ideas:
If Your Church is Having Service for New Year's Eve...
If you're hosting a church event yourself or going to church service tomorrow night, a few ideas can help you create the best New Year's Eve service.
A lot of churches use New Year's Eve as a Watch-Night service. These might be more relaxed where people can dress down and bring food. They might have service and fellowship before midnight when they ring in the New Year.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Have a guest speaker or a few speakers.
- Invite a musical group, let the choir perform, let the kids perform or have a church talent show.
- Serve food everyone can enjoy. Consider a potluck, chili cook-off, buffet style or "all the fix-ins'".
- Set aside time for reflection, prayer and confession. This is a good time to put on anointed worship music to draw close to God. Let people pray and come to the altar. Remind people to cleanse their hearts and forgive everyone who grieved or hurt them so they can start the New Year fresh.
- Share personal victories and testimonies. Let people get up and discuss how God covered and/or carried them.
- Have Communion after you ring in the New Year.
- Pray for one another. Pray over our ministries, communities, schools and churches. Pray for our President, military and those that serve our communities. Pray for our police, fire and rescue and EMTs. Pray for all teachers and pray for all laypersons. Close out with prayer for traveling grace and mercies to get everyone home safely.
If You're Staying Home for New Year's Eve (and Still Want Church Service)...
3, 2, 1...Yup it's that time of year again. But, let's say you don't want to go out this New Year's Eve. A lot of parishioners are staying home to ring in the New Year indoors. And, that's okay. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the New Year with your church or you can "have church" yourself.
Here are a few praise and worship songs:
Another way to celebrate the New Year is if you fast and pray and then have communion at home after you read your Bible. If you have juice and crackers or bread, you can have communion when you ring in the New Year.
Here are a few ministry clips that have communion:
One of the most important ways to ring in the New Year is to read your Bible. Reading your Bible is especially important as it's private time with you and Father God. Read through Psalms as you thank Father God for all the blessings He provides. Then, read through Luke as you study and review Jesus's teachings. You can also let the Holy Spirit guide you as He might take you to the book of Jonah, Joel, Ruth, Micah or John.
Other ways to ring in the New Year include enjoying an inspiring sermon (or a few).
Here are a few examples:
Another way to celebrate the New Year is with a LIVE service. Here are a few churches having LIVE online ministry events for New Year's Eve (Special Note: Please check the time zone in your area):
Bill Winston Ministries...
Living Word Christian Center will have their New Year's Eve service starting at 8:00 pm. (I believe they're on Central Time). Service begins at 9:00 pm. Please see their website for more information. Their service will air live on YouTube.
Elevation Church...
Elevation Church with Pastor Steve Furtick will host their New Year's service Praise Party Live at several of their locations. Service will begin at 10:00 pm. Please see their website for more information. You can watch their service online here.
Play Past New Year's Eve Ministry Messages...
An alternative way to enjoy a New Year's Eve message after reading your Bible is to watch a prerecorded video of a New Year's Eve ministry message.
Here are a few ideas:
Happy New Year!
However you choose to ring in the New Year, we give God all the glory, honor and praise that's due His name. Keep reading your Bible and stay encouraged. Demons are defeated, the devil is under our feet and the devil can't touch us. God has a hedge around us and no weapons formed against us shall be able to prosper. Shout unto God with the voice of triumph! Lord, we thank You for another year. Our 2020 vision is focusing on You and the new plans You have for us!
Let's celebrate! Jesus Christ is Lord!
